I lost a lot of picture links for some reason. I will go through and update soon

Click here to access the parts list page!


** Pictures have been updated!! **



Well this is my 3rd Jeep but 2nd XJ. My addiction to Jeeps and exploring the outskirts of this city started several years ago. Below are just a few of my past vehicles, and how I decided to get back into this once again...

So the first one was a '97 that I sold when I was living in Utah several years ago. Bought that for $5800 in 2003 with 20k miles on it from the original owner at Jim Marsh Jeep dealer here in Vegas. Sold it for $10k in 2005!! Couldn't pass up a cash deal when in college, so off she went to the new owner. Still miss it, lifted, locked with 4.10s.
EJS 2006


I then bought a 2006 Xterra brand new, big mistake still being in college... and transformed it to a highly capable rig. 22mpg average HWY on 285/75R16s Definity Dakota MTs.
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Forced to sell that after some drunk lady decided to reverse while in the middle of an intersection and smash my X into the car behind me. She thought I was a cop when she saw all the equipment on the roof and CB radio mounted to the headliner, then took off in her damaged Range Rover.

That was the end of my off road adventures, when gas spiked I bought an economy piece of crap. Sold that after a few months because I couldn't climb curbs in it! Then I bought a more family friendly vehicle, a bone stock full size Silverado!

But my addiction to modifying any vehicle I own slowly turned it into this. Yes it is bagged.


So how I went from one extreme to the other is beyond me... but I just sold this truck recently. Lifted 4x4s to a slammed full size toy hauler... then back to a leaking, noisy, rusty Jeep! I guess I was tired of cleaning the truck everyday and wanted something I could wash once a year.


And now on to the actual vehicle, the one you are here to look at and make fun of. Just don't point and laugh at your computer screen if you are at work, people frown upon that...

Purchased in November 2011 from the original owner, or so he said he was.
Don't hate on the broken fog light.


Headlight harness. Only because the headlamps were cracked, but still working. And everyone else on here seemed to happy with the upgrade.

Headlights from my old XJ. Yep, I kept em! New Hella 100/80w bulbs. Don't buy these wattage, they suck!

Yes, that is a bullet hole. PO said it was from a "hunting accident". Whatever that means...


I removed the original dealership badges, and factory badges on the rear hatch and fenders. I don't like badges of any sort for some reason.

Dented passenger door from an attempted break in when the PO owned it.


Running the headlight harness prior to the new header panel (front clip) being installed.

Tucked up and hidden now.

 

New rear diff cover since the old one was leaking from the gasket and fill plug.

[IMG]http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y207/teammezmerize/1996%20Cherokee%20XJ/2012-01-09115930.jpg[/IMG



I started the body work, only because the driver front fender was replaced by the PO. And whoever did the repaint did a crappy job on it. So I started sanding the door dings and low areas for repair, then decided to paint the entire thing desert tan. Inspired by EricsXJ of course!

 

Driving home from work one day and it started to over heat on me. Turns out the thermostat was clogged. So a new radiator, t-stat, heater hoses, and all the other misc parts that go along with it were replaced. I don't have pics of the R&R of it, but while I was replacing the radiator I decided to install a trans cooler as well.



Picked it up at Orielly Auto for $35 I think.

My Jeep originally came from the factory with A/C. Living in Vegas, and driving my Chevelle for 10 years without A/C, I decided to remove mine. The compressor was seized, condenser was leaking, lines were leaking. Replaced the compressor with an A/C delete pulley then removed the condenser to make room for the trans cooler.

I have a strong feeling I will regret not fixing the A/C when summer time comes around! The install was easy. I referenced multiple installs on this site and Jeepin for the line connections, just to make sure I did it correctly. So far, no problems. Other than a small leak from the factory crimped connection.

Do I have to replace the entire line because of the crimp, or just cut the tubing and run a new hose? I think Jeepin just cut the tubing to install the cooler...

 

Found a guy parting out his ZJ, took the seats at a bargain! And he even removed them for me too.




It is such an easy swap to do. And the XJ seats suck compared to these! If you are planning on doing such an upgrade, I highly recommend it. Although I did manage to break both rear outer bolts and the driver front outer bolt.

For the broken rears, I grinded the body nut off from underneath. Then enlarged the hole for a 3/8" bolt, body washers, star washers and lock nut. The front I had to drill and tap. The angle at which I was forced to work at put a lot of strain on my back, so that took longer than expected.

I opted not to go with leather. With no A/C and Vegas summers, leather seats would be killer!

 

I can't believe I forgot to put the info for the Jeep...

1996 Sport
AW4
C 8.25/D30

132k miles when I bought it, today it has 138k.

Changed the oil 3 times since its purchase to rid of any garbage the PO left behind. And it was dirty the first 2 times. T-case drained and filled. Changed front and rear diff fluids.
Replaced the fuel filter (first maintenance I did actually). Couldn't blow through it, shot some brake cleaner in reverse and nothing but black dirty liquid came out. I hope my pump and tank are okay.

Also, I replaced all the brakes at 135k miles. The rear drums were a PITA! I have never had any problems doing drum brakes on any vehicle until this one. Not to mention the amount of rust on the drum itself. But it was the brake shoes from Orielly, where the parking brake pin that has to be inserted was to long and binding on the cable/arm. Once I figured that out, I picked up OEM shoes and installed within minutes.

The PO left behind quite a few items. When I removed all the seats, I looked under the rear seat carpet and found a handful of .22 LR ammo. Along with $11.74 in loose change!

With any "new to me" vehicle, regardless if purchased from a dealership or private party, I like to go over the entire thing and make sure it will be operational for whatever I intend to use it for. I replaced all the fluids, serviceable filters, brakes and interior pieces that keep rattling. It always cost money up front, but in the long run it will cost less. At least now I know what is done, and what needs to be done.

 

I have only taken it off road once. The tires are bald, shocks are original and leaf springs are reverse arched BAD!

Bone stock original suspension. Bald 30x9.5 Big O something on 15x7 AR D-window rusted rims. Stuffed rear tire.


Full droop! Very sad indeed.


Removed the flares when I painted it, just never put them back on. Not sure if I want to cut the fenders or just put the flares back on and call it good.

 

I did manage to start the acquisition of 4.5" suspension parts. Found a local guy parting ways with his old XJ and managed to sell me the brand new, never used suspension in his garage. Even though it was only pieces, I got quite a few items for really cheap.

4.5" coils, LCAs, T-case drop, C8.25 u-bolts, lift shackles. Even poly motor mounts! $100 for everything. The coils don't have any info on them, but I think they are RC. Once I get the leafs from another local member, an adjustable track bar, new wheels and tires, I will start the actual install.

 

Picked up RE1463 leafs from BotakBeng this morning. His XJ is looking awesome!

I can't get my shackles to fit SHACKLE FITMENT LINK

Adjustable track bar, and a lot of free time is all I need to get going.





Can't wait to get started! And see how many rusty bolts I can break!

 

Thx bro!
Lots of heat and PB blaster.
Let me know if you need any help.

 

The other day I managed to get the shackles on the leafs.

Picked up some Ecco wheels today! Need to clean them, the PO left dry grease on the front wheels and a ton of brake dust. Started cleaning the rear wheels and now they look a lot better. Planning to sand them down and powdercoat flat black...

 

Did you get the springs installed?

I know someone whos looking for a set if you change your mind

 

I haven't even started on the lift yet
Newborn and the other kids birthdays all happened around the same time!

Hoping to tackle it shortly, I am getting anxious to hit the trails again!

The same guy that asked about your axle wanted to buy the leafs... He has a 6" LA lift pieced together and the rear is sagging. I tried selling him the AAL that 3 people have flaked on already but he really wanted the C8.25.

I did manage to get the new Jeep Ecco wheels painted flat black.
Need spacers so I can get my 4" backspacing set. IRRC the factory Jeep wheels are 5.5" BS and a 1.5" spacer should put me at 4"... I think I am doing this right... unless someone wants to share their knowledge.

 

At this rate you are going....you might wanna change your status to "Super Broke"

Thank again for the referral bro! Haven't heard from him yet tho...we'll see.

Not sure about the BS, but sounds about right, but i'm sure i read somewhere about spacer causing too much stress on the axle or something to that extend.

 

Found out last night that my driver side hub bearing is shot! That would explain part of the wheel shimmy I have been experiencing. That and the tie rods are shot, steering stabilizer is bone stock from '96 (along with the shocks)... time for a steering upgrade!

Also got the tires from BotakBeng mounted and balanced on the Ecco wheels. 235/75s for now until I get the old black steelies sold and replaced with some better looking ones and new tires.

 

When you doing the bearings?
I wanna learn.

Here are the part# for ZJ Tie Rod and i would suggest changing the draglink bushing at the same time.
Unless you wanna go the cheapo way until you lift the Jeep, there is this dude at Uxbridge selling his factory tie rod for $.99 and he might throw in a RC steering stabilizer(Good condition!) for $.01.
http://s1211.photobucket.com/albums/...XJ/Craigslist/