1992 Cherokee Laredo
05-22-2011, 02:53 PM
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
1992 Cherokee Laredo
I picked this ol' gal up for a pretty good price. $500. She has 185K and a rod knocking. A/C doesnt work, radio was pulled, interior was nasty. Power steering hose leaking, upper radiator hose leaking, radiator was rust river. I found a block and crank on craigslist that is in the machine shop now being checked out. He is going to clean it up, crack check it and bore it .040 over. It was already bored .030 over in 4 of the holes and .032 in the back 2. No pistons with it though! 
He is supposed to call me Monday and let me know if its in good shape. I am going to build a pretty much stock motor for now, and use the original block to build a stroker over the next year or so, but for now, I am just going to get her cleaned up, get a strong motor in her, and solid on the road. Going to go with some new pistons, some new aftermarket aluminum rods, and a stock cam. My plan for the suspension is to start out with a 4.5" lift, but havent made the final decision on that yet.
He is supposed to call me Monday and let me know if its in good shape. I am going to build a pretty much stock motor for now, and use the original block to build a stroker over the next year or so, but for now, I am just going to get her cleaned up, get a strong motor in her, and solid on the road. Going to go with some new pistons, some new aftermarket aluminum rods, and a stock cam. My plan for the suspension is to start out with a 4.5" lift, but havent made the final decision on that yet.
05-26-2011, 11:24 PM
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
The word is in from the machine shop....good buy on the block and crank. He is boring it .040 over and the crank is being turned to .010. I have a rebuild kit picked out. Hypereutectic pistons, Moly Rings, reconditioned rods, Clevite main and rod bearings, Felpro gasket set, Melling oil pump, OEM replacement cam, lifters and timing set. Going to take a few weeks to get the funds together for the rebuild kit after paying the machine shop. So in the meantime, I have been doing so not-so-expensive stuff. Started getting the engine bay stripped down to sand, primer and paint.
05-26-2011, 11:29 PM
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Also been doing some interior clean up. Here is a picture of the front seats, the one on the left is after cleaning, the one on the right is before. Quite a difference! I found the write up on how to machine wash the seat covers and as you can see, it was well worth the 4 hours it took for both seats.
05-26-2011, 11:35 PM
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
A few "before" pics of the interior as I was getting started. I got the carpet cleaned and dyed, but it got too dark for good pics. I will post the "after" pics in a day or two.
05-27-2011, 06:53 PM
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
carpets...DONE! .....for now...at some point its going to get a new carpet set throughout but for now, $15 worth of fabric and vinyl paint and some elbow grease doesnt look half bad!
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05-27-2011, 11:12 PM
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
From what I can tell from underneath, if there is rust it hasnt gone all the way through except for the rear passenger side corner of the floor pan under the rear seat. I havent pulled the carpet out but I dont expect to find much, if any, other than that one spot. This ol' girl is solid as a rock as far as I can tell. There is no rust underneath, other than the suspension, etc that you would typically find from paint wearing off after 19+ years. Surface rust mainly from what I can tell. The interior is cleaning up nicely, and with the engine I am building I think its going to be a SCHWEEEEET! ride. I am planning on a 4.5" lift and all the goodies to go with it.....SYE, Tranny Drop, LA kit and all....I also want one of THESE! ( hood scoop) This ride is off the hook! I am going to use it as a benchmark for what I can do with mine. Time and money will tell! 
Got stuff today! Next is the rebuild kit....
06-19-2011, 03:35 PM
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Just some random pics taken today while waiting on my son to come over so we can burn some steaks on the grill. Got a couple of ribeyes marinating.....as you can see, I am slowly getting things to the point of taking the old knocking engine out, and building a new one. I have been saving a few bucks where I can to get the engine rebuild kit, hopefully in a few weeks...found a really easy way to clean out the injector holes in the intake today....cut a scotchbrite pad into strips, chuck them up in the ol' cordless drill and let 'er buck! The holes were terribly dirty when I started, and now they look new! And the scrotchbrite pads didnt eat any of the aluminum....worked out well I think...
08-15-2011, 07:24 PM
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Just a few pics of the work I have been slowly doing. Its starting look like something again. Engine is on the stand, and should be in the truck by Sunday if all goes well.