Hey Biceps,

Yes, we are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country.
I mountain bike on the ski mountains around New England during the summer and fall and I even see Bear and Moose on occasion.

It's very cool to get out with nature, thanks to my Jeep !

I am glad to see another Jeeper enjoying their Jeep for which it was designed.

Good For You !

Now on to the Jeeps issues.....

Did you try that self test on the gauge cluster yet ?

The cluster in today's automobiles is really like the monitor on your computer you are using right now. It is the output device of the Jeep's ECU computer's data.

The computer can be working fine completely independent of your monitor or in an automotive sense, the instrument/gauge cluster.

That diagnostic self test is to aid one in determining as to whether the Cluster itself is at fault OR the data it is receiving.

Since you aren't seeing anything on the Odometer display at all then that means you probably aren't receiving any data/signal. No electric current is getting thru.

But before we start complicating things, we always look at the trivial and simplistic possibilities first.

So run that diag self test I described in a previous post here and see what you are getting.

Its easy to run, just hold down the trip odometer reset button while turning the ignition to ON as if you wanted to only turn on the radio. Not all the way to Start/RUN as if you were starting the engine.

If you get information on the ODO display during the self test for example, then that means it isn't the cluster itself but most likely the connector or connection.

Its unlikely that the computer is only sending certain information. It's programmed to send everything to the gauge cluster and it's up to the cluster to display it, plain and simple.

Fortunately you already got your inspection sticker ! LOL !

It gives us some time to resolve this ....

I did run the self test, and the odometer went 000000 all the way up through, all my needles moved except the speedometer. That was with the old one. I put in the new (used) one, however I did not try that test. I don't think it's the actual cluster that's acting up, the problem must be somewhere else...

Well, I'd run the test with the new one as well just to be sure.

But I know you wanna fix this or have it fixed so Let me break this problem down.

No display on a gauge after it's passed self test and proven to work means:

1. Connector feeding the Instrument cluster is not permitting data to connect. This can be due to corrosion build up on the connectors.

OR

2.) The source of the data, ie your speedo sensor isn't sending info to the computer.

Does your speedo work ? If not, then I'd look at the speedo sensor located in the transfer case.

Especially now in retrospect, in looking at the wheels that came on your Jeep. They looked like classic junkyard wheels, used to simply sell the vehicle.

The PO took their nice wheels and tires off which points to them having had larger wheels requiring a speedometer gearing change. AND possibly mucked around with the speedo gearing and possibly the speed sensor.

Speedo does not work, and there shouldn't be anything wrong with any connections, because I had a shop check all that. I'm guessing it's the sensor, just haven't had the motivation to check it out...

AND the reason for that would be because I've been searching and searching Craigslist, Uncle Henry's, Autotrader, AOL autos, Yahoo autos, and anything else I can think of to find a 2 door cherokee. Well it all finally paid off.
I was about to go to bed after checking the Maine and N.H. craigslist, and I thought I'd check out Vermont just for the heck of it. VT doesn't usually get too many postings, so I don't check that very often, but I'm glad I did this time! I came across a beeeeautiful '99 2 door, talked to the guy that night, and went to see it the next day. It was a 5 hour trip one way, but it was definitely worth it. I'm picking it up sometime next week

I will be selling my four door, but I can't decide if I want to keep the wheels and bumper. I'd like to put a little more work into it, because it really needs some TLC, but I'm not sure yet.

Anyways, on to some recent pics...



















I haven't really done anything to it lately because I was between jobs, but now I have a new project. New pics next week!

Killer looking Jeep man, cool pictures from up around Eustis, I don't live too far from there myself.

I really love it here. How far? Do I know you? What are you hiding?!!!

very nice pics. is that a camera on the bumper? did you lose it in a mudhole?

looks good so far, i have the same helmet cam i use it for biking as well as 4x4ing

Yeah, it's the GoPro HD Hero. Takes really nice video, I just need a better editing program. Nope, never lost it. The suction cup works really well, but I make sure to tie it on with a piece of string just in case.

I love it, you can put it practically anywhere and it's durable and waterproof!

Hey Biceps,

Good to hear you found what you were looking for in another XJ.
There are alot of them out there.
A 2 Door with what you've done to your 4 Door will look very nice.

The 2 Doors have a cleaner profile due to less pillars and more glass area.

I almost ordered a 2 Door originally but my salesman talked me out of it.

But in the long run and looking at what I use the Jeep for, which is essentially a pickup truck, it's worked well to have the access to the back via the rear doors to move things in and out of.

What are you going to do with your existing XJ ? You can easily take the wheels off, but that awesome bumper, unless you're ready to remove and replace it as well will most likely have to stay ?

Or swap the bumpers and...

One possibility would be to locate some used 31 tires, paint the steel wheels black , mount the used tires on , swap the bumpers and endcaps from the 2 door and sell it as is. It would still look good with the stock bumper, lift ,clear corners and all black wheels and 31's.

Looking at the prices of a new Wrangler Rubicon, at around $35K, and what used XJ's are going for. I am tempted to pick up another XJ as a parts car for a grand or two, simply to throw a tarp on and keep around as I need parts for my own in the future !!!!

I'm so happy with my new 2 door!! I haven't really decided what exactly I'm going to do with it yet. I'm thinking probably a 2 or 3 inch lift with nothing bigger than 31's. I want it to basically be like my 4 door now, capable of some light offroading but as it will still spend most of it's time on the street, it still needs to be comfortable and practical.

Definitely pick up another! It doesn't hurt to have extra parts, or a spare vehicle.

My 4 door is for sale right now as is. As much as I loooove the way it looks, I don't want the new one to look exactly the same. I was going to negotiate with people for the wheels, tires, and bumper but it was getting to be a real pain.

I have a few pics from a Thanksgiving day ride with my bro, and these will probably be the last. I'm hoping to sell it soon so I can get to work on the 2 door as soon as possible.













And one of the new ride!

wow, very nice pics! I gatta move to Maine!

Thank you. Let's trade for a while, I've never been out west.

Just sold it today :/ I will miss her, but now it's time to get to work on the new 2 door!
Thanks everyone for the help and comments!

Looking forward to seeing the progress and spectacular photos of your new 2-Door.