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Welp, I bought one. Her name is June. I'll be taking this on as a budget build due to that fact that she's my second vehicle. TRYING to build under $3000 including the vehicle, so I'll document along the way.
Current Picture:
Current Modifications:
-Rusty's 3in lift w/ spring packs
-2014 Jeep JK Rubicon Wheels w/ 1.25in adapters on 255/75/17 BFG Mud Terrain T/A KM
-no shocks (temporary)
-no swaybars (temporary)
I'll try to keep this updated as much as possible! Thanks for lookin'.
Last edited by Plummer; 11-23-2014 at 04:24 PM.
Reason: update
On 27OCT14 I bought June from a kind of sketchy Mexican guy who spoke not a word of english. My Spanish is shaky, but everything checked out and I drove her home. Needs some work, but 1300 bucks isn't too bad around here.
From the Craigslist ad
On the drive home, I passed over the 225,000 mile mark
Was creeping craigslist today in class and came across some Moab wheels of of a 2014 Jeep Wrangler. Tires are the BFG Mud-Terrain T/A KM with 10k miles on them and a full size spare with 0 miles. OH! I paid $100 bucks for 5 of them. PO said he had no idea what they're worth and to consider it as an early Chrismas present. When I went to pick them up he had his new JK, a new track-prepped Audi TTRS, a newish VW GTI, and his wife's newer Merc AMG something-or-other. Anyways my first vehicle is a STi so the wheels barely fit in the back, BUT I got them home.
They're all currently silver, but more than likely will be plasti-dipped/ bedlinered black in the future.
Unfortunately, because they're ~32s, I won't be able to put them on until my lift and adapters get here. Into storage they go
VIN 1J4FF68S4XL605160
Vehicle Description JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Model Year 1999
Body Model XJ J L 74
Color PCN- Deep Amethyst Pearl Coat
Engine ERH- 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
Transmission DGSS- 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission
M5 Prem Cloth Hi-Back Bucket Seats
AZ Agate
ADAP Light Group
APAS Monotone Paint
ARWP Sport Decor Group
AWHP Power Equipment Group
A20P 4.0L Engine(ERH)/4Sp Auto Trans(DGS
BASS 124 Amp Alternator
BCDS 500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGAS Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
CADP High Back Bucket Seats
CBWP Highline Door Trim Panel
CDBS Reclining Front Seats
CFMS Rear Fold w/Removable Cushion Seat
CGGS Traveling Inboard Seat Belt Buckle
CGWS Next Generation Front Air Bags**
CKAS Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area
CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops
CKXS Plastic Liftgate Trim Panel
CLEP Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSAP Spare Tire Cover
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CSSS Lift Gate Assist Handle
CUFS Full Length Floor Console
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGSS 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHNS Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System
DHSP Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever
DJHS Dana M30/181MM Front Axle
DMDP 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRAS Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
GAL Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEEP Deep Tint Sunscreen Liftgate Glass
GFAS Rear Window Defroster
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNCP Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
GTS Power Heated Mirrors, Fold-Away
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GXMP Remote Keyless Entry
HAAP Air Conditioning
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group
JAYP Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JBFP Instrument Panel Black Bezel
JCDS 100 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBP Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
KDPS RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - BADGE - CH
KGPS RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - BADGE - JE
KRPS RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - BADGE - 4
KTPS RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - JEEP
KVPP RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - BADGE - SP
KYPP RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - 4.0L
K2ZP BLACK - MOLDING - BODYSIDE
K3CS DEEP AMETHYST - FENDER FLARES
LAJS Headlamps On Warning Chimes
LBBP Courtesy Lamps
LCDP Map/Dome Reading Lamps
LDAP Underhood Lamp
LDBP Cargo Compartment Lamp
LHDP Headlamp Off Time Delay
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LNJ Fog Lamps
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
MBKP Black Front Bumper End Caps
MBLP Body Color Front Bumper
MBSP Black Rear Bumper End Caps
MBTP Body Color Rear Bumper
MCAS Front Bumper Guards
MFBP Body Color Headlamp Bezels
MFKP Body Color Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MMCS Rear Qtr Solid Window Insert
MMGS Belt Moldings
MMKS Body Color Drip Trough Molding
MNAS Black Door Handles
MNNP Body Color License Plate Brow
MWGP Roof Rack
NAA Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFAS 20 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHM Speed Control
PCN Deep Amethyst Pearl Coat
QCNS Deep Amethyst Pearl Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RASP AM/FM Cassette Radio
RCRP 4 Speakers
RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Steering
SCGP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SDAS Normal Duty Suspension
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SHCS Rear Stabilizer Bar
SUAP Tilt Steering Column
TBCS Compact Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TRLP P225/75R15 Wrangler RT/S AT Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WJ5P 15X7.0 Full-Face Steel Wheels
WLYC All Steel Wheels
XCYS Upgraded OBD-II Connectors
XJFS Tethered Fuel Filler Cap
XPFS Protective Coating and Remover
Lucky enough for me, NORCAL got a bunch of rain in the past few days and made my first time offroading memorable. I learned quite a bit about the jeep and what needs to be done to it. Did all the green trails no problem and 2 of the blues, then decided not to press my luck and went home.
Some standard flexy pics
Got into the adventure track part of the SVRA
About as flexed out as I could get it with BOTH swaybars still in
Overall really happy with my purchase and look forward to what the future holds
Not much of an update, but I spent a bunch of money today. First and most important, I ordered my lift. 3" from Rusty's with the full spring pack and I'm super excited for that. Also ordered my wheel adapters for the JK wheels. They're 1.25in so hopefully that takes enough backspacing away to make the jeep wider than it is now. I ordered some MOLLE gear and bulk fasteners like key rings, buckles, clips, small d rings, and q clips. Finally I went to Home Depot and got some necessary tools and some tools that'll make life easier.
Well my MOLLE gear is being sent from europe.. WTF? so it'll be a while before I can do anything with that. Started working on the outside of the jeep. Pulled the front bumper, side moldings, fender flares and their retainers. I've got a big load of trash in the back..
Also removed my rear sway bar for super flecksy time this weekend.
Some good progress which keeps it fun, PLUS I didn't break any bolts! Also have have hardcore PB Blasting all the suspension bolts for the past week or so for when my lift gets here.
For the four day weekend I decided to pack myself up and spend a few days in the mountains. I haven't been camping in a truly long time so I'm rather excited to say the least. Also this will act as a test for June as an expedition vehicle and my current camping set up. I'm taking the mindset of "If I don't have it, I don't need it."
But, I'm not too worried about not having it..
Also, my wheel adapters came in. No sign of the lift yet, but I have no doubt it'll arrive shortly.
As I was leaving to "get my wilderness on" the ladyfriend called and said I needed to come over. As most of you know it always goes 2 legged lady > 4 wheeled lady
Long story short, I spent the day with her and the night "camping" in her backyard
Personal issues suck, but the next day I was able to get out and hike quite a bit in Hollister Hills area
My view
Spending the night in Hollister Hills was lovely. It gave me time to think by the fire, which can clear the muddiest of minds.
Woke up with the sun and got out onto the trails.
About half way through the day's travels I came across my first butt-clenching obstacle - deep off-camber bumps at a steep decline
Next and on the same trail was a pretty gnarly corner that gave me a feeling I've never experienced in my long, 2 week long offroading career. All jokes aside, a decently gnarly corner that got me pretty flexed
At the end of the day I can say I'm more than pleased with the experience and confidence I've gained. I really feel comfortable and connected with the jeep.
Now I just need some buddies to wheel with! If you're in Northern California hit me up! Better yet, I can convince a buddy to buy a xj to wheel with me
Plugging away at little things today when I had some time. Rapidly realizing that the Air Force just loves sapping every little bit of spare time that I should have..
ANYWAYS got the adapters and new wheels on
In desperate need of that lift!
Wheels stick out just a bit, but ME LIKEY
Also picked up some gate lift thingies to make life a little easier
Break down of the cost:
~sold my stock wheels +100
~lift struts -35.98
In preparation of the lift I decided to start tear down on the Jeep. Shocks are out and all of the remaining bolts are broken loose. Once the lift gets here on Thursday I'll undo everything real quick and slap the new parts in.
The best part- I DIDN'T BREAK A SINGLE BOLT
Knock on wood that I won't break any for the whole build.. Are the stock shocks worth anything? Maybe like 20 bucks even?
Okay, so this weekend has been madness. I got my lift Thursday and was planning on camping Friday night and wheeling Saturday morning. Unfortunately, with the short time frame with school and blah blah blah I never took breaks to take pictures during the lift install. The story:
Thursday: class ended at 3 and I picked up the lift. I got everything off with ease except the bolt that mounts the front of the leaves to the frame. I got it out of the frame, but stuck in the leaf so I cut it off and pulled it out. Everything bolted up and went to bolt the axle to the springs, but the Rusty's bolts that hold the leaves together are too big to fit into the axle guide. Apparently they're just really snug, but I was in a rush. Before I researched anything I just hit them with a grinder. By the time I got all the rear done, I had to get some sleep.
Friday: Classes released at 3 again and issues getting the springs in made me to run to A/Z to get compressors. With the compressors the springs slid right in. At this point I decided to open up the shock boxes to install. Well I don't know what the deal was, but the shock bushings and bar pins weren't installed so we spent an hour or so trying to get them in. After some lovely key words came out of my mouth, I decided to just throw stock shocks in to get us by for the weekend. I picked up my buddy around and we were off. The jeep rode crappy without any down travel, but it "worked". We got to the campsite and cracked open the beers.
Saturday: woke up feeling good and ready for a day of wheeling. Shortly after we woke up, it decided to start raining. We camped at the obstacle course, so before we packed camp up, we took the jeep out on it's maiden lifted voyage. Well the shocks were clearly too short and the wheels too big for stock front fenders. I removed the shocks knowing it'd be bouncy, but it got us by.
Sunday: Well at least it was fun. The fenders are toast and I have to figure out the shocks. I may also need a wash.. or two
I went to the junkyard for the first time a couple days ago and really enjoyed myself. Picked up 4 rear sway bar brackets to use as bar pin eliminators. Today I had some time to get them installed. The bushings were wide so I got some threaded rod and made room. After that everything seemed to fall right into place. These aren't my favorite shocks, but they'll do for now. Fox shox are in this jeep's future. Maybe when tax return time comes around?
Jeep doesn't bounce like a lowrider anymore! Next week starts the aesthetic phase of the build, which shouldn't be too extensive.. Just a good wash and a clean up. For now I'm going to leave the smashed fenders on there until I can figure out what I'm doing in the bump stop department. After that I'll source some previously loved fenders from the junkyard. It's time I get some sleep, but here's a picture of my two lovely vehicles
10-30-2014, 12:05 PM
1999 XJ - June
