Mechanic special 89 XJ
 

First Jeep, Bought knowing the possibility of cracked block but body/interior was to clean to pass up. I am a mechanic/restoration tech by day and anyone in the field knows after working on cars all day the last thing you wana do is go home and work on more cars. I tore intake off and found crack in block, was worse than I have ever heard of. 8" crack from water pump back on DS. Going to end up a street legal trail rig only. Plans include internal cage, 4.5" long arm kit. Rock the stock axles with simple upgrades, (only plan to run 33s for now) Then bigger axles, bigger tires, and more suspension long time away.

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Pulled engine today found some not so good things, front end damage. Picking up new engine this week to rebuild and go from there.
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Took the rest of the front end off to plan the fix for the damage. I need to pull the frame rails out a bit, then my idea is to pull the front cross member totally off repair/plate frame rails and make front cross member out of plate and incorporate winch mounts that will tie into the front bumper. Also picked up new long block from forum member to rebuild.https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...65b4116f4e.jpg

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What the devil caused that crack?!?!

Sitting for 10 ish years and freezing here every winter is my only guess. Had a NV plate with 06 sticker on it.

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Picked up gauge cluster, out of 3 jeeps this one looked the best even tho the back case is busted. Circuits look good along with gauges, so ill put it in my original housing. Bezel and ac controls. Cant find a 4.2 crank tho... Sad face.