mocXI

Alright, so i recently bought a 98 cherokee for 600 dollars, which i can only describe as 2 wheel in the scrap yard the other two on an oil slick. its condition was/is bad, but we will get back to that soon enough.
Now this isn't my first rodeo, i had a 95 Cherokee with a 3" lift and 33's, and more goodies than i have time to list


Im also a master certified mechanic, and i work at a jaguar land rover dealer. So even though this vehicle is pretty much ready for the scrap yard, I can handle it haha.

Now the reason i named this thread the mad scientist build is because there isnt anything on this truck im afraid to modify, and i have no problem using parts from other vehicles on this truck. So basically if you are squeamish about different brand parts being used on jeeps, STOP READING NOW
This jeep will end up with other brand parts, probably many of them being land rover since i work a land rover dealer. Dont worry ill make them fit

so now on to the new xj. It's a 98 Cherokee sport 4.0, AW4, NP231. With 240,000 on the body. Here it is when i bought it.

mocXI

on to why it almost made it to the scrapyard.
-transmission (blown)
-misfiring like crazy
-no shock, with broken mounts and bolts for rear shocks.
-front sway bar bushings wrecked, and both links broken
-leaking coolant
-bad ball joint
-alignment way off
-exhaust cut off and laying inside truck
-track bar removed
-broken tail light
-smashed doors (drivers doesnt lock)
-smashed fender
-rusted out rockers.

As i go on i will detail fixing these things, and why they were broken, because as ive found out since i am friends with the previous owner, many of its problems are due to stupidity.

Modification plans once everything is fixed are
-Long arm low cog build, either 3" or 4" lift
-33's or 35's
-lockers
-skids
-winch
-CB
-TURBOOOOOO MOAR BOOOOOSTTT!

it came of a 2012 regal turbo, and is a definite possibility, for this build.... eventually.

bakas

Interesting build. Subbed!

mocXI

On to the fixing the first problem. The blown transmission. Now the truck used to belong to my best friends Girlfriend. She enlightened me before buying the truck to the fact that the reason the trans was blown was because, when she lent it to an exboyfriend he thought the trans was low and filled it.
With 80w90
GREAT

Now, me and the mad scientist got to rip apart the block... and replace the piston rings you fri-..... WAIT WRONG MOVIE!
and besides im the mad scientist, so okay me and igor

we got the truck up on the hoist and got the old trans out.


dang those floor pans are clean for a michigan truck



and we began stuffing the trans back in



once we got that all wrapped up the next challenge was the misfire issue.
It missed under all conditions, and the truck had sat for about a year, so i went with the basics first i changed the plugs, wires, dist cap and rotor, and i threw on a serp belt while i was at it.
now it was missing after the truck had warmed up.
the misfire monitor was not running which immediately pointed me to the crank sensor, i tested it and sure enough it was bad. it was also missing the downstream o2 so i replaced both of those, and no more misfire, no more check engine light.

mocXI

Next was dealing with the coolant leak.
i found the thermostat housing to have a hairline crack.
i replaced it the thermostat, and the ECT.


And forget that crappy rtv stuff.
i used the best engine sealant there is.


They even give you so much of it you need a caulk gun.

mocXI

Next i temporarily fixed the rear tail light with some of that repair tape stuff



well as true as that is no, not that kind of repair tape.

before


after


now with that done i carefully drove it in to work one day so i could get some more work done that would be easier done with an alignment rack, an impact, and acetylene.


fire pliers FTW

anywhoooo
once i got it to work i replaced the sway bar bushing, and links. installed two front shocks, and got it on the alignment rack.



once that was done i had enough time left to sneak in a fuel induction service



It idles, and runs a heck of lot better than before. shes gettin there.

mocXI

Now that ive gotten it driveable, i found time to sneak in a mod.
While i was putting the transmission in, i snuck a temperature sending unit into the pan. So now ive installed a Transmission temp sensor.
Its something i had in my old jeep and i think every jeep that tows or gets wheeled should have. Heat is the number 1 killer of auto transmissions, and when your in the mud rocking back and forth things heat up quick.


Anyway when i wired it in i used an connector from a range rover so if i ever need to take the A pillar off again all i have to do is disconnect the the wiring.


finished install

mocXI

Next on the list of things to do was to stop the cancer. i cut out most of what was left of the rocker panels and hit them with bedliner to stop the rust.


the next day was rainy and i was bored so i pulled the grill and headlight bezels and repainted them.
here she is next to my silverado before i repainted the parts

mocXI

now ill show some parts i have sitting around waiting to go on the truck
first this set of lights i acquired for free with all the wiring.


next up is guess time, cheers to anyone who can guess what it is and cookie for anyone who can guess what it came from. also free

BayouXJ

Air compressor for the air suspension for the range rover vogue.

mocXI

It is indeed an air compressor. and from a fullsize range rover.
There is an issue with the compressors where we are replacing them with one by a different manufacturer. this one was customer pay so i got to keep the old one, which is easily fixable

So in the future on-board air, for tools, tires and possible lockers.