Hi everyone, been lurking for a little and recently posting more so I thought it time to start the obligatory build thread. This thread is largely for me to keep track of what I'm doing. Like many others it will be slow and nothing too extreme. The goal was to have a weekend toy. Something I could take to the local off-road park or on a road trip camping. Anyway, after probably more than a year half-heartedly looking and a couple months of more serious CL scouring I scored a good start with this '97 Country. IIRC I picked it up in January last year.
Sorry for the terrible picture but it was the only one I snapped the day I bought it. I lucked out and found a virtually rust free XJ that someone else had already done some work to. Due to the higher miles it was a decent deal too. I was less worried about the miles than I was making sure it was solid. It helped that everything that was done to it was what I would have done and appeared to have been done correctly.


Build sheet:
Vehicle Description JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Model Year 1997
Body Model XJ J L 74
Color PCJ- Dark Blue
In Service Date 05/27/1997

Sales Code Description

XJ Cloth Low-back Bucket Seats
ADAP Light Group
APAS Monotone Paint
ARXP Country Decor Group
AWHP Power Equipment Group
BAUS 117 Amp Alternator
BCDS 500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGAS Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
CACP Low Back Bucket Seats
CBVP Cloth Door Trim Panel w/Map Pocket
CDBS Reclining Front Seats
CFMS Rear Fold w/Removable Cushion Seat
CGGS Traveling Inboard Seat Belt Buckle
CGWS Next Generation Front Air Bags
CKAS Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area
CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops
CKXS Plastic Liftgate Trim Panel
CLEP Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSAP Spare Tire Cover
CSC Cargo Compartment Cover
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CSSS Lift Gate Assist Handle
CUFS Full Length Floor Console
CUN Overhead Console
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGSS 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHNS Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System
DHSP Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever
DJHS Dana M30/181MM Front Axle
DMDP 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRAS Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
GAL Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEEP Deep Tint Sunscreen Liftgate Glass
GFA Rear Window Defroster
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNCP Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
GTS Power Heated Mirrors, Fold-Away
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GXMP Remote Keyless Entry
HAAP Air Conditioning
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group
JAYP Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JBGP Instrument Panel Woodgrain Bezel
JCDS 100 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBP Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
JPS Power 6-Way Driver Seat
LAJS Headlamps On Warning Chimes
LBBP Courtesy Lamps
LBCS Glove Box Lamp
LDAP Underhood Lamp
LDBP Cargo Compartment Lamp
LHDP Headlamp Off Time Delay
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LNJ Fog Lamps
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
MBPP Body Color Front Bumper
MBQP Body Color Rear Bumper w/Step Pads
MCAS Front Bumper Guards
MDA Front License Plate Bracket
MFKP Body Color Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MMCS Rear Qtr Solid Window Insert
MMGS Belt Moldings
MMKS Body Color Drip Trough Molding
MNAS Black Door Handles
MWGP Roof Rack
NAA Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFAS 20 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHMP Speed Control
PCJ Dark Blue
QCJS Dark Blue Pearl Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RAZ AM/FM Cassette Compact Disc Radio
RCDP 4 Speakers
RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Steering
SCGP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SDAS Normal Duty Suspension
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SHCS Rear Stabilizer Bar
SUAP Tilt Steering Column
TBB Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TRVP P225/70R15 Eagle GA OWL AS Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WJ7P 15X7.0 Luxury Aluminum Wheels
WKBP Matching Spare Wheel
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
XCYS Delete Remote Start System
XJFS Tethered Fuel Filler Cap
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

 

Somewhere along the line someone had done the follow:

• 4.5" RE lift with the usual stuff, coils, full spring packs, shackles, discos, LCAs, tracbar, brakelines, hack-n-tap SYE...
• Skyjacker shocks
• Craiger Soft 8's with 32" Hankook Dynapros
• Front bumper

Having a little fun in the empty lot next to my buddy's place



The first thing I did was scrape off the "terrorist hunting permit", little too redneck for me haha. After that I went through everything as I wanted to be sure that even with more than 200k on the clock it was going to be reliable. New plugs, wires, dist, cap, rotor, most fluids, heater hoses, flushed heater core, wheel cylinders, rear brake hardware. Replaced a leaky trans cooler line, new alternator when that died... probably some other stuff I'm forgetting.

 

Threw on some cheap HF lights



That spring it overheated on me while driving home from a camping trip. PO had recently replaced the radiator so I put on new a new water pump, radiator hoses, t-stat, idler pulley and serpentine belt. While I was in there I also replaced the leaky valve cover gasket.

 

Up until now everything I had done was just general maintenance. However I was lucky enough to have a Warn M8274 donated to me by my Dad who bought it new in 1985. It's almost as old as me! The downside was that it wouldn't work with my bumper so we set out fixing that.

We're fortunate to have access to a well equipped weld shop at his work.



Here is a before shot of the bumper. Not sure on the brand btw but it seems pretty solid.





As you can see the bumper only used the stock 6 mounting bolts so the first thing we set about doing was correcting that and yes we did use the 5 ton (or something around there) crane to pull the bumper and move it around. Way overkill yes but fun!

Used some brackets a buddy had as templates to make my own out of 1/4" plate. These extend back and catch the steering box bolts as well as wrap under the unibody rail to catch the swaybar bolts as well. I think the rest of the Jeep will break in half before the bumper pulls off.






Butted them up against the existing mounts.








After we had the new mounts squared away we set about modifying the bumper to accept the winch. The winch came with it's own mounting plate. Unlike most winches that mount with bolts on the bottom this one mounts with bolts on its front face so the mounting plate is necessary. It's also much deeper than most so we had to extend the bumper out as well. After much measuring and head scratching we put the plasma torch to use and cut a section of the bumper out.




We then welded in the mounting plate which we cut down previously.




Threw some spray paint on the bare metal quick just to keep it from rusting. At some point I will strip it all down and either paint it or have it powder coated properly. Here's the mostly finished product.






Here's a shot of the extended mounts. Didn't have all the hardware in at this point but it got all new grade 8 or equivalent hardware. I'm really happy with how it turned out.

 

Next up was to get the winch in place. First we removed it from my Dad's YJ that been parked for a few years.
Time and the weather hadn't been kind to it. Found water had made its way into the case when I opened it up. Should have taken more pictures of the process but I always forget once I get rolling. Anyway I replaced just about everything inside. Probably went overboard but I want everything to be right. Also replaced the bearings the drum rides on as well as the brake material. Went over the wiring and replaced some of the old roached stuff.



Took everything to work, shot blasted the steel parts and glass beaded the aluminum. Gave everything a few coats of paint and here's the finished product.







Really happy with the results. I haven't put them on yet but I even got a decal kit from Warn to finish it off. The winch is something I'll never sell for sentimental reasons. The best part is it's completely serviceable and since it's still made today spare parts are easy to get... albeit not cheap haha. Warn must have gotten something right to be making them largely unchanged since 1974.

 

Had some fun with it. Took it up-state camping a few times.

Took it to Raystown Lake.



Finally got to Rausch Creek last November I think it was. I was extremely impressed with how she performed. Didn't do anything too crazy as it was my first time out and I don't have any skids or anything yet.

 

So after popping off a front fender flare at RC I decided it was time to trim the front fenders and relocate the flares. I like a somewhat stock look plus aftermarket flares just aren't in the budget right now. Should have taken more pics again but here is the general idea. I think I removed about 1.5" of the fender all the way around the opening. Also cut and folded the pinch seem in the well to make more room. Pretty sure I have before and after pics on a camera that isn't here right now, will try to upload in the future if I can find them.

This helped but I was still rubbing a little with the front passenger wheel tucked and turning right. I trimmed off the front edge of the flare to fix that. Will try to get a pic of that as well.



I think that's pretty much gets me caught up to now. Future mods will hopefully include but are not limited to:

• Homebrew rock sliders
• Rear bumper with swing out carrier
• Skids
• CB
• Upgrade headlights
• Repair headliner
• Gears and lockers if I win the lottery haha
• Who knows what else

 

Looks awesome so far. You don't see too many 8274's on XJs. I hope to get mine on tonight.

 

Thanks, I'm really liking yours as well. Yeah you don't see a ton of the 8274's on XJs. They are a little big but one of the best winches IMO. That said I probably wouldn't have bought a new one due to the price if I was in the market to buy a winch but I got lucky as it sounds like you did. I did probably spend more rebuilding mine than a cheaper new one costs but the final product is worth it, plus I have a sentimental attachment to it. It is a popular winch with some of the real hardcore types for competition and such because of it's durability and speed. If you get a chance check out this site, http://gigglepin4x4.net/service--upgrade-parts-24-c.asp They have all kinds of crazy stuff for them like dual motor setups. The best part as I'm sure you already know is that they are completely serviceable and you can order everything for them directly from Warn who has great customer support BTW.


Warn must have done something right to be making the same winch with only minor changes for over 40 years.

 

I think I will have somewhere around $200 in mine, that's with a new upgrades motor, new solenoids, a new cable, and all the miscellaneous stuff I bought. It was a fun project, and will probably outlast me haha.

 

That's not bad at all. I had a good bit more into mine due to some internal damage from water getting in. I probably went a little overboard on the rebuild but better to be safe.