Jeep lover or not, it’s impossible to hate the XJ, a relatively no-frills, boxy unibody SUV with the toughness and grit needed to conquer most anything. But this one is going to make you downright XJ obsessed. It's been extensively modified by the superstars at Davis Autosports in Richmond, Virginia and despite being a nearly $60,000 XJ, it feels like a screaming deal. You’ll see what we mean when you read the specs.
The Model.
The Jeep Cherokee XJ, often known in 4x4 circles as just an XJ, was made in America from 1983 all the way to 2001, and it really didn’t change a whole heck of a lot throughout that period. No complaints here. Jeep marketed XJs as “Sportwagons,” which was essentially what SUVs were called before the term SUV existed. It was America’s first unibody 4x4 and really set the bar for SUVs to come for years and years to come. Legendary.
But this example has been so heavily restored and modified that it’s probably not worth talking a whole heck of a lot about the XJ. This one is a DAS XJ, put together painstakingly by the folks at Davis AutoSports out in Richmond, VA over the course of an 18-month build. Davis has completed over 400 XJ builds and is considered a world leader in building both custom and restored Cherokee XJs. Hear all about this rig with this lengthy and detailed video they put together:
The Specs.
Oh boy, the specs. This is going to be long, because Davis Autosports has modified just about every facet of this XJ restomod, right down to the phenomenal Concrete Gray and Black Kevlar paint job that has 300 man hours in it. Davis calls this a Stage 6 XJ, and it’s been driven 2,000 miles since the restoration, so it’s been properly tested, tuned and dialed in.
Strap in for this list:
MECHANICAL
- 4L inline gasoline engine
- .030 bore
- New crankshaft
- New performance cylinder head
- New valves and springs
- New camshaft
- New lifters
- New rocker arms
- New head bolts
- New full gasket set
- New pistons and ring set
- New high volume oil pump
- New oil pick up tube
- New timing chain
- New red valve cover
- New K&N intake system
- New radiator and hoses
- New radiator fan assembly
- New water pump and thermostat/housing
- Transmission flush and new filter and gasket
- Sonic clean inside of trans pan
- Fully rebuilt transfer case w/slip yoke eliminator kit
SUSPENSION, BRAKING & DRIVE
- Upgraded front and rear driveshafts
- New 1-ton steering with tie rod bar and tie rod ends
- New 1-ton drag link bar
- New Rubicon Express extreme duty fully adjustable track bar
- New Fox heavy duty steering stabilizer
- New Rubicon Express heavy duty pitman arm
- New Rubicon Express heavy duty quick disconnect sway bar links w/grade 8 high strength hardware
- New front and rear ARB locker
- New ARB air compressor
- New Yukon 4.56 front ring and pinion gearing
- New Yukon 4.56 rear ring and pinion gearing
- New front and rear Yukon master rebuild kit
- New front and rear Yukon chromoly front axles
- New slip yoke eliminator
- New 1 3/8 inch - 32 spline rear output shaft
- New 356-t6 heat treated aluminum alloy tailhousing
- New 1310 c.v. yoke
- New bearings
- New CV drive shaft
- New flanges/yokes
- New front ring and pinion service
- New rear ring and pinion service
- New front Dana 30 carrier
- New inner and outer bearing for front and rear diff
- New pinion shims for front and rear diff
- New carrier bearings and ring gear bolts
- ARB front dana 30 diff cover, color matched to wheels
- ARB rear 8.25 diff cover, color matched to wheels
- Full rear disc brake conversion w/performance drilled and slotted rotors, calipers and ceramic pads
- Front and rear stainless steel brake lines
- New full 4.5-5.5" long arm suspension system
- New heavy duty long lower and upper adjustable control arms
- New Fox front and rear shocks w/bump stops
- New heavy duty leaf spring shackles
- New Daystar rear bumper stops
- New full set of leaf springs with brackets and hardware
- New 3-piece crossmember skid plates
- New grade 8 high strength hardware
INTERIOR
- DAS custom leather seats w/bolsters and heated elements in front seats
- New headliner
- Apple iPod system
- New Polk db front and rear speakers
- Back up camera
- New alarm and remote start
- Weathertech floor liners
- LED interior lights
- New A/C
- New heater core and blower motor
EXTERIOR
- Nitto 295/70/17 tires
- 17x9 DAS1 red wheels
- Upgraded front bumper
- Warn 10k synthetic winch
- Front quick disconnect d rings
- XRC rear bumper w/ hitch
- XRC rear tire carrier
- Defender top hat rack
- Flat style Bushwacker flares
- Truck Lite led headlights
- 20" RC Black Series LED light
- 42" roof mount Black Series LED light
- Color matched flush mount LED lights
- Color matched flush mount LED back up light
- New exhaust with stainless steel tip
