1991 Jeep Cherokee Build
#1
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Thread Starter
1991 Jeep Cherokee Build
On June 20, 2024, I lost my 1993 Cherokee in which I had owned for four years and was also my first car. The build thread for that vehicle is here:https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/19...ration-256347/
Like that one, I plan to document everything I do to this vehicle and hopefully it will live a much longer life. This is a 2 door 1991 Laredo trim with the AX-15 and 4x4. I picked it up on July 5th in San Antonio, TX for $850. The main issue being the
transmission was out because the previous owner attempted to convert the internal slave cylinder to be external. This Jeep has 208,471 miles on it. I plan on swapping the motor over from my old Cherokee into this one since it had pretty much
been rebuilt a day before the accident. Also the body is pretty solid say for a small part on the driver footwell that's rotted through. But that's more than manageable.
Like that one, I plan to document everything I do to this vehicle and hopefully it will live a much longer life. This is a 2 door 1991 Laredo trim with the AX-15 and 4x4. I picked it up on July 5th in San Antonio, TX for $850. The main issue being the
transmission was out because the previous owner attempted to convert the internal slave cylinder to be external. This Jeep has 208,471 miles on it. I plan on swapping the motor over from my old Cherokee into this one since it had pretty much
been rebuilt a day before the accident. Also the body is pretty solid say for a small part on the driver footwell that's rotted through. But that's more than manageable.
#2
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Thread Starter
Clearing the Clutter
This thing was full from floor to ceiling with tools, parts, and garbage. I got most of it cleared out and can finally see the rear seats haha. The inside needs a major detail but luckily a friend has already called dibs on that part. Found lots of goodies from jackstands to one of those NOCO jump packs.
#3
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The Puzzle
Had to source hardware(3/8-24 nuts with washers) to get the transfer case mated to the transmission. Also had to source a fill plug(M18-1.5) as it was missing but now everything is together. Just need to fill it up and attach it to the motor and I might have a driveable XJ by the end of this week.
#4
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Thread Starter
Pulled out the aftermarket alarm system
So the brake switch had a wire nut on every wire and I was wondering why the brake lights weren't working. This led me to finding the entire aftermarket alarm system that for some reason was jacked into it. I ended up pulling it all out and I am still without brake lights so I'm assuming the switch is bad. Good to have this jungle of wires out though. Hopefully getting the transmission in tomorrow. I pulled out a similar harness from my old cherokee except the modules were missing.
#5
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Thread Starter
First start in many months
After bolting up the transmission and starter, me and my friend got to see this thing run for the first time since I bought it and the first time in many months. I need to bolt on the crossmember and put in the rear driveshaft tomorrow. Along with bleeding the clutch but after that, it should be able to move. The thing is this motor gets 60psi of oil pressure and doesn't even clack. So I have no reason to really swap the motor from my old cherokee in. So now a lot of my plans have been thrown out the window lol. Note: the sound towards the end is the mechanical fan hitting the fan shroud.
#6
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It Moves
Yesterday I threw the driveshaft on and we got to see it move on its own for the first time. Overtime though, the clutch pedal became weaker and weaker until we couldn't shift anymore. Assuming this slave cylinder is bad but that's fine because I'm going to do the external conversion. Just glad to see the transmission itself is fine.
#7
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Thread Starter
Beginning of the External Slave Cylinder Conversion
Parts are slowly coming in but one of the important ones just got dropped off at my door. This is a Pre-Bled Clutch Master Cylinder with the External Slave. Decided to go ahead and install it since it is kind of a pain to do. Waiting on everything else especially the bell-housing to arrive. Might have this thing running the roads by the end of next week.
Old Internal Slave System
New External Unit Installed
New External Unit Cont.
Old Internal Slave System
New External Unit Installed
New External Unit Cont.
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#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Internal to External Slave Cylinder Conversion Complete
Got the bell-housing in today and got it bolted up. So the conversion is pretty much completed. The only thing I'm waiting on is a new Clutch Fork Retainer Clip and it will be ready to bolt up to the motor and another test drive. The Throwout Bearing that came with it was totally shot along with the Pivot Bushing but I had already bought replacements in anticipation. Should have a functional XJ by the end of this week!
#9
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Jeep is operational
Got the Jeep together and took it for another test drive. It is great. Just needs the usual maintenance but that's about it.
#10
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No Brake Lights/Hazards Solution
Figured I would put this here for people with this year Cherokee or just renix in general(I'm assuming it's a left over renix feature). If you have no Hazard or Brake lights and all the fuses and bulbs are good, look for this wire in the engine bay. More than likely it will be under the battery tray and hard to find. This is suppose to connect to your positive battery terminal and feeds power to these two things. For now I just have a wire jammed into it but once I get my Cherokee back, I'll properly wire it up.
Last edited by Green93XJ; 07-28-2024 at 09:48 PM.
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Swapping Parts
I finally got my green cherokee back and began swapping parts over. So far I have swapped the side mirrors, airbox, valve cover and valve cover gasket, and my 4 hole injectors to name a few. Motor idles great and frankly smoother than before. Of course while doing this, the transmission decided to spring a leak in the bellhousing. Assuming it's just the bearing retainer plate so I get to pull that apart tomorrow and fix it.
#12
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Thread Starter
Input Shaft Seal Failure
So the input seal I installed started leaking bad. I'm chalking it up to how I installed it. Apparently you're not suppose to bottom out the seal and I didn't use a proper socket to tap it in so my bad. I'm guessing between that and installing the transmission kinda rough it was enough to pop that compression spring out of place and tear the seal up over time. Got the new one in right this time and it's a proper branded seal so it should be fine. Plan on re-installing the transmission again tomorrow.
#13
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Motor Mounts Replaced
Decided to swap out the motor mounts today.... while it was 106f outside. That was fun!
#14
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Thread Starter
Big 7 Cable Swap
Transfered my big 7 kit from my old Jeep to this one and it starts up so much quicker now and the headlights are a bit brighter as well. Also swapped my MAP sensor onto this one too.
#15
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Thread Starter
Swapped Transfer Cases
So I eventually plan on deleting the CAD system in this Jeep. A friend of mine however owns a 1987 Comanche and wants to keep his CAD system so he came down today and helped me swap the transfer case from my green jeep and took the one out of this one. Swapped the speed sensor and it should work. I just need to figure out how to wire in the 4wd light connector to have the part time light. Not really needed of course but would be cool.
CAD 231 on the left and non CAD 231 on the right
CAD 231 on the left and non CAD 231 on the right