Hi all,

New XJ owner, purchased a '99 Sport straight six last week, 123k on the odometer. This is the first car/truck I've ever worked on myself, so I'm going slowly with it, but at the moment it runs well, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed -- minimal body rust (a bit on the roof, a bit on the rockers). Not overly interested in wheeling, but I do want something that I can take up north when I go hiking or camping, especially in the winter, and suspect that will lead to wanting to take it off-road. Paid about $3600 for it, and a handful of small maintenance projects are completed already:

- new marine-grade battery
- rewired driver's door with heavy-gauge speaker wire, replacing the shot OEM stuff, and replaced the front speakers
- replaced OEM AF with a K&N air filter
- new serpentine belt (that was fun; managed a bloody knuckle from the radiator fans)
- re-greased the steering linkage
- new headlights (went with SilverStars; the OEM lights were yellowed)
- washed & waxed, new vinyl on the interior, shampooed the carpets, putting in the super-heavy-duty WeatherTech mats
- new muffler (letting the local repair shop do this, as I want it welded in and can't do so at home)

On the to-do list:

- put in a new radio (thinking a Jensen HD 3620 -- this one here: http://www.heavydutyradios.com/jhd_3620.html)
- new sparks and wires
- replace rubber control arm bushings with poly bushings
- check/possibly replace driveshaft U-joints, as it's very rusty; certainly need to replace the worn u-joints, but this may be outside of my skill range
- new front bumper (hoping for an ARB, but man, they're pricey)
- new rear bumper
- new tires and brakes
- new shocks (purchased, not yet in)
- install skid guards on the transfer case and fuel tank
- replace leaf springs (sagging and rusting out)
- pull carpets, bedline the floor, then install sound dampening mats and put the carpet back in
- replace steering stabilizer bars, tie rod(s), crossbar (all rusty, not as urgent, I don't think; I got under the truck and gave everything a good shake, and could not wobble them)

 

Nice beginning! Make it yours, after all you paid for it, didn't you?

 

Awesome Jeep, great color! Welcome to CherokeeForum!

 

Welcome to CF!

We have very similar stories! I just got my first a couple of weeks ago and I've been working on it too. You're has a bit lower milage than mine (143k) but I don't have rust. I put in the silverstars too, huge difference. I still have the serp belt and tranny flush on my list. I also still have a problem with my fog lights, going to replace the relay soon. So far, it's easy and fun to work on.

 

welcome to the site. looks like a pretty cool Cherokee.