Briarwood as a college chariot
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This is not just my first XJ experience but my first time doing any in-depth work on a car ever. I'm glad I chose the Cherokee for this adventure.
In the past 3 weeks I have somehow ended up with 2 Briarwoods: a 1991 and a 1992, neither of which are on the road yet. Here's the short story of all this. I'll be a sophomore in college this fall in Columbus, OH which is all of 600 miles from my house in Schenectady, NY (15 min from Albany). I needed a cheap vehicle that could make that trip, haul my stuff and satisfy my taste for unusual cars. I wanted a Roadmaster wagon but it would stick out of the garage by 5.5":lol: so that was ruled out. My parents also want me to have 4wd and they used to have 95 Cherokee Sport so they are partial to XJs. Hey, not complaining. Anyway I wanted the 4.0 HO so I was looking for 91-96 all over and I came across a 1992 Briarwood in Allentown, PA with 123k so I drove down and bought it on the spot for $1650. Drove the thing 230 miles home and it's got a few minor problems. The interior is destroyed and the body has issues but mechanically it's solid. Then I saw a 1991 Briarwood in VT that had a mint interior but backfired through the intake and couldn't make it up hills. Offered the yahoo owners $850 and a family friend with a truck and trailer went to get it with me. That one has 115k. There are 4 or 5 Briarwoods along the entire east coast I've seen for sale and at 18 years old I own 2 of them:icon_cool: The plan is to make one good one and sell the other. I'm not doing an extreme build because Briarwoods are so rare. Maybe a small lift but I want it to be mostly stock. I guess the direction this build is taking is modernizing infotainment/electronics with some customization but nothing that couldn't be returned to stock with relative ease. I intend to do a full restoration sometime after I finish school. Problems (known) with the 92: Slow oil leak Bent hitch and rear bumper from a minor accident Bad dent in roof Headliner sagging Overhead console missing upholstery, weird Rear wiper motor not working Rear washer jet sprays directly outward (Doused the hood of a civic behind me on 287) Parking brake not working Driver's seat is shredded Rusty rockers Lower passenger quarter panel rotted Suspension creaking and knocking Missing stock wheels and had a mismatching tire (FR was 225 others were 215) Stupid maintenance required light for the o2 sensor Liftgate misaligned Doors are wobbly Small water leak above the pedals Paint sucks A/C needs to be recharged Smoked in, gonna rip the whole interior out of it and deep clean/detail Foglights ripped off at some point Missing chrome trim on headlight bezel Bad sound system installation Ignition lock is different from the doors Missing fob for keyless entry Cargo dome light destroyed Pluses: ZERO frame rust, floor pans good All power options work decently (including the security system, ugh) Brand new front discs NP242 works flawlessy The only thing keeping this one off the road is that parking brake. I've played with the adjuster wheel in the drums and the equalizer and it still won't release. I'm just gonna buy new cables for $20. Problems with the 91: Backfiring through intake Idles smooth initially, erratic after a few minutes then stalls out Runs warm, like 220-225 Takes forever to start after stalling out Leak in either tranny or tcase Driver seat swapped for non power unit (same color thankfully) Power door locks and seats don't work Weird aftermarket brake system bypassing Bendix ABS, pedal is very spongy, booster doesn't seem right NP242 tough to shift but 2hi and 4fulltime work so far Liftgate won't stay up Door hinges are almost completely disconnected from LR door, exterior door handle button stuck in handle Both rear door latches easily stick in closed position Maintenance required light CEL was on, turned off before I did anything Engine air cleaner was taken out and was clean except 2 inches of pure black slightly left of the middle Rear washer jet sprays directly outward but the hose on the wiper is still there Power steering goes on and off, steering is very notchy 8-10" crack in windshield Rust on bottoms of the doors Missing the foglights Missing spare tire cover Pluses: ZERO frame or rocker rust somehow A/C is ice cold Jensen Accusound totally stock, nothing else messed with either Stock rims in good shape with generic mud/snows that have tread (obviously upgrading soon) Body totally straight Hitch and wiring in good shape Both bumpers in good shape Not missing any chrome Headliner somehow not sagging I'm thinking the 91 has an exhaust issue if the backfiring happens and gets worse as the engine warms up. So far I've changed the oil and replaced the fuel filter, ignition coil and crankshaft position sensor with no noticeable effects. Plugged cat is what our mechanic friend is suggesting. 92 is one with steel wheels in pics More pics of the issues will come tomorrow night at some point |
I applaud you and envy you at the same time. If you get both running - you have a buyer here haha!
Are you going to try and swap some parts over to the 92? She sounds like a winner! Even though those steelies need to go. Not luxurious enough. |
I'm actually thinking I'll swap to the 91 if I can sort out the backfire. The body is so much better
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Originally Posted by upstatebriarwood
(Post 3096983)
I'm actually thinking I'll swap to the 91 if I can sort out the backfire. The body is so much better
Did they come with Dana 44? The backfiring issue could be as simple As the O2 sensor.... |
Originally Posted by 88whitecomanche
(Post 3096988)
Nice catch on both....
Did they come with Dana 44? The backfiring issue could be as simple As the O2 sensor.... |
Here's the build sheet for the 92, the tire information at the end confuses me
Dear Matt: Thank you for contacting the Jeep Customer Assistance Center. We are pleased to provide vehicle build information per your request. According to our records, your vehicle was equipped from the factory with the following: VIN 1J4FN78S4NL107756 Vehicle Description JEEP CHEROKEE BRIARWOOD Model Year 1992 Body Model XJ N X 74 Sales Code -- Description *AL Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats ADAS Light Group ADHS Heavy Duty Electrical Group AHT Trailer Tow Group APAS Monotone Paint AWHS Power Equipment Group BARS 90 Amp Alternator BCDP 500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery BGK 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes CACP Low Back Bucket Seats CDBP Reclining Front Seats CFMS Rear Fold w/Removable Cushion Seat CKBS Floor Carpet CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops CKVS MOPAR All Weather Mats CSAS Spare Tire Cover CSCP Cargo Compartment Cover CUFS Full Length Floor Console CUNP Overhead Console DGSS 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter DHPP Selec-Trac Full Time 4WD System DHSS Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever DJHS Dana M30/181MM Front Axle DMDS 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio DRMP Dana 35C/194MM Rear Axle ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass GECA Front Left Side Sliding Window GEDS Tinted Rr Drs/Qtr/Liftgate Glass GFAS Rear Window Defroster GNCS Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors GRJP Left Power Chrome Mirror GSJP Right Power Chrome Mirror GTJS Power Mirrors GXMP Remote Keyless Entry HAAS Air Conditioning HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group JAYS Instrument Cluster w/Tach JCAS 85 MPH Primary Speedometer JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers JHBS Rear Window Wiper/Washer JJAS Cigar Lighter JPAS Power Windows JPBP Power Locks JPTS Power Front Driver/Passenger Seats LACS Illuminated Entry LAJP Headlamps On Warning Chimes LBBP Courtesy Lamps LBCS Glove Box Lamp LBDP Ash Tray Lamp LBEP Cigar Lighter LDAP Underhood Lamp LDBP Cargo Compartment Lamp LHDP Headlamp Off Time Delay LMAS Halogen Headlamps LNJS Fog Lamps LSAP Security Alarm MB2S Bright/Black Front Bumper MB6S Bright/Black Rear Bumper MCAS Front Bumper Guards MDAP Front License Plate Bracket MFMS Black/Bright Grille MHBS Bright Windshield Moldings MMCS Rear Qtr Solid Window Insert MMGS Belt Moldings MPAS Bronze Liftgate Applique MWAS Roof Rack NAAS Federal Emissions NBKS EVAP Control System NFAS 20 Gallon Fuel Tank NHBP Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler NHMS Speed Control NMCP Heavy Duty Engine Cooling PB8 Midnight Blue Metallic Clear Coat RAFS AM/FM Cassette Radio RCGP 6 Speakers RDCP Power Antenna SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering SCGS Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel SFAS Standard Duty Shock Absorbers SGAS Rear Shock Absorbers SUAS Tilt Steering Column TBB Full Size Spare Tire TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire TMDS 215/60R17 BSW Summer Perf Tires TZHP Michelin Brand Tires WJGS 15" Aluminum Wheels YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications ZGCP Spring - Left Front ZRWP Spring - Right Rear |
Back after 2 months of hard work
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Sorry for neglecting this thread, I ended up doing a ton of work this summer though. I decided to stick with the 92 as the big stuff was mostly sorted. Spent a couple whole days stripping the 91, the further I dug the better the 92 looked. Floors pretty much fell through, every part with fluid or grease leaked said fluid or grease, speakers were radioshack paper cones, seatbelts weren't retracting properly and on and on.
I am unbelievably stoked to report that the 92 made a fully loaded 600 mile journey to school. I pushed it hard going around 80 for long stretches. The only scare was a stall as I was turning into the dorm parking lot. I also lost about 1.5 quarts of oil throughout the trip but whatever. Here is the meat: Dorman Heavy Duty leafs and shackles:wallbash: Moog Heavy duty coils Bilstein 24-xxxx shocks all around Moog tie rod, drag link, tie rod ends, steering stabilizer AC Delco track bar Moog upper and lower control arms New gas tank and straps New fuel pump and filler neck, hoses & clamps Magnaflow cat Dynomax muffler & tail pipe Walker front pipe O2 sensor CPS Cap, rotor, plugs, wires, coil Headliner, seats, center console, steering wheel, bumpers, front trim from 91 Wheels, tires, battery and misc hoses, wires, fasteners from 91 Lots of new grade 8 hardware Front & rear diff fluid, what a mess Had the dreaded leaf spring bolt issues but other than that the suspension & front end went well. Really liking the way it sits with 235s and ~1.5" of lift. No vibes to speak of even in 4 full time. I was really rushed with the exhaust and i had a flange bolt strip on me and couldnt get it rethreaded. Front pipe is only attached on 1 side of the flange so pretty bad leak there as you can imagine. The rest of it is held on with coat hangers until I get a chance to install the new hanger/insulator. Still managed about 17.2 mpg on the trip despite the huge pre-O2 leak. Luckily not burning any oil What's left: Thermostat/coolant flush Valve cover gasket Oil pan gasket Reassemble & clean interior Ball joints Rear u joints Steering box Driver's floor Couple small rust patches Throttle body cleaning & gasket IAC Alternator Maybe starter A lot of my attention this summer was on getting a 1967 Buick Riviera barn find running but that fell flat. Ended up selling it @ a $750 profit so that funded a lot of my work on the Jeep Still a ways to go until I'd call it civil but the girls seem to like it as is :brows: a 24 y/o woody XJ with NY plates doesn't exactly blend in here :grin: |
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Secured the other side of the flange with a pipe clamp, worked decently until it jumped ship somewhere near Erie
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Front before/after
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Wow this makes me want a Briarwood man I love the looks of your jeep man I am so jealous!!
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I have the same issue with the rear window squirty thing 😂 keeping it that way to mess with friends and spray tailgaters. My '89 has separate keys for the doors and ignition so it's normal for all of them. Just blew my coolant battle yesterday somehow and I didn't notice until the engine temp gauge shot up as I pulled in my garage and it sprayed over my whole engine and now I need to replace the distributor because it's all screwed up now and won't start (fire to be specific). Hopefully it's only the distributor because if it's something else too I'm screwed because I don't have any money left 😂😅
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