Well seeing that I have been slowly doing things to my "Little Black 89' XJ" I figured I might as well keep a running record here as I go along. I'm not new to cars in anyway. I was an auto body tech for 15 yrs. and my old man was a GM/Chrysler Wrench for 38 years. Currently I run the Rat Rod Website Killbillet.com. Lets say I needed a more practical DD than a Rat Rod.

Anyways here's the little guy as it stands right now:






Black89

 

Will be following! Btw Magpul For The Win!

 

I have already fixed lots of little issues on it like new speakers, Deck, windows not working and things like that. Took the stock wheels and acid bathed them and then sprayed em' silver along with the grill and head light bezels. This weekend it's getting new front axle u-joints and a brand new set of rotors. It's a non Disco Dana 30 front end, 35 rear and a 4.0 that was supposedly rebuilt @ 50K ago but I find that hard to believe. But hey for 1700.00 I can afford to treat this little guy to some love. Already on the side lines is another block that's gonna get punched 30 over and another complete engine that has a HO head on it. After the engine work is done Then comes the RC 4.5" lift kit. So this project has officially begun.........

 

Hell yeah!! Got to get me some new Glock Sticks as well. Didn't have any left when I put the MagPul ones on!

Black89

 

Was it the thing where only the driver can control windows? how did you fix them?

 

No actually the two drivers side windows had some how pushed the guide tubes off of the regulators. Sounded friken horrible when the windows went up and down having that thing dragin' around in side the door. I lubed up the cables and took the heat gun to the tubes and shoved em' back on to the cables and all back to normal. It's been just a lot of stupid little **** that the past owners never kept up on. Everything works in it now. I'll have some pic's this weekend of me in my flip flops and shorts and a beer in my hand while I work on the front axle. I do need to get two new power lock actuators for the drivers side doors though, both function but don't have enough power to trip the lock even after lubing the snot out of everything.


Black89

 

I'm sure glad the ac works this heat up here in Spokane, WA is brutal!

Black89

 

Oh I'm sure! my a/c may need some testing it seems to work but may have an odd smell, maybe just from sitting.

 

Odd smell maybe something in the duct work. It shouldn't smell at all. I have found dead mice in ac ducts before and other debris so it is possible you have a critter in there or something else. Another thing you can check is the windshield cowl area under the wiper arms. Make sure its not full of crap like leaves, seed pods, and just dirt in general. Your cabin fresh air comes from the cowl and if there is crap rotting in there your gonna smell it inside.

Black89

 

Ok, Good to know, thanks!

 

Well we had highs in the 90's yet again here in the greater Spokane, WA area again but I was dead set on getting a good start on my front axle u-joints tonight after work. I got home grabbed a cold beer and hit this little project head on. Jacked it up, stands under and wheels off. Popped both calipers off first, easy going no issues. Pulled out the pads next. A couple of hits with the BFH and the old warped rotors were off and it the scrap pile. Next up the hub bolts. Breaker bar and a 12 point 13mm socket and they all came out with ease. Next up was to pop the hubs, grabbed a chisel and had both popped out in minutes. On to the u-joints, this is where the fun began. The drivers side was the bad one, shot it couldn't have been any worse. I have a cool little contraption that a friend has had for years to beat the living **** out of u-joints and all I can say is that it got a work out. I have never had a u-joint this stuck before but after a little beating, a few beers and a 3 lbs hammer attack I got that rusty b**ch out of the axle. After a little clean up the new u-joint was in and then it was time for food. With that said I will put the dust shield back on in the morning and put the drivers side back together then onto the other side, but for now I'm off to the hot tub with the wife and a couple of cold beers. I'll post pic's up after the job is done Saturday morning to show how bad the u-joint on the drivers was. Have a good night all.....

Black89

 

Well it all went well and I finished it up early this AM. Here's some pic's of the project. Note that the u-joints are stamped Spicer... guessing these are the originals? Any ways on to the pic's and no s*it about the "Red Ryders" they were on it when I bought it. LOL
















Black89

 

Nice looking xj iam over in cda and iam now running a 89 4 door but not as clean 500 bucks for my beast haha

 

Nice! This one has spent time licensed both here in WA and was previously lic. in ID. They guy I got it from had to move to Hawaii and wasn't gonna pay 6K to have it shipped over. Supposedly the engine was rebuilt @ 50K ago but I think all they did was the top end. It's got a little knock down below but I have an 87' block and another complete 88' with a bad block. I'm gonna have the 87' block redone and go from there. When the knock gets bad enough I'll do the engine swap. For now it's just go through it here and there. next up on the list of things to do is the rear axle bearings and seals. I will say I love the Jeeps out here in the IPNW way cleaner and no rust compared to the s**t I dealt with when I lived and did body work back in MN.

Black89

 

Well I grabbed the soon to be wife and we headed into town with the XJ to do some shopping. Ahh no more pulsing brakes and no more vibrations @ 55MPH. The old Black XJ is riding smooth again. Next up rear bearings and seals cause chances are they are originals as well.


Black89