Just brought her home



The forum hates my photo of the front for some reason....

Picked up this bad girl a couple weeks ago. Going to be my first build. I bought an XJ (didn't even know what XJ meant til 3 weeks ago) a couple years ago for real cheap and it rusted out after 2 rides. Oops. I am now hooked and this time I checked for rust. Yes the rocker panels are mostly gone on this but more on that later.
My plan was to make it just a trail rider and leave it up north but this stock one is much more fun to drive than my Colorado work truck so I'm keeping it at home and driving it for leisure as well. As such, I'm thinking 3" lift with 31s. Thoughts on this? Seems to be the sweet spot. Okay so I already ordered the lift so that's staying the same. Most of my trailing is more mud and sand than overlanding. Any recommendations on a wheel/tire combo? Thank you in advance I've already done a few things I shall post them soon.

 

Welcome

Nice start to a project rig.

3 inches of lift paired with 31s is a nice combination. I have the same.

 

This Jeep runs pretty good but damn the coolant and tranny fluid was blacker than the night. No green or red to be seen in either. Also changed the oil. Was planning on changing the tranny filter as well but it was looking to be a pain in the *** and I didn't have time that night and I've also read the filter doesn't really do anything anyway. She shifts better than my truck so maybe I shouldn't touch it.

I do think this car sat for a couple years.

some of the trans fluid. almost forgot to get a photo. Ignore the crap in there my pan was dirty

second bucket of flushed coolant

 

You've done well backup hockey stick....

 

Pulled all the trim and started to paint

 

Was putting her up on ramps (2 on the same side) one slipped out and my reaction of slamming the breaks must have busted it open. Had someone help me with this but now I have the tools, know-how, and supplies to replace the rest of the lines down the road.

 

Purchased these OEM style rocker panels (inside and outside panels) and cut away at the existing panels until I got to good steel.

Realizing replacing them whole was way too much work, I cut the new rockers (felt bad lol) in such a way that they could be riveted and later welded to the existing good steel after it was cleaned up and "rust proofed".

At some point in this journey, I popped a 1/8 drill bit through the end of my middle finger while drilling rivet holes. That hurt, and still does 11 days later. Finally sought medical care today and the X-Ray shows a piece of metal lodged in there. Time will tell if it will need to be removed surgically. Guess I waited to long and they don't want to open it back up. Maybe I should smoke a little less while doing metal work.....

Anyhow I got the rocker panels done and I am pleasantly surprised with how well they turned out.

 

Had some real low oil pressure levels and was concerned about that. I was thinking the oil pump was going or clogged or something worse but I had a hunch and ended up grabbing a new oil pressure switch (sensor?).

Swapped that out and my oil pressure gauge started acting within XJ norms immediately..Phewww because I would have paid for that work to be done and I plan on driving her 5 hours north tomorrow so that would have killed that. I've taken her an hour and a half one way a couple times now and she's done great but I am nervous for this journey. Hoping to get a little dirty up north.




Also picked up these rear quarter panel armors from Rough Country and slapped them on. Once I removed the trim I saw how bad those areas were rusted out (especially the passenger side) and had to do something.
They fit nice, were super easy to put on, and best of all the trim fits right back over the top of it which is great because once I repaint the whole XJ and get new front and rear bumpers I will be putting the trim back on.

 

I'm bad at posting consistently so I'll catch thangs up a bit. Took her on the 5 hour trek to the UP. She did fantastically except for the fact that the ****ty Duralast oil pressure sensor I had just put in failed about an hour in and made me think I had zero oil pressure. Replaced it with a higher quality one on that stop and it went back to normal...phewwwww. Took her trailing and the XJ did amazingly well for being full stock with eco touring tires I didn't hit anything close to being stuck. Even climbed a steep muddy hill with laughable ease. I'll have to go harder once I know everything is solid with it (front end components). I've done a bit more work to the XJ as well. Will get those up soon.
Started scrapping the old XJ that's stuck up there as well. I'm using it as a trolley to the front and back of my property until I get my barn later this year and then I'll have it brought there. Until then I'll be pulling everything non essential to running.

Here's a couple trail pics.





Someone stopped while I was under both hoods to check on me LOL. Jeep things. Theres a reason we took the 2021 Trailblazer as well. No breakdowns tho

ole Jericho

 

So back in August around when I made my last post I had torn the trim off and done a quick rattle can spray job. I did this quick and lazy, and am glad I did because I ruined the paint with grease while lifting it...which I will be posting soon after this one. Trying to keep this chronological and dated for ya'll.
Also bought some new wheels/tires off FB from some guy for $200. She made the 500 mile trek UP north again after this and impressed on the trails.




Painted my lift parts while waiting for for my leaf springs. In the end they sent me 6 leafs and I got 3. So a spare is nice I suppose.



BEHOLD MY DISASTER OF A GARAGE