So i am new to this whole jeep scene and lookin to getting into offroading. i bought myself a stock 97 Cherokee w/99000 miles for 2K.

Unfortunately i was too antsy to take a pic after i bought it and already jumped on installing my roofrack.

 

So now that this POS is mine. I've got to turn it into a non-POS.

Starting with touching up the faded fenders and scraped up bumper.
BEFORE:


AFTER:

FINAL:

 

Since this is the Northeast, there is snow, therefore there is salt. Jeep+Salt=Crusty destructive brown stuff (rust). Yes the bottom of this vehicle is taken over by rust. Primarily the Brake areas. No sooner did this become a problem until i lost all brake power. I blew out my rear left brake line. Rust doesn't make things easy to replace. My dad and i spent a few days aided by blaster and freezeoff to get the job done. But a few days later and im on the road again!

 

I decided id like to get my hands on a lift kit. I came across Rust'ys 4.5" Complete kit (including tires/rims). As far as I'm concerned its looks alil funny to lift an xj 4.5" and leave the stock tires... IMO atleast. So jackin this thing up 4.5" im putting on some 31" Mickey Thompson MTZ's. The lift came in yesterday and im excited to install everything. Not so excited however to see how much of a pain this rust will cause.







Unfortunately install will have to wait until this coming weekend because i have to have income to continue to buy all of this stuff. I guess you really do have to work hard to play hard.

 

Nice buy! I've got a 97 as well. Good luck with your build.

 

Thanks man! It's comin along. As fast as a High-schoolers budget can make it come along.

 

While ive been lazy at posting stuff to the thread, i have still been workin on the Jerp.

Big step: Rusty's 4.5" Short Arm lift kit.

Install=worst 34hours of my life. I wanted to ...

Got to use my uncle's (who has two dairy farms) shop.
Couldnt have done it without the intuition of some skilld git-r-dun farm-hands.

 

So first of all. My front left fender will not stay put. I have lost one on the highway and soon after i replaced it i lost that one too. Luckily i heard that one and was able to make the 200 yard walk back to retrieve it. ANYWAYS, i would still love to know how to make it stay cuz apparently superglue doesnt either.

Also, now that ive got swaybar discos, the tires rub when flexing. I know i need to cut the bumper endcaps but im not sure how to go about doing so. Any suggestions? Maybe ill just sack up and break out the jigsaw, its only plastic...

 

The other day i found i had to replace my power steering pump. Out of nowhere there was this destructive noise coming from teh engine compartment. I kill the engine and find that the pulley from the power steering pump's bearings have basically escaped and gone everywhere. After replacing im beginning to feel that there eventually wont be anything else to replace.... WISHFUL THINKING

Ps. any input on how to change the seal in the rear diff of an 8.25? its leaking so i figured i would change the seal and put new fluid in it..

 

Some offroading up by my summer house on the lake.

 

As of today..



This was after going to the local soccer fields with a dirt parking lot. And tearing up the cross country teams running trail after a down pour. What was once grass is now muddd.



WTF.... little feller was hangin on for dear life. Got out to examine how muddy i got my jeep and this guy was snatchin a ride... after flicking him onto the ground he proceded to run up my wheel and somewhere under my jeep.

Moral of the story. There is a mouse living in my jeep

 

Hey I think the mouse likes your heep!

 

better get rid of that sucka or he might be trouble

 

Good score