Jeep Builds Make your own jeep build thread here, discuss and view jeeps here. All Jeep models are welcome here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

CJ Classic to "Overland" + build (stereo, sound insulation, headlights, etc)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 08:50 AM
  #1  
BooGTS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 5
From: Rochester, MI
Model: Cherokee
Default XJ Classic to "Overland" + build / ownership timeline

I've owned this now since 2008 with 150k. Drove 6 hours to Ohio to get her. Hoped to get 200k miles out of her. Now at 240k.

This isn't a hardcore offroading build. This is a "keep my DD good looking, quiet, with a good stereo and up to date" build.

Pre-pick up, sellers ad pic:
Name:  PA200016.jpg
Views: 3708
Size:  92.2 KB
Name:  PA202743.jpg
Views: 3531
Size:  71.9 KB

2009: Sound Deaden all of the things! (and this is just V 1.0):
Name:  DSC07110.jpg
Views: 3604
Size:  107.4 KB

2009: Limited Interior swap:
Name:  DSC04038.jpg
Views: 3741
Size:  92.2 KB

Name:  DSC04040.jpg
Views: 3614
Size:  85.5 KB

Name:  DSC04041.jpg
Views: 3571
Size:  101.2 KB

Name:  DSC04042.jpg
Views: 3580
Size:  102.0 KB

Home:
Name:  DSC04051.jpg
Views: 3647
Size:  136.5 KB

Properly setup for MI winter: dedicated Icon wheels too:
Name:  20141227_214600_zps3wbm973p.jpg
Views: 3724
Size:  153.9 KB

~2012:
Name:  FB_IMG_1443145270346_zpskropmaqr.jpg
Views: 3626
Size:  56.7 KB

January 2015, waaaa waaaa. At 227k the engine skirt broke. 99-01+ Chrysler design error. Too much bore (dia), not enough skirt (length)
Name:  20150411_000739_zpsjzpumnyt.jpg
Views: 3643
Size:  557.8 KB
Name:  20150403_225255_zpsbgsyz2l3.jpg
Views: 3551
Size:  403.6 KB

Early 2015:
New headliner and speakers (they're actually Infinity's in polk covers)
Name:  20141227_165719_zpsvqe9wjig.jpg
Views: 3646
Size:  274.6 KB

Mid 2015: Armored panels, powdercoated:


Sound deadener / thermal insulation on roof prior to headliner:

Name:  20141214_213840_zpspatovjvj.jpg
Views: 3610
Size:  227.2 KB

Built in Homelink into headliner:
Name:  20141227_004136_zpsv9b6j0ni.jpg
Views: 3627
Size:  391.2 KB

Console install mock up. The rear console section would be later deleted. Couldn't make it look clean enough for my OCD:
Name:  20141227_003831_zpspjwipfka.jpg
Views: 3633
Size:  260.8 KB

Sound Deadening 2.0 - better CCD tiles, then closed cell foam with mass dampner on top. About as Rolls Royce in an XJ as you're going to get.
Name:  20160228_120305_zpst0y8om2y.jpg
Views: 3556
Size:  166.1 KB
Name:  20160227_190830_zpsgglbyq9c.jpg
Views: 3583
Size:  161.8 KB

Last edited by BooGTS; Jul 18, 2016 at 09:51 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2016 | 08:51 AM
  #2  
BooGTS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 5
From: Rochester, MI
Model: Cherokee
Default

Late 2015, tow hook install, also shows V1.1 of my original headlight retrofit:
Name:  20151018_124848_zpsz40cclx1.jpg
Views: 3543
Size:  182.4 KB

Early 2016:
V2.0 of my bi-xenon headlight retrofits.
Name:  20151107_205001_zpshnh3zjt4.jpg
Views: 3557
Size:  197.5 KB

May 2016:
Overland steering wheel install (also shows the blue LED lighting in put in throughout the dash. Did that in 2009 actually)
Name:  FB_IMG_1462389011073_zpskdn78f6u.jpg
Views: 3475
Size:  65.2 KB

June 2016:
I finished the sunvisors...a year and half after the headliner. they aren't perfect, but it was my first time:
Name:  FB_IMG_1468848114923_zpscymqrblp.jpg
Views: 3512
Size:  100.2 KB


July 2016:
Galaxy Tab S2 Install:
Name:  20160718_090920_zpsvgj6g2hn.jpg
Views: 3533
Size:  148.6 KB

July 2016:
GF approved (plus showing the Lebaron hood vents I added)
Name:  FB_IMG_1468848177242_zps1gtaqft4.jpg
Views: 3587
Size:  91.6 KB

July 2016:

Last edited by BooGTS; Jul 18, 2016 at 09:34 AM.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2016 | 08:30 AM
  #3  
kylemason's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
From: Fargo, ND
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Nice looking Jeep! What size are those Bridgestones? Any rubbing issues? For that OHC I would have went with the WJ OHC, IMO a cleaner look with the sunroof, and includes the garage door opener.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2016 | 11:10 AM
  #4  
BooGTS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 5
From: Rochester, MI
Model: Cherokee
Default

I thought about that but I think it is wide and doesn't have the sunvisor mounts built in like the XJ one does.
Reply
Old Jul 29, 2016 | 01:31 PM
  #5  
kylemason's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 305
Likes: 1
From: Fargo, ND
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Originally Posted by BooGTS
I thought about that but I think it is wide and doesn't have the sunvisor mounts built in like the XJ one does.
I forgot about the visor mounts. So what size are those Bridgestones?
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2016 | 03:47 PM
  #6  
WyoCherokee's Avatar
CF Veteran
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 37
From: Dont Colorado Wyoming
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Gah i love a clean unmolested XJ!
Reply
Old Aug 1, 2016 | 05:28 PM
  #7  
Crankshaft Culture's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Portland, OR
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

How do you like the headlights?
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2016 | 02:53 PM
  #8  
BooGTS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 5
From: Rochester, MI
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by kylemason
I forgot about the visor mounts. So what size are those Bridgestones?
245/75/R16. They don't rub.

Originally Posted by WyoCherokee
Gah i love a clean unmolested XJ!
Thanks!

Originally Posted by Crankshaft Culture
How do you like the headlights?
One of the best mods you can do. The standard wiring and headlights is borderline dangerous. They aren't submersible, so now they're a bit two toned (water got in) at the bottom after the below pic - doesn't affect optics though.

Name:  DSC00814_zpsgxxbaszt.jpg
Views: 3528
Size:  497.4 KB
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2016 | 03:04 PM
  #9  
WyoCherokee's Avatar
CF Veteran
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 37
From: Dont Colorado Wyoming
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by BooGTS
Late 2015, tow hook install, also shows V1.1 of my original headlight retrofit:

Early 2016:


May 2016:





What Cell Mount is that?
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2016 | 03:07 PM
  #10  
BooGTS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 5
From: Rochester, MI
Model: Cherokee
Default

It's hard to show how deep the water is here, but hopefully you get the idea of what alot of the island looked like. And no - this isn't a stream.

Name:  DSC00846_zpse3nvyw8p.jpg
Views: 3479
Size:  289.5 KB

The stock dark green jeep in front didn't go out. The aftermath of that day:

Name:  DSC00876_zpsmlnux8lz.jpg
Views: 3512
Size:  352.8 KB

Overhead view of our convoy:

Name:  DJI_0017_zpsgjpfnqmr.jpg
Views: 3451
Size:  300.2 KB
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2016 | 03:11 PM
  #11  
BooGTS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 5
From: Rochester, MI
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by WyoCherokee
What Cell Mount is that?
This one:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And it works very well on my Samsung Galaxy, though I've since taken it down because of the tablet.

edit: and for anyone looking at my headliner pic and think its really jenky around the sunroof - it is - I've since bought some nice trim and it looks factory now. I've removed the rear part of the overhead console (I cut a factory one in half if that wasn't obvious) and I will replace it with a panel made of some leftover mahogany colored bamboo stuff (relative color to the steering wheel and dash) with some LEDs built in. May be awesome, may go right in the trash, will have to see what it looks like when I make it.

Last edited by BooGTS; Aug 12, 2016 at 03:15 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2016 | 05:16 PM
  #12  
cbs_24's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 925
Likes: 6
From: Eagle River, Alaska
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Default

Nice jeep! That's a great find on the interior. I would like to find some limited door panels for mine to match my leather zj seats.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2016 | 08:33 PM
  #13  
JPXJMOAB's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

I'm really liking that steering wheel! Bolt in swap? Does the airbag work?
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2016 | 09:14 PM
  #14  
BooGTS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 198
Likes: 5
From: Rochester, MI
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by JPXJMOAB
I'm really liking that steering wheel! Bolt in swap? Does the airbag work?
Bolts right in. Airbag plugs right in, same connector. They switched to dual stage in 03 I think. It has two plugs on the back so its obvious whether or not you buy the right one, the right one for all XJ's being single stage. There is one year (02?) where you can get the silver "Jeep" logo and the single stage as I did. Most single stage has the molded in color logo. Of course disconnect the battery and be mindful of static buildup when installing. I also do the first startup "at arms length" from the passenger side of the car upon first startup just in case. Its been 4+ months, no issue, no airbag lights.

You do have to splice the two wires the power the cruise because the GC has a different connector, but its still just two wires. For both cases, one is black and the other is a color. Doesn't matter what colors, I just tried hooking up black to black and color to color and the cruise buttons work perfect.
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2016 | 11:38 AM
  #15  
JPXJMOAB's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by BooGTS
Bolts right in. Airbag plugs right in, same connector. They switched to dual stage in 03 I think. It has two plugs on the back so its obvious whether or not you buy the right one, the right one for all XJ's being single stage. There is one year (02?) where you can get the silver "Jeep" logo and the single stage as I did. Most single stage has the molded in color logo. Of course disconnect the battery and be mindful of static buildup when installing. I also do the first startup "at arms length" from the passenger side of the car upon first startup just in case. Its been 4+ months, no issue, no airbag lights.

You do have to splice the two wires the power the cruise because the GC has a different connector, but its still just two wires. For both cases, one is black and the other is a color. Doesn't matter what colors, I just tried hooking up black to black and color to color and the cruise buttons work perfect.
Sweet! Just looked at prices of that wheel and holy pricey..
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:53 AM.