ski_junkie

I got my '99 Cherokee Sport about a month ago. It was stock with the factory off road package.
I traded vehicles with my dad for it, mostly because I needed 4wd for winter time.
The body is in good condition, a few dings, and just a few dime size rust spots.

Upon picking it up i was told the following problems:
-3 of 5 tires were pretty much bald, other 2 were brand new
-AC/Heat would not goto the right vents at a setting of 3 or 4 (would goto window vents)
-Power door locks dont work
-Fog lights don't work
-Both passenger fender covers were knocked off (by a semi's blown tire)
-Door speakers don't work
-DITRY inside (not the good dirty, but the "why is that sticky!" dirty)
-Needs and alignment
-Was going to need breaks soon
I think that was it

Since then I have found:
- Either the shocks or springs are worn
-Most of the fluids except oil and coolent haven't been replaced in a long time
-roof paint is cracking and peeling a bit.
-There was nothing left of the break pads


So far I have
-Put on new tires
-New breaks
-New stereo
-New speakers, including new speaker wire to the doors
-Scrubbed it clean inside
-Pulled off all the fender covers
-Attempted to fix fog light switch
-Pulling off door panel sort of fixed the power door locks (drivers door and back passenger doors don't work)
-almost fixed a hole in the vacuum line


What I need to do
-Replace all the fluids
-New springs
-Move vacuum egg out of the bumper
-Fix vacuum lines


What I want to do
-2" lift
-Spray on bed liner on bumpers, roof, and in wheel wells
-In car ski rack (something similar to a gun rack, but for skis)
-Try to pop out some of the dents
-Replace stock fog light switch
-Add addl lights


I will add more as I think about it or get stuff done, and pictures soon to come

ski_junkie

Here is a pic of my baby

humboldt2door

I know what its like to get a car and then find out all of the problems it has.
Oh well, every problem you fix lets you get to know the car better and make it more your own.
Since you've already lost the fender flares, why not trim up a little bit? It will give you much more room for bigger tires under less lift. If you take your time and do it right and then bed line the newly trimmer fenders, it'll look awesome. If you want the bumper caps to line up, trim them or get some of the old style, they're shorter and would line up nicely with trimmed fenders.

Nice XJ, looks clean enough, on this side. Now its time to get it up in the air!

99rockies

Nice lookin Jeep. If you want a roof ski rack, I've got one I'll give you for like $15. http://denver.craigslist.org/pts/1382177997.html

djlarroc

Looks nice. It should be pretty capable already. What size tires?

ski_junkie

they are a standard 235/75/15 on stock wheels
BFGoodwrench All-Terrain T/A Truck tires

ToyComa

Can you get a side shot so I can see how they look?

ski_junkie

I have got that parts together for my uber cheap 2" lift.

All together its only cost me about $30

Springs off a grand cherokee for the front- $15 at JY
Cheap basic shackles (that are adjustable!) for the back- $15 at pepboys

Now I just need to put it all on

grn99

I would spend a little more on a good set of shackles. Good plan though.

ski_junkie

I plan on saving up for a good lift kit. This is just for now and to see how i like it.

ski_junkie

Well.....

My cheap lift is a bust.
The cheap shackles I got from pepboys are garbage.
They don't work with the way that top bolt is on the XJ are.

So I am putting the lift on hold till spring, and save up for a good full kit.

I am going to focus on a full tuneup over the next week and adding some new lights.

djlarroc

2" coil spacers $20. 2" blocks $30. Spend the rest on any armor you can. Gas tank skid (if you don't have it on your off road pkg) is $10 at JY. Sliders around $200.

ski_junkie

I thought about blocks, but have read alot of negatives about using them.

ski_junkie

So an update on what I have got done. Its been a productive week.

-BPE installed on the front.
-New tail light (old one was cracked)
-Replaced one of the rear hatch shocks, replacement is too short, but its better than nothing.
-Replaced vacuum tube that was cracked
-Replaced thermostat and now have heat!
-New fog light switch mod (will have to post pics later)

And I am starting to save up for my lift. I am going to go full lift with new leaf springs, so it might be a while.

ski_junkie

Got the rear part of my lift done, except for a broken bottom shock bolt. I will add more details later when I have more time.