Desertfox1023

Well I've been keeping my eyes out lately for a WJ to build up as a DD.
Consider it my Mid 20s crisis.

So then I saved this non running Jeep from its final trip to the crusher:

1999 4.0L Auto, just the basics

Owners wife had not noticed the electric fan quit working and overheated it.
So he replaced the whole cooling system as the only thing that saved the head was the fact that the original factory radiator cracked first and sent up smoke signals. So he replaced the whole cooling system only to have the front calipers lock up next. Then a short while after being back on the road it just gave up the ghost and would no longer turn over. So after 14 years of him owning it he was ready to send it to scrap.


So after getting this the real fun began:



Thanks to the help of some long threads on here and FB I checked and replaced quite a bit. It all paid off in the end and she was back on the road:

XJwonders

I hope u converted the front brakes to akebono style (2002-2004). The original Tevas style suck big time.

Nice find.

Desertfox1023

No Mall Crawler is complete without upgrades and since I picked this up for cheap there was plenty of room in the budget.


First improvements included 784 injectors, CAI, & a class III hitch:






"Lucky" for me the tires were completely bald, perfect time to add some of them JK Rims wrapped in Nitto Terra Grappler G2s. Kept the factory 30" tire size.

Desertfox1023

Yes, front calipers have been upgraded AND the blend motor in the dash was replaced about two years ago along with the heater core. Said he spent about $1500 getting it all done at the dealer. Anybody with a WJ knows that pulling out the dash on these things to do that job is a multi day affair...

XJwonders

Are u gonna upgrade the fan to mechanical clutch type? If not, u better cut out an access hole on passenger side area of bumper under the headlamp assembly and carry a couple of relays as a spare.

It suck trying to cut a hole with only a screwdriver and wire cutters at 2 am in middle of nowhere lol

XJwonders

Also converting the WJ interior lighting to LED is ridiculously easy.

Desertfox1023

I'm planning to stick with the electric fan. I already took care of the access hole for quick swaps if needed, thanks for the tip. If I find it blows them I'll create an AUX circuit to feed it with a heavier gauge.

I might look into that, thanks

Desertfox1023

Well it was time for the WJ to take its first trip off the pavement at 153K




Thanks to the aid of the Nittos the WJ successfully navigated the gravel road to the gun range for new years:

Desertfox1023

Mall Crawlers have to have an engine bay as pretty as the outside:


This original engine bay patina matches the 16 year old paint job perfect!

Desertfox1023

Jeep did good on its first tow run:



Malcrawlers must have good sound so I installed a limited WJ headunit. Has 1.5x the output of the stock head unit. Also, I changed the tape deck into a Bluetooth unit to keep with the modern times:


When I got the head unit I also got the limited headlights, here's a shot of the cut out for easy fan relay changes:

Desertfox1023

This concludes phase one:





Later this year I'm planning for mild exhaust and a 2" BB.
Final plans will be for me to build some rock sliders, a TC skid, and find a D44a to put outback.

Basslicks

Lookin' good man. I miss my dub... I put the same wheels on it. Looks way better than any wheels that were offered for it, IMO.

Basslicks

Hey man, still got the dub?

Desertfox1023

Wow, lost track of this thread but yes the WJ is doing "Good"
I've put over 25K on it now since I got it running and have less than 3K in it.

Couple of additional maintenance items have come up along the way:
Lost Power Steering so the Pump had to be replaced.
The Steering Box lost part of its steering throw so it was trashed and to be replaced. (I'm thinking trash from it go into the pump and that's what killed it)
Replaced the Heat Core, what a PIA...
The Rotors warped around 10K miles on the Jeep and I found out the PO had put the bad style brakes on the Jeep. I upgraded the front calipers, replaced all four rotors, and installed ceramic pads

I did install a power inverter behind the dash though, along with some USB ports, and a AUX input for the radio:



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My next goal for this thing is a mild lift .75" upcountry style and some new shocks.
Drove out on the Blue Ridge a month ago and the shocks faded so the WJ turned into a boat

Basslicks

Glad to hear she's still kickin'