Pepper The XJ Return to Stock
First of all, why am I unable to upload photos to this thread? Second, how do you format the text (bold, italicize, etc.)? Thank you!
This is my second XJ. I am waffling between reducing the 4-inch lift to a 2-inch lift or returning her to stock. I'm considering purchasing another XJ, pre-1999 for the full roof rack, and turning her into a more robust camping/excursion Jeep and keeping the red Jeep as my ideal long distance road tripping vehicle. …I have the XJ bug.... Pre '99 would have a hitch and hooks on bumpers for tie downs, a 2-inch lift, skid plates, body stiffeners, and likely be entirely Monstalined (some variation of brown, tan, or green with black rockers, fenders, etc.). 1999 XJ Near Future To-Do: Grease job Change transmission fluid and filter (repeat fluid change until shifting flawlessly, decent now but could be better) Change differential fluid and gaskets Replace rotor Replace distributor cap Replace spark plugs Change oil and filter Change transfer case fluid New brake fluid Replace front wheel bearings Replace front axl u-joints Replace front brake pads and rotors Replace rear brake drums Replace cracked windshield Replace cracked right tail light Replace burned out right tail light bulb New air filter New thermostat New heater actuator Rewire rear windshield wiper and defroster (current wires are severed) Replace leaf spring bushings Replace front sway bar bushings with Moog (currently nonexistent!) Replace front sway bar link bushings with Moog (currently shot) Install rear sway bars Replaxe track bar Replace leaf spring shackle bushings (shot) Remove 4-inch lift spacers from coils Replace leaf springs with Dorman 929-301's Replace steering stabilizer with Old Man Emu Replace shocks with Bilstein 4600's Swap Pathfinder 31’s for 235 Bridgestone Blizzaks (already ordered) Purchase snow chains Replace miniature spare tire with 235 Order two Comanche 15x7 10-hole wheels Replace front passenger window motor/regulator/reset the pane Tighten rear door hatch latch Replaced floor mat holder Clean IAC valve Long-Term To-Do List: Replace fuel filter Replace fuel pump Replace transfer case rear gasket Replace speed sensor o-ring Replace throttle position sensor Replace neutral safety switch Replace oxygen sensors New exhaust brackets (currently most/all are broken) Replace transmission cooling lines Replace water pump Replace gear box Replace glove box light Install CB radio + antenna Tweak alternator (??) to prevent “cold squeal” Pinpoint source(s) of oil leak - replace gaskets as needed Pinpoint source of random engine misfire (injectors?), intermittent check engine light New throttle gasket New power steering hoses New radiator hoses New valve cover gasket Replace door pins Weld reinforcement plates onto door hinges Replace driver’s side door sill protector (current one is chipped) Replace shifter bushing (quietly rattles. My last XJ had this too, no biggie) Cut out rust on '99 and weld on rockers from '98 Replace coils with stock Darken window tint for more privacy Replace missing right rear fender flare (already ordered) Monstaline (matching red) bumpers, front panel and grill, roof, fender flares, rockers, mirrors Coat summer wheels with black Monstaliner Coat under carriage and wheel wells with Magnet Chassis Saver – Satin Black Build gas tank skid plate Replace center console support with Dirtbound Offroad support (already have but low on the list) Install custom subwoofer box |
Edit feature is not working???? Left a couple items out:
Replace rear right tail light (currently cracked) Replace front passenger window motor or reset the pane |
I've been wanting to start a build thread as well but have postponed it because of not being able to post pics. VERY annoying.
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What's up with that? The link is broken or something?
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Not sure, been a few months: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f23/no...photos-247245/
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https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...205fdd7156.jpg
Rear leaf spring bushing https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...c6b3ac0c99.jpg Rear leaf spring bushings https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...91df86ed10.jpg Sway bar bushing https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...5bc317ad4d.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...81f5299356.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...99f9d12c66.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...cc79240e8c.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...ee189436dd.jpg Not impressed with the ride https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f09abbb75a.jpg Leaking trans cooling line https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...9771666157.jpg Trans cooling line https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...71bcf5e96c.jpg Broken exhaust bracket https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f1b435f7e4.jpg Missing fender flare |
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...a9618deb4a.jpg
Lovely new u-joints, brake rotors, and pads https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...0c7daa5656.jpg You can see the pock marks from overheating https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...4467609026.jpg These are about the worst brake pads I've ever seen... https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...c38543b7f5.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f2c336844c.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...d303e27577.jpg |
Front End Day
New front u-joints, brake rotors and pads. New sway bar bushings and my goal was to replace the sway bar link bushings as well but I didn't realize that the Moog kit was for only one link, not two, so I was forced to reinstall the old bushing remnants on the left side and wait for the second kit to arrive.
Also waiting on my second leaf spring, new shocks, right wheel bearing, and coil bump stops.... https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...25268d5a69.jpg Ruined u-joints! https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...76437ad79a.jpg Sway bar link kit on the right, only enough for one link, blah |
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...88f8808a92.jpg
Looks like I have a 2-inch spacer plus a half inch isolator. |
A few more items on the to-do list:
Replace cracked windshield JB Weld (?) Floor mat fasteners to the floor where carpet is torn Tighten loose back hatch latch |
Why, for every item checked off the list, do 3 more crop up? :blush: Getting to know her I guess...
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Originally Posted by Elivnitup
(Post 3540563)
Why, for every item checked off the list, do 3 more crop up? :blush: Getting to know her I guess...
And I am probably paraphrasing a bit but: They told me to buy a Jeep. What they did not tell me is what happens after you do. So true huh? |
Well, today was a big one. Eight hours on my feet and with plenty of assistance. New Dorman 929 301 leaf springs, :grin:
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f186d187c3.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...da492f9f29.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...4cdea0261e.jpg front sway bar link bushings, https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f27e93a714.jpg Iron Rock Offroad greasable, adjustable leaf shackles https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...0d031d51b9.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...e361dfc42d.jpg Flipped them because they rubbed against the bolts by the bumper Old Man Emu steering stabilizer (aka The Chub ha) https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...27d8c1ddb6.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...13ccbd0b4c.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...701584fd51.jpg All new Bilstein 4600 shocks (the old Ranchos? in the front were totally unresponsive, the Skyjackers in the rear were nearly so). https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...52307d21fe.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...7211e836cd.jpg I discovered that the previous owner removed the rear anti-sway bars (or is it sway bars) https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...fc105bf189.jpg Rear sway bar location so I couldn't install those bushings ha. I will probably wait to pull the rear sway bars from my '98 when I get her towed to my house (long story). https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...b0a351456e.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...b2e7eb8e78.jpg Left leaf springs were cracked! Ordered the wrong coil springs :icon_cry: https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...b4a7681773.jpg Too short and did not seat I decided to keep the springs she had when I purchased her. Removed the two-inch spacers https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...cf7158aacc.jpg and replaced the front bump stops (Crown) and isolators (Moog). Issues included temporarily losing an upper shock bolt on the right rear side when I wire brushed. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...e565eb3a4c.jpg Live and learn. :icon_rolleyes: Thankfully there was a cavity in which I could fit my hand to retrieve the bolt. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1032c7f888.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...a5c778dfd0.jpg The pesky forward leaf spring bolts seizing to the bushings, https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...bc71631c52.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...87e45fb279.jpg Worn forward leaf spring bolts. And Napa gave us the wrong wheel bearing which ended up damaging my brand new brake rotor on our initial test drive today....grrrrr! Inspected the drum brakes, the pads are pretty worn, and one drum has a "crease" inside of it all of the way around. Added to the list. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...9321188c7e.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...04b03d3b09.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1bf3260716.jpg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...43c0eb2be3.jpg Also discovered a burned out brake light while watching my friend back her off of the lift. Ha. :rolleyes: New u-bolts from Fat Bob's Garage (Amazon). https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...330907c3fc.jpg I recommend measuring your axl with calipers before ordering u-bolts so you don't order the wrong size like I did...I'm seeing a trend here... https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...696155626f.jpg Here's how she sits with new leafs, old coils (and mismatched wheels). |
So far only minimal rust discovered which makes me pretty happy! Corners of the rocker panels behind the rear tires.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...040afdd04b.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...48f6c29966.jpg |
Originally Posted by Ralph77
(Post 3540703)
I can't remember who's tag line this is.
And I am probably paraphrasing a bit but: They told me to buy a Jeep. What they did not tell me is what happens after you do. So true huh? |
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