ClassicXJ

Hey guys, so ive been reading some of the other Build stories on here and decided that it would be fun to have a build thread of my own. I recently purchased a 98 Cherokee Classic with a 4.0 and 147000 miles. I got a pretty good deal I think at $3000. Anyway so I started my build about a week ago and its coming along great! When I bought the Jeep there was a hole in the roof where a sunroof used to be so that was my first project. I had a fully power moon roof installed for $250 (the guy i bought it from kicked in some extra cash too).

Here is the Jeep as a whole.


Here is the moon roof that I had put in.






The Jeep also had a cracked windshield when I got it. And it needed new wiper blades. The guy I bought it from said it had been sitting for six months but I think it had been longer. The oil change sticker said next service due 10-3-07 at 144000 and I bought it 9-27-09 with 147000.

Here is the windshield


And here are the BFG ATs that came on it!!



I started with an lof and thats about it. First on the list of things to do is the windshield which im going to get installed right now.

Oh and i forgot to mention it has an after-market cd player which is sweet to us kids with our systems haha its only a Sony Xploid but its ok!

ClassicXJ

So the bad news begins. I drove the Jeep out of the garage and its pouring out. When I got to the windshield place there was some water coming in from the moon roof. I think its leaking a little but im gonna keep my fingers crossed that a little water just got in there when I opened it to take those pictures...

ClassicXJ

The windshield is installed! $175 seemed like a lot but oh well im glad its done. Next im going to install some Xenon headlights so I can see better on the trail. Has anyone else used Xenon? if so what temperature did you use?

Skreed

cool i just picked up almost the same deal ....99 classic 140k mi for 3 grand

ClassicXJ

I installed my new headlights. They are amazing. I decided to go with 5000K which are the brightest option. I will post a night time driving picture asap!

ClassicXJ

I picked up a wheel bearing from the junk yard today because mine was bad. It only cost me $30 which was much better than the $120 for a new one. I installed it and it works great! It was a b**** to get to though. I ended up having to torch the old one off haha but its all good now. I found some rust on the underside of the floorboard on the driver's side. Does anyone know anything I could do to try to patch it? It is starting to wear through the floor :/ Could I just patch it with some diamond plating or sheet metal or something? Like just weld a piece over the rust? Thanks guys!

And sorry to disregard your post Skreed! Thats an even better deal than mine! Nice dude!!

blackblackblack

Hey there just bought my black 98 classic (138k) for 3 grand a few weeks back. Check it out with black powder coated rims and the lettering on the wheels blacked out in my pics..

ClassicXJ

Dude thats sick looking! I was kinda sad that mine wasnt black. i sold a 2000 impala with blacked out everything all the way around in order to buy a jeep

blackblackblack

Thanks - yeah I thought yours was black - must have been the pix. Is that green or blue? What's the word on the sunroof, that leakin or was that just from having it open for your snapshots?

ironmanandy

Good looking jeep man, hope to see lots more in the future!
Andy-ironman4x4

ClassicXJ

Yeah its a dark green. it must have been the pics. And i forgot to mention it was great news! The sunroof leak was just from opening it! it has been pouring here for like 3 straight days and no leaking at all! i was so excited.

Thanks for the compliment Andy!

Im going to take the Jeep to my dad's shop (hes a mechanic) and see about a couple noises that ive been hearing. I went on my first wheeling expedition, which was just a short run, but enough to do a little damage by the sound of it. hopefully its not too expensive! I found the perfect place by my house long trails through the woods. very up and down, steep inclines, and a huge mud pit (I didnt try the mud pit yet because it was dark and I couldnt see what I was getting into). Im going to head back there this weekend and my dad is gonna bring his 4x4 so he can pull me out if I get stuck. This is seriously the best unofficial off-roading place ive seen. Its PERFECT!

ClassicXJ

So the damage was at an extreme minimum. It was only a broken support for the exhaust pipe lol a quick weld and we were good to go. And go we did. I took the Jeep out to same same location I previously talked about with my dad in his truck. It was awesome. I had a bad U-joint and this trip made it horrible but I will get it replaced next week! Here are some pics of the wheeling!!

Here is the mud hole that we played around in.


Here is me going through the mud.


Here is what my Jeep looked like after it all, safe and sound back in my driveway.

ClassicXJ

Sorry it took me so long but I said I would post a pic of the new Xenon headlight so here it is.

frankenstein897

ClassicXJ, Nice Jeep bro. I had a '94 Cherokee and threw a rod. So, I got a '99 Cherokee Classic for $2900 with 116K. Love it. I hope to get pics soon just haven't taken any yet. Keep up the good work and posting pictures. You are motivating me. I do need to do the head lights. I want to do a lift and bigger tires too. Soon, I hope.

goblazers_6

Good lookin Jeep. What are you long-term plans for it?