awork

(Sorry for the long first post)

I recently purchased my first Jeep about 3 weeks ago. Bought a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport with 86000 on the odometer for $3000. After getting home with it and crawling under it again I noticed the engine appeared to be one out of a different Jeep (96 Jeep was wrote on the bottom of engine). Body is in pretty good shape with a couple minor dents. When purchased it I knew it needed new windshield and a ujoint in the near future. I drove it home 250, it started idling a little weird at a couple stop signs but not too bad. Once home I replaced the passengers side Ujoint which seemed to get way worse on the drive home (going to do the drivers eventually).

After about two days of driving it started getting worse and had soot coming out of the tailpipe . After searching lots of threads on here I decided to change plugs, wires and distributor cap. The plugs were covered in soot and looked pretty old. After replacing those it did not help at all in the idling issue. After more searching I decided to take off the throttle body and clean it and the IAC and TPS. This also did not fix the problem and it continued to get worse. I purchased a new TPS and IAC to try but neither seemed to fix the issue. I returned the IAC but kept the TPS because it looked pretty rough.

I decided to take it to a mechanic in town who did free diagnostic checks. His computer was not advance enough to read it fully but he said it was losing connection around the crankshaft position sensor. I decided to just try that ( since i read they are known to go out) as well as the 02 sensor. For about 2 minutes of driving it ran better but not perfect. It started getting worse and would barely run, it was acting like it did not get fuel when giving it gas it would sputter and almost die. I once again took it in to get checked out since I had changed the CPS. They said it was showing high voltage around the MAP and rear 02 sensor but once again the system the used was not good enough to tell for sure. I finally decided to take it to a mechanic they recommended with a better system. They came to the conclusion that it was the MAP after they did an override and it ran perfect. So MAP was replaced and now it runs good!

It still has a few minor things that need fixed, plan on replacing front brake pads and other ujoint this weekend as well as change the oil. Checked the antifreeze and its looking pretty dirty so plan on draining that and replacing in the next week or two and plan on changing transmission and diff fluid in the near future. I have noticed that when in drive there is a vibration on the floor board that sounds like metal to metal. It mainly does this when accelerating and when at a stop in gear. Of course I try to get it to do it when I am actually at home so I can crawl under and figure it out but it won't do it then.

Other future things to do is remove seats and clean the carpet (its a little dirty), need to check CEL light because it is not working, replace headliner that is sagging and tint windows with tint i already purchased. I also am in search of a lift kit in the next few months to purchase. I have 5 crager wheels on BFG Mud Terrain KM2's 31 10.5 15's I bought for $225 from a family member, 3 tires are almost brand new so have to purchase 2 new ones. Also plan on purchasing a Tcase skid plate soon to do some off road parks around here while its stock to see how it does.

It is a work in progress and will probably be done a little at a time. I am really excited to finally be part of the Jeep community though!
Thanks for looking at my thread and sorry its so long!

"Flexing" the stock suspension
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The day i purchased it before the drive home
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The wheels and tires that will go on after lift
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awork

I plan on adding a 3" lift in the near future. Here are a couple I am looking at. Any advice on lifts or other modifications is appreciated!

http://www.allensoffroad.com/mm5/mer...ry_Code=ZONCHR

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/rustys-...-pack-kit.html

Leaning more towards the Zone lift.

Thanks for looking!

XJwonders

Welcome

Morat

Well done
Those don't look like stock shocks - at least mine aren't yellow!

1ATony

Welcome to the site.

Tony

awork

Thanks everyone!

I unfortunately keep having issues pop up with the jeep. I get one thing fixed and something else seems to mess up! I am currently trying to figure out what is causing a stumble whenever the jeep is cold and I first take off. I am thinking possibly the fuel pump because the last 2 times I have drove it I primed it by turning the key several times then starting it. It could be a coincidence but I don't know. Also have a vibration that occurs sometimes at an idle and sometimes when accelerating. It is metal on metal and I can feel it in the floor board. Of course every time I try to get out and crawl under to listen it stops doing it!

DenimDean

Vibration is probably your exhaust hitting your cross member

awork

I haven't had a chance to check that yet but if that's the case what is the best way to fix that? It wasn't doing that whenever I bought it so kind of weird to me.

DenimDean

You might have to get creative because I don't think they make the hanger that holds it up right there anymore. Mines been doin it for a few months now haha

awork

So I haven't updated for awhile. Haven't done too much just maintenance so far. Started having some noises in the front end have ball joints I plan on replacing this week or next. Finally got alot of the bugs worked out and had a chance to do some highway driving. Went about 100 miles round trip and it has started randomly down shifting. Doesn't matter how much gas or anything it would just downshift for a second or two then go back. Sometimes does it 3 or 4 times in a couple minutes and sometimes won't for 10 minutes and does it once. Changed 5 he transmission fluid and filter. The fluid was black.... Changed that hoping it would help but hasn't yet. I plan on changing it again this week and maybe again until the fluid is the correct color.
In the near future I also plan on draining the coolant and replacing before winter. I also have some hella 500s I plan on putting on the pumper soon.
I am pushing back my lift to after winter to see if any bugs need worked out before. A few of us are planning a trip to Colorado for a few days to camp and wheel. Want to make sure it's reliable enough to make it. I also cleaned the carpets but plan on some day replacing them and the sagging headliner. A friend and I also tinted the windows last week. Makes a world of difference in how it looks.
Here are a few picture.


Tinted windows


Found a little mud hole, realized mud isn't as fun as I remember when I have to clean it after




Very dirty transmission fluid

MyJeepXJ

Welcome to the site!

awork

So after changing the transmission fluid three times the random downshifting has almost completely stopped. Every once in awhile it will do it but I plan on changing the fluid again after a few months. Over the last week I have drove it about 300 miles, it did great but towards the end of the week is started randomly having a high idle after driving a little and has been starting to cut out some. I haven't had a chance to look into it much yet. My plans of this weekend are to replace the valve cover gasket that is leaking like crazy and hopefully in the next couple weeks get the drive lights installed.

awork

Little update on the Jeep build. I haven't done too much but had the weird downshifting come back and then a couple months ago began having a issue with the jeep cutting out too. I did a lot of test on things and on a whim decided to just warranty the TPS that i had replaced back in july. Upgraded to the better one just becuase it was only $7 difference. Put it in and the jeep ran good as new!
I also had the muffler blow out and replaced it with dynomax super turbo muffler. It is pretty quiet inside the jeep and has a deeper sounds outside.

My recent plans are to buy a 3" lift once i get tax return back. I am leaning towards possibly the ZONE 3" full leaf kit.
I have been considering the RE 3.5 inch lift in the $600 price range. The reason i have kind of decided against that as of now is because i read it actually gives you closer to 4.5" lift (which I wouldn't mind) but that means more money on SYE and other stuff that i can't really afford right now. Also i have heard the ride on it can be kind of rough.

I am also considering the RC 3" lift. It has pretty good reviews and i hear the customer service is one of the best.

I have been doing a lot of research on what to get and would like to stay under $700 on a full lift. If anyone knows of any other good lifts in the 500$700 range let me know.

awork

Finally got my lift done! Zone 3" lift full leaf with nitro shocks and IRO double shear track bar. The lift was a pain in the ***. I decided to go with the rear first because its suppose to be easier. The bolts were all rusted even after being sprayed with PB blast for a week. I ended up cutting off the rear two and found out it doesn't come with new bolts. It was the weekend so had to wait until monday to get new ones. Finally got that done and flew through the front. I had replaced leaf springs before on another vehicle so had more experience with that. The front was a piece of cake compared to the back. Was told i would have to redrill the holes for the track bar too but that wasn't the case. Everything came off very easy. I will probably have to trim the bumpers due to rubbing at flex.

Here are a few pics, my goal next is to get some rock sliders this summer.

kearny

1988 here.kearny,az.still stock but would like to go a few inches.how did your ride change?total cost?and mine has been doing weird things now and then,idle&stuff,but somehow you get used to it.sometimes tapping,sometimes odd idle,sometimes 2 more seconds to start,but,has not left me stranded yet.allways something to work on.fun fun.