Bluelight

I decided after 9 months of this saga, it could probably get it's own thread. This isn't so much of a build as it is saving it from the junk yard fate.

The "Heep" is a 1995 Jeep Cherokee SE 2wd. It has the 4.0l 6 cylinder engine, AX15 manual transmission and Chrysler 8.25" 27 spline 3.07:1 axle. It has the "idiot light" cluster.

I picked it up in October of 2013 from a friend for cheap. I originally wanted just the rims off it to mount the winter tires for my '99 Cherokee on, but he named a price for the whole thing I couldn't refuse. It was drivable, but had a bad coolant leak, failing head gasket and failing starter. It had been flipped upside down into a snowbank, and the roof was dented, side view mirrors were broken off, and the headlight bezels/corner marker lights were gone. It also has worn shocks and sagging rear leaf springs. The tires are P215x75R15 Uniroyal Liberator A/Ts in good condition. The battery is a SuperStart Premium+ Group 34, and was relatively new when I got the vehicle. There were also numerous burned out or missing bulbs. The stereo was a Dual that seemed to have a bad habit of running the battery down. The door speakers were paper coned Pioneers, and the driver's door speaker was blown. In the liftgate were some hacked in 6x9s that later fell out. The liftgate supports don't work. The interior is in rough shape, with broken, loose or missing trim, stained seats and stained carpet. It also came with a poorly done DIY window tint job. Though in rough shape, and needing some engine work, the body is sound and rust free. My plan for the vehicle is to try to either fix it up and make it reliable, or part it out if that doesn't look plausible.

Bluelight

Within the first 2 weeks, I removed the Dual stereo and rear speakers (the speakers actually fell out). Replaced various dead bulbs. Found and removed aftermarket power door actuators. The front passenger door one was seized up, keeping the door from being locked. I also put in a new cap, rotor, plugs and wires to try to make it run better. It helped a little.

Was able to drive it around at this time, which was handy as my '99 Cherokee was packed up for a trip, and my little car was taken apart for an attempt at a radiator swap.

Bluelight

11-16-2013

I put a radio in my 95 Cherokee SE. Unfortunately I broke the mounting ring, and in the process of stuffing all the wires back in there, I think the antenna plug came out. I can only pick up the hippy college station

Bluelight

11-27-2013

Fixed the radio bracket, reconnected the antenna wire and installed new door speakers. Nothing fancy, just 5.25" Jensens.

Bluelight

12-01-2013

Watched #2 puke out it's head gasket than walked home 2 blocks.

Bluelight

12-04-2013

A list of problems it has...
- Saggy leaf springs
- Blown right rear axle seal and worn bearings
- Radiator leaks
- Fan shroud and electric cooling fan missing
- Oil leaks
- Engine lacks power with intermittent missing
- Missing drivers door light switch
- Outside rear view mirrors broken
- Radio antenna broken
- Liftgate supports totally shot

And most recently, the head gasket gave out

Bluelight

12-08-2013

I dreamed about pulling the head off my '95, finding nothing bad (aside from the head gasket), putting it all back together and having it run like a champ! If only right?

Bluelight

02-25-2014

If the engine survives the repairs, I'm thinking of taking the doors off. I'll have to move the speakers from the doors to the dash. Luckily that's the only electrics in it's doors.

Bluelight

03-08-2014

Ran into #2 with the snow plow today and finished breaking the tail light housing.

Bluelight

04-05-2014

Spent a little quality time with #2 yesterday. Replaced burned out indicator bulbs for the rear wiper and heater controls.

Cleaned up the power distribution center under the hood. The starter is going bad and the PO thought it was a relay issue, so he sprayed the whole PDC with WD40. Cleaned up all the fuses and relays, and made sure the right ones were in the right places. Left out the fuel pump relay so I can turn on power without running the pump, since the head is coming off in the near future.

Ordered an A/C Bypass Pulley, since after I have the system discharged, I have no intent of having it charted back up. That way I can just get rid of any AC parts that get in my way.

Today I replaced a mismatched fuse, put together my engine parts box, pulled the spark plug wires and AC Clutch relay, cut off the serpentine belt and did some general cleaning inside. Also discovered the gasket set that the PO gave me with it may not work, as it appears to be for a Renix 4.0.

Bluelight

04-07-2014

Nothing exciting today. Made an appointment to get the AC evacuated on the '95 and lined up a tow dolly to get it there. Also going to have the coolant drained out of the radiator and block while they are at it.

Bluelight

04-08-2014

Bluelight

04-10-2014

Rented a tow dolly and loaded up the Heep yesterday and this morning dropped it off at the shop to have the AC system evacuated and the coolant drained from the radiator and engine. Drivers door lock rod came apart so I had to crawl across from the passenger side. Has a strong battery and no clutch/starter safety switch so I had some ability to motor it around with the starter. I know it's hard on the starter, but it's on it's way out anyway. Only problem I ran into with that is Dispite the low power and slow speed of the starter, it's icy outside and the thing is still a "one wheel wonder."

Bluelight

04-11-2014

Had a busy day today. Removed the AC compressor, receiver/dryer and the hoses to the evaporator, and installed the bypass pulley. Removed and tossed the hoses from the thermostat housing to the radiator and heater core. Got the valve cover, rockers and pushrods removed. Did manage to break both breather fittings though. Took the power steering pump loose.

Bluelight

04-12-2014

More progress on the Heep today. Got the intake and exhaust manifolds, and the thermostat housing removed. Discovered the exhaust manifold is cracked at the collector.

Next I got the head off. Pretty well accordioned the head gasket pulling that heavy thing out of there, so I couldn't very well examine it for damage. Didn't see any hugely obvious damage to the head, and no chunks of metal dropped out, so this one maybe savable.

Now pondering going back out to try to remove the radiator and AC condenser.