Sadly, I was not able to snap a photo of it before it was mailed-away to be corrected, but my new XJ was listed on its title as being a 1997 Jeep Chrokeese. Since I'm not a person who names vehicles, I figured that was as good as any for a name for this build thread that I've promised everyone.
Over the next millennium or two, I will be attempting to keep this thread updated with my adventures in owning my 1997 Cherokee SE. I also hope to be able to make some educational posts along the way for others to reference as my particular style isn't represented here quite as much as others' styles.
This vehicle is a daily driver. It will be built with that as it's primary purpose. Secondary to that, it will be required to be capable at or above stock levels. I don't go wheeling for wheeling's sake. I DO go off road for a variety of practical reasons however, and it will be expected to be capable of doing whatever I ask of it at any given time. Whenever possible, it will be improved beyond its factory design. On a spectrum from "Daily Driver" to "Expedition" to "Mudder/Rock Crawler," I aim to land somewhere between DD and Expo.
A preview of things to come (not an exhaustive list of plans; subject to change):
3x e-fan conversion
Aux trans cooler
Possibly an oil heat exchanger
Addco sway bars front and rear
Misc aero mods (modified air dam, front skid and/or custom belly pan made from sheet metal or coroplast, removable grill blocks)
Sound deadening using process explained at SoundDeadenerShowdown.com
Possibly Grand "Chrokeese" seats
Fringe valve body adjustment
Maybe a WJ steering pump
Detroit Truetrac in the rear would be nice--if it happens, it would likely be paired with a currently undetermined selectable locker in the front
I've already found something needing to be fixed after less than 24 hrs. Hooray! It's no big deal--just found the bracket under the center console glove box has broken. I know ccooper1234 over at CherokeeForum has been making metal replacements and selling them for like $60-70 for quite awhile now--http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f74/1997-2001-jeep-xj-metal-center-console-bracket-158249/ Would he be my best option?
I got my shipment from Don at sounddeadenershowdown a few days ago. Got CLD tiles, CCF, and MLV (with all the glue and velcro and whatnot) for the roof, both doors, and the hatch. He precut a lot of it for me and everything looks to be top quality. It'll be installed hopefully next week.
How much did you end-up paying? The shipping on the MLV especially must be killer, but I can't find a local source for anything even close, so I suppose I'll have to bite that bullet when the day comes.
I'll likely be doing a full job on the entire floor and doors/sides. I may only use CLD on the liftgate and roof at least at first.
They work, but they're not on relays (just batt-->switch-->lights-->ground), are garbage, and to add insult, are aimed terribly. I'm ripping it all out as soon as I get around to tinkering.
Your new Cherokee looks nice.
Can't wait to see what you do to it.
Can't believe I've never heard of those sliders until now.
Better stability, ride quality and a 1" lift over stock?
Three things I've wanted wrapped up in one single package.
Your new Cherokee looks nice.
Can't wait to see what you do to it.
Can't believe I've never heard of those sliders until now.
Better stability, ride quality and a 1" lift over stock?
Three things I've wanted wrapped up in one single package.
Yes. When I can, I'm going to swap tires with my 96 since my Kumho SAT's have much life left yet. They're 225's, but in the future I'll be on standard load P235's.
These lights are going bye-bye. When the money is available (I'm not a wealthy person), fogs by Cibie or IPF will go under the bumper. Then after that, MAYBE some pencil/driving lamps will go on top of the bumper and/or on a roof rack that may or may not exist some day.
good to know those generals are good tires, I've told people to consider them based on the fact they seemed good to my and what I've been able to find out about them but I value your opinion on tires higher than most people so I feel validated. haha
Swapped my battery, headlight harness, PCM cover, and stereo receiver into the 97 today. The thing to the left on the dash is my bluetooth receiver/microphone.
PCM didn't have a cover, so I stole the one out of the 96.
Now lets see if you can do better than my 2 door 98 on fuel consumption. Ive been getting 18MPG constantly driving into Chicago and back daily. 21.5 MPG on a highway rip up to Green Lake earlier the spring. 225-15s 4.0 and auto trans. I hope you can do better as I spend alot of time sitting in traffic.
That's pretty good MPG for an XJ under those circumstances. Just got 18.8 MPG this weekend--a mix but mostly highway from Racine to Sheboygan and back. There are lots of improvements to be made yet, so that number should increase after I've had my way with it.
Had my 96 up to 18.5 mpg in 50/50 mixed driving and 22 mpg highway, so you can stop doubting. I wasn't even close to finished with my 96 yet either. The biggest gains were yet to be made (i.e. aeromodding, switch to 235 highway tires from 225 AT's, and more).
Here's a VERY quick example of one of the possibilities for the Monstaliner paint job. I have a couple other ideas, but they'd require much more time to convey properly, so this is all you guys get for now.
Disclaimer: the rendering's colors are obviously not meant to be a perfect match--it's more about conveying the pattern/idea. These are the likely two combo possibilities.
Yeah, the first combo was my choice as well, but I figured I'd include the next darkest shade in case others disagreed with me.
Hmm, do I allow that gray to continue around the tailgate or stop it at the taillights (all blue on the tailgate; maybe paint the plastic piece above the lis plate gray)?
Yeah, the first combo was my choice as well, but I figured I'd include the next darkest shade in case others disagreed with me. Hmm, do I allow that gray to continue around the tailgate or stop it at the taillights (all blue on the tailgate; maybe paint the plastic piece above the lis plate gray)?
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