Long time lurker, first time poster.

I recently picked up a very clean 1987 Cherokee, pictured in my avatar. She is stock, aside from basic repairs and has been very much taken care of. Interior is perfect. 130k miles, 4.0 RENIX and the best part, it has factory tow package with the Dana 44 rear. I understand this is a rare find.

I've previously owned a 1994 xj, old forest service rig, gumby green... had to part ways with it a few years ago and have missed it greatly. Also had a 94 Wrangler but it had a 4 banger... fun little ride but not enough power. My main rig is an F-150 Off-Road... the Jeeps are my projects, and my passion.

Anyway, I decided to buy this '87 for an extra ride and because my boys are almost driving age and figured it would be a good project car for us and first driver for them. This forum is an amazing resource... I'm currently going through Cruiser54's RENIX tips, before I do any mods. Just wanted to give an intro and say how rad this place is!

 

Welcome! Sound like u are off to a good start!

 

Welcome to CherokeeForum man! Yea cruiser is awesome!

 

Welcome to another Renix owner!!

Any questions on the Tips, let me know.

Got a meter, and can you solder? LOl.

 

LOLZ Yep and yep!

Dude, Cruiser, you DA MAN! I printed your PDF and have been painstakingly going through your RENIX checklist. Grounds are being refreshed. Man, that damn C101 connector was nasty! Looked like it had been napalmed and buried for a decade.

I do notice a slight fluctuation in the idle, and stinky exhaust. Hopefully one of the steps you have outlined will fix this. I'll probably backprobe the TPS tonight and see if it is functioning.

I'm looking at lifts and tires but I really want her to be sound when I go there.

 

A suggestion.

Do Tips 1 through 5 thoroughly. I'd really like to see you do 27....

Don't do anything else.

Here's a little story for ya.

My friend Cody bought an 87 like yours. He painstakingly went through the list per my suggestion right in my garage.

We hooked up my factory scanner and noticed that the O2 sensor was real slow to switch back and forth and sometimes froze. That indicates a faulty sensor.

Cody wanted to eliminate the C101. We had already done Tip 6 regarding the sensor ground circuit. So, I taught him how to solder and use shrink tubing and he eliminated the c101. The photos in my write-up are of Cody's Jeep.

Well, lo and behold, when we scanned it again, the O2 sensor was switching like brand new........

 

BTW, if you wanna liven that old 87 up, get an eCU from an 89 or 90 with an auto trans and a TCU from an 88 or later.

 

That is good info. I happen to have a big spool of solder sitting on the workbench, just waiting to get used up. But that sounds like a chore... I'll have to set aside a weekend just for that.

 

I will look into the eCU and TCU. Already looking for a set of injectors. It's a peppy little piggy already, but not quite as much as my 94 ho was.

I'll post up a pic of the engine. It looks like it has had some fairly recent word done... new water pump and the valve cover doesn't look stock.

 

Hour and half job for the C101 and sensor ground upgrade. Volvo injectors from programbo here on CF.

 

Volvo injectors... 746? Would that be better than using 703s?

 

Absolutely.

 

Hey cruiser, I found an Electronic Engine Control Module, coil mounted from a '90 XJ at a local wrecker for $60. Is that the same as the ECU you mentioned? And does that sound like a reasonable price?

 

Good work so far. I'll recomend the c101 elimination as well. I did it and things are much better. Don't forget the grounds associated with it as well.

 

ECU is up under the dash.