Jeep Cherokee Forum - daily driver XJ

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OK here we go.

couple weeks ago i picked up a 1987 XJ 4.0L, 5 speed, 30 front (of course), and 35 rear. seller said it needed the brakes bled, as soon as i test drove it i new that wasnt true (needed new brakes). new items in it, clutch, water pump, alt, brake master cylinder, new tires. seller was asking $700

i picked it up for $500.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/003-2.jpg

yep needed new brakes

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/003-1.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/004-1.jpg

installed new rotors, cailpers and pads in the front and new pads and wheel cylinders in the rear. was having some pedal issues so i borrowed a power bleeder from a buddy and problem solved.
today i changed the plugs, cap, and rotor, wires were still in good shape. ive put one tank of gas through it and got 16MPG, so now that i did a small tune up on it i will see if it gets better. the heat blows hot, the motor runs cool, but it does need new shocks and some steering work. put a new OHV permit on it.

upcomming modifications:
build front winch bumper
winch
build rear tire carrier/bumper
build roof rack
cd player
winch
build custom center console
2" rustys budget boost (spacer/shackle)
CB
brighter dome lights
herculine interior

i picked up this to build my rear tire carrier http://www.atozfabrication.com/store...cat=274&page=1
picked up my winch

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/003-3.jpg

more random pics

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/004-2.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...980/XJ/002.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...980/XJ/003.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...980/XJ/004.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...980/XJ/005.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...980/XJ/006.jpg

a tree fell in my yard this weekend in a wind storm so i cut it up and had to get it up to the shop so i made the jeep work lol

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...980/XJ/015.jpg

tonight i started to rip up the carpet and to my suprise it wasnt as bad as i expected.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...980/XJ/017.jpg

here is the before pic

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/001-1.jpg

the worse rust spot after i hit it with the flapper wheel

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/002-2.jpg

first coat

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/003-4.jpg

second coat

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/005-1.jpg

today is definately turning into spring, after getting each coat done, it started to sprinkle rain lol. then it would stop and the sun would come back out. i have to wait till tomorrow to get the seats and stuff back in, it has to cure for 24 hrs, bit dont worry ill post dome pics when its back together.

Looks like you've got a nice foundation for a fun vehicle there.

ok so the other day i started to take the front bumper off to build a winch bumper, nothing special just something to hold the winch. basicly all i got done was taking the bumper off and cutting the fangs, and i cut some of the material for the new one.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/001-3.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/003-6.jpg

i had today off so i was hoping to get all/most of it done BUT as i wa making a cardboard template for my bumper mount i noticed something on the side of my radiator. it looks like there was a hole in the side of it and they stuck a good sized bolt into it and then tried JB weld. i touched it and it started leaking SO now i have a new radiator on order. >:( not happy.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/007-1.jpg

after that i didnt even feel like working on it anymore but i made myself do it anyways and got one of the mounts cut out.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...980/XJ/009.jpg

this shows how much further the mount will go back on the "frame" than the stock one. the driver side will incorporate the steering box bolts and i will add more on the passenger side also.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...980/XJ/012.jpg

here is the center section of the bumper (not finished)

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...980/XJ/010.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...980/XJ/011.jpg

ok so this was what they had JB welded into the radiator

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/001-4.jpg

i got the new radiator in and of course with it being a closed cooling system it is fun to get the air out so i decided i was going to make it easier and installed a 92 thermostat housing and put a drain in, also drilling a small hole in the top of the thermostat flange itself to help get air out.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/006-1.jpg

ok i got the passenger side bracket cut out today, also cut out the center section for my winch fairlead to mount to, bent it up and welded it on. looks like i might need to cut a little higher for the cable to come through.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/001-5.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/002-4.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/003-7.jpg

my buddy had a bracket that fit on the fairlead that held his license plate and it would flip up or down depending on how it was mounted. well if it was flipped up you can see the winch cable spooling, and if its down and you winch upto something it will rip it off. so i am working on a bracket to flip the license plate out sideways.

Wow, you're off to a good start. I'm in the planning stages of my home built bumper as well. Looking forward to seeing more pics.

my amazing paint skillllz lol

the grey is the extra i cut out and the blue is where i cut another piece and welded it to the back for extra strength.

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...80/XJ/0012.jpg

and painted and the fairlead mounted

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...0/XJ/001-6.jpg

man o man do i love home made bumpers, i made my own and i think it makes one appreciate it more. i like the floors i did mine in herculiner i thought it turned out great

welcome to cherokeeforums! i know the rig from sore4x4.com!

nice start :thumbsup:

I love seeing people resurrect an old beat up Jeep!

OK, SO I'm guessing central to Eastern Oregon. Maybe South Central, but My guess is Madras. How close am I? You didn't give me much landscape to work with for guessing.

Great build by the way. I'm very interested in your bumper design and can't wait to see it installed.

s

looking good... I just purchased one of the Smitty Built winches last night.. Good price.. Hope it works out