Got to drive it today! I put in a new throttle cable, new air filter, checked the level in the front diff (its developed a leak), and then drove it to the gas station for some fresh gas, and then to the store to pick up milk for the wife, no issues at all! I did have to take a hammer to the exhaust down by the front drive shaft, it stopped the rubbing going over speed bumps, but I'll have to see what happens next time I take it off road. I may need to pay to get it fixed, since I don't have a pipe bender myself here, but we'll see.

My oldest daughter insisted on going with me when I took it for the test drive:



Might plan a camping trip in the next couple of weeks.

 

 

I think I found the seats I want to use:
http://www.vandsautodismantlers.com/...agon-2003.html

they want $650 for them, $400 for the seats and $250 for shipping. I don't have quite that much money yet, but maybe should by the end of the month. hopefully they will still be around. If you have never sat in a saab seat, they are by far the most comfortable seats I have ever sat in in any car ever. These have great bolstering and ventilation. I'll have to figure out how to hook them up for power, but I'm up to the challenge I think.

 

 

She's alive! Bet that feels great!

 

It did! but I crunched the exhaust, and it is still stalling a bit.

 

Ok, I need some suggestions on what I am planning on doing next

Tackle leaks -
Valve cover gasket - Need to buy http://amzn.to/2cE95ip $35

Rear main seal and oil pan gasket - Own just need to do the work.

Oil pan gasket & filter - http://amzn.to/2cE8YDG $24 - but this one may need to get to a shop to be dealt with, since it will require several bolt extraction.

Interior mods -

Seats - Saab 9-5 aero seats - $650 + bracket creation

Roll cage - $1000 + shipping + paint/powdercoat I'll install myself.

New Radio - Cheap with bluetooth. Like $75, my current one the CD rom broke after my first trip out, and the aux jack broke like the 3rd, so wireless is the way to go.

Exterior mods -

Front bumper - something simple and basic, not sure if I want one that can take a winch or not. suggestions appreciated.

Rear bumper - Something that can be be set up with a tire carrier again, suggestions appreciated.

Fender flairs - again a recommendation is appreciated.



There is of course more, but I think that's what I want to take on. By the end of september I will have about $700 to play with, thereabouts. I was thinking seats since I found some, and my seats are a bit broken and suck. but is that the best use of my $?

 

What about ZJ Seats?

 

I find them very uncomfortable. I have back issues, and the only seat I've found very comfortable for any length of drive has been my saabs.

 

Wheels, transmission pan gasket, TPS, and valve cover gasket have all shown up! As soon as I'm off the clock I'll be heading out to do some work on the jeep again.

I'll have to wait for my next payout from amazon to pay for the install of the wheels, first job is replacing the valve cover gasket and the TPS.

I'll also be getting an alfa version of a scanner another renix jeep owner has put together sometime this next week (could be as early as saturday) hoping this will help me dial in the tps, which would be sic! (more details of here here for anybody with a renix: )

Still waiting for my radio. I had bought one, but it came all scratched to hell, and beat up, so I sent it back, and based off the recommendation given me, picking up a different model. but it wasn't prime eligible for shipping, but it will be here probably Saturday or Monday.

 

I don't think you sat in the right ones then:-P lol although I've never touched a saab no less sat in one...

 

You should, I highly recommend a 2006 and newer saab 9-5 aero with vented seats. they are amazing. I could drive from here (phx area) to salt lake, stopping only for gas, and at the end (about 9 hours of driving) I would not be the least bit sore. any other seat I would be at least a bit sore. My grandparents had a 96 Grand cherokee, the seats are OK, but not great. If I am going to get something I want to get what I really want. Plus I simply cannot find grand cherokee seats in my area that are in any reasonable quality condition. Well I can find passenger seats, but not driver's seats.

 

Were they leather, full power, with power lumbar? I don't think the cloth ones were as nice.

 

Replaced my valve cover gasket and my transmission pan gasket (and filter) trying to fight the massive oil leaks that it has, but now it is running super rich (black smoke out of the tailpipe) not sure if I knocked something lose or what...