GtiKyle

Well I'm thinking that this vehicle is pretty well built as i bought it, but there will be changes as i go along. I've had several cherokees over the years, but since i just graduated from college now I feel like i have the money and time to build something good, instead of it turning into a DD. This is how it looked when i picked it up:







1998 Cherokee sport 160k
4.0, Auto, NP231
Skyjacker 6.5" Long Arm
Kevlar MTR 35x12.5"
Bushwackers
D30/8.25 - 4.56's and detroits f/r
Rhinolined lower 1/4
Upgraded steering


Future plans:

• Build a cargo box with drawers for tools/recovery gear
• Fabricate custom sliders (similar to JCoffroad design), rear bumper and front bumper to accept a winch
• Buy a winch
• Upgrade transmission cooler/gauge
• 4:1 xfer case? (maybe)
• Steering box brace

This won't see DD duty, but just travel to trails and camping trips. It had some issues when i bought it.

• Passenger window doesn't work
• Drivers side doesn't roll up easy.
• No reverse lights
• Leaking Rear end
• Gauges intermittently stop working/ needles just fall, then come back up

I'm big on doing searches, since most people have already encountered problems, so all you need to do is a little bit of research to see what's out there. I will be trying to link any other threads to this one, so anyone wanting more info can dig away.

So the first fix I've done is the cleaning the NSS. A writeup can be found here:
http://jeepin.com/features/nss

Like clockwork, the reverse lights work.

Next issue I'll be battling is the rear end leaking. It's leaking around the axletube - differential housing. The previous owner played dumb on this, but you can tell it was either wheeled really hard, or someone didn't know how to drive a locker on the street.

You'll notice the plug welds are missing:




After some digging, it looks like the tube spun, and busted it's plugs loose. I found someone else had the same issue that I did :
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/s...-tube-1087701/

I plan on working on it after work today. My plan is to loosen up the Ubolts, attach a pipe wrench to the axle tube, and heat the differential with a torch. When it's nice and warm, ill beat the hell out of the wrench, hopefully getting things back in line. Then clean the area and weld both the plugs and axle tube to housing.

More updates to come...

Gee oh Dee

Looks like a beautiful truck!

Kamaran

Hmm its a 98 so I think its a 29spline already...I was going to say ditch the housing and keep the internals and swap them into a new housing!
It may still be easier to do that..

GtiKyle

I'm hoping the housing can just be repaired. It doesn't look too ****-eyed or bent out of shape. I think the tube just spun, and it leaks from that sealing surface. If i get it lined back up, and throw a weld bead around it, it should seal it up. Worst case scenario however, i just pull my internals and find another housing to stuff them into.

Kamaran

Ya makes me want to weld mine up lol....
I didn't know this was an issue with the C8.25...I've welded the tubes on a 8.8 for a buddy but didn't know this happened to the c8.25

1ABrian

Holy crap thats awsome!!! As for the rear axle...at least its fixable. Good luck with it.

GtiKyle

Well i got the rear end all patched up. It didn't look like it had shifted too much, but the main issue was the leak. I think i got it take care of...Please excuse my crap welds, I'm no pro, and it's tight under that jeep.