PROJECT X-JAY
05-16-2009, 10:51 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
PROJECT X-JAY
This is my build thread on my 99' XJ Cherokee Classic. It'll be the usual project progression, mods, before and after, purpose of ride, etc.. I would like to eventually make an artist rendering of a Cherokee as a Autobot/Transformer, hence the name X-JAY. I always knew about the rock reliability of the Cherokee and it's infamous I-6. I had a 2008 Silverado crew cab Z71, got laid off, and had to get rid of the truck. I only had $5,000 to spend and found my 99' w/ 82,000mi and no rust(pretty rare in Illinois) OTD for $4,900. This is what it looked like when I got it. Unfortunately, I bought new tires prior to finding all the XJ sites and want taller, more aggressive tires(31x10.50 Treadwrights).
05-16-2009, 10:59 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
I bought it for a DD and to trailer my quad, mulch, etc.. After reading all the forums and being a compulsive tinkerer, the gears started to turn and off came the plastic. Sorry about the small cell pics.
05-16-2009, 11:16 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
I then added spring boosters up front and a helper spring in the rear for 2" of lift for $50, courtesy of Advance Auto. At this point I have trimmed the fenders up front and cut and folded the rears. I also painted the grill, headlight rings, and bumpers satin black w/Fusion.
05-16-2009, 11:47 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
With my constantly thinking mind, I decided to install a little ram air action. I love old muscle cars w/ the functional intake scoop/ram air induction. I ended up going to home depot and purchasing a 4" dryer vent. I drilled a hole and cut a 4" hole in my hood right above the C.A.I.. I sealed up the hole w/ some caulk from the inside. Before I get flamed to death about hydrolock and other B.S., I'll make it clear that I don't ford water and the vent DOES pound cooler air in and makes a difference. It can also be closed for downpours and works well. It just rained hard and i drove through it w/no problems. I see so many cars w/ ugly, non functional scoops.
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05-18-2009, 11:26 AM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Thank You guys very much for the comments. I took the heep to my parents house when I first boosted it. I'm lookin' at it and it looks like the front is higher than the back. So i put a 4' level on the body line and it was level. Huh. Then I measured the fenders and realized the factory front fenders are approx. 2" higher than the rears(the factory fender lines was what I followed when I cut and folded/trimmed). Maybe a lil' optical illusion
05-18-2009, 11:30 AM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
I also went on youtube and listened to some different exhausts and the flowmaster 40 series seems like it would sound the best. I could not believe the difference in sound...almost like a small block and not ricey.