1999 XJ "Grandma Gold"
Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 467
Likes: 6
From: Sioux Falls, SD
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 549
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Was looking through old family albums on the computer this morning and spotted my dad's first XJ. He bought it brand new back in 1996. Sold it to my aunt a few years ago at 180k, and it was at about 260k last year when it got stolen and wrecked. I basically grew up in the back of it.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 549
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
After going doorless i've come to the conclusion:
I need to find a set of manual doors.
I need to invest in a better pin system for putting them back on. The hitch pins suck to remove. I don't want to weld bolts to the door hinges.
I need a rear sound bar out of an older XJ so I can have two sound bars on the headliner so I can have four speakers when doorless.
I need a footpeg immediately to rest my left foot on.
I love going doorless.
I need to find a set of manual doors.
I need to invest in a better pin system for putting them back on. The hitch pins suck to remove. I don't want to weld bolts to the door hinges.
I need a rear sound bar out of an older XJ so I can have two sound bars on the headliner so I can have four speakers when doorless.
I need a footpeg immediately to rest my left foot on.
I love going doorless.
CF Veteran

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 60
From: Pasquotank, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I relocated my door speakers to the lower dash panel, to the factory spots for the premium stereo tweeters. I made some jack leg brackets to hold the speaker and pulled the wire back from the doors.
As as far as manual doors, good luck. I’ve been looking for a set of 97+ manual doors for a while. Don’t forget, the first set you find you said you’d pull for me. 😁
As as far as manual doors, good luck. I’ve been looking for a set of 97+ manual doors for a while. Don’t forget, the first set you find you said you’d pull for me. 😁
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 549
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I thought about the kick panel but didn't find much room there but i'll check again with some spare 6x9 speakers I have laying around. I also don't want to accidently send my foot through them. I have two blown speakers in the rear playing music at the moment. Don't worry... The second first set is all yours!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 549
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Dropping the Jeep off to my buddy's shop to have a plate welded over the rear unibody crack I have and maybe get the JCR Unibody Tie-in kit welded in as well to be safe.
bad_idea, do you know any other welders in the area that you trust to weld in 2x6 tubing in place of the rockers? My guy doesn't have the time to do it as he's a mechanic and I can't do it either. The local 4x4 clubs are going to be a last resort for me. Last year when I was looking around after me cutting everything out, prepping and buying the materials I was looking at around $400 to have somebody burn them in for me.
bad_idea, do you know any other welders in the area that you trust to weld in 2x6 tubing in place of the rockers? My guy doesn't have the time to do it as he's a mechanic and I can't do it either. The local 4x4 clubs are going to be a last resort for me. Last year when I was looking around after me cutting everything out, prepping and buying the materials I was looking at around $400 to have somebody burn them in for me.
CF Veteran

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 60
From: Pasquotank, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I do all of my own work, so I haven't looked for guys in the area. Are you looking for someone to do the install start to finish? Or someone to weld them in after you fit them up? I'll ask around the shop.
I'll be in town for a while if you want to bring it down to EC, I can weld it up for you. I don't have the garage built yet, so I just don't have the means to fit them up right now. But to burn them in real quick isn't a big deal. For that matter, do you have a dryer outlet in your garage? I could bring the welding gear by your place one afternoon and burn them in.
I'll be in town for a while if you want to bring it down to EC, I can weld it up for you. I don't have the garage built yet, so I just don't have the means to fit them up right now. But to burn them in real quick isn't a big deal. For that matter, do you have a dryer outlet in your garage? I could bring the welding gear by your place one afternoon and burn them in.
Last edited by bad_idea; May 14, 2018 at 05:37 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 549
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
It wouldn't be for another month or so when I can afford it, I really appreciate that offer! Is your phone number still the same? I know you're a busy man and always out of town. Maybe after I buy the materials I can shoot you a message and we can work out a day. Of course you'll have to give me a price, I wouldn't let you do it for free because I've heard it's a pain in the butt welding thick to thin. My idea was cut the rocker leaving a lip at the top and cut at the pinch seam. Unless you think I should purchase Hooligans 2x6 rocker kit which is basically some c channel to make it easier to weld to. If you were to weld it I would want to do it the way you would.
I do have a dryer and washer outlet with 240v and 120v right by my garage. I've been using that and an extension cord.
I can do all of the cutting, fitting, I can take both doors off for easier access to the top, I can have it held in place with a jack and a 2x4, heck I might even be able to tack it in a few places for you. I just don't trust my welds on anything structural with so little practice and a cheap welder.
I do have a dryer and washer outlet with 240v and 120v right by my garage. I've been using that and an extension cord.
I can do all of the cutting, fitting, I can take both doors off for easier access to the top, I can have it held in place with a jack and a 2x4, heck I might even be able to tack it in a few places for you. I just don't trust my welds on anything structural with so little practice and a cheap welder.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 549
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
I could also put it on my card and have materials by Thursday morning and bring it down to you as well that would be no problem at all. Only problem I see is rain for the next week and a half lol
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 549
Likes: 13
From: Chesapeake, VA
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Right now I broke the clips to secure the connectors so they slide right out and feed it through the door, so I eventually want to do quick disconnects or before I paint the jeep get a set of manual doors.
I gotcha. Ive wanted to take my doors off and saw almost like a plug set up that you can rewire but it looks like a big pain in the butt. Is that what youre talking about with the quick disconnects?




