biomarine2000

I used to have an fj 4x2 and took it down to the river with my wife for a day. When I tried to get out I got stuck and had to be rescued by a jeep. From that day I wanted to get rid of the FJ and had to have a jeep. I didn't just want a regular wrangler, I like the cherokees, so the hunt began. I searched craigslist and before you know it I was bringing one home. It didn't run the best but I didn't really expect it to. I got it for $1500 bucks and it had 265,000 miles on it. Oh Lord if I only knew what I was getting myself into. Please forgive my memory, its been over a year since I bought and I'm just now driving it again. I don't remember every detail that I've done to it.

Here she is brand new to me.

biomarine2000

Since it was running rough I did the easiest things first. I did a regular tune up, oil change, spark plugs, etc. I bought some wheels and tires. I got steel 15" wheels and 32x11.5x15 pro comp mud terrains. I ordered a 4.5" lift from rustys off road.

biomarine2000

I got the lift on. It took a few weekends but I got it figured out. I have no experience working on vehicles before this jeep.



Lift finished with new wheels and tires. My roof rack mounts came in for my home made roof rack. As you can see it got installed.

biomarine2000

The next order of business was to get the windshield replaced so I had it taken out to find that it had been replaced before and the new one wasn't sealed properly so guess what I found, yep RUST. I took a grinder to the rim of the windshield and got rid of all of it. Once that was done I had the new windshield installed and the rear passenger side window regulator. I don't have pictures of that sorry.

Drove this 60 miles with no windshield in it with my motorcycle helmet on. I bet I got some strange looks. LOL

biomarine2000

The next order of business is to take her for some light wheeling. Oh did she have other plans.

I was able to get this cool picture though. It just died.


Until this happened.




Luckily my brother came to the rescue.


Got stuck but at least she is making progress, so I thought.

biomarine2000

Since it died while I was going through water i decided to get me an ARB snorkel.



I had new front and rear bumpers built.

biomarine2000

Since the day I bought the jeep it was trying to overheat. I replaced all of the sensors, the water pump, flushed the radiator. I did everything I could think of except replace the radiator. I didn't want to mess with the radiator so I decided to take it to a mechanic and let him do it. He wasn't going to charge me much so I figured what the heck. While I was driving there I hear what sounds like a shot gun blast and smoke starts to pore out of the engine bay. I pulled over, looked underneath the vehicle and fluids were pouring out of the jeep. The engine had enough. Way later down the road after pulling the engine, here is what i found.

biomarine2000

While my brother and I were pulling the motor the bolts that were holding the transmission to the engine were stripped out so we had to pull the transmission and engine out at the same time.



After some serious cursing the $&$^ bolt came out.


The new engine is in and looks great.


Things are moving fairly smooth at this point, for a change.

biomarine2000

At this point things are going a little too smooth considering our history together. She didn't give up without a fight. I got it all back together and the fluids in and tried to give her a start. All it gave me was a loud click. There's a brand new battery with a full charge. So i'm thinking starter. I go get a new starter but it couldn't be that simple. Still the same thing. Come to find out the guy who machined the new engine block didn't do it right. Two of the cylinder bearings were a different size. Once this was figured she'd at least turn over, but wouldn't start.

biomarine2000

It still had a few kinks to iron out. A freeze plug was leaking, a fuel line got crimped when we were putting the engine and transmission in, plus the distributor was out 180 degrees. There were some electrical problems that I couldn't fix so I had a friend mechanic of mine fix. He replaced the relay box, and several other electrical things. Finally ignition!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only problem is she was still overheating. Since she was in the shop already I told him to replace the radiator and who'd of thunk it, all fixed.

I'm driving it everyday now and the engine is breaking in great. I got 500 miles on it the other day and changed the oil because it was just so dirty. There are still some minor issues but the big hurdle is finished. Next thing is to change the ball joints and wheel bearings. Stay tuned for updates, she's far from finished. If you have any questions let me know. Thanks for looking.

biomarine2000

Here is the jeep today. I sold the roof rack the other day.



Last weekend detailed the inside which was absolutely disgusting. I know to most it wouldn't matter. It did to me. Here are some before and after shots of the doors. I don't have after shots of the seats, i'll post them when I take some.

The whole jeep was this crusty and dirty inside.




after a little elbow grease.




The seats before I shampooed them.

biomarine2000

Got out in the winter conditions today. It was fun.

Programbo

Sweet looking rig! I was out in the white stuff today a bit myself but don't have as much tire. Still having the 4x4 saved me many a time when others were spinning out trying to get up some unplowed grades.

biomarine2000

Thank you programbo. Here are some pics of some fun in the muddy sludge yesterday.