No pics this time, sorry but maybe sometime in the next days.

The brake system renewal appears (fingers crossed) to have been a success. I put it through a road test and not only am I happy with the outcome from the brake system work but the fresh shock and sway hardware upped the handling significantly! WooHoo!

Now, about that ABS system bleed procedure... Y'know I've done this work myself to keep the costs down. Among all the parts I purchased at rock-bottom-auto and/or amazonian prices I also bought and returned two (2) different scanners because they didn't do as advertised, something to do with Mopar CCD, disappointed both times. Regardless, I am without the tool needed and don't foresee spending more than I did on either of the last two. So, do I have a Boston area CherokeeForum member who's willing to share their scan tool for the ABS Bleed procedure on a 2000 WJ? If not, then how much do I have to spend to put my machine in the hands of another (after all my labor)?

 

So, re-attached the licence plate, no big deal, despite having to find a substitute for one of the original Torx head screws (the plinth's attached with the vacuum "ball" screws) - still mystified how I lost it, as the plate was still attached to the plinth when I recovered it.

Entered into negotiations with an eBay seller who has a liftgate, at a particular good price, for some other bits he has. I think he's accepted my offer for the liftgate, so wish me luck. .

 

Still negotiating for the tailgate, slam panel, a pair of headlight bezels - & an auto trans (now he's confirmed it's out of a '99, not a '95, as advertised). Also pestering him about an (ultra rare) Orvis ashtray.

The haggling's not going as well as I hoped, but the trans is super cheap, which makes up for the steepish prices for the front end parts (which, at least, are the right colour) - then again the liftgate was a "bite your arm off" price", although I couldn't resist making an offer.

As a diversion, just ordered a pair of +3" front springs*, which I've been waiting to turn up (as I knew they would) ever since I got the back springs (when they appeared on EvilBay at a good price) so come the Spring I'll be able to do my 3" lift.
* bizarrely, from a Suzuki aftermarket parts place - & quite a coincidence as a week ago I got a Grand Vitara to keep the Jeeps company (you can thank the Mayor of London for my straying from the fold)

 

Orvis asht?
ray

 

So, did the deal on all those parts, at my price for the body parts + the asking price for the trans (which was silly cheap, like about 1/3 of the going rate) - and he's got the Orvis ashtray! Hoping he'll throw that in, but I've no doubt he's knows as well as I do, how rare they are.

Springs are on their way.

Oh, & in a mad moment I made an offer for Grand Vitara fuse box - why do I mention that? Because I've always been aware I don't have any of those mini (micro?) relays that '97+ XJ's employ, which are expensive & not very common here (well so I thought, having very little knowledge/experience of Japanese electrics) & this fuse box includes 1/2-dozen, or more.

 

Springs arrived - or so the e-mail from FedEX says.

The guy in Lithuania accepted my offer for the fuse box, so that's on it's way: 8 relays [+ a few seriously expensive looking (peculiarly Japanese?) fuses] for, say, $27 - although, too late, I realised I might get stung, twice, by the Revenue, but then again . .

 

Got my wires, brake lines, and fuel lines put back up. New front shocks put on, one was completely dead. Made a strap for the front drivers door pull, as the armrest handle thing had long since broken off.

Last night I bought a 60 piece alloy steel tap and die set on sale at Harbor freight for $30. Got the last one. Good for chasing and cleaning threads, which is 90% of what I use taps and dies for anyway. So now I got my seatbelts put back in.

Then I pulled it back into the garage so the paint from last weekend can dry some more. So slow because it’s been hovering slightly below and above freezing.

Supposed to snow tomorrow, I’ll be ready to drive it to work.

 

Changed out my water pump and radiator and put it up for sale.

 

I read about the ZJ center console top mod a couple weeks ago, found one at the yard later that week.
Turned out pretty good.
I thought I'd dislike the width, but I don't.
My only complaint would be that the latch doesn't catch...
But I may get another console bucket and try modifying the hole for the latch to catch.

 

Holy moly! Why in the world would you do something like that?!

 

Sometimes life changes and in this case the XJ didn't fit anymore. I am heading towards retirement and this was supposed to be my "retirement " car, but I'm starting a lawncare business and I need something dependable with a bed and a bit more oomph to tow my utility trailer loaded with mowers.

Also, I am disappointed in the lack of quality replacement parts. I was in the aftermarket back in the late 80's, 90's and good quality aftermarket parts were plentiful. I tried to buy OEM as much as I could, but we all know how scarce they are. Most aftermarket parts come from China and in several cases it took me multiple attempts to get good ones and at times additional modifications were needed to make it work. Most recently I had to remove material from the header panel to provide clearance for the replacement radiator side tank.

Sure, it's not a big deal and fabrication is a part of restoration, but I am very particular in my work and I felt like, at times, I was compromising myself. I'm no Chip Foose, but I do like things done right.

I sold it to the first person who came and looked at it.

 

Understandable! The XJs are getting some serious age on them at this point. Everything OEM is being discontinued or already discontinued and the aftermarket parts that are quality are not for stock XJs, they are for modified ones. But we are talking mostly suspension, some driveline, and steering parts. I agree, parts for the engine and transmission are all made in China. But I'm at least happy to see so many aftermarket parts still made for such an old vehicle. It helps some parts are interchangeable between the XJ and a few other Jeep models.

Good luck in your future and well wishes with your lawn care business! I'm sure the person who bought your XJ will be happy with it! It looked solid.

 

Given they're all more than 20 years old, I wouldn't expect any OEM XJ parts to be available (they're not like , say, Jags & VW's, where the manufacturers have realised there's a lucrative market relating to earl models to be exploited) but there are plenty of (much) older Jeeps - &,e.g. Scouts & Broncos - still running around, no doubt tributes to the resourcefulness of their owners. Perhaps I've been lucky but, for the most part, I've only ever wanted service items & there's a choice of several leading names in their particular field.

What I find encouraging, is that new aftermarket parts are still being developed, & that can only be because there is still a strong interest in, & potential demand, for such things.

 

Painted my gas tank skidplate, these goofy nozzles are pretty handy

 

Picked this '97 4.0 with the 5-speed up yesterday. It takes a few tries to start. I have some work to do but it will be a fun project. Odd part is that I'm 1000 miles from home and away from my tools so I'll be building a temporary workshop in a storage unit here in Lakewood CO. I'm still in shock and awe over how many nearly rust-free vintage Jeeps are out here. The motor was allegedly rebuilt about 15k ago and this rig has over 300k on it in total.