Took the new to me "Hoopty" for a spin today covered a few miles and am happy with what I have seen so far. With the AC running, sitting idle for about 5 minutes after some stop and go traffic coolant temps ran up to about 220 degrees but once I got moving it dropped steadily and within 10 miles was down to 192 degrees. Those temps were from my OBDII bluetooth scanner (torque lite). Drove straight, smooth and the AC was cool but not cold, I will need to add a little freon to get the most out of it. Might hold off as the weather is predicted to get in the 40's for lows (really early down this far South) and I bypassed my leaky heater core! This is about the most plain jane XJ I have ever owned, its got the abbreviated console and about the only options are AT, AC and the skid plate package. No cruise, no PW, no tilt no roof rack. I have a turn signal bulb out, and I figured nobody near would have a 1157A bulb and I was correct! I also need to get some of the plastic nuts that snap in the header panel to hold the grill. I think I am going to go with a precut front winch bumper that you have to weld up. Unless the Upull yard gets a XJ with a straight front bumper!

Oh and it got its first bath today at the local car wash! Got all the green mold off the outside and it actually looks white now. I will leave the header panel and front trim black, as I figure its easier to hide paint mistakes there then in white! So plan to make a 150 mile roundtrip mid week as a shakedown run...I expect no problems!

 

Made the shakedown run this past week. Actually put 179 miles on the clock. Checked the coolant temp through the OBD tool and it stayed around 185 degrees when on the highway. It turns about 1450 rpms at 45mph, and at 65mph it is turning 2000-2100. Never ran hot and the only problem was a creeping high idle. I pulled the IAC and on its "nipple" it had some corrosion which I am sure is not good for function. I sanded it a little and cleaned it, the idle dropped quite a bit. I went ahead and ordered a IAC to replace it with along with a TPS sensor. Wasn't real happy with the fuel mileage, but also found a injector leak. When I put it together I had replaced the injectors so I just gave it a twist and it sealed up. Maybe between getting those two items fixed it will improve its MPG. Also got the passenger replacement floor pan in, I splurged for the original Mopar part hoping it was thicker then the others. Will get to that sometime in the future. Still have to order a front bumper. Glad I have this to drive in the woods instead of my truck! Will post a pic in the next day or so. About the only thing left to fix/replace is the knee kick panel which is hard to find right now for me anyway and get the interior dome lights working. So things are looking up for the "Hoopty" XJ.