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Black Bertram - 98 Cherokee Build
XJ #2 is a '98 and going to be done "right" this time around.
Going to do a proper UpCountry/Police version, with donor parts from a '96 Poll: paint accents. I know the "Cherokee" badging is old-school, but I like its look more than the streamlined new-chrysler look. #1 "Fat Mac" https://i.imgur.com/pbdwuF8.jpg #2 "Sophisticant" https://i.imgur.com/ettlG7M.jpg Bought the base of my build as a (mostly) stock '98 XJ in September '17 with 146k miles—not too shabby. Pros: Interior is great, especially given that this was a "hunting" rig at some point Transmission is good (new solenoids <1 year ago) Full-size spare Extra bits included (injectors, thermostat, alt, hoses) Relatively clean underbelly No weeping anything Cons: Bad engine - donor found block lift* and faked up-country Cosmetics Paint is splintery as all get out (no rust yet) 1/2 wheels are grungy, but totally salvageable Sat for ~18 months and some wasps made a few homes, but they're very dead now. I originally thought this was the UpCountry package, due to its sitting higher in the rear and front + back skid plates. Build order came back and it's a standard Cherokee Sport. The body panels say Classic, and the title literally says "CHEROKEE SPT/CL" so maybe it’s all cobbled together (certainly doesn’t look it)- no trans cooler, no LSD, and no front lift (the rear blocks are 2" and really exaggerates the look) so those hopes were dashed. Just need to find an OE xfer case plate and I’ll be happy. It does have an upcountry/OE style hitch, but I haven’t spotted wiring yet. RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles RAZ AM/FM Cassette Compact Disc Radio RCRP 4 Speakers Immediate plans are to diagnose the no compression, get it running and see how it all feels. This will be XJ #2 for me. #1 was a ’96 needing an engine swap (thrown rod), and was the first major foray into home wrenching. Learned a lot and now I can get on quicker with #2 and start doing other restoration items. Beyond that my vision for now is to simply restore it to stock as closely as I can. Part of me wants to make it a true UpCountry, since I’m most of the way there anyhow, but that will be more of a long-term gig. As far as mods, I'm still torn on the lift. I know the UpCountry was just a 1" all round, but I'm curious what leaving that 2" block on the leaf springs will do, or if I'm in danger if screwing up the driveshaft… oh well, things to look forward to. Photos of it getting home: https://i.imgur.com/3seYaFn.jpg note the sunken passenger window https://i.imgur.com/GzXmIXW.jpg https://i.imgur.com/8KLTN32.jpg you’re dead now, muthaf*ckas https://i.imgur.com/ZFZ9ZLn.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ttBhSif.jpg https://i.imgur.com/JxeAdOU.jpg covered because fall is unpredictable here https://i.imgur.com/HGq3ruM.jpg I like these wheels, but they’re not from this gen. Gonna try and find some of the "Snowflake" wheels to replace them…eventually. https://i.imgur.com/54qTE1y.jpg needs blasted |
goodies
Some extras that came in a tupperware bin when I picked it up.
Sadly, I didn't get the firewood they had. https://i.imgur.com/wH9xFN4.jpg Don't know if this XJ needs these or if they were just-in-case bits that got picked up along the way. https://i.imgur.com/e5K7HOL.jpg When I tried these on my '96 they gave me (according to my butt dyno) significantly more pickup, but slightly worse (<16) mpg in town. I kinda liked that (power) aspect. And yet the battle rages on between bone stock and what I want. Naw, fuggit, I want what I want. https://i.imgur.com/gUhmmak.jpg There were TWO of these in the bin, surprisingly. https://i.imgur.com/dp0DRmk.jpg And more proof of what 5-Speed said in my intro thread. At least the original hardware is there if I want to ditch the block. Also picked up a compression tester (didn't look like all of them were checked--only half the plug wires were out) but I trickle charged the battery well over 12 hours and nothing. No charge held at all, so picking up an Exide later today. :nuke: |
Compression test? We don't need no stinkin' compression test!
In an effort to double-check the lack of compression the prev owner said was on cyl #1, I found it had some (30psi) while #2 had zero and a:
https://i.imgur.com/0y428tr.jpg At least I think the plugs got put back correctly... But anyway, I decided to skip the rest of the test, mostly because the loaner tester I had was a piece of sh*t. Decided to see if the valvetrain was free from catastrophic damage, and the rockers were all moving. And then I saw what I didn't see (or chose not to) when I bought it: https://i.imgur.com/QeJTGoG.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vbx01Xv.jpg So I'm gonna just pull the head and weigh machining vs donor engine. With that kind of geyser, the head gasket it surely blown and I'm guessing the head is likely cracked. Is it worth it to have someone magnaflux it? It's not able to go into the garage yet, so my workday was cut short by the rain... I hate waiting when I'm hyped. Onward... Here's a shot of the interior (much better than the cracking clearcoat) https://i.imgur.com/PLDKUHp.jpg |
funny joke
KNOCK KNOCK
https://i.imgur.com/QTlhtcu.jpg Who's there? CYLINDER #2, B*TCH! https://i.imgur.com/Nq1zKPe.jpg Mmmm, that's hot https://i.imgur.com/gGpja2u.jpg My Jeep buddy/guru says it's most likely from a clogged cat, it being CA emissions. Don't even know if that head is worth getting magnaflux'ed. Gotta wait for a donor to show up in the classifieds... |
This weekend I'm headed up with a buddy to get what I thought was just a donor engine and a transfer case.
We may be getting much more… :thumbup: |
Build Order
Black Bertram's Build Order:
STANDARD EQUIPMENT Monotone Paint 117 Amp Alternator 500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes Reclining Front Seats Rear Fold w/Removable Cushion Seat Traveling Inboard Seat Belt Buckle Next Generation Front Air Bags** Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area Cargo Compartment Carpet Cargo Tie Down Loops Plastic Liftgate Trim Panel Passenger Assist Handles Lift Gate Assist Handle Full Length Floor Console 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System Dana M30/181MM Front Axle Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle Tinted Windshield Glass Front Door Tinted Glass Rear View Day/Night Mirror Deluxe Insulation Group 100 MPH Primary Speedometer Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers Cigar Lighter Dual Note Electric Horns 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - BADGE - JE RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - BADGE - 4 RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - JEEP BLACK - FENDER FLARES Headlamps On Warning Chimes Glove Box Lamp Halogen Headlamps CHMSL Lamp Front Bumper Guards Black Windshield Moldings Rear Qtr Solid Window Insert Belt Moldings Body Color Drip Trough Molding Black Door Handles EVAP Control System 20 Gallon Fuel Tank Black Clear Coat Power Steering Normal Duty Suspension Front Stabilizer Bar Rear Stabilizer Bar Compact Spare Tire Inside Mounted Spare Tire Upgraded OBD-II Connectors Tethered Fuel Filler Cap Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications GVW Rating - 4900# U.S. Dealer Retail Zone 71-Los Angeles California Ship to State Code California Sold to State Code OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Cloth Low-back Bucket Seats Saddle Light Group Classic Decor Group (97-08-18) Power Equipment Group 4.0L Engine(ERH)/4Sp Auto Trans(DGS Low Back Bucket Seats Highline Door Trim Panel Front & Rear Floor Mats Spare Tire Cover Cargo Compartment Cover Overhead Console All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions Lock-Up Torque Converter Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio All Engines 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass Deep Tint Sunscreen Liftgate Glass Rear Window Defroster Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors Power Heated Mirrors, Fold-Away All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors Remote Keyless Entry Air Conditioning DO NOT USE - See JP, KA classes Instrument Panel Black Bezel Rear Window Wiper/Washer Power Windows Power Locks RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - BADGE - CH RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - 4.0L BLACK CLEAR COAT - MOLDING Courtesy Lamps Underhood Lamp Cargo Compartment Lamp Headlamp Off Time Delay Fog Lamps Body Color Front Bumper Body Color Rear Bumper w/Step Pads Front License Plate Bracket Body Color Grille Roof Rack California Emissions Transitory Low Emission Veh (TLEV) Speed Control Black Clear Coat All Radio Equipped Vehicles AM/FM Cassette Compact Disc Radio 4 Speakers Fixed Long Mast Antenna Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel Tilt Steering Column P225/75R15 Wrangler RT/S AT Tires Goodyear Brand Tires 15X7 Aluminum "Ecco" Wheels All Aluminum Wheels 8 Additional Gallons of Gas Spring - Left Front Spring - Left Rear Spring - Right Front Spring - Right Rear Customer Preferred Package 2TS Customer Preferred Package 26S Customer Preferred Discount |
It'sbeen a very long, long, long day of driving, but the end result will be a new heart for my XJ
https://i.imgur.com/gbA7oMG.jpg Also, uhaul is a pile of crap. The wiring failed and I was forced to buy some magnetic lights. https://i.imgur.com/cFufE01.jpg |
the white night xj
Pending an official build order, I'm prepared to bet an anti roll bar that this XJ is actually a police package.
1" block-less lift all around ALL the kick plates installed D35 rear (I'll bet it's trac lok limited slip) Extra switch (idle boost?) next to wiper switch OEM oil cooler It was a county Jeep used for parks and rec. I think i know what I'm pulling off it (besides the engine) ;) |
Prepping the vital organs for transplant
Also, there's a poll now— images on the first post. https://i.imgur.com/AfYKAxI.jpg The bumper (mount bracket) was so smashed I couldn't unbolt it …so sawzall! https://i.imgur.com/iap8NC4.jpg https://i.imgur.com/M3HWF4b.jpg draining the rad (stupidly). little helper was there to "shine the light into the car" for me. https://i.imgur.com/53GUPOQ.jpg |
Neat. let us know when you get the build sheet in for the white one.
the thoughts of finding a police package cherokee to me is such a unicorn, but maybe the good old boys around here ust strip out every cherokee, wrangler and 90s toyota pickup so they never turn up. |
Originally Posted by RegularGuy
(Post 3431433)
Neat. let us know when you get the build sheet in for the white one.
the thoughts of finding a police package cherokee to me is such a unicorn, but maybe the good old boys around here ust strip out every cherokee, wrangler and 90s toyota pickup so they never turn up. Maybe I'm wrong, but i read that the police pkg to be more a pick and choose than the standardized UpCountry, but that's all forum-based research, anyway. Wasn't a beat/patrol car from what I could tell: seats equally worn, There aren't any light holes or extraneous wiring, but then again there are two plugs on the roof that I was told were from some experiment the owner's son tried. But all the other bits are in place: skids, mysterious lighted switch, 10" drums, trac lok d35 and (oem?) lift. Hopefully tomorrow sometime I'll have a part-out post in the classifieds. |
Curses! Foiled again!
While everything on the white Jeep conforms to the build order, it's not a "police" at least as far as the codes could be decoded. A few are Idaho state and UNKNOWN designations. I used the quick-form VIN build page, so it only has the names/description, not the codes, of the build components. Oh well. Some nice stuff included anyway STANDARD EQUIPMENT Monotone Paint 117 Amp Alternator 500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes Highline Door Trim Panel Rear Fold w/Removable Cushion Seat Driver Air Bag Only Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area Cargo Compartment Carpet Cargo Tie Down Loops Plastic Liftgate Trim Panel Passenger Assist Handles 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission Lock-Up Torque Converter Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever Dana M30/181MM Front Axle 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio Tinted Windshield Glass Front Door Tinted Glass Tinted Rr Drs/Qtr/Liftgate Glass Fixed Door Vent Glass Open Instrument Panel Black Bezel 85 MPH Primary Speedometer Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers Cigar Lighter Dual Note Electric Horns DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE Headlamps On Warning Chimes Glove Box Lamp Halogen Headlamps CHMSL Lamp Black Front Bumper Black Rear Bumper Black Grille Black Windshield Moldings Rear Qtr Solid Window Insert Belt Moldings Body Color Drip Trough Molding Black Door Handles Silver/Chrome Badging EVAP Control System 20 Gallon Fuel Tank Stone White C/C AM/FM Radio 2 Speakers Fixed Long Mast Antenna Power Rack and Pinion Steering Luxury Steering Wheel Normal Duty Suspension Front Stabilizer Bar Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars Inside Mounted Spare Tire 15X7.0 Styled Steel Wheels Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications Payload Rating - 1800# U.S. State/Local Bid Zone 74-Denver Idaho State Code Idaho State Code OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT Cloth/Vinyl High-Back Bucket Seats DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE Skid Plate Group SE Decor Group (97-02-26) High Back Bucket Seats Reclining Front Seats Front & Rear Floor Mats Full Length Floor Console All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions Dana 35C/194MM Rear Axle Trac-Lok Differential Rear Axle All Engines 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine Rear Window Defroster Left Remote Mirror Right Remote Manual Mirror All Vehicles W/O Power Mirrors Air Conditioning DO NOT USE - See JP, KA classes Analog Instrument Cluster Rear Window Wiper/Washer DESCRIPTION NOT AVAILABLE Bodyside Molding Front License Plate Bracket Federal Emissions Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler Speed Control Heavy Duty Engine Cooling Stone White Clear Coat All Radio Equipped Vehicles Tilt Steering Column Full Size Spare Tire P225/75R15 OWL Wrangler AT Tires Goodyear Brand Tires 17" Aluminum Spare Wheel All Steel Wheels Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield Front Suspension Skid Plate Manuf Statement of Origin Without Billable Fuel Spring - Left Front Spring - Left Rear Spring - Right Front Spring - Right Rear Customer Preferred Package 2TB Customer Preferred Package 26B Price Protection - Code A No Charge Air Conditioning Customer Preferred Discount Prepaid Holdback Sold Vehicle Special Bid-Ineligible For Incentive Fleet Option Editor Fleet Sales Order Assembly Plant Tracking Special Order Special Bid Handling |
Looking forward to seeing where she goes.
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Originally Posted by CurrySoSpicy
(Post 3432066)
Looking forward to seeing where she goes.
This weekend I'll have everything to re-gasket the engine (don't need to do the head...), and clean it up a lil bit. I'm hoping to have it drivable and passed smog by November (could do it quicker if I didn't have a 9-5). I've thankfully got a not-full-cali emissions setup, with just 2x O2 sensors, and no funky header. (I suspect that was done by the previous owner), so the '96's exhaust line will swap over. Still haven't pulled the 98 cat to see if it's clogged. Probably won't paint till the spring, since I don't live in southern Utah. |
I have full emmsions. Blah.
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