Jeep Cherokee XJ Bumper, Winch & Battery Tray - Project XJ Overland Ep. 8
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- Äas pĆidĂĄn 24. 07. 2024
- On this episode, we slap on a new bumper, install a winch, fix our free-range battery problem, a few other odds and ends. And show you something very interesting we uncovered when pulling the bumper off.
Smittybilt XRC Bumper: amzn.to/2wOpzNY
Smittybilt XRC Winch: amzn.to/2wRIRNp
JCR Battery Tray: amzn.to/2lcEZk9
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Project XJ Overland does not even look like the same rig anymore and my boys and I have slowly been crossing things off our list and the XJ is really starting to transform.
Stick around till the end of the video and Iâll bring you up to speed on our budget and Iâm going to ask for your help with something.
So a broken headlight, missing battery box, no passenger side front fender liner and a solid painted grill⊠should have been clues enough, but it wasnât until we pulled the bumper that I added it all togetherâŠ.. project XJ overland was in some sort of crash that damaged the R front side. Not a big deal, but would have been nice to know.
On the last video, I asked you opinion about the grill⊠should be black it out or leave it painted. And there were some great comments and it was pretty close to 50/50 split. So, my boys and I have decided to leave it painted, but we are going to black out the inner grill fins⊠we think thatâs going to give it a great look with the new bumper.
I need your help⊠the exhaust is garbage and needs to be replace. Itâs hanging down low and has a couple leaksâŠ. If you are and XJ owner and have an after market exhaust, let me know what you are using and how you like it. We arenât looking for a super load exhaust, but some thing will a little growl, is okay. So please let me know in the comments. - Auta a dopravnĂ prostĆedky
You're a good dad for spending time with your boys.
I have a 98 XJ very similar to the one you bought. I really like what you're doing with the kids & the XJ, I have three boys of my own. After watching your Project XJ Overland series I ordered these same bumpers, front and back, for my XJ. I bought them from Northridge 4X4 as you suggested and the TrailRecon coupon got me a great discount. So thank you for what you're doing, thank you for the coupon and mostly..... Thank you for your service Brad, it is very appreciated.
I still treasure the time I spent with my Dad working on cars. Well done, OTS time well spent and theyâll end up with a great daily driver/trail ready rig! Win, win, win!
that bumper makes it look so much more badass!!!
Looks great I've been watching since you bought it it's really come a long way
Thanks! Lot's more to come!
XJ is the coolest Jeep ever made.
That front bumper looks great! Very nice design with the ends sweeping up, and the winch mounted in the bumper, as opposed to being on top of the bumper. The compromise on the grill color should look really good as well. Great idea painting the inserts, in the grill. As for exhaust, I've found that my local muffler shop can do a very nice exhaust, exactly as I want, great fit using brand name mufflers, for less money than the do-it-yourself boxed set of pipes.
I think I will have to make a few calls and see how cheap a local shop will hook me up for... great suggestion, thank you!
that thing is looking awesome! I don't have an XJ now but I did have one as my first jeep. I got a dynomax exhaust for that and I loved it, it was budget friendly too.
Will take a look at the dynomax, thanks!
I have the Banks torque tube and cat-back exhaust in my XJ. Couldn't be happier. No drone, not overly snarly, and reasonably priced.
I have the mbrp on my cherokee and it has a good sound and its not obnoxiously loud. I love it!
Not obnoxious is very important for this upgrade... thank you!
I run a MagnaFlow and a high flow cat on mine. Gives it a nice deep sound and has held up great
The Jeep looks awesome ! I have fallen in love with it. great job guys ! cant wait to see the others videos.
Thank you!
Manga flow SS exhaust sound nice ,this is what I have on my XJ and it not too loud and droning sound, you can drive for hours on the freeway. It's also allowed the engine run smooth too, equal more power. I had flow master on mine originally, the exhaust power didn't flow as nice as Magna Flow, you wouldn't think it would make that much different but it did.
We will be putting some miles on this rig, so no drone is a big consideration. Thanks!
TrailRecon I also have 2 wrangler with all banks exhaust and header set up in them, and they are also very good, about the same as Magna Flow exhaust and loudness, the XJ has banks header too.
mIss your XJ videos! Love the way you explain things and your thought process. I'm about ready to throw on the smittybilt front and rear bumper w/tire carrier and a 3" lift, new wheels and tires. Can't wait to get it done!
I currently run Wildcat headers on this XJ and ran Hi-tech headers on the previous XJ both served well without structural issues, both sets were mated to a "minimalist" exhaust system comprising 2.5 inch pipe with 2 inch from the muffler onwards.
Excellent, thank for sharing your set up!
Love your jeep build. I'm buying a 2000 Cherokee this week and I'm going to get these bumpers they look awesome.
Awesome videos. I'm picking up a XJ soon and wanted to see what modifications I might wanna do. This project is definitely inspiring me to lift it ASAP.
So many mod options it's tough to choose, but you can't go wrong with lifting it. Thanks!
Hi Brad, I love your Cherokee more than anything, the colour, the tyres, loving it the way it's coming. Excited to see the way it coming.
It's been a really fun build and we absolutely love the color!
I have a 99 XJ sitting around its in good condition but needs a right front door and a tail gate , seeing what you guys been doing makes me want to fix it up . Right now my Maine project is a 1977 FJ40 and I am 90% finished with it, may be the XJ be the next one . You and the boys been very good, and its coming alone pretty good . Next may be some Bushwhackers all the way around.
Love the old FJ40's! You should add your XJ to your next project, such an inexpensive build. Fenders are in our future for sure, and I like the Bushwackers, but still undecided. Thanks!
Great build. Rig looks awesome. Keep up the great work đđđđđđđđ
Thank you, really appreciate it!
Borla header with Magnaflow cat, muffler, and tail pipe. That's what we had on our 95 XJ and it worked great.
Excellent, thank you!
Looks amazing! Lot of bang for the buck on this build.
A lot of bang! Thanks!
I pieced together my exhaust from different components but I'm very happy with the Magnaflow muffler I'm running (Part #12255) on my '96 Cherokee. Well made, affordable, and sound great. I've got Magnaflows on my '76 Corvette as well and love them.
Oh, 76 Vette... such a great ride! Thanks for sharing your exhaust info!
Looks good! I have been doing basically the same build. I ended up going with the iro cat back system with high flow cat. Very deep and throaty but not obnoxious. So that's my vote!
Your vote is in! Thank you!
I'm running a very similar build to yours and am loving the videos! I put on a kit from Iron Rock Offroad. They have a lot of different options but I went with the most high end version that came with a Flowmaster muffler and Magnaflow catalytic converter. Even with the most expensive kit, it was only $290, so I am happy with it. Perfect sound and can definitely feel a power increase. Plus a couple of MPG's too!
Very happy with our lift from IRO, so will need to check out there exhaust systems,. Thank you!
Iâve got the XRC rear bumper and Iâm really please with smittybilt. Theyâve got great stuff!
i have a jeep xj 1993 2 door and i love my flowmaster 50s it is really deep sound and it is not to load when you are driving around but if you step on it...it is really nice and load
Just installed last week a Flowmaster Cat and a Flowmaster 50 Delta Flow muffler and a Dynomax tailpipe. It sounds nice and throaty under acceleration and returns to "normal" while cruising.
Cracking job, looking forward to the next episode!
Thank you!
Painted over the rust... true Sailor hahaha once over dust, twice over rust!!!!
91 xj here running the stock exhaust manifold...got rid of the cat converter and muffler...straight pipe right out the back...has a bit of a rumble but still quiet enough to have a convo while driving
I might actually be getting an xj soon...
About to watch this whole series!
Looks Awesome. Great job guys!
Thank you!
I'm running the Dynomax 17340 exhaust on my XJ and love it. Spent $150 for tailpipe and muffler. It's only a small amount louder than stock and the idle sounds nice and beefy.
The XJ is coming along nicely, bet the front grill will look awesome with the slats painted black!
$150 is a great price point, thank you!
Ran a flowmaster 40 with a wide tip and it sounded deep and aggressive, not too loud at all but a nice tone, if your looking for really loud and almost deafening just take the muffler off it sounds really badass
Not trying to go loud at all, a nice grumble is okay, but want' to keep the highway drown down. Thanks!
You can get the muffler and pipe behind it on ebay for like 145
I went with the tuff stuff 4x4 bumper for the xj direct bolt on no drilling and you dont even mess with the power steering.... has a place for a winch, and 2 fog lights check it out when you get a chance..... thanks for the great videos....
Excellent video. I'm "building" an '89 XJ and just picked up my smittybilt bumper. Alarmed at the weight, but I think I'll go ahead and mount it. Thanks for the great how-to and the really good video. To the point, no repetitions.
We knew we would be adding a bit of weight, but we are very happy with the bumper, so no complaints. Good luck on your build and thank you!
71quebec ..i added the same bumper to my XJ and couldn't believer the differe nice in the way it rode down the road , took the bumps much better .
Looks very good w/the new bumper.
Thanks!
That is a sweet XJ!
on my 99 xj I have a flow master super 40 dual outlet with 2 /2.5 turn downs right off the muffler it's loud but I like it. been following for a while glad you doing a xj series
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Thanks for the suggestion and for being a long time subscriber! Really appreciate it!
Very good job! Really nice to see 2 things in particular:
1-your kids working with you. I got a used GMC Jimmy in 1977. I got a WARN bumper, but no brush guard, couldn't afford it. Me and my father took the brush guard that was on the OEM bumper, cut it, used angle iron to mount the brush guard on the Warn bumper. I was proud cause everywhere I went people asked about it. And, We made it together, didn't buy it, made due with what we had. Your son did a professional job! Where'd he learn that??đ
2- the fact that you saw there was a problem.."a challenge to come", you stopped, and fixed it right then. That was a good lesson for a teenager to learn as later on, those ,"little things", could come back at a very inopportune time to leave you stranded miles from help.
Everyone runs in to those things. I'm glad you showed it so others will be aware and know it's right to do what is necessary right then and not leave it for later, which becomes never.
THANKS for sharing đ another great video.
Sound like a great project and always rewarding to get compliments on something you have worked on yourself (or with you dad). Couldn't agree more with you about stoping and fixing things as you go! Thank you!!
BANKS! exhaust great quality. You can get a front pipe too oem *if needed * easy installation
Excellent, thank you!
I know I'm late on this but I use Banks exhaust on my 03 TJ 4.0 Automatic. It has a nice tone... Not loud , just a mellow tone. I also have the same winch as you.
Hi I came across this video I inherited a 95 Cherokee long ago but let it sit. It was recently stolen, but recovered which is making me want to build it up. Your videos are great reference and I like how you go piece by piece with the build. So thank you and a new subscriber here đ
With a story like that, sounds like that 95 is begging to be restored! Thanks and welcome to the channel!
kinda makes me want an XJ
Rubicon Unlimited I know rite
XJ's and JK's... love them both now!
I love mine
Rubicon Unlimited absolutely, even me.. :(
Heck get one before they all disappear LOL, I bought one... love it... and now want another one to hold up in dry storage in case anything ever happens to this one.
Just got my xj will continue to follow for ideas.
Congrats on the new Jeep and thanks for following along!
I love this series! Plz do more rig walk arounds especially with 2 door jks. Thanks a ton
Just filmed 2 more rigs for walk around videos this morning, coming soon. But sorry, no 2 doors this time... I'll get some more in the future for sure!
TrailRecon Thanks!!!
Black Widow Exhaust sounds really good
Will check them out, thanks!
On April 8th Black Widow Exhaust is having a event at Barstow y'all should go out there its going to be fun! Lots of different builds will be there that are running that exhaust
I have the magna flow catback and i am very pleased with it. Its not loud but It has good deep tone, I am in scripps ranch/ poway area if you want to see it in person.
Right on, I'm in RB, may take you up on an audio test... thanks!
As for exhaust...cat delete and any muffler sounds great. I did a cherry bomb muffler because it's dirt cheap.
Magna flow all the way man
I'm installing this bumper on my 91 XJ right now. Thanks for the video! It really helped the process. I'm having a little trouble with the inner bracket piece that slides into the frame on the passenger side. Any advice?
My son also comes out and works in his Pajamas....Just grateful he comes out....don't care what he wears... ;-)
I cant count how many projects I've done on my Jeep with my slippers and
Pj's on
Looks great guys
HAHA! At least he doesn't care what he wears on camera! Thanks!
Good job
it looks brilliant đ
Thank you!
99' XJ 4.0 stock, I've got the Flowmaster Super 40 Muffler part#952447, 2.25 in & out diameter. Nice rumble at idle at not crazy loud driving down the road, definitely recommend.
Thanks for including the part number!
Flowmaster super 44 kit all day! got mine from performance curve for around 150, sounds great, it does growl quiet a bit, not like a straight pipe but it does, I love it tho.
The 44 seems to be pretty popular, thank you!
i love my borla exhaust. had it on for the last 9 years and still passes smog no problem
Great to hear! We should have our new exhaust installed this week... fingers crossed!
I went back to stock on mine for less then 200 bucks,but heartthrob sounds great and gave more power...just wanted it to be quiet again
Our new exhaust will be going in soon and video in the coming days.
Looking good brad đ
Thank you!
Header and nothing but Straight pipeđđ»
That would sound pretty awesome, but not sure my boys and I would be having a whole lot of conversations on long cross country trip. Thanks!
Not that loude in cab but I have stock headers
I have a Wicked Flow , it came with
my xj, but sounds great
I'll be finding y'all out there.should be fun next weekend
Will check out Wicked Flow and hope to see you out at TDS! Thanks
Looking awesome! It's cool your sons (in pajamas is the best way to work on a car ;-) ) are helping you. Keep up the good work.
Great having them in the garage.... just can't ask them to dress up! LOL!
I've got a 96 XJ and I really want to put an off road bumper on it but I hate to cut the fenders on it. The 97 - 01 models are really nice for off road modification with the updated front fenders.
I used a cat converter from a Wrangler TJ because it was more lower profile than the 2001 XJ's bulky cat converter. I then ordered a custom made stainless steel cat-back 2.5" performance exhaust from 4WD Hardware, which is custom made by Heartthrob Performance. The pipe is T-304 stainless steel, and the muffler is T-409 stainless steel. The whole kit is a bit pricey, but I want it to last like the one I installed on my 1989 Cherokee 15 years ago.
Thanks for posting the budget! Makes me feel better about the $1400 suspension upgrade I'm considering for my 4x4 lol
I just did a 700 suspension upgrade and I was biting my nails.
looks awsome!
Thank you!
I plan on getting the Banks power exhaust for my xj really soon. Everything looks awesome really excited to see what's next!
Thank you!
I'm way late but I absolutely love the Banks system on my 96 XJ. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do
Hi i enjoy your videos a lot great content! I am trying to make my own bumper but I was wondering what the dimensions were for the area where the winch sits? How many inches should I leave from the start of my bumper to my fairlead? If you could help me with this I would apreaciate it thank you!!!
Super Nice!!!
Thank you!
Brad, it's always fun to do work in your PJ's and slippers. You might have to carry those in the store haha. My Dad is running an MBRP exhaust and thus far it's been working out great for him.
LOL! My son is going to make PJ's famous! Thanks!
Running a Flowmaster muffler. Check for cracks in your manifold and you might want to check your motor mounts.
Thanks! Great suggestion, will be sure to check out the manifold and mounts!
I'm running a new replacement manifold and cat with a flowmaster delta 40 that dumps about 6" before the factory exhaust exit. Sounds great, no too loud but you can definately hear her.
A litter shorter would be nice for sure, mine is rubbing up against the upgraded leaf springs bolt. Thanks!
Yeah, I had the same exact problem. I could send you a video of what my exhaust sounds like if you want.
Have no complaints from my dynomax cat back exhaust.
I've been running the walker dyno max systems from rock auto for both my XJs since 2008. no issues, just add a high flow cat. Or not :). 150.00 can't be beat. iron rock kit is a great value too.
$150 is a great price point, thank you!
I like the new bumper! I run a Gibson exhaust system on my 01 XJ, it's a bit quiter than stock but a deeper sound. Overall been pretty pleased with it thus far! Just have to watch how you run it though. When I replaced the right rear leaf spring shackle bushing and installed lift shackles the bolts for it were within 1/8inch of the exhaust with the factory bolt length, but since it had about an inch of extra length I just chopped it off. Just be sure to consider the mounting detentions since you guys put that new Leaf spring assembly. Good luck with it!
Yep, my leaf spring bolt is also rubbing on the current exhaust, so will look to remedy that with the new system. Thank you!
Awesome đ
Nice project brad igot the same winch in mi jk very good winch xj god jeep for overland they nice
I've used my Smittybilt on my Wrangler a few time to pull folks out of sticky situations, has always performed well. Thanks!
Just bought that winch but canât decide on a bumper any suggestions?
I also have headers and motor mounts like everyone else said. I broke the budget and got Gibson stainless headers with ceramic coating, because I think headers are cool. APN headers are probably fine, though I did pick up 40 HP with the entire exhaust and intake overhaul according to my smartphone accelerometer (torque obd2 app)
Gibons and ceramic headers is a great option... just don't want to break the bank just yet. 40hp is REALLY nice!
I'm on my 5th xj now... for exhaust header is a must stock manifold will crack I have a banks tourqe tubes header, hi flow cat and MagnaFlow muffler 2.5 all the way
5th XJ! Can I hire you as a consultant?! HAHA! Thank you!
looking real nice đđ
Thanks!
if you don't want drone avoid chambered mufflers. MagnaFlow is a great option and you can build a relatively cheap exhaust from universal parts using clamps and small extensions. the exhaust I have on my ZJ cost less then $100 with a muffler and new catalytic converter but I do have a welder which makes things easier.
Less than $100 would be great, will have to explore piecing it together vs. buying a whole system. Thanks!
My XJ has a Jegs F40 knockoff and doesn't drone very much at all. Magnaflow sound lacks personality IMO. Had one on my WRX and hated it.
Straight piped form the cat back its loud but sounds great
I don't have an XJ, on my TJ I have a Banks power exhaust that I highly recommend, I know they make one for the Xj as well, my friend who has an XJ loves mine so much he is going to purchase it for his XJ, they also make an Exhaust manifold for the XJ
Great info, will be sure to look at the Banks, thanks!
ALSO, looking to drag my xj behind an rv. Would those D ring tabs accept tow linkage for flat tow?
The link you posted comes with a steel cable, did you purchase the synthetic rope separately?
Good Morning, I have a similar 2001 cherokee. Did you have to cut the fender at all?
LOL. Wrenchin' in the jammies.
Now put another battery on the driver side for using winch and off road lites.
For the color I blacked out only the headlight plastic looks great with my silver stone metallic color and blacked out headlight plastic.
Nice work guys đđ»
I purchased AFe stainless cat back system #49-46225. It's 409 stainless which is nice, came with a different brand muffler tho "different trend flow II" which I thought was weird. Overall quality and sound is good however haven't finished my jeep yet so I can't speak on its durability exc.
Thanks, will be sure to take a look at those!
Hey after you installed the bumper and winch did you have any front end droop from weight or did it stay the same?
I have a 99 XJ, don't know what mods to do, new to the jeep Life, Thank You...
my xj has a magna flow 15856 exhaust, sounds awesome but just a tad on the expensive side at about 600
Maga Flow makes good stuff, but think we are going to try and keep costs down on this upgrade for now. Thanks!
Check local junk yards for factory parts. Battery box and bracket $10
Now put thin rubber mat in bottom of battery box. Note: cabinet draw liner, Walmart, comes in a roll. Also baking soda in battery box for acid over flow. Protects the metals.
Flowmaster American Thunder. cheap and sounds great!
Thank you!
I am running magnaflow universal muffler, you can get at local auto parts store for around 80. With MF, they are all straight through, so have nice bark and potential for real power gain. You just decide how much noise damping you want based by choosing the volume of the muffler, bigger = less noise. The universal series is very large, so, just about the quietest MF you can get. I like it, has good bark at WOT, good power gains (with headers and CAI), but were I to do it again I might go smaller. The CAI is louder than the muffler at WOT. There is also some drone though too, so I added a lot of dynamat to the interior. Like the battery tray, this project is likely to be much bigger than just an exhaust. My exhaust mods always lead to a full interior sound engineering, and cold air intake, got to get more air in to move more air out.
Great info, thank you! I don't want to get a system that is has a lot of drone on the freeway. I think we may dynamat when we get to the interior just for general sound deadening.
mine has stock to the muffler then has cherry bomb muffler for it nice and small. Not to loud then pipe to the back. Nice and cheap cost of the muffler
Love the cherry bombs! Thanks!
We have A 1998 xj we have been working on, we now need new bump stops we have a Rubicon express 5.5 lift with fix shocks and now need some decent bump stops any recommendations?