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Another XJ brought back to life Farm Build
It all started here: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/br...2/#post3615312
Quick summary; 91 XJ Laredo, 289K, been sitting for over two years (according to wife). The motor has been replaced with ? (auto zone type long block by PO) It is all there and everything works except AC, hatch shocks and the CAD, I even have the original carpet floor mats and the luggage shade cover thing. This will be used for light work on the farm and mostly play. Yesterday, replaced NSS and battery and it fired right up (on the old gas). I had a set of canyon wheels with 30" Geolanders so I put those on it. Today I played on the flat trails a little. Plans are lift: 3" and 32s, trim fenders, bump stops, sway bar disconnects. Right now looking at Rustys 3" advanced kit (out of stock) or maybe the DPG OME hybrid kit ($). But may do something a little different. axles: was hoping to just drop in some lunchbox lockers, but understand the D35 may be a weak link. Posi lok is on order to fix the CAD issue. Considering my options on how to proceed with the D35. engine: may have a weak head gasket, but is running okay for now. no water in the oil, not running hot (well too hot, the 4.0 is a heat generator!). Will do whatever it takes to keep it running. Body: some kind of minimalist front bumper with winch mount (I have a nice Warn winch), trim rear quarters and maybe the bumper from Rusty that works with that mod. fix the AC and maybe a paint job. Whats next on the to do list: oil and filter, trans, trans filter and t-case fluid, anti freeze, diff fluids and brake fluid. check all brake components and probably replace everything except brake lines (unless totally trashed) plan is to do SS brake lines with the lift. Install posi-lok on the D30. Figure out what to do about the D35. more info to come... do I have to use a hosting service to post pictures on this site? no drag and drop option? |
figured the pictures out...
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...6d112e2ffd.jpg parked behind the barn |
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That is a sweet looking truck. The truck looks good with the canyon wheels.
How is the rust on the truck? |
there is a very little bit of rust at the top corner of the windshield passenger side, a little bubbling on the trim edge.
quarters rockers frame is all clean, zero rust :) |
You sir are a lucky man. A rust free early 90's XJ is rare, especially one that is not cut up or beat to hell. Give it a good cleaning and enjoy it!
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So from research and reading other posts, I understand my Dana 35 is a piece of junk, plan is to get a Chrysler 8-1/4" (or Dana 44 if I can find one) tomorrow morning from the junk yard.
Also, XJ has a high pinion Dana 30 up front. It does have the CAD but I have the parts to deal with that (posi-lok). Only drawback is this older unit has the small u-joints. Since I really dont have rocks to crawl I think I should be okay with these, if I ever have a problem I'll look for 96-99 axle shafts,hubs for it. I understand they drop right in, I can loose the posi-lok then too. So, next on the list is, clean up and install lunchbox locker (will order this once axle is mine) in the 8-1/4". Considering a lunchbox locker for the front too... but Jeep will see occasional trip to town, it is tagged and insured. Not sure a lunchbox is a good choice for the front. Then, lift, tires, bumpers, paint job and acc... will have other posts with questions on these items. |
Score at the Pull-A-Part this morning...
Chrysler 8-1/4 with 3:55 gears out of a '99. I pulled the cleanest one I found, there were several to pick from. Pulled it out and someone had just put new brakes on it, backing plates, wheel cylinders, spring kit and all. Now to order the locker, clean it up, paint, fresh fluids and go... |
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Cool thread, enjoying the build updates!
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here is an update on my "cherry" 8.25"... uggg! going to try and weld a nut or bolt to this and get the cross pin bolt out!
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...4bfbad0d8f.jpg |
Had a little time this morning, got the axles snatched out, pretty big job doing it solo. I had mentioned before this Jeep has zero rust, well today confirmed that. To be honest I know the history of this Jeep and I know it has basically never been "off roading". Every piece of factory hardware came out. The rear shackle bolts to frame came right out, no problem at all. Even the upper rear shock bolts came right out with no issue. Actually the most difficult hardware to remove was the upper control arm to frame bolts, and they were just tight as a mofo... So again, got the axles out, then pressure washed the underside, with a lot of attention to blast off any of the loose factory undercoating. Also removed all the left over pieces of the plastic inner fender wells. I read somewhere that Rock Auto my have new ones cheap so I may get those or just run without them, not sure yet. Next is to decide if I am going to drop the gas tank and clean under there, the Jeep was really so clean I am leaning towards not dropping it. Then use a bedliner type product on the inner fenders and frame. Enough talk, here is a couple pictures;
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...f7d282e804.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...d5f28798ea.jpg I forgot to remove what was left of the rear bump stops... https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...dbcbf25856.jpg |
Had a second wind after dinner, went out and removed the trailer hitch and rear bumper. Going to do the cut and fold. Pretty sure the Rustys bumper for the rear, not sure on the front bumper yet. I need a bumper for an upright style winch, I have a like new Warn 9.5ti that i pulled from a TJ Rubicon before I sold it.
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And a few parts have come in, theres a lot going on in these pics. Tires are here too :)
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...b6d7417190.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...2e497a4318.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...63b4c94e4b.jpg |
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