ChiliPepperXJ98

Have a build started on JeepForum, but wanted to get one going over here.

Started in '06 when my parents gave me their '92 XJ when I got my license. They bought it brand new off the lot in late 1991. Currently has 358,000 on original engine and tranny and still strong.

1992 Jeep Cherokee Laredo
Power Lock/Window/AC
4.0L I6 H.O
AX-15
NP 231
Dana 30/35
355,000 miles







Last September, brother starting driving so gave him the XJ and got me a new one. Drove 250 miles on Labor Day weekend to pick it up. Hurried home that Monday to catch this:




This is what I brought home with me:

1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport
Power Lock/Window/AC
4.0L I6 H.O
AW4
Dana 30/Chrysler 8.25 29 Spline
NP 231
148,000 miles

ChiliPepperXJ98

Next order or business was to fix the peeling and fading grill and headlight bezel. Krylon fusion worked awesome!

ChiliPepperXJ98

Sold the bald Toyos and steel rims that came with it, and got me some Goodyear Wrangler GSA 30’s on TJ Canyons from craigslist and only was out 30 bucks.

ChiliPepperXJ98

Got a rare snow storm around Christmas that dropped around 10 inches of snow. That was fun. Also got a new Sony deck for Christmas.

ChiliPepperXJ98

I started getting a small coolant leak that was coming from the bottom of the bellhousing. For the life of me, could not figure out where it was coming from. Replaced heater hoses, clamps, checked radiator, reserve reservoir and could find its origin. It would only drop about 2 drops a day, so was nothing to serious, just bugged me quite a bit. After researching, and using tracer dye, I narrowed it down to the rear freeze plug in either the back of the head or the back of the block. So the start of summer my dad and I tackled that project.

















Overall I ended up changing:
Oil pan gasket
Oil adapter O-rings
Radiator
Radiator hoses
2 Rear freeze plugs
Welded exhaust header crack

ChiliPepperXJ98

Got a 3” lift for my birthday, and got it all installed. Had more time into this than I did on my engine job earlier in the summer. Everything that could possibly go wrong, did. It seemed every bolt either broke, or was seized. The four rear shock bolts broke, the leaf spring bolts were seized to the sleeve. Sway bar end link on driver’s side broke. It was a nightmare. Here it is, before and after.

Before


After


Also got the front brake pads changed and suspension parts greased during the process.

ChiliPepperXJ98

The lift was finished last night, and this is all caught up as of now. I am getting some crazy DW, and I'm pretty sure this is the REAL deal. Was driving 58 down the freeway today, and suddenly began to violently shake all over the road. I immediately slowed down and it went away. This happened twice. I will be calling around for an appointment to get an alignment done in the morning. I hope that fixes it. If not, I will be into other things like adj trac-bar and/or steering stabilizer to start. As for near future plans, I would like to get these things done:

Walmart fogs mounted in stock location
Front/Rear diff fluid changed
Tranny fluid flush
Few rust spots fixed before winter
Possibly door trim removed/painted (Not sure yet)

ChiliPepperXJ98

Got my alignment done this morning, took it on the freeway, and I felt like DW was about to start...Slowed down before I even let it begin. However, it feels better than before I got the alignment.

On a second note, I just ordered a RC 2.2 steering stabilizer for a good price. See if that helps at all.

ChiliPepperXJ98

The results from my alignment last week. Probably a good reason I was getting some bump steer.



Also, got my RCX 2.2 SS installed, will get pictures up soon.

ChiliPepperXJ98

This is where I'm at of now. I am still getting some minor vibes around 58-62. I'm not exactly sure what to check for now. Any recommendations?

JWB37

Wow, thats a clean cherokee. Nice find.

take the door trip off. Its pretty easy, just a little time consuming. Take a heat gun to it to help the adhesive come off easier, and BAM, your jeep will look 10X better. I was surprised how much better mine looked after I took it off.

Looks great so far! I hope you get that DW fixed soon. That can't be fun

ChiliPepperXJ98

Especially since I drive like 40 freeway miles a day. I havent had the real DW since the first day, but just get some slight vibes in the steering wheel. With this, I'm just assuming its vibes related to front suspension issues rather than driveline vibes.

MCObray

Wide Right...

JK.

Nice looking XJ. You should get in contact with JeepSpeed18, good knowledge guy in your area.

ChiliPepperXJ98

Its all good, I get that alot when I mention Boise State haha

I love your Jeep. I follow your thread over on JF. I've never met JeepSpeed18, but I see his XJ on campus all the time.

MCObray

Lol yeah, but then again the two times you've played UofO, you've beaten us, so I really don't have too much room to talk.

Thanks man. Yeah Jared (JeepSpeed18) is one cool guy, he's helped me with just gaining knowledge on the Jeep game.

Any plans for armor?