My '88 W.I.P. (Work In Progress)
03-07-2012, 01:37 PM
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6L I6 Stroker with port matched +99 intake and 62mm TB
My '88 W.I.P. (Work In Progress)
Finally sorted through all of my Jeep pictures so I figured now is as good as any to start an official build thread. Forewarning, there are A LOT of pictures. Please be patient as they all load.
I've got another thread under the build section that is strictly a list of the things I want to do and have completed some of. This thread will phase that one out (probably) and all work from here on out will be on this thread. <My "To-Do" List>
So, a little background...
My Jeep (when I got her in 2004):
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee XJ
Trim: Pioneer
Engine: Renix 4.0L (bruised and battered)
Transmission: AW4 automatic 4-speed with Comfort/Power modes
Transfer Case: NP231 "Command-Trac"
Axles: HP Dana 30 front w/ vacuum disconnect, Dana 35 non c-clip rear, both with 3.55 gears
Got this Jeep for my 16th birthday from my old man in 2004. He bought it off of my aunt. I'll admit, when I got it, I initially wasn't thrilled that I got this thing. Wanted a quick sports car but oh well. Once I drove this thing around a while, I quickly changed my mind and started realizing the full potential of it. Since then, I've caught a bad case of the Jeep bug with no cure in sight.
Here's a picture from late 2004/early 2005
with new tires, Wal*mart fog lights and a bumper sticker that made my girlfriend at the time turn blue in the face lol. It reads, "Lost your cat? Try looking under my tires." (Note, I do not hate cats nor would I ever intentionally run one over.)
Throughout 2005, I kept it mostly stock. Ran the tires you see above (225/75R/15 Dunlop Radial Rover A/T's). Also brought it to the local muffler shop to have a generic glass pack installed. Had a big hole rusted out in the stock muffler from years of use. My dad and I just fixed up a few things here and there.
In 2006, I got the idea to put some lights on the roof and I decided to put matching ones on the bumper. At ~$10 per light at Wal*mart, I got some generic, 4" round tractor lights and went to town.
During the day.
By summer of 2006, I was finishing my senior year of high school and wrapping up senior project, so I didn't have much time to work on the Jeep. Also, I was getting things prepared to start community college. Found some time to offroad a bit.
So, we rang in the new year and it was now 2007. Got some tow hooks and brackets from CSE Offroad for a good deal and installed them.
Since mine is an '88, it has the instrument cluster with the HUGE gas gauge in place of the tachometer. I was tired of not having a tach., so I ordered one from Amazon.com and installed it.
While on eBay, I came across some cheap grille inserts that looked awesome from the pictures and was a fraction of the price on Quadratec. Turned out to be nothing more than gutter guard, but I think it came out looking good.
Also, I decided to take out my rear carpet and do a bit of restoration. The rear carpet kept getting wet and holding moisture because the liftgate weather stripping was worn. This caused the floor to rust.
I sanded it down and painted it with black rust inhibitor.
While I had the carpet out, my dad decided to clean it thoroughly.
In mid 2007, after coming home from class for a 4 hour break, my front end wire harness had a visit with the devil. Apparently, one of the main wires had been rubbing against a sharp corner on the frame and finally shorted, thus catching it on fire. So, we re-wired it and figured we were good to go... welp, that wasn't the case. So, after 3 months of head scratching and a lucky tug on a wire, we determined that one of the fusible links that control the fuel pump and startup had blown and was internally melted.
In late 2007, I ordered my lift kit. I ordered my kit from Rusty's Offroad. I got the 3" Spring Pack lift with 150lb rated coils and full leaf springs. The rear leaf packs netted ~4.5" at first, causing bad drive line vibrations. Ended up removing the middle leaf and dropping the cross-member by 0.25" to rid this problem. Also ordered 0.75" coil spacers and 0.75" extended, greaseable shackles.
Dropping the front axle.
Installing the coils and spacers.
The result, front only.
Finished the rear the following day (sorry, no pictures of that install).
Lots of lift in the rear...
For Xmas in 2007, I got some black Cragar V5 steel wheels (15"x8" w/ 4.00" backspacing). The following spring, in 2008, I got some new rubbers, 31"x10.5"x15" Dunlop Radial Mud Rovers.
Then a couple of weeks later, I took them out for a spin in the mud.
A couple of month rolled by and I went mudding again.
Got sort of stuck after I dug some serious ruts. This was the after math...
Later on towards the end of the summer, I got some 6000K Xenon HID's to put into my Rampage housings (seen above).
I also decided to give her a very overdue washing.
Finishing out 2008, I decided to replace most of my lighting with LEDs.
Split the tail light housings and made custom LED boards. Also integrated 55W halogen driving lights in the housing for bright reverse lights.
Also did my gear shifter.
I've got another thread under the build section that is strictly a list of the things I want to do and have completed some of. This thread will phase that one out (probably) and all work from here on out will be on this thread. <My "To-Do" List>
So, a little background...
My Jeep (when I got her in 2004):
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee XJ
Trim: Pioneer
Engine: Renix 4.0L (bruised and battered)
Transmission: AW4 automatic 4-speed with Comfort/Power modes
Transfer Case: NP231 "Command-Trac"
Axles: HP Dana 30 front w/ vacuum disconnect, Dana 35 non c-clip rear, both with 3.55 gears
Got this Jeep for my 16th birthday from my old man in 2004. He bought it off of my aunt. I'll admit, when I got it, I initially wasn't thrilled that I got this thing. Wanted a quick sports car but oh well. Once I drove this thing around a while, I quickly changed my mind and started realizing the full potential of it. Since then, I've caught a bad case of the Jeep bug with no cure in sight.
Here's a picture from late 2004/early 2005
with new tires, Wal*mart fog lights and a bumper sticker that made my girlfriend at the time turn blue in the face lol. It reads, "Lost your cat? Try looking under my tires." (Note, I do not hate cats nor would I ever intentionally run one over.)Throughout 2005, I kept it mostly stock. Ran the tires you see above (225/75R/15 Dunlop Radial Rover A/T's). Also brought it to the local muffler shop to have a generic glass pack installed. Had a big hole rusted out in the stock muffler from years of use. My dad and I just fixed up a few things here and there.
In 2006, I got the idea to put some lights on the roof and I decided to put matching ones on the bumper. At ~$10 per light at Wal*mart, I got some generic, 4" round tractor lights and went to town.
During the day.
By summer of 2006, I was finishing my senior year of high school and wrapping up senior project, so I didn't have much time to work on the Jeep. Also, I was getting things prepared to start community college. Found some time to offroad a bit.
So, we rang in the new year and it was now 2007. Got some tow hooks and brackets from CSE Offroad for a good deal and installed them.
Since mine is an '88, it has the instrument cluster with the HUGE gas gauge in place of the tachometer. I was tired of not having a tach., so I ordered one from Amazon.com and installed it.
While on eBay, I came across some cheap grille inserts that looked awesome from the pictures and was a fraction of the price on Quadratec. Turned out to be nothing more than gutter guard, but I think it came out looking good.
Also, I decided to take out my rear carpet and do a bit of restoration. The rear carpet kept getting wet and holding moisture because the liftgate weather stripping was worn. This caused the floor to rust.
I sanded it down and painted it with black rust inhibitor.
While I had the carpet out, my dad decided to clean it thoroughly.
In mid 2007, after coming home from class for a 4 hour break, my front end wire harness had a visit with the devil. Apparently, one of the main wires had been rubbing against a sharp corner on the frame and finally shorted, thus catching it on fire. So, we re-wired it and figured we were good to go... welp, that wasn't the case. So, after 3 months of head scratching and a lucky tug on a wire, we determined that one of the fusible links that control the fuel pump and startup had blown and was internally melted.
In late 2007, I ordered my lift kit. I ordered my kit from Rusty's Offroad. I got the 3" Spring Pack lift with 150lb rated coils and full leaf springs. The rear leaf packs netted ~4.5" at first, causing bad drive line vibrations. Ended up removing the middle leaf and dropping the cross-member by 0.25" to rid this problem. Also ordered 0.75" coil spacers and 0.75" extended, greaseable shackles.
Dropping the front axle.
Installing the coils and spacers.
The result, front only.
Finished the rear the following day (sorry, no pictures of that install).
Lots of lift in the rear...
For Xmas in 2007, I got some black Cragar V5 steel wheels (15"x8" w/ 4.00" backspacing). The following spring, in 2008, I got some new rubbers, 31"x10.5"x15" Dunlop Radial Mud Rovers.
Then a couple of weeks later, I took them out for a spin in the mud.
A couple of month rolled by and I went mudding again.
Got sort of stuck after I dug some serious ruts. This was the after math...
Later on towards the end of the summer, I got some 6000K Xenon HID's to put into my Rampage housings (seen above).
I also decided to give her a very overdue washing.
Finishing out 2008, I decided to replace most of my lighting with LEDs.
Split the tail light housings and made custom LED boards. Also integrated 55W halogen driving lights in the housing for bright reverse lights.
Also did my gear shifter.
Last edited by onlyinajeep726; 09-08-2012 at 09:07 PM.
03-07-2012, 01:44 PM
#2
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 firepower ignition, cat-back w/ magnaflow muffler, poweraid tb spacer, optima blue top
Can't wait to see more, looked pretty clean.
Btw, why do you hate cats?
lol
Btw, why do you hate cats?
lol
03-07-2012, 05:41 PM
#4
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6L I6 Stroker with port matched +99 intake and 62mm TB
03-07-2012, 08:27 PM
#5
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6L I6 Stroker with port matched +99 intake and 62mm TB
So, I ended my previous post with everything up through 2008. In January of 2009, I moved to Charlotte for school. Basically, I didn't do anything new to it. Then, around the summer of 2009, I bought my girlfriend's uncle's '96 Cherokee Country. I originally got it to get the engine out of since mine is tired. However, it was way too nice to part out, so I took my '88 off the road and began driving the '96.
I drove this for about 2 years. Basically just did a few modifications on this one to get it to where I liked. New tires, glass pack, Xenon HID headlights, keyless/alarm/remote start and a sweet sound system. Now my wife drives it and she's glad she's got it over her P.O.S. Saturn she had.
Anyway, basically nothing got done to my '88 for 2 years. T'was sad, really.
But, earlier last year, in 2011, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to get the old girl back on the road. So, in Febuary-March, there about, I put insurance back on it and began working on odds and ends. Then, in April of 2011, I join CherokeeForum. This is where the modifications, fabrications and all around customizations took severe hold. Sparked by many ideas here on CF, I began working on my XJ like crazy. First, I got a hold of a bull bar from a craigslist acquaintance. Since then, Sam and I have become pretty good friends. I sanded, primed and painted the bull bar to make it look brand new. Also put some 6", 100W spot lights on it.
I got sick of my front tires rubbing my flares when I turned, so my dad and I cut the lower front part off.
While we were at it, I decided that I didn't like the flares the same color as the rest of the Jeep, so I painted them black.
What it looks like with all the work done.
I also installed my LED turn signal/parking lights that I made. Check out my write-up. [Homebrew LED front turn signals ('84-'96)]
I added a cone filter and made a custom splash guard from roofing tin.
While under the hood, I addressed my oil blow-by problem and made a "scrub-o-matic", replicating the idea from a write-up I saw on the JeepForum.
I then installed my longer, safer, extended braided stainless steel brake lines that I bought from Rusty's Offroad.
And I installed my sway bar quick disconnects.
In the interior, I installed my blue LEDs that I had fabricated into my instrument cluster. Looks great with the white gauges. However, the picture below doesn't do it much justice...
Also, my dad built me a table to sit flush against my subwoofer box. This made it easier to lay down a full size spare in the back.
Then, summer hit and hit hard with high temperatures. Left me stranded on the side of a road in the middle of no where with my 1 year old daughter and I sweating like pigs in the 105*F sun. Had to get a new water pump, thermostat, fan clutch, belt and radiator flush to get it to run at 210*F again...
Then school started back up in late August and the only thing that was done to the Jeep was a new, shorter glass pack. I bought this baby off of Amazon and had the local shop weld it up.
Also got my CherokeeForum sticker a short time after that and put it on.
Then, the last week of December, I had a super lucky find at the local junkyard. I found a '94 XJ with a 2.5L, 4 banger and 5-speed stick shift. Ran the VIN and found out it had 4.10's! Also, the rear axle was a C8.25. A major improvement over my turdy-five. Best part was, the junkyard was doing a 50% off all parts weekend for the upcoming New Year. Me, two of my friends and my dad spend 4-5 hours pulling them out. Now we just have to clean them up and install them.
Also, got a B&M transmission cooler (#70268) from the fat man in the red suit. Figured it would be an improvement since the Jeep is about to hit 200k miles.
Conclusion? Best Xmas so far in my almost 24 years on this Earth haha.
And the story continues...
I drove this for about 2 years. Basically just did a few modifications on this one to get it to where I liked. New tires, glass pack, Xenon HID headlights, keyless/alarm/remote start and a sweet sound system. Now my wife drives it and she's glad she's got it over her P.O.S. Saturn she had.
Anyway, basically nothing got done to my '88 for 2 years. T'was sad, really.
But, earlier last year, in 2011, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to get the old girl back on the road. So, in Febuary-March, there about, I put insurance back on it and began working on odds and ends. Then, in April of 2011, I join CherokeeForum. This is where the modifications, fabrications and all around customizations took severe hold. Sparked by many ideas here on CF, I began working on my XJ like crazy. First, I got a hold of a bull bar from a craigslist acquaintance. Since then, Sam and I have become pretty good friends. I sanded, primed and painted the bull bar to make it look brand new. Also put some 6", 100W spot lights on it.
I got sick of my front tires rubbing my flares when I turned, so my dad and I cut the lower front part off.
While we were at it, I decided that I didn't like the flares the same color as the rest of the Jeep, so I painted them black.
What it looks like with all the work done.
I also installed my LED turn signal/parking lights that I made. Check out my write-up. [Homebrew LED front turn signals ('84-'96)]
I added a cone filter and made a custom splash guard from roofing tin.
While under the hood, I addressed my oil blow-by problem and made a "scrub-o-matic", replicating the idea from a write-up I saw on the JeepForum.
I then installed my longer, safer, extended braided stainless steel brake lines that I bought from Rusty's Offroad.
And I installed my sway bar quick disconnects.
In the interior, I installed my blue LEDs that I had fabricated into my instrument cluster. Looks great with the white gauges. However, the picture below doesn't do it much justice...
Also, my dad built me a table to sit flush against my subwoofer box. This made it easier to lay down a full size spare in the back.
Then, summer hit and hit hard with high temperatures. Left me stranded on the side of a road in the middle of no where with my 1 year old daughter and I sweating like pigs in the 105*F sun. Had to get a new water pump, thermostat, fan clutch, belt and radiator flush to get it to run at 210*F again...
Then school started back up in late August and the only thing that was done to the Jeep was a new, shorter glass pack. I bought this baby off of Amazon and had the local shop weld it up.
Also got my CherokeeForum sticker a short time after that and put it on.
Then, the last week of December, I had a super lucky find at the local junkyard. I found a '94 XJ with a 2.5L, 4 banger and 5-speed stick shift. Ran the VIN and found out it had 4.10's! Also, the rear axle was a C8.25. A major improvement over my turdy-five. Best part was, the junkyard was doing a 50% off all parts weekend for the upcoming New Year. Me, two of my friends and my dad spend 4-5 hours pulling them out. Now we just have to clean them up and install them.
Also, got a B&M transmission cooler (#70268) from the fat man in the red suit. Figured it would be an improvement since the Jeep is about to hit 200k miles.
Conclusion? Best Xmas so far in my almost 24 years on this Earth haha.
And the story continues...
Last edited by onlyinajeep726; 03-08-2012 at 09:55 AM.
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03-07-2012, 09:21 PM
#8
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6L I6 Stroker with port matched +99 intake and 62mm TB
I started out New Years by trying to diagnose the problem with my Jeep that happened shortly after Xmas. She was running like hell and I couldn't figure out why. I replaced the O2 sensor, the MAP sensor, fuel rail pressure regulator, put fuel injector cleaner in, etc. Turned out to be the simplest thing in the world; the spark plug. Replaced it in the AutoZone parking lot and ran fine again.
I got a OEM tire carrier from my buddy Sam as a trade for helping him with his LED tail lights.
Sanded and primed it.
Then I painted it with the same paint used on my bull bar. Also painted my spare tire rim.
Then I went to the local junkyard and scored some Ford 5.0 injectors. Installed them and my rough idle and hesitation was cured.
Also, got my RC trac-bar installed. No more death wobble, finally!
I got a OEM tire carrier from my buddy Sam as a trade for helping him with his LED tail lights.
Sanded and primed it.
Then I painted it with the same paint used on my bull bar. Also painted my spare tire rim.
Then I went to the local junkyard and scored some Ford 5.0 injectors. Installed them and my rough idle and hesitation was cured.
Also, got my RC trac-bar installed. No more death wobble, finally!
03-07-2012, 09:46 PM
#10
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6L I6 Stroker with port matched +99 intake and 62mm TB
Just last week, I had vacation. Didn't feel much like a vacation, as I worked on my Jeep literally from morning till night, 5 days in a row haha. Got a lot accomplished though.
For starters, I made it a little easier for my radiator to breathe. I removed the A/C condenser coil and all the lines up to the firewall.
Then, I scored another lucky find at the local junkyard. Found an aftermarket radiator with super clean coolant and no bent fins. A 2-row, CSF, all copper radiator with fill cap. Now was the time to convert to an open style cooling system and ditch that P.O.S. closed system.
While I was there, I went ahead and installed my transmission cooler that I got for Xmas.
Since I was doing the open style conversion, I had to make room for the coolant overflow bottle. I wanted it in the stock location as Chrysler intended, so I had to relocate my ignition coil and move over my relay center. Using an old XJ front bumper, I fabricated a plate in which to mount the coil.
Then I installed it. Note also, the relay center has been moved over by about 2".
Now the overflow bottle fits with no issues.
While I had all the heater/cooling hoses off, I went ahead and swapped the valve cover to the Chrysler style. I like this design better than my stock AMC style.
This is a photo showing the multiple upgrades that were done last week.
I also re-installed those leaves that I took out of the leaf spring pack 5 years ago... (sorry for the crappy picture)
When I put my tires back on, I accidentally rung off a lug...
The final thing I got done last week was getting my high flow catalytic converter installed.
Final product...
Remove my rear sway bar and fixed my E-brake lever. The old lever wouldn't catch the teeth and stay up, a problem I've had the almost 8 years I've had her. Finally fixed it by using a lever from a donor Jeep. No pictures of either of these, unfortunately...
Also worked on cleaning up and painting my 4.10 geared axles. Again, sorry for the crappy picture...
For starters, I made it a little easier for my radiator to breathe. I removed the A/C condenser coil and all the lines up to the firewall.
Then, I scored another lucky find at the local junkyard. Found an aftermarket radiator with super clean coolant and no bent fins. A 2-row, CSF, all copper radiator with fill cap. Now was the time to convert to an open style cooling system and ditch that P.O.S. closed system.
While I was there, I went ahead and installed my transmission cooler that I got for Xmas.
Since I was doing the open style conversion, I had to make room for the coolant overflow bottle. I wanted it in the stock location as Chrysler intended, so I had to relocate my ignition coil and move over my relay center. Using an old XJ front bumper, I fabricated a plate in which to mount the coil.
Then I installed it. Note also, the relay center has been moved over by about 2".
Now the overflow bottle fits with no issues.
While I had all the heater/cooling hoses off, I went ahead and swapped the valve cover to the Chrysler style. I like this design better than my stock AMC style.
This is a photo showing the multiple upgrades that were done last week.
I also re-installed those leaves that I took out of the leaf spring pack 5 years ago... (sorry for the crappy picture)
When I put my tires back on, I accidentally rung off a lug...
The final thing I got done last week was getting my high flow catalytic converter installed.
Final product...
Remove my rear sway bar and fixed my E-brake lever. The old lever wouldn't catch the teeth and stay up, a problem I've had the almost 8 years I've had her. Finally fixed it by using a lever from a donor Jeep. No pictures of either of these, unfortunately...
Also worked on cleaning up and painting my 4.10 geared axles. Again, sorry for the crappy picture...
Last edited by onlyinajeep726; 03-07-2012 at 09:57 PM.
03-07-2012, 09:48 PM
#11
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6L I6 Stroker with port matched +99 intake and 62mm TB
03-08-2012, 09:40 AM
#13
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6L I6 Stroker with port matched +99 intake and 62mm TB
03-08-2012, 11:51 AM
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Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6L I6 Stroker with port matched +99 intake and 62mm TB
I'd have to dig through some pictures. If not, I'm going to be doing the same to my wife's XJ, so I'll be sure to snap some pics then too.
Last edited by onlyinajeep726; 04-26-2012 at 11:51 PM.
