Project Betty
 

I've been watching the forums, but finally have a reason to make a thread. For a little back story, Ive been around lifted trucks all my life, but am new to Jeeps. After a couple years of searching, I finally found the right deal for the money. It is a 1989 Cherokee Laredo 4.0. I bought it from a friend of mine. It had been sitting for a while and he finally decided to sell it. I jumped at the chance. He said it didn't run. It would crank, but not fire. I paid $1100 for it, and that was as it sat, title in hand, with an extra set of Mickey Thompson wheels and 35's. As it sits now, it had IRO 4.5 Critical Path Long Arms, Rough Stuff Rear leafs, Dana 30 front with LockRite locker, LSD Trussed Dana 44 rear, JCR front bumper with led pods, Kore beadlocks with 35" TSL Boggers. For $1100, he even had a flatbed haul it to my house. It was in my garage for less than a half hour when I called him and told him it was running. A new battery and a crank sensor, and she came to life. After sitting for a year, she's a little dirty, and needs some TLC. But I plan to bring her back to glory. This will be a slow build, but heavy pics. Will upload some pics this weekend. As I am new to Jeeps, any advice is welcomed.

Sounds like an awesome deal! Welcome to the forum.

I feel like I know you from somewhere, you on the HPJ board?

Thanks. I have big plans for it.

HPJ Board? Doesn't sound familiar. But if you're in Butner, I'm pretty close to you (over in Wendell)

Maybe from the NC4x4 board then, or somewhere else. Haha.

Let me know if you ever need any parts, I have a shop up here with a ton of parts.

I'm on NC4x4, but not very active. But I am slowly putting together a list of parts I need. I know I wanna replace all the doors including the rear hatch. Color doesn't matter, but I would prefer manual locks/windows, and both front doors matching so I don't have to re-key anything. I plan on getting in the garage this weekend and start cleaning it out/making a game plan. I know there is more, but I just need to sit down and make a list

So I figured I'd get a few pictures up while I was looking around it this morning. Here is Betty in her new home

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...0bb73e6c3a.jpg

As you can see, she's got the 4.0 Renix (original motor)

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...508d99d560.jpg

And only 185K on the odometer

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...4fd97b6577.jpg

The interior isn't in the best shape (carpet is missing and the rest looks rough)

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...4bac8fdbe2.jpg

Also came with a sunroof (I don't trust it)

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f88c911fd3.jpg

The guy also hacked the wiring for quick removal of the doors

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f5f1d0eb61.jpg

I noticed a hole in the floor right above the exhaust pipe

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...9f039a455f.jpg

He also attempted the infamous "Cut and Fold" minus the FOLD

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...b5f1696550.jpg

But the front suspension is looking pretty good

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...895a39994b.jpg

As well as the front bumper

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...65d0dd2b8d.jpg

Iron Rock Long Arms

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...fd21b78246.jpg

Trussed Dana 44

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...af5be3c921.jpg

Looks like it's got some wear, but it's also got some nice goodies on it.
Are those...bullet holes?!?

"Wear" is an understatement. Yes, those are bullet holes. Nothing too big of caliber. But the goodies are what sold me on it. I can deal with the body work.


I got most of the interior out yesterday ,got the trans fluid and filter changed, and changed the drive belt. Still need to get the oil and filter changed, valve cover gasket, and finish getting the interior out

Didn't get much done today besides pulling the valve cover. I'm gonna take it to work and put it in our steam machine to clean it. Also took the beadlocks and Super Swampers off and got the Jeep on jackstands. Need to get the old wheels and tires sold and get a new set of 35s for my other set of wheels.

Okay, so Ive got a birds nest of vacuum lines in my engine bay. I really wanna get it all cleaned up. Anyone have an idea of what I can delete? A friend of mine does state inspections, so as long as the CEL doesn't come on, I'm good. I just wanna clean it up a little. I know its got a leak somewhere cause it idles high. Any advice is appreciated

Haven't updated in a while. Been busy with work. But I do have some updates. I finished pulling the rest of the interior and pulled all the carpet. I cut out the rusted hole in the floor and welded in a new piece. Sold the deadlocks and swampers, along with a set of Mickey Thompson Classic Locks. Bought a set of 15x10 black D-windows for $180. Picked up a set of 35" BFG A/Ts with Mickey Thompson Classic 3's for $400. The wheels are for an S10, so I sold them for $250. So Ive got $330 in wheels and tires now which makes me happy. I found my rear drums were loose when I was mounting my new wheels, so I pulled the drums and the rear brakes and shot. Need to change the shoes. I picked up a set of front seats out of an 01 XJ, but it looks like they will take more modification than I wanna deal with right now, so I'm gonna sell them. The steering wheel had a lot of slop in it and I tracked it to the infamous GM steering column issue where the bolts back out. Tore it apart and put some locktite on them and now its real snug. Still need to replace the valve cover gasket and change the oil. I really wanna get this thing on the road by May 1st for URE this year. Now onto the pictures:

Cut out the rusted section of floor

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...ba17d87f5a.jpg

Got my D Windows mounted

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...42c68a58a9.jpg

The stance looks good to me

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...0ae16b53c1.jpg

Mickey Thompson Classic 3's I sold

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...a9a5305a2f.jpg

Seats I picked up and am selling

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...627058d26b.jpg

Looks like a great project so far. I would recommend some edge trim on the front fenders so you don't slice your hands one of these days. At least he did cut and fold the rear.

Yeah, Im gonna clean up the fenders once I get the main issues straight. And he cut the rear, but left gapping holes so now I need to weld in some sheet to close it up. But it's coming along slowly. I have to go to Ohio for a week for work in April, so I'm gonna lose some time to work on it before May

Well, I think this project is taking a new turn. I was over at a buddy's house picking up some Jeep parts and noticed he has a nice 98 XJ in his back lot. After talking back and forth, he said he'd cut me a deal on it. I guess it was fate because later that afternoon, I moved my XJ out of the garage and when the wife tried moving it back in...nothing. So my plan is buy the 98, throw my axles and lift under it, and have a nicer, newer XJ and stop beating myself senseless trying to get this Renix straight.