Fltmedic12

Hey everyone, I've been a member of this Forum for a couple of years now but never really got around to starting a build thread, so here we go. Now just as a disclaimer, I am not very tech savvy and computers tend to hate me the pictures I post here will probably be all over the place and/or each picture get their very own post.

My XJ is a 98 sport, 2dr 5spd/ax-15. I bought it/saved it from ending up at the Ramstein AFB pull-a-part yard in Nov of 2011. The PO knew less about cars than a 13 y/o girl so it was in pretty rough shape mechanically when I got her. The CEL was on so it didn't pass inspection and got about 75mi to a full tank of gas, thus the reason he was ditching it.


The result was replace both O2 sensors, new thermostat, complete tune-up, replaced the evap purge solenoid, CCV valve ( old one was cracked), replaced the exhaust manifold (standard crack at the collector), and a fresh oil change. After that she ran like a dream and passed inspection, now averaging 25mpg on the autobahn

Fltmedic12

Next order of business was replacing the very worn factory suspension. Considering the age and mileage on her it was a rather simple job. Took about 7hr total and only had 2 broken bolts. New coils, leafs, and shocks

Fltmedic12

Shortly there after she was put on a boat head for the states. Picked her up in NOLA the day before Thanksgiving 2012.

tssguy123

Subbed!

Fltmedic12

Now 2013 was not a good year for my family. My Wife lost her Father to Cancer, almost lost her Mother to Cancer (still fighting currently), broke her collar bone in the worst possible location, and I tore a ligament in my ankle. So as you can imagine not a whole heck of a lot got done to the XJ. Fixed a wiring issue in the drivers door and replaced the old and weak steering linkage

Fltmedic12

Also found some spare time to do a little body work

Fltmedic12

Now its 2014, a new year and a fresh start us. Started out great, finally got that finicky ax-15 fixed!

Fltmedic12

Then the lift kit I got for Christmas showed up, 3" zone full leaf, and the new 31" tires as well. And just before I was set to install it, it got bad again. Found out my wife needs surgery for her collar bone, and I needed surgery to repair my ankle. That very same day when we came home from her ortho appt, I found that my neighbor had backed into my XJ with his F350. So currently she is at the body shop being fixed, 2200 in damage total. Should be getting her back by weeks end I hope, I could use happiness in my life, or at least something to tinker with. The icing on the cake however is 4 days after my XJ was hit, my stepdad of 25 yrs passed away from MSA (terminal form of Parkinson's). So be on the lookout for some updates hopefully in the coming weeks

kgm

Dang sorry to hear the string of bad things!

Fltmedic12

It's all good man. One of my good friends seems to think my XJ is cursed, mainly because every time it's within a week of being back on the road something happens haha

Fltmedic12

Well the wife's surgery went well and she's out of the hospital and the XJ is back from the body shop. They couldn't find or reproduce the OEM fender/door decals so they improvised... I like it. Hopefully I can get to the lift this weekend

Fltmedic12

Lift day will be soon upon us! Officially lift day will be Saturday, unofficially it started yesterday with starting to spray everything down and removing some old rusted on sway bar bushing sleeves. what's going on: Zone 3" full leaf pack and reinstalling the front sway bar with skyjacker discos. Coming off for good will be the rear sway bar. Alignment will be done sometime next week along with some new tires. I'm keeping the ecco's because I really like the look of them on the XJ so I'll be throwing some spacers on there as well.

Fltmedic12

Lift complete. Will post more photos in the AM

ONX

As a fellow slow 2dr Build thread owner I approve of this thread.

crdude

This.




I wish I could find a 97+ 2 door with a 5 speed!