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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
Last edited by Elivnitup; 04-22-2019 at 07:57 PM.
Reason: Crossing items off the list
Rear leaf spring bushing Rear leaf spring bushings Sway bar bushing
Not impressed with the ride Leaking trans cooling line Trans cooling line Broken exhaust bracket Missing fender flare
Last edited by Elivnitup; 01-27-2019 at 09:49 AM.
Reason: Wrong part
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.... Ruined u-joints! Sway bar link kit on the right, only enough for one link, blah
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
Well, today was a big one. Eight hours on my feet and with plenty of assistance. New Dorman 929 301 leaf springs,
front sway bar link bushings,
Iron Rock Offroad greasable, adjustable leaf shackles
Flipped them because they rubbed against the bolts by the bumper
Old Man Emu steering stabilizer (aka The Chub ha)
All new Bilstein 4600 shocks (the old Ranchos? in the front were totally unresponsive, the Skyjackers in the rear were nearly so).
I discovered that the previous owner removed the rear anti-sway bars (or is it sway bars) 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).
Left leaf springs were cracked!
Ordered the wrong coil springs Too short and did not seat
I decided to keep the springs she had when I purchased her. Removed the two-inch spacers
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.
Live and learn. Thankfully there was a cavity in which I could fit my hand to retrieve the bolt.
The pesky forward leaf spring bolts seizing to the bushings,
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.
Also discovered a burned out brake light while watching my friend back her off of the lift. Ha.
New u-bolts from Fat Bob's Garage (Amazon).
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... Here's how she sits with new leafs, old coils (and mismatched wheels).
Last edited by Elivnitup; 02-15-2019 at 08:50 AM.
Reason: More pics
01-20-2019, 02:05 PM
Pepper The XJ Return to Stock
Getting to know her I guess...
Thankfully there was a cavity in which I could fit my hand to retrieve the bolt.
