So I got my Jeep a few weeks ago and as I start to plan out what I would like to do I am realizing there is a lot of info just not of all of it. So I decided to record all the hijinks I will go through so hopefully some other sap will get something out of it. I also hope people reading this thread can provide input and insight as I go along. A bit of warning, there may be long periods of no work being done as I save up for the various parts of the build.

My plan first is to acuity a full size spare, fix the windshield, get the passenger window working, and wire up lights for a trailer. After that I believe I will tackle the steering as I experienced a bit of what people have termed the "death wobble" then to tackle the rust. As you can see it is quite extensive in places.

 

And of course the pictures are not loading. I will try again in the morning.

 

ok, here goes for the before pictures,

Exterior:

 

Interior:

 

Subscribed! I'm getting a stock 1995 in a week. Don;'t spare any details when you get to those rocker panel repairs!

 

Alright, so I have been researching my next few steps and while I want to do everything at once my wallet won't allow me to. So basically I am at a crossroads. Save the money and begin to work on the body or save the money and put on a lift kit and tires first. Opinions?

 

Good luck on your build! we all now how you feel about the wallet crunch, well most of us, and having patience isn't easy for me haha
I'm definitely no expert, but I'd go lift, steering then body.. IMO

 

That has to be one of the rustiest vehicles in AZ.

 

my rockers are rusted out too and I was just going to cut them out and weld in rectangular tubing so It would fix the rust and add some sliders at the same time along with your fenders you can cut them out fixing the rust and adding more tire clearance

 

I am debating the cutting of the fenders. I only want to run 31.10's with only about a 3 inch lift so not sure how much cutting I will have to do.

 

Good luck man. I also agree with lifting it first; depending oh how extensive the rust really is

 

those tires will fit no problem with 3" lift

 

So there has not been much of a change other then just research and information gathering. I have been sticking my head under the hood, underneath and looking at just about everything there is to asses the current situation. I have weighed my options and looked at the situation and I believe I have a game plan. I also have been scouring the net for anything XJ and reading like there is no tomorrow. So while I may not be able to do everything to my XJ I can at least identify a part and know what it does and the ramifications it has to the situation as a whole. I also contacted Chrysler and for the actual specs for my XJ to see what I as dealing with.

VIN 1J4FF68S0XL576417
Vehicle Description JEEP CHEROKEE SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
Model Year 1999
Body Model XJ J L 74
Color PEA- Chili Pepper Red Pearl Coat
ISD 01/08/1999

Sales Code Description
*M5 Prem Cloth Hi-Back Bucket Seats
-AZ Agate
ADAP Light Group
APAS Monotone Paint
ARWP Sport Decor Group
AWHP Power Equipment Group
AWS Smoker's Group
A20P 4.0L Engine(ERH)/4Sp Auto Trans(DGS
BASS 124 Amp Alternator
BCDS 500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGAS Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
CADP High Back Bucket Seats
CBWP Highline Door Trim Panel
CDBS Reclining Front Seats
CFMS Rear Fold w/Removable Cushion Seat
CGGS Traveling Inboard Seat Belt Buckle
CGWS Next Generation Front Air Bags**
CKAS Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area
CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops
CKXS Plastic Liftgate Trim Panel
CLEP Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSAP Spare Tire Cover
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CSSS Lift Gate Assist Handle
CUFS Full Length Floor Console
CUXP Front & Rear Ash Trays
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGSS 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHNS Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System
DHSP Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever
DJHS Dana M30/181MM Front Axle
DMDP 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRAS Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
GAL Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEEP Deep Tint Sunscreen Liftgate Glass
GFAS Rear Window Defroster
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNCP Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
GTZP Power Mirrors, Fold-Away
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GXMP Remote Keyless Entry
HAAP Air Conditioning
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group
JAYP Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JBFP Instrument Panel Black Bezel
JCDS 100 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBP Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAP Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
KDPS RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - BADGE - CH
KGPS RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - BADGE - JE
KRPS RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - BADGE - 4
KTPS RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - JEEP
KVPP RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - BADGE - SP
KYPP RADIANT SILVER MET. C/C - 4.0L
K2ZP BLACK - MOLDING - BODYSIDE
K3FS CHILI PEPPER - FENDER FLARES
LAJS Headlamps On Warning Chimes
LBBP Courtesy Lamps
LCDP Map/Dome Reading Lamps
LDAP Underhood Lamp
LDBP Cargo Compartment Lamp
LHDP Headlamp Off Time Delay
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LNJ Fog Lamps
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
MBKP Black Front Bumper End Caps
MBLP Body Color Front Bumper
MBSP Black Rear Bumper End Caps
MBTP Body Color Rear Bumper
MCAS Front Bumper Guards
MDA Front License Plate Bracket
MFBP Body Color Headlamp Bezels
MFKP Body Color Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MMCS Rear Qtr Solid Window Insert
MMGS Belt Moldings
MMKS Body Color Drip Trough Molding
MNAS Black Door Handles
MNNP Body Color License Plate Brow
MWGP Roof Rack
NAA Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFAS 20 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHM Speed Control
PEA Chili Pepper Red Pearl Coat
QEAS Chili Pepper Red
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RAZ AM/FM Cassette Compact Disc Radio
RCRP 4 Speakers
RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Steering
SCGP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SDAS Normal Duty Suspension
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SHCS Rear Stabilizer Bar
SUAP Tilt Steering Column
TBCS Compact Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TRLP P225/75R15 Wrangler RT/S AT Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WJW 15X7.0 Aluminum "Ecco" Wheels
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
XCYS Upgraded OBD-II Connectors
XJFS Tethered Fuel Filler Cap
XPFS Protective Coating and Remover
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications



That being said I have ordered some upgrade injectors, gonna change the spark plugs and do complete fluid changes in the next week or so. The next steps after that is I am going to put in a 2" lift and refresh the rest of the suspension then add some 235/75/15 Goodyear Duratracs. Then I will tackle the rust which looks bad, after climbing around underneath it is pretty much concentrated to superficial areas and all the real important stuff is still solid. Then I will worry about paint and addons, bumpers, racks and such.

 

Hey Gang,
I know it has been a while since I posted, been super busy not only planning my build but everything else life has in store for ya. So as an update, I replaces my front sway bar links, as the one on the driver side was completely broken off. Man replacing them has made a huge difference in driving. So far I have ordered new ball joints for the front, new Tie rod ends, ended up with a new track bar out of the deal as well. Today I just ordered new rear leaf springs, and a 2" BDS add a leaf lift kit. All I have left is to get a master bushing kit, front and rear sway bar bushing kits and I will completely rework the suspension. After that the plan is to change the ball joints and wheel bearings. Over Memorial day weekend I plan on changing all the fluids, (oil, transmission, brake, and radiator), changing the spark plugs and changing out the fuel injectors to the 784's. Since I will be using a friends lift, I also plan on giving the engine a real good once over to see if there are any other issues (oil leaks, etc) I can see and add those to the ever growing list. After all that is taken care of then the saving for the new wheels and tires, and after those will be the body work. I plan on going the 2x6 slider option to replace most of the rusted rocker areas. Oh I almost forgot! I was able to score some doors for the ol XJ on craigslist for $100! All 4 doors plus the back hatch with glass. No guts of course but that is OK as the guts and panels are still in great condition on mine so I will just switch them out. I will need to replace a few window seals but no biggie. They are living in the garage till I get closer to doing body work and I will get them repainted to match the final color I am gonna switch too. When I start doing the major suspension work I will make sure to post pics.

 

So ordered new leaf springs and my lift kit yesterday. Found some replacement leaf springs on Amazon for around 80 bucks a piece, since I have Amazon Prime, came to only $190 bucks for the pair, with free shipping! Woot! Also ordered a BDS add a leaf 2" lift kit from RockRidge 4WD, Jeff was super helpful and scored me a killer price on it, Kudos to the great attention to customer service. Now to play the waiting game!