Jeep Cherokee Forum

Jeep Cherokee Forum (https://www.cherokeeforum.com/)
-   Jeep Builds (https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/)
-   -   Project: Wedding Present (https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/project-wedding-present-238491/)

CherokeeAaron 08-26-2017 05:37 PM

Project: Wedding Present
 
Hey Everyone, I'm new to this forum. I Just wanted to start a build thread for the build i'm doing. A little background on why I have this bone stock Renix. My wife and I recently got married and to help pay for the wedding, my old XJ had to go for the money.


My Old Cherokee:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...b66c48caa7.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...d3b7005585.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...6c34b9c8fd.jpg




Paying for the wedding took about a year or so and the entire time I had seller's remorse. So after the wedding as a wedding gift for me, she found a 1987 Cherokee for $1000.00. The seller said it had an overheating issue and other minor problems. Typical but nothing that couldn't be fixed. The Jeep has 245K miles and appears to have been decently taken care of.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1225e6c072.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...5a6b22506b.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...b8651d89b9.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...0203e4976c.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...229458be52.jpg

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...d7286267e8.jpg




One thing I was very happy about is she was able to track one down with an original Dana 44. I've already started doing little things to fix it up to my liking.



The instrument cluster that was in it was modified to have an aftermarket oil pressure gauge in it. Which didn't even work.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...ce7f083db3.jpg




I went to the junk yard and was able to find a full instrument cluster for the Renix years. I snag two others in case some of the gauges didn't work in the one I was going to swap.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...17aa772981.jpg



Some people are going to think its stupid and simple minded to have the full instrument cluster but I like it. After tearing the dash apart and replacing the the upper speedo cable, I got it in and it worked great.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...520c55e717.jpg



While I had the instrument cluster out, I went to OneWayLight.com and ordered the full interior and cluster LED kits.

Before: (I forgot to take pictures of the original lights so I snagged one from google for comparison)

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f66c27e39c.jpg


After:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...e125404ec6.jpg



I think they turned out great. After swapping the interior lights and fixing some wiring gremlins. I was able to get all the interior lights working again. I'll say, it is night and day difference between incandescent bulbs to LED's.


LED Swap: (Sorry, I don't have before pictures but if you have the stock interior lights i'm sure you know what it's like inside.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...38e95a3295.jpg

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...2f0598a0d8.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...e430713ca3.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...16c7b6c896.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...0d08fa7a94.jpg



I started doing the fun part of fixing the overheating issue and decided to change the head gasket and basically clean and refresh the whole upper end.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...fea1176e15.jpg



I'm also going to be doing a closed loop to open loop cooling system.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...87cdfaadd8.jpg



Once I got everything out of the engine bay, I checked my motor mounts and of course they were shot so I picked up some new rubber Brown Dog Mounts to replace them.

Old Mounts:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...e314ea110c.jpg

New Mounts:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...bfd8dcc7e9.jpg



I have lots of other parts i'm going to be replacing in the process once I start putting the reconditioned cylinder head back on. The machine shop found 4 cracks in the head I gave them so they found another Renix era head that was crack free and reconditioned that one for me. I'll be installing the new head and everything else next weekend so check back later.

Reconditioned Cylinder Head and new MLS gasket and intake/exhaust manifold gasket:

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...ccb658c7b4.jpg

OmgNoWai 08-27-2017 10:16 AM

Clean XJ! Those LED lights are bright!

CherokeeAaron 08-27-2017 08:19 PM


Originally Posted by OmgNoWai (Post 3418818)
Clean XJ! Those LED lights are bright!

I definitely recommend OneWayLights.com. They actually put defusers on the LED so it's not just concentrating light on one spot.

CherokeeAaron 08-27-2017 08:55 PM

Well, today was a very productive day. I got quite a bit of the engine back together. There are still some issue that need to be addressed though. Here are a few pictures of today accomplishments.

New Brown Dog mounts installed:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...55b4d786da.jpg

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...93836664ae.jpg

Old worn out motor mounts:

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...3cfe04449d.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...eb814595ff.jpg


Installed and torqued cylinder head, push rods, and rockers:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...e780c0e700.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...60523747a7.jpg


Installed and torqued exhaust and intake manifolds. Installed new oxygen sensor, fuel pressure regulator, as well as upgraded to 703 injectors:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...205aa8edb4.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...cd3af17cd0.jpg


Last task of the day was getting the oil filter adapter reinstalled with new o-rings for it:

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...1cc99820a7.jpg


I the fuel line reinstalled with new o-ring for the quick disconnects. While installing the intake manifold I check the EGR valve and of course the diaphragm is shot. So there is another source of a vacuum leak. I got a new one in order as well as a new coolant temperature sender. I got a new map sensor which I'll be installing but I have to do cruiser54 throttle body to map sensor vacuum mod since my vacuum line has bit the dust. Check back later for more updates.

Batman33165 08-28-2017 01:06 PM

Looks great, hey what seats where in the front seat of your old cherokee? they look nice

CherokeeAaron 08-28-2017 05:20 PM


Originally Posted by Batman33165 (Post 3419102)
Looks great, hey what seats where in the front seat of your old cherokee? they look nice

I can't tell you 100% sure but I believe they were from a WJ. Got them out of a buddy's rig when he rolled it.

CherokeeAaron 08-28-2017 06:35 PM

Yesterday I got quite a bit accomplished on the jeep.

Installed new Brown Dog motor mounts:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...a7cb408362.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...2afbbde14f.jpg


Some pictures of the old, worn out mounts. I'm surprised the PO didn't notice these or even their mechanic that did the work on the cooling system.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...d239f3060d.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...9f139e9138.jpg


Installed new o-rings on the oil filter adapter and reinstalled. The old o-ring broke in my hand so they were probably the originals from '87.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...78333b6336.jpg


So I don't know how you all are able to get to a torque wrench on head bolt 14 in the back but the pinch seam on the firewall needed a little persuasion to fit mine.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...6631d7fd4c.jpg


Pictures on the head, push rods, and rockers installed and torqued.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...124d44e3ef.jpg

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...dc1fd870bd.jpg


Pictures of the intake and exhaust manifolds installed and torqued. Also upgraded to 703 injectors and replaced the fuel pressure regulator. EGR valve is removed and a new one is on order due to a bad diaphragm.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...2ea801e021.jpg

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...887b3a76dd.jpg


My MAP sensor vacuum hose is toast and couldn't fine a good used one at the JY so i'm doing cruiser54 tip 31. Waiting for fittings to come in from NAPA.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...bfed8c06a2.jpg

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...5364391bf2.jpg


That's about it for now. I should have her running this weekend hopefully then I can replace all my fluids and start doing my two piece to one piece Dana 30 CAD Delete.

TFitzPat87 09-01-2017 09:49 AM

Subbed! Should turn out to be a nice ride!

CherokeeAaron 09-01-2017 10:16 AM


Originally Posted by TFitzPat87 (Post 3419970)
Subbed! Should turn out to be a nice ride!

If you would like to follow this build, check out my website, RenixAaron. I've tried to submit updates but I'm having problems getting my updates posted. I'm not sure if its a moderator/admin problem or a website problem. I try to give updates same day on the website. Thanks for checking out the build.

CherokeeAaron 09-01-2017 10:23 AM

Today's post on my website has updates on the reassembly of the top end up the engine.

RenixAaron - Engine Repairs

Batman33165 09-01-2017 11:59 AM

following ^^^

CherokeeAaron 09-03-2017 04:10 AM

Hey everyone, I just posted an update on my website. Check it out to see the first start after completing the head job. (Short Video) I also upgraded the cooling and did a few of cruiser54 mods.

RenixAaron - First Start.

CherokeeAaron 09-04-2017 03:33 AM

Hey everyone, I poster a few new post on my website. Check them out and subscribe for future updates.

RenixAaron - Oversea's Junk

RenixAaron - Gauges and Backlighting

RenixAaron - Interior LED Upgrade

CherokeeAaron 09-05-2017 06:28 PM

Air conditioning working. Check out my website to see my walk through. Thanks Everyone.

RenixAaron - Make Air Conditioning Great Again

CherokeeAaron 09-16-2017 09:02 AM

Hey everyone, I just posted some updates on my build log if you'd like to check it out on my website.

RenixAaron - Keep It Up (Rear gate lift strut replacement)

RenixAaron - C101 Connector Delete (Eliminating the C101 Connector and splicing the harness w/videos)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:26 PM.


© 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands