Alectravis

Hey guys!
New to the forum and just bought my first jeep (Wonder what I will think about this in a couple years :P) Anyway I have been looking for a newer XJ for quite some time, but here in Michigan finding a rust free car is pretty impossible. Plan was to find one down south with high miles but a good body and do an engine swap. But then I found this guy.
1999 Jeep Cherokee Sport with 215k but no pretty much no rust, wasn't too far away so I went and picked it up.



It runs pretty good, needs a new fuel pump, maybe a driveshaft U joint (not sure about that, makes a weird noise when driving like 20mph)
But also it has a problem with the headlights (all other lights seem to work) The left Headlight/high beam works, but the right sides doesn't work at all. Checked the fuses and they seem to be good (If i'm looking at the right ones) Bulb seems to be fine. Thinking it could be the switch (not sure if that makes sense since the other side works..) or something in the wiring.

Also just wondering about your guys opinions on preserving it, want to do a few things here and there for off road but nothing too fancy. Mainly I just want this jeep to survive seeing as it has so far. Probably going to undercoat the bottom of it, not sure what I am going to use ( I've seen a few diff brands of things people have used) If anyone else has links or what not to other diy things to help it stay alive that would be great.

Anyway this will be a fun time and where the adventure starts,m really glad I found a nice one.

Alectravis

Well I ordered my fuel pump along with a transfer case chain (one now seems to skip a gear under load)

Also went out and got some more pasti-dip, got the logo's dipped, along with a coat on the marker lights (will still probably end up getting a set of clear ones) Need to find some time to get the wheels done.

Also need help with a lift, planning on doing a 3" one, thinking about a rought country one for $255. I'm just wondering what else I need besides that, I see other things, but it seems to be 50/50 on if you actually need it.

cvc944

Welcome to Cherokee world. I just bought an identical XJ myself last month. No rust at all, but the dirtiest vehicle I ever bought. I may lift mine, not sure, but if I do it will only be two inches. They sure do look great without the huge body side moldings. Good luck with her!

Alectravis

So I got my chain, still waiting on a seal kit.
Also ordered some parts for a lift, it's going to be a 3-4 lift, we will see how it turns out.
Plan is...
3" lift coils, S10 leaf springs bolted under the main xj one, JK shocks, TJ Brake lines and an adjustable xj trackbar.
Will probably end up dropping the transfer case down, but we will see.

Also the other day after I dropped my tank and replaced my fuel pump my blinkers stopped working (I don't think it's related to that...Could it be?) All the fuses are good, just changed out the relay, still the same. Nothing happens when I turn it on, same with the 4 way lights.
So if anyone has an input about that, that would be great.

Alectravis

So I need to find a local group to ride with, not that many trails around here. A friend had some property that they just cut down for power lines, so we went and messed around there.

Also finished putting my lift together. Ended up with about 3" in the front and 3 1/2" in the rear, pretty happy with how it turned out. Now I just need to find a set of 33's

Jacobus

Looks Good

Alectravis

Well somehow getting the T-case rebuilt keeps slipping away. Anyway on the way back from work the other day I noticed a little dipping coming out from the engine, looked it up a little and turns out one of my freeze plugs rusted out. Not sure if the PO just put pure water in it or if it's a fairly common thing. Anyway managed to get those replaced only to also find out that my manifold has a crack too.
Should get the manifold welded up tomorrow and have it put back together then to start the T-case rebuild along with new U-joints.

Battle

Nice rig! Looks just like mine did when I first bought it. I was going to tell you to leave it alone but I was too late haha!

Scott'sXJ

If the fuses aren't bad, they may just have some corrosion built up on them. They're cheap, so just get new ones, and replace them.
While you're at it, disconnect the battery, and run a piece of 180 grit sand paper in each contact of your fuse block.


I had that issue with my XJ and YJ. Works great now.

Martlor13

Alot of people recommend not welding the manifold. I've read alot that it doesn't hold up anymore once cracked

Alectravis

So I got my transfer case rebuilt, when I opened it up to drain the oil, there was basically nothing...the fun of buying cars with high mileage. So got that finished along with and 1 1/2 T-case drop and new U-joints. It got rid of my little vibration from 45-55 for the rear axle, but now there is a new vibration around 55 coming from the front.....
Anyway my new tires are in at the shop, just waiting on my rims to show up.

Alectravis

So after I found out like a day after putting the t-case back in, it is leaking....On the good side tho, its just leaking from the rear main axle seal....I think....SO i have to replace that along with the pinion seal for the front axle.
Anyway got my new tires and rims mounted up, gonna drive it like this for awhile then put some 4.56 gears in.





Also my other new toy I picked up, seeing as it's the end of the season I figured I would pick up another one to make it a pair.

Alectravis

Well the donor jeep has arrived, a 1998 cherokee RHD jeep that was used as a mail jeep. Has a somewhat new rebuilt engine in it (and maybe trans...) Body on it is pretty much shot (one lower control arm bracket rusted off the frame, otherwise I would have probably driven it thru the winter to spare mine one more year.

Ender

Great stuff! Nice looking Jeep, I love the new tires/rims.

Alectravis

Well, it's the beginning of the end, The little jeep from FL now has to put up with salt.
Also got my rear fenders cut up.