matt62485

Figured I would make a thread and just add to it as I go instead of making a bunch of them.

The culprit:

1998 XJ Sport AW4, NP242, 8.25 out back

I picked it up for $500 w/ topend problems. Found a complete motor the night I got it out of another 98 w/ 106k on it for $225 and picked it up that weekend.

Plans for now are to get it running for the Summer since I live at the beach and we can drive on one of our local ones. So for now, plain, simple and cheap!

For now:
- Get the new motor in and running w/ a complete tune-up
- Clean her up real good in/out and buff/wax
- New tires
- 2" Budget Boost I got for free from a buddy
- Replace the front bumper with a new(used) one I picked up and painted
- Replace the kickpanels/trim pieces (got em already)
- Paint the flares flat black
- Remove the Door side mouldings (maybe keep em once i paint em)
- Freshen up the headlight bezels and grill w/ some paint
- IPF H4 Headlight conversion
- Hitch out back
- Bedline the rockers
- Neoprene seat covers
- Huskyliners or just some decent rubber mats
- Tint the windows
- Homemade snorkel
- any other free/cheap stuff I can do

Saving over the next few months for

- 4.5" Rusty's Long Arm kit
- IRO HnT sye and CV
- Aussie Locker out back
- 32 x 11.50 rubber
- JCR Stage 4 front bumper
- JCR Stage 3 rear bumper/tire carrier
- JCR Sliders
- Winch cradle w/ winch (TBD)
- Roof Rack w/ all the goodies (TBD)
- New headunit/speakers/amp

Anyways...

Here's how she came home....

matt62485

So spent a little time cleaning the inside and fixed the door trim (just bought some better ones so gonna replace em). But this is how she came out after a little work... still needs some more.

matt62485

Had some old Sahara wheels off my dads old Wrangler and decided to play with them a little... so I prepped the inside and painted it a gunmetal color, removed the clear off the lip and polished it up... came out pretty nice IMHO

matt62485

Then, last night while hunting on CL I found a nice set of Rubicon Moab 16" wheels of an 06 Rubi. Set of 5, with 2 fairly new MTR w/ kevlar, the original never used MTR spare and 2 other MTR w/ about 20% tread on them.

Called the guy up, took a look at them and bought them last night for a pretty good deal

I'm going to sell the MTR's cause they are a little too big i think and get some 255/70/16 KM2s thatll fit with the budget boost for now

leo3000

looks like you could use some krylon fusion on those trim peices

matt62485

actually. it LOOKED like... cuz i already done it! lol. it was planned. i just havent gotten updated pix yet since the stuff is sitting the garage. gonna get the motor swapped b4 i worry about installing it

xjwanted

doesn't it rock to buy xj's with engine problems then just replace then engine and have a perfect working xj, i got mine for $750 although i had a place that did engine work install the engine since i didnt have time or space

grn99

Nice job on those wrangler wheels. Thats the best looking set I've seen like that.
Looks like a nice rig.

matt62485

haha yea. i think its got an electrical issue as well. i guess ill find out when I get the new motor in. my guess is starter solenoid/relay or NSS. hopefully it was just something the previous owner overlooked when he troubleshooting


thanks man. for $500 i think its in pretty good shape. a little work here and there and it's gonna look good.

the wheels take time on the lip with some 220 grit and 2000 wet sand after, then compound/polish action and they came out well for what they are.

won't even run them though since I got the rubicon wheels. I may however get some 31's to put on them w/ a less aggressive A/T tire for trips to save wear on the km2's ill put on the moabs

xjoffroad

Love the late model builds!

matt62485

thanks man! ill keep it updated as i go!