Finished the frame stiffeners and got the rock rails welded on. Also installed an oil skid plate. Tomorrow we are heading out to Telluride to do a bunch of Jeep badge trails and camp.

 

I can't believe this held on at highway speeds.
Just drove nearly 300 miles round trip to see my sister, which is not amazing in itself.

The amazing thing is that I drove most of those miles with a couple of rags jammed down in between the lower radiator hose and the transmission line so that stupid tranny line couldn't pop out. They say necessity is the mother of invention.

+1 for redneck ingenuity.

Now I really need to replace that part. That trip was a tad harrowing.

After yet another box store sold me the wrong part, I think I finally located the correct one, the "lower radiator to transmission" one...guess I'll take the bike in to work because I can't get it until tomorrow.

 

That is awesome!
We got grand kids older than that and it will be a cold day in hell when they get our keys! ^^
As it is they all want nothing to do with repairing things but it does make me wonder about the future of the rigs. I just hope they end up in good hands.

 

So while hot today the humidity is on the low side.
Figured I would get the rear door panels painted.
I knew I would need more paint to do all 4 but figured lets see how the 2
come out before I spend money on more paint.
They look OK but will know better when I remove all the tape.
I tried to mask off carefully and make sure to get down in around the edges.
We shall see but I am going to let them sit for a few days first.
Couple of the clips need to be replaced on each one.
I keep these things in "stock" but it took me forever to remember where I put them.

 

Looks factree Ralph!

 

Thank you.
But I am thinking not quite. When I put them on I will take a picture of both panels for you guys to see.
But I am thinking it is close enough for me. LOL.

 

Leaving for Iraq in January, for over a year, and I cant take it with me, so might as well pass it down. I picked up two VR4's for a project when I get back. The Forum's fb page is in good hands, The IG page will be passed on to two people, and here will be passed on to two of our well known members. My 96 XJ, yeah I will be there to help my son build it as he wants when I return, but until then, he can get the basics down from everyone else by researching and reading, as we all have done.

 

Jeep Cherokee XJ 242 ci, I6, 358,000 miles
Cleaned Idle Speed Motor. Two Torx 20 screws (Thanks jerks). The last time it was cleaned or changed was never.
Used CRC Mass Airflow Sensor cleaner on the part, cleaned throttle body with CRC Throttle Body Cleaner.
Screws had some sort of brownish red thread sealer. I reassembled with blue Locktite because that's what I have on hand.
Those screws were a bit of a pain to get out. The on sale $7 set of about 100 Torx/phillips/hex bits didn't seem to work at first (SKUs 68457, 91310, 62657). Disconnected the TPS connector also to have more room. Bought a set of Pittsburgh (Harbor Freight) long screwdriver style "star" drivers (SKU 94757). Check this out, none of them are marked with the size! Also used a little multi-tool style set from HF. Finally was able to get the bottom screw out with the original setup.
Reassembly it will behoove you to place that bottom screw in the ISM housing first before seating the part home. Some dielectric grease on the gasket helps keep the part in place while getting the screws started.
My Harbor Freight 205 piece set of green HNBR O-Rings did not have a match for the black O-ring which looks about 20mm ID, 2mm thick. However, the original O-ring was in good shape.

 

So I finally got my part and it looks correct... get it back together and it's still leaking from the same place. After removing the lower radiator hose from the radiator for more clearance, I was able to get that side to actually CLICK into place. Refill with coolant.

Now the quick connect *that I just replaced with a new one* is leaking at the transmission. It's not a serious leak but it drips way too often to just ignore, so now that it's getting dark I decided to wait until morning to pull it out and try to bend the tube so that it goes in exactly straight.

It is difficult to see under the rig, in the dark, and at about a 45 degree angle from where I can access it using a creeper. Flashlights help but it's still very much trial and error again.

Nothing on this rig is a piece of cake, ever.

Still the favorite vehicle I have ever owned.

 

I got tired of the xj arms not flipping up so I upgraded them to ones for a 2006 tj unlimited. everything was purchased on Amazon. Direct fit.

 

Wait so you are saying those will completely come up off the windshield?

 

So IMO what Jeep should have done in the first place.
One homemade 2 tone Camel Limited Door Panel.

You really can't tell from the shot but it is not exactly the same color as my regular one.
Limited I painted on the left.

Also it will never shine quite like the regular one.
But that is OK with me.
Maybe I should have hit it with some clearcoat.
One step closer to my Limited Clone interior. LOL.

Get the other rear one on today.
Still have to paint the fronts too.

 

So as it turns out, following internet directions is sometimes wise. The missing parts of the puzzle were the missing o-rings and the spacer. It's seachable but just for reference, it goes: quick connect, o-ring, spacer, o-ring from bottom flare to top of the hard line. No leaks after filling up and running for 30 minutes. I believe we have a winner!

 

I loved reading this... Not only what all you have done to your Jeep (I'm a bit envious lol) I also like *Physiology with Respect to Vision*
Truly 'Insightful'
Much respect and aloha to you.

 

That's the next item on my to-do list :/ I just put in a new water pump. Being very new to all things under the hood, let's just say a lot of "F bombs" were dropped in the 2 days it took me to replace it. Self learning auto mechanics at this point in my life has made me appreciate the value of patience. Now to work on my language lol