The "FREE" XJ
12-13-2011, 02:33 PM
#1
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The "FREE" XJ
After WAY too much beer 
at a halloween party this year, a good friend of mine mentioned that he had an 87' Cherokee on the side of his parents house that needed to go way.
Does it run?
"no"
Does it look nice?
"not really"
When is the last time it was registered?
".............um.....?"
I'm not buying some old haggard Jeep that needs $600 worth of back registration man...
"what if it was FREE?"
So, the last thing I need is another project... but here we go again.
The rundown:
1987 Cherokee 4 door 4x4
Power everything
Decent tread 31's
Stock suspension
Needed (to be a DRIVER anyway):
Injectors (they leaked)
Battery
Fuel Pump
Ignition Tumbler was locked up
Seats
Turn Signal Switch
Exhaust Manifold (and no doubt motormounts)
Where it sat when I first saw it...
at a halloween party this year, a good friend of mine mentioned that he had an 87' Cherokee on the side of his parents house that needed to go way. Does it run?
"no"
Does it look nice?
"not really"
When is the last time it was registered?
".............um.....?"
I'm not buying some old haggard Jeep that needs $600 worth of back registration man...
"what if it was FREE?"
So, the last thing I need is another project... but here we go again.
The rundown:
1987 Cherokee 4 door 4x4
Power everything
Decent tread 31's
Stock suspension
Needed (to be a DRIVER anyway):
Injectors (they leaked)
Battery
Fuel Pump
Ignition Tumbler was locked up
Seats
Turn Signal Switch
Exhaust Manifold (and no doubt motormounts)
Where it sat when I first saw it...
12-13-2011, 02:41 PM
#4
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Warren, PA 16365
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
before you put ANYThing into it, call the DMV and see if there's a lien on the title or anything that will possible cause you to lose it after you put all the work into it... aside form that, best of luck, I'll happily follow this build.
12-13-2011, 02:51 PM
#5
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
It just so happens that sitting in my shed:
*Ford "19lb" Injectors
*Yellow Top Optima
*Beard Seats
A trip to Orileys yeilded the fuel pump/filter/lines, orings, Ignition tumbler etc...
So, at this point, I've got the Beard seats mounted to the stock electronic sliders, ignition's fixed and it DRIVES.... kinda.
I have an ugly vacuum leak at the manifold gasket. When I pulled the manifold, I found a couple cracks in the stock exhaust manifold.
So, before I can take it to smog/register, I'm shopping for a exhaust manifold fix.
Here it sits today looking all shiney with wet paint:
Plans (if it remains my beater driver, and does not become "The Offroad Toy")
Getting it running and driving well.
ALL switches, signals, lights working...
Junkyard Lift (T-bird Coils, fresh shocks, bastard leaf pack etc
Cheap Paint
Bedliner Floor
Maybe some tube bumpers
Progress will be slow, as i'm currently pretty hot n' heavy on a buggy build that should be finished up this summer:
*Ford "19lb" Injectors
*Yellow Top Optima
*Beard Seats
A trip to Orileys yeilded the fuel pump/filter/lines, orings, Ignition tumbler etc...
So, at this point, I've got the Beard seats mounted to the stock electronic sliders, ignition's fixed and it DRIVES.... kinda.
I have an ugly vacuum leak at the manifold gasket. When I pulled the manifold, I found a couple cracks in the stock exhaust manifold.
So, before I can take it to smog/register, I'm shopping for a exhaust manifold fix.
Here it sits today looking all shiney with wet paint:
Plans (if it remains my beater driver, and does not become "The Offroad Toy")
Getting it running and driving well.
ALL switches, signals, lights working...
Junkyard Lift (T-bird Coils, fresh shocks, bastard leaf pack etc
Cheap Paint
Bedliner Floor
Maybe some tube bumpers
Progress will be slow, as i'm currently pretty hot n' heavy on a buggy build that should be finished up this summer:
12-13-2011, 02:55 PM
#6
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
[QUOTE=mithuth;1391711]before you put ANYThing into it, call the DMV and see if there's a lien on the title or anything that will possible cause you to lose it after you put all the work into it...QUOTE]
Thats QUALITY advice right there. I have the title in hand, and contacted the DMV with the VIN before I even picked it up.
I had a buddy get shafted with a bug project due to DMV mess... This one will cost me an obnoxious amount to bring current, but I figure, since the truck was free... welll... it its what it is. I'll still be driving for under a grand... I could sell it to make money EASY if I decided I needed out.
Thats QUALITY advice right there. I have the title in hand, and contacted the DMV with the VIN before I even picked it up.
I had a buddy get shafted with a bug project due to DMV mess... This one will cost me an obnoxious amount to bring current, but I figure, since the truck was free... welll... it its what it is. I'll still be driving for under a grand... I could sell it to make money EASY if I decided I needed out.
12-13-2011, 03:10 PM
#7
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Location: Warren, PA 16365
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I've always wanted to do a beetle project like that... badass man.
The title lien things came up on a friend of mine. He had bought a pickup and put all sorts of new parts and time into repairing the frame and getting it running right. When he went to get the title work done he found out someone had left a $900 lien sit against the title, and never told him about it... Having more money than brains, he paid it and still has the truck, but I'd hate to have that happen to anyone else.
The title lien things came up on a friend of mine. He had bought a pickup and put all sorts of new parts and time into repairing the frame and getting it running right. When he went to get the title work done he found out someone had left a $900 lien sit against the title, and never told him about it... Having more money than brains, he paid it and still has the truck, but I'd hate to have that happen to anyone else.
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12-14-2011, 01:27 PM
#11
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Tennessee
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Year: 1988, 1997
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2 litre V8
I love a free Jeep. That makes your wallet and mind rationalize spending change on items you otherwise wouldn't. Feels good.
12-14-2011, 05:20 PM
#14
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Location: Oceanside So Cal
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Year: 88
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 renix
Off topic..i know. but love the baja. Eco tech is a grat engine, did you score it from turn key? What you going to use for rear arms? stubs, brakes? Steering? I vote Howe diablo with steer assist
Opps...looks like steering is all taken care of.
Opps...looks like steering is all taken care of.
12-15-2011, 12:21 PM
#15
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Just so i'm not TOTALLY OT with this post, The Jeep is getting loaded onto the trailer for a good engine cleaning today. Once its all tidy, i'm gunna pull the intake and give a shot at welding up the exhaust manifold.
Who's got the best bang fer' buck motor-mount solution while i'm in there?
The quick rundown on the bug:
1.75" Mild Steel tube chassis (my first full tube chassis)
105" wheel base
79" front track (rear should be 77"/78")
8 over 4130 beam
Woods 4x1.75 Arms
Wright Combo Spindles (7/8" pins)
Howe Diablo rack with Charlynn, 4130 tie rods w/FK Rod ends
N/A 2.2 Ecotec (for now)
091 Box, Weddle everything
polished 930'
Tatum disc up front
CNC 4 piston microstub rear
4130 5x6 trailing arms (being built right now)
2.5 coilover with a 3.0 bypass in rear
Other shat:4 wheel beadlocks, intercom, parkerpumper, PRP seats... etc
Its definately the coolest thing i've every built... but well... "The next one I build, i'll...."
TO THE MODERATOTRS: LAST ONES OF THE BUG, I SWEAR! SYE'S, straight axle AND 5on4.5 from now on...
Who's got the best bang fer' buck motor-mount solution while i'm in there?
The quick rundown on the bug:
1.75" Mild Steel tube chassis (my first full tube chassis)
105" wheel base
79" front track (rear should be 77"/78")
8 over 4130 beam
Woods 4x1.75 Arms
Wright Combo Spindles (7/8" pins)
Howe Diablo rack with Charlynn, 4130 tie rods w/FK Rod ends
N/A 2.2 Ecotec (for now)
091 Box, Weddle everything
polished 930'
Tatum disc up front
CNC 4 piston microstub rear
4130 5x6 trailing arms (being built right now)
2.5 coilover with a 3.0 bypass in rear
Other shat:4 wheel beadlocks, intercom, parkerpumper, PRP seats... etc
Its definately the coolest thing i've every built... but well... "The next one I build, i'll...."
TO THE MODERATOTRS: LAST ONES OF THE BUG, I SWEAR! SYE'S, straight axle AND 5on4.5 from now on...