I have been on the forum for quite some time looking at others builds and for some troubleshooting. I have had a few Cherokees, 1 YJ and 1 MJ. I have never posted a build thread so here goes. I picked up an 01 Cherokee with 180k on it in March 16 for 300. The PO told me that it was making a noise in the engine and she stopped driving as soon as the sound happened. Ok ok. Well I got it towed home and tore into it. I got it running after an new battery and starter and "knock knock knock" was coming from Cyl 5/6. I removed the engine trans an tcase due to the external torx bolts started to strip. I got the engine on the stand and popped the oil pan off and I found exactly what I was going to find metal chunks. I removed the head and found that the #5 piston was stuck at TDC and the piston frozen in the cylinder wall. I used a long punch to knock the piston out it appears that the wrist pin completed exploded away from the piston. Well I picked up another XJ it was a 00 for parts it already had a lift and wheels and tires plus an engine to go in mine. Well that didn't work out due to it being for a ZJ. Well I sold the ZJ engine and pulled one from the local JY.

 

Popped the head off and knocked the piston out

 

Parts jeep 00 Xj 4.5 lift

 

I pulled the JY engine tore it down and checked the rotating assembly and it was clean and didn't have any issues. I replaced all gaskets and seals and got it ready to install. I had it the engine trans back in took about 20 mins.

 

I drove it for about 2 weeks and worked out all the kinks in it. I tore into the parts jeep and only ended up using the front coil springs and wheels an tires. I ordered a set of 3.5 leaf springs and used a set of superlift fixed control arms.

 

I had some vibration after lifting it and I installed a IRO SYE, also installed an adjustable track bar and bracket. Also I removed the 8.25 from the parts jeep it had disc brake conversion and mine had a D35. I made all new brake lines abs fit the axle in. Upgraded the steering to a Rugged Ridge 1 ton as well.

 

This is just a few of my old jeeps

 

Love that two toned XJ!