What's up, everyone?

Just wanted to pop in here and introduce myself to everyone.

My 19 year old daughter and I have both recently picked up XJ's... I've been a jeep fan since I was a little kid, but always had an excuse to NOT buy one. Growing up, my best friend's father was a VP at AMC and was always bringing home different Jeeps, and he would take us out on the two-tracks and mudding and climbing just sort of got in my blood.

Fast forward 30+ years, and my daughter goes and buys here first vehicle. A 1990 XJ, from a guy that had been restoring it. He wanted to move on to something else, and she got it at a heck of price. Once it was in my driveway, that old urge to own a Jeep crept back in to my blood.

After convincing my wife that I needed a better vehicle to drive in the winter... my current car is an '07 Honda Civic... which is horrible in the snow... she agreed to let me shell out $1000 on a "winter beater"

After 3 weeks of searching, I found a '96 XJ, 206,000 miles, but the engine was rebuilt 15,000 miles ago. It has a lot of issues, but the engine, tranny, transfer case, and axles are all solid. So for $1000, I think I got a pretty good deal.

I've only had it a couple of weeks, but have already been transported back to my youth. Sure, its a Chrysler, not the old AMC's I grew up with, but it still has the same feel to it.

I did think I was having some 4wd issues... maybe a ring gear in the front differential, but turned out the last owner had smaller tires on the front and as soon as I changed those, the jerky feeling I was getting in 4wd went away.

Then this morning, I had to replace a u joint on the rear drive shaft in the parking lot at my part-time job, but I knew that was going... I was just hoping it would hold on until it started warming up. We only have limited tools at my work, but I managed to get her fixed up in time to get to my full-time job. I do love how easy these things are to wrench on.

I don't have a super strong background in automotive mechanics... took auto shop back in high school, but besides changing the oil and doing the breaks on our vehicles, I've always left it up to the professionals. I made myself a deal though... If I bought a jeep, I was going to do all the work on it! (Maybe not rebuilding a transmission or anything, but I think I could swap one out if it ever comes to that).

Things left to do on the XJ once it warms up... I will have to weld in some new floor boards all the way around, and new rocker panels. One fender has a nice big dent, but I have hopes I will be able to pop that back out.. if not, it'll get replaced. I've got one tie rod end that is just starting to go... needs a new muffler... um.... there's probably more, but that's all that's coming to mind, right this sec.

So, that's my story... sorry it was so long, but I tend to ramble on when it comes to this vehicle. It has fulfilled a lifelong dream... and yes, I will admit that my daughter, buying a Jeep before me is what pushed me to finally do it! LOL

Oh, I'm also an airbrush artist, when I can find time paint, and once the mechanical issues are all fixed up, I do plan on giving this a cool paint job... My wife calls my Jeep the "Green Zombie"... she means it ugly... but I love it, and will be incorporating a Zombie theme when I eventually get around to airbrushing it.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from southwest MI!

 

Hi and welcome from across the pond.

Nice story pleased to hear your daughter has sense also.

Good luck with your new found pride and joy.

Post up pic's and any work you undertake, cheers.