OverlandZJ

Very nice! Jeep is coming along nicely in short order.. how do you like the ZJ seats comfort?

Those seats came out of my 98 ZJ.

XxXJ99xX

Damn that thing is NICE, why cant i ever find a damn 5-speed 4x4 in that good a condition around here....

95XJ-PA

Thats a cool tip, will try! Thanks!!

95XJ-PA

Thanks OverlandXJ - the seats made a world of difference, was like sitting on two boards before. I like the side bolsters for back support...Now I need to find a set of rear seats and mod those...

95XJ-PA

Okay, pulled EBay console out of shed, cleaned and installed into Jeep. Only issues were the mounts, proximity of the front vent and the ebrake. I got it mounted, bent the ebrake and will have to make an adapter to close the gap up front. But! I have cup holders and it sits nicely between the seats and arm rest is at a perfect height.

95XJ-PA

Does anyone know if the 5 spd console is any different in the 97-2001's? After looking at the comparison pics, I'm wondering if the console I got was for an automatic and if the 5spd console might be a better fit?

onebigmj

The consoles are the same for 5speeds and autos you just have to find the shifter boot to fit the 97+console. The brake handles and mounts are different too. Im saving up parts to do the same interior swap as you. Looks really good.

95XJ-PA

Thanks onebigmj. Will have to do a JY swoop and see if I cant find one.

95XJ-PA

Its been awhile, more updates! I replaced the clutch slave cylinder, bled and still had same lack of clutch. Not wanting to pull the trans, I replaced the clutch master cylinder, did a manual bleed (unmounted slave, opened master cylinder top, repeatedly pushed slave cylinder rod with hand) and this worked to give me plenty of clutch.


So with the clutch out of the way, installed a new AC condenser (36 degrees at the middle vent!!!) hidden hitch and a Magnaflow exhaust (cat-back)

I bought one of the cats from mudfrog but have yet to install as it is 2.25 inches ID and so is the down pipe, so will have to either pick up some adapters or have this welded.

After that I had the RR Passenger door repaired




They also repaired and repainted the two wheel flares on the right side. Bad part about all of this is now it highlights the dent in the RF Passenger Door and another dent on the other side - will have to get those repaired before I use stevieboy's Black 99 builds detailing tips. Really love the build of his black jeep, may use a few more ideas from him!
Yesterday, replaced the rear diff cover with one from ruffstuffspecialties.com's version. See the before and after - what a difference, got rid of the growling gears in reverse as well...




Love the HD nature of this cover! Was a breeze to install after wire wheeling the diff flange, used rtv diff sealant and installed. Had originally painted cover but wasnt happy with results so cleaned all paint off and will repaint after lift kit is installed...looking at a 4.5", a TC drop(initially), new shocks, extended brakelines, SB discos and at some point an SYE kit install.
Got this as a freebie, just have to fab up some brackets - will this qualify me for the "built, not bought" club? LOL


and my bracket plans (so far)


If I can pull this off, will be able to save a few $$$$ on a spare tire carrier...lastly, got this old KC light bar and lights (missing foot clamps and light wires are cut) from the same source (friends garage - he was getting rid of stuff that was laying around) Planning on installing the round lights onto a detours front bumper light bar...Square ones, not sure about yet....


Next on the list is to remove carpeting, repair floors, bedline floor, order lift kit, install ordered left rear bumper corner, work on undercoating underside, get cat installed, etc, etc, etcetera!

Livekill05

can you post up everything you used to do your headliner?

95XJ-PA

Sure, no problem! WLS Headliner Kit for Jeep Cherokee ($54.90) comes with 1 can 3M Supertack 76 glue, fiberglass cloth (chopped) and 3M Bondo All Purpose Fiberglass Resin - 3.7L plus another can of 3M aerosol glue from Home Depot (I think it was about $40.00 total), about 10 razor blades to cut headliner material (dulls blades quick!). I have seen a few people knocking WLS but my experience was outstanding with them. The few wrinkles that I had have since disappeared without steaming and after roughly a month, the headliner remains solid... When doing your headliner, try to keep the form in one piece, its very fragile...helps to minimize repair work with the fiberglass cloth and resin...also used a long banquet table to work on and kept working area clean. Work with a small area (maybe 2'X2') when applying the resin it drys quick! Last thing, gloves, goggles and respirator even when working outside...

88MJ.uggernaut

Your Xj looks clean! good deal!

95XJ-PA

Thanks 88MJ.uggernaut! Little by little and with the continued help from the forum I will get there...

95XJ-PA

Ordered my lift kit this AM from JeepingOutfitters.com I am getting the Rubicon Express 3.5" XJ SuperRide w/leafs , along with the tc drop, 4 DoetshTech DT3000's shocks all for $739.00. Will post pictures of install, before and after once I receive. Also picked up 4 31X10.50X15 tires (Goodyear AT's) from my buddies garage. Hoping to net 4 to 4.5 inches of lift from the RE springs & coils.... Met a guy at the garage today who is planning a 4-5 Jeep trip up to Raush Creek, Life just keeps getting better!

snowboard3r411

how bad did you have to bend the e break?? i bought a 97+ console to install in mine and i went to put it in and dam i would have to bend it alot i also have a 5spd you should post up pics how you mounted the console