98 Cherokee A very basic capable DD
11-14-2016, 03:14 PM
#16
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Those leaf spring bolts made me want to sell my XJ, 12 hours per side... Never again. Looks great so far. Love the revival.
11-19-2016, 10:44 PM
#17
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Small battles have been won!
Soo all four leaf spring frame bolts spun out but they all got stuck in the bushing(s) leaving me to cut the heads and ends off the bolts. All but one cooperated to which the bolt wasn't fully spun from the welded nut and was stuck (And then i cut it off) leaving me screwed!
Same story different jeep i know.
So i tried a window cut to get at the welded nut in the frame only to cut the whole thing off and rebuild
So i first cut out a piece of 1/8" sheet metal to fill the void and give me a flat surface to weld to again.
Then i grabbed a piece of 2x2 1/4" wall stock and drilled a hole for the bolt. Measured prolly 5 times to make the best fit for the shackle. Needed the bracket cut down to about 7/8". Leaving me just enough room to sneak a nylock nut in there.
Back on all fours. Just need to mess with shocks, brake lines, steering and track bar.
Soo all four leaf spring frame bolts spun out but they all got stuck in the bushing(s) leaving me to cut the heads and ends off the bolts. All but one cooperated to which the bolt wasn't fully spun from the welded nut and was stuck (And then i cut it off) leaving me screwed!
Same story different jeep i know.So i tried a window cut to get at the welded nut in the frame only to cut the whole thing off and rebuild
So i first cut out a piece of 1/8" sheet metal to fill the void and give me a flat surface to weld to again.
Then i grabbed a piece of 2x2 1/4" wall stock and drilled a hole for the bolt. Measured prolly 5 times to make the best fit for the shackle. Needed the bracket cut down to about 7/8". Leaving me just enough room to sneak a nylock nut in there.
Back on all fours. Just need to mess with shocks, brake lines, steering and track bar.
02-23-2017, 11:02 PM
#18
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Its been a little while and some progress has been made. Actually kinda got a bug bite working on this the last few days so its getting better.
So after the lift kit was installed I thought i was good to go-Wrong! This jeep steers Horrible. I should state that the steering was a little sloppy before the lift and everything. Changed out the steering box and I tried to drill a new hole over from factory to help with track bar angles *didnt work for ***** to which i said the heck with it and bought a brand new adjustable track-bar from rough country which after bolting back into factory location on the axle..... You guessed it, its ****. the hole is "egg-d" out and I'll have to re-invent the factory track bar mount on the axle.
Put some custom cut hood vents in and some paint on the hood. Not because of any high running temp issues or anything, Just because it helps keep things cool and i like hood vents.
Started trimming the fender flares. (cut and fold technique).
So after the lift kit was installed I thought i was good to go-Wrong! This jeep steers Horrible. I should state that the steering was a little sloppy before the lift and everything. Changed out the steering box and I tried to drill a new hole over from factory to help with track bar angles *didnt work for ***** to which i said the heck with it and bought a brand new adjustable track-bar from rough country which after bolting back into factory location on the axle..... You guessed it, its ****. the hole is "egg-d" out and I'll have to re-invent the factory track bar mount on the axle.
Put some custom cut hood vents in and some paint on the hood. Not because of any high running temp issues or anything, Just because it helps keep things cool and i like hood vents.
Started trimming the fender flares. (cut and fold technique).
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AudioFreq (02-21-2022)
02-25-2017, 10:45 PM
#20
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
I've welded one over the outside of the bracket which is alright but the inside of the brackets hole is the problem. Not really all that hard to cut the bracket away and weld in a new thicker channel of steel thus making it stronger and less prone to getting sloppy. So that's what I think i'll do to remedy the issue.
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AudioFreq (02-21-2022)
05-29-2017, 10:35 PM
#21
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Free'd up one of the garage stalls for some much needed time with this Jeep.
Decided to get to the bottom of the steering issue and ripped the front axle out. On top of the track bar mount holes being badly egged out, the ball joints were also bad. Not in a way of slop but in a way of "froze". Couldn't hardly turn them even with a hammer. This explains the "darting" steering i was experiencing.
While replacing them i also decided to replace/rebuild the track bar bracket and do a very opportune upgrade and stiffin then close up the upper control arm bracket. Also cap off the lower control arm mounts.
Also starting a winch bumper build
Decided to get to the bottom of the steering issue and ripped the front axle out. On top of the track bar mount holes being badly egged out, the ball joints were also bad. Not in a way of slop but in a way of "froze". Couldn't hardly turn them even with a hammer. This explains the "darting" steering i was experiencing.
While replacing them i also decided to replace/rebuild the track bar bracket and do a very opportune upgrade and stiffin then close up the upper control arm bracket. Also cap off the lower control arm mounts.
Also starting a winch bumper build
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AudioFreq (02-21-2022)
06-03-2017, 11:21 PM
#22
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Not too surprised to also find that my u-joints were dried up and froze as well. So we'll just add a new spicer joints and a pair of Moog wheel bearings.
I'll post a thread in Fabrication for pics and updates on the winch bumper.
I'll post a thread in Fabrication for pics and updates on the winch bumper.
06-17-2017, 08:37 PM
#23
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Front axle all back together, winch bumper welds blended, a quick blast of bedliner and a much needed wash, I went for a quick drive and its Amazing!!
Steering is excellent and no death wobble or shimmy up front. I do need a drop tcase kit so i will ultimately build an HD crossmember w/ an integrated 1" drop and also some long arm mounts for future use.
winch bumper isn't completely finished yet. There is still some tube work to enjoy But here is the progress!
Steering is excellent and no death wobble or shimmy up front. I do need a drop tcase kit so i will ultimately build an HD crossmember w/ an integrated 1" drop and also some long arm mounts for future use.
winch bumper isn't completely finished yet. There is still some tube work to enjoy But here is the progress!
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AudioFreq (02-21-2022)
07-09-2017, 06:05 PM
#24
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Winch bumper is complete and ready to go. Took a couple mins for a little craft project and knabbed some brass for the valve caps.
07-21-2017, 10:41 PM
#25
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
And now we're onto the rear swing out carrier. Just the same as the winch bumper, I've always wanted to build a tire carrier. Just keeping a simple and effective setup. A 1" grade 8 bolt and 1/4" material. The bolt mounts through a piece of 1.5" DOM tubing with .25 wall and also drilled and tapped for grease zurk.
Setting it up to not obstruct the rear clevis/D-ring mounts or taillights.
Still need to make the locking mount, tire mount, cap off ends and figure out the license plate- mount to swing out or mount to the hatch?
Setting it up to not obstruct the rear clevis/D-ring mounts or taillights.
Still need to make the locking mount, tire mount, cap off ends and figure out the license plate- mount to swing out or mount to the hatch?
11-06-2017, 07:46 PM
#26
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Its been a few months and a few changes... 1st off- my factory cross member has been pretty mangled for long enough. I was punished for mall crawling in the form of a ridiculous dent!
Built my replacement out of 1/4" 2x6. fairly simple and straight forward w/ an integrated 1" drop.
Not to mention i did finish the tire carrier as well.
Last but not least I found a factory set of leather seats at the junkyard. before and after
Now if only i could find the set of manual crank windows
Built my replacement out of 1/4" 2x6. fairly simple and straight forward w/ an integrated 1" drop.
Not to mention i did finish the tire carrier as well.
Last but not least I found a factory set of leather seats at the junkyard. before and after
Now if only i could find the set of manual crank windows
11-10-2017, 10:38 PM
#27
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Awesome build man! I've been staying away from the forum cuz I lost the xj bug for awhile but you gave it back to me. Now I wanna buy a junker to bring back to life! Looking forward to more updates!
02-17-2018, 11:51 PM
#29
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Well its almost spring time and I'm now a father of a little boy!
The Cherokee got a new heater core in the vision of being my winter DD which was cut short by the torque converter seal giving out. Prolly didn't help that there was only 1 of 4 bolts holding the trans to the back of the engine. Just like old times; the jeep has been sitting a little bit patiently waiting for repairs.
The plan is to pull the engine, repair torque converter seal, replace a few gaskets on the engine as this thing has a couple seaps and leaks, new oil pump, replace the missing hardware.
The Cherokee got a new heater core in the vision of being my winter DD which was cut short by the torque converter seal giving out. Prolly didn't help that there was only 1 of 4 bolts holding the trans to the back of the engine. Just like old times; the jeep has been sitting a little bit patiently waiting for repairs.
The plan is to pull the engine, repair torque converter seal, replace a few gaskets on the engine as this thing has a couple seaps and leaks, new oil pump, replace the missing hardware.
02-26-2018, 10:22 PM
#30
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Year: 1987 MJ, 1998 XJ, 1973 J2000, 89 waggy
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
Motor out, new oil pump,cleaned the oil pan (boy did it need it), discovered and replacing a few other leaks-front of c/s at the balancer; seal was worn out and also the oil filter adapter. Brand new flex plate because the bolt holes for the torque converter are egg'd out pretty bad. Exhaust manifold is cracked - "big surprise". I am however surprised as to how decent the valves look in the head. Not much for build-up or sludge especially for being an unknown mileage motor.
All in all i'm glad to be moving forward with the repairs to this motor. Being a father to a newborn has hit me with many new challenges. One of those being getting/making time to be out in the garage getting greasy and working on the jeeps. I'm hoping he will happily follow in my footsteps.
All in all i'm glad to be moving forward with the repairs to this motor. Being a father to a newborn has hit me with many new challenges. One of those being getting/making time to be out in the garage getting greasy and working on the jeeps. I'm hoping he will happily follow in my footsteps.