mentalbreakdown00

Ok, so I got this poor old XJ It had somewhere around 265K on it, last owner said owner before had put an engine in it, I dunno. I traded my sorely missed rifle for it. I drove it 1 1/2 hrs home with some death wobble, a growling in the trans, esp in 5th, and pulling hard right. First thing I did was change all the fluids, as all but the oil looked like milkshakes.

The next step was to stop the vacuum leaks, all the lines had pretty well rotted. I got the PCV grommets, and hoses from my local dodge. Next I was given an instrument cluster w/ Gauges, as mine had idiot lights. I bought the sending units for gauges, and fired it up to check my oil pressure, and coolant temp. Low and behold oil pressure was fine, looks like any 30W oil may be too much as cold start up is close to 70 lbs (checked with a mechanical also), but coolant temp never moved. Well, I knew the engine was warm in just a few minutes, the heater was good and hot, upper rad hose was good and hot. So I took the wire off the sending unit and grounded it, gauge stays at cold. So I got to the back of the cluster and back probe the connector for the coolant temp signal, and ground it gauge still cold. Ordered another one for $50 and got it today, after a couple beers it was in. Now I can tell hot the engine is getting!!

After all this the gas gauge still isn't working, so hunting I go. I lited the truck in the shop and found right near the gas tank a place on the convoluted tubing where some non OEM electrical tape was wrapped around it. Undid the electrical tape and yay, someone must had torn the wires loose, and did a crappy crimp on the connectors. So I got some heat shrink butt connectors, connect 'em all together, put the tubing back on tape it all up and yay I have a gas gauge now.

mentalbreakdown00

A few days after, I got tired of not being able to roll up or down the window, the regulator was stripped. So off to the bone yard, and $35 bucks later, I had another one. I got it in, now I can even roll the window UP & DOWN, i'm movin up in the world. Next is to put a headlight switch in it, it's shorting out and blowing the fuse for the cluster lights. Also soon on the list is the A/C controls light, and all the interior lights that don't work.

I have though aquired a 2" spacer for the front, and 2" shackles for the rear, and new leaf bushings and greasable bolts for the entire rear.

90XJkid

The camo on the body looks good! Sounds like you are having fun tracking down all your gremlins.

Texas XJeeper

Cool. Camo Tires.. Haha.

mentalbreakdown00

Yeah gotta hide them tires too, you know? After I fix the front end, the wheels and tires will be right after. I am going with some 16x8's and some treadwrights. I am unsure though, of both clearance and durability of running anything larger than 265-70-16's I was hoping somoen would say I could probably fit some 75 series without a huge decrease in dependability.

Gary Briggs

That camo does look tight, must have been time consuming!

mentalbreakdown00

Dunno, got it this way, but I like it.....

Mosescase

must be nice, looks good man

mentalbreakdown00

BTW it is not lifted and is sitting on very worn 265-70-15's, I have only gotten a couple rubs running off-road. With 2" of lift anyone think I can clear 265-75's? Or stick with 70's?

mentalbreakdown00

Ok, I replaced the light in the HVAC control head, put a new fuse in and, yay I can now see my heat and a/c controls at night, well when I get a new headlight switch anyways.
Now on to the dome lights, I found the fuse taken out, put a fuse in it, and I had one light, the pass side floor light. So I chacked the drivers side and found a blown bulb, of course, put another one in, and it started working. Now I knew there was no bulb in the front dome, so I checked the back, and again no bulb. Got 2 new ones, and wow, I Now actually have gauges, that work!, no more vacuum leaks, and interior lights!!!

peytn91

I'm runnin 31x11.50x15 on my wagon with a 2 inch budget boost and I have no rubbing issues at all. I did rip out all the wheel well plastic though. Not for sure if that's the same width as the 75 you wanna run but I figured I'd throw you some input. Btw mines on a 2000 so idk if that's gonna make a diff also.

Kayle

nice so far, im right there with you finding problem after problem with a new to me xj. fun aint it?

mentalbreakdown00

yeah, it is Kale, though I've never owned but one vehicle with under 150K miles on it, so kinda used to it by now I guess. So, next on the list is stuff I already ordered and gotten, 2" spacers, and shackles and greaseable bolts, unlees the tree I tried to mutate it's dna out back actually starts making money leaves i'll be broke for a while.

SGT ABN XJ

Good job on doing all your own troubleshooting and repairing..I'm ******* the camo paint will look alot better with the right rim and tire choice..Oh and congrats on providing CF with another TWO door..

mentalbreakdown00

Well, I hope I can fix everything myself. I've been doing it for other people for almost 15 yrs now, i'm 28 btw, and on top of the fact I run my own auto/ diesel shop. Lol, if I can't figure it out not like I can ask too many people. I do however wish it was a 4 door, but oh well.

Update as of yesterday 1-18-11 I now have a vacuum canister, with the bumper being cut and all, and wanting to put a different bumper on later I shoved it between the fuse box/battery/fender well. Also done yesterday was a battery hold down!! Movin uptown quick, LOL!!