I live about 3 miles from the old North Assembly plant and I used to watch the Cherokees and Wranglers roll out of the factory.
Now it's a gravel lot now with just the old OVERLAND stack still standing

I am on my 2nd XJ. My wife also had one until November when the 0331 head let go at 110k miles.
It's now my parts-car for my most recent purchase

My 1st XJ was a 2000 I scored for $3500 in Troy MI for $3700.
I added a 3" lift, SYE, interior mods like gauges, rear headrests, and other stuff I am probably forgetting.
At 151k miles it started to clatter terribly. A buddy who works at a local Jeep dealer had a new in crate 2001 4.0 I bought and installed.
About this time I scored a job 60 miles from home and the commute was killing me.
In an attempt to keep my 2000 I bought a cheap Cavalier which proceeded to fail weekly.
I had to sell both cars for something better on gas. It's sad that a Crown Vic cop car was a Prius by comparison to my XJ

Here's the 2000 and the wife's black 01



ZJ headrests



here is my install points for my gauges





Crate motor



Before I sold it

 

So I went 4 years w/o a Jeep and I have enjoyed not hemorrhaging money, chasing parts, getting stranded, not listening for noises or vibrations, pouring gas by the Exxon tankerfull into the tank and feeling like I am riding in a dodge Neon

On the other hand I have forgotten how bad XJ's are to own and the winters here SUCK when driving a cop car plus I had an extra $1300 and a parts-car so why not?







The best feature is the rust. I don't have to feel sad when I smash this thing into trees and rocks


6.5" long arm lift with a 3" in back with shackels and blocks. I need to fix that but 1st I have to replumb brake lines and put in a new cooling fan. I know the PO and he was a mechanic so he kept on fluids, brakes and all 300 Ujoints. I guess we'll see how deep this rabbit hole goes...

 

Some other crap I own

 

Great looking XJs you all have there. :-)





...

 

Welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome back man... and to CherokeeForum!

 

Looks like some of my pics may be busted so I thought I'd rehost and give a couple updates

Day 1 on the test drive. I see potential, everyone else sees junk






PS pump, belts etc



Got the rusted shut rear doors unstuck and tossed on a $150 Amazon Curt roof rack



earned the heater core secret handshake






cut and fold




rocker fixins



cheap gauges



33s > 31s




ZJ skid



Free winch? Yes please

 

I guess I should fix the floor






Parts car floor welded and panel adheisive'd in. Bedliner'd it all






Dif fluids changed



Doorless mod



weeeeeee



lockable cago cover



winchy

 

52" light bar



and some round backup lights

 

wheelin








bendy





fixt

 

As it sits today on halloween. The black on the hood is plastidip. I wanted to see if it cut the glare of the bar. Works pretty good. Looks like crap

 

Welcome from England, very nice.

 

Welcome to CF!