This is going to be a pretty slow build. Mostly just for my records than anything else. I purchased a 91' Briarwood 4.0 AW4 w/ 119k miles.
History:
The XJ knocked out its first 100k miles traveling around the country mostly on the back of a RV. The first owner gave it to his son after it was stored for almost two decades. The son moved to Hawaii in 2011 where he put the remaining miles on it. The thing has been serviced at Firestone on schedule up until the son got it. It was serviced when needed. On June 4th 2013 I purchased it for $1000 cash. He was asking $1200 but told me it was throwing an engine code, had backed taxes, expired safety and cracked radiator. I was told if I gave him 1k$ cash he would fix the radiator and sign the title. Could I have fixed it myself? Yes but it was all the way across the island (Hawaii) with no cooling system.
Current Status:
This thing is stock. I mean off the line stock. Original shocks, springs, bushings and probably most the fluids. It has a Dana 35c rear end, leaking coolant system, brakes are shot, overheats (sort of) and the rear main seal has a slight leak. Along with a few other small things this is what I invested in.
The good thing is the 'check engine' light wasn't a check engine light. Like most people, he assumed check engine and maintenance require lights are saying theres something wrong with the engine / electrical system. The Main. Req. light is something that comes on when you hit a certain mileage telling you to chance some sensors. O2 mainly. It cannot tell if you've changed it or not it just knows you've put XXXXXXX amount of miles on your vehicle. The only way to reset it is finding an OBD1 scanner which usually involves a dealership. Or you can be the creative do-it yourself jeeper we know you are and take the dash apart, pull the bulb and call it a day. MOVING ON the frame has absolutely no rust what so ever. None, nadda and I checked everywhere. The body has minor stuff here and there. Surface rust. No biggie. Oil leak is so small that the droplet hasnt dripped to the ground the two days I've had it. To be honest I'm not even 100% sure its coming from the rear main seal. It might just be the oil plug leaking from someone not tightening it enough / too much from the last oil change. Of course it'll drive me nuts since I'm sort of OCDish about stuff like that.
What I've Done So Far:
Put 1/3 can of SeaFoam thru the TB. Smoked pretty good. Did it actually do anything? Not sure but it makes me feel better.
Checked the 4wd. Everything worked perfectly. Fluids need to be changed I'm assuming.
I'm in the processes of refreshing the suspension. Ordered a set of 1.5 inch lift leaf springs from 4wheelparts since they were back ordered on the stock crown HD springs. Got a set of the stock country package coil springs giving about 1 inch lift in the front. New OEM shackles. Ordered bushings for control arms, track bar, leaf springs and sway bar. Got a 3/4 inch coil spacer. Picked up some JK rubicon shocks. Ordered a new TPS, CPS, MAP, O2 upstream, 5.0 injectors, 63mm TB and a few other small things. Hopefully they all get here around the same time so I have a plethora of things to do all at once.
I have a 136a alternator and thick gauge wire laying around I might install also. I'm pretty sure I still have a THOR cowl intake too. Still on the fence if I want to install it.
Future Mods:
This is a list of things I plan on doing when I get back to Hawaii. My goal is to lift it and stuff 33x12.5s without cutting the fenders anymore than I have to. We'll see how long that last.
R.E. 5.5 inch coils on JKS ACOS
Clayton 6.5 leafs on Liquid Iron leaf sliders
JKS Adjustable track bar
Tom Woods HnT SYE (NP242) and driveshaft
???? Rock Sliders
TnT full frame stiffeners
SeriousOffRoad long arms
Ford 8.8 w/ shaft upgrade and locked out 4.88 gears
D30HP shaft upgrade selectable locker
Currie HD steering
Vanco Big Brake kit
Anyway you get the idea. After the winch, armor and bumpers it should bring it down at least an inch. I'm not trying to compete but I want to be able to head out and keep up with most of these SWB Jeeps running around.
Well thats it for today. I'll check in again when I get something else to do to it. Thanks for reading all my yapping.
uke:
History:
The XJ knocked out its first 100k miles traveling around the country mostly on the back of a RV. The first owner gave it to his son after it was stored for almost two decades. The son moved to Hawaii in 2011 where he put the remaining miles on it. The thing has been serviced at Firestone on schedule up until the son got it. It was serviced when needed. On June 4th 2013 I purchased it for $1000 cash. He was asking $1200 but told me it was throwing an engine code, had backed taxes, expired safety and cracked radiator. I was told if I gave him 1k$ cash he would fix the radiator and sign the title. Could I have fixed it myself? Yes but it was all the way across the island (Hawaii) with no cooling system.
Current Status:
This thing is stock. I mean off the line stock. Original shocks, springs, bushings and probably most the fluids. It has a Dana 35c rear end, leaking coolant system, brakes are shot, overheats (sort of) and the rear main seal has a slight leak. Along with a few other small things this is what I invested in.
The good thing is the 'check engine' light wasn't a check engine light. Like most people, he assumed check engine and maintenance require lights are saying theres something wrong with the engine / electrical system. The Main. Req. light is something that comes on when you hit a certain mileage telling you to chance some sensors. O2 mainly. It cannot tell if you've changed it or not it just knows you've put XXXXXXX amount of miles on your vehicle. The only way to reset it is finding an OBD1 scanner which usually involves a dealership. Or you can be the creative do-it yourself jeeper we know you are and take the dash apart, pull the bulb and call it a day. MOVING ON the frame has absolutely no rust what so ever. None, nadda and I checked everywhere. The body has minor stuff here and there. Surface rust. No biggie. Oil leak is so small that the droplet hasnt dripped to the ground the two days I've had it. To be honest I'm not even 100% sure its coming from the rear main seal. It might just be the oil plug leaking from someone not tightening it enough / too much from the last oil change. Of course it'll drive me nuts since I'm sort of OCDish about stuff like that.
What I've Done So Far:
Put 1/3 can of SeaFoam thru the TB. Smoked pretty good. Did it actually do anything? Not sure but it makes me feel better.
Checked the 4wd. Everything worked perfectly. Fluids need to be changed I'm assuming.
I'm in the processes of refreshing the suspension. Ordered a set of 1.5 inch lift leaf springs from 4wheelparts since they were back ordered on the stock crown HD springs. Got a set of the stock country package coil springs giving about 1 inch lift in the front. New OEM shackles. Ordered bushings for control arms, track bar, leaf springs and sway bar. Got a 3/4 inch coil spacer. Picked up some JK rubicon shocks. Ordered a new TPS, CPS, MAP, O2 upstream, 5.0 injectors, 63mm TB and a few other small things. Hopefully they all get here around the same time so I have a plethora of things to do all at once.
I have a 136a alternator and thick gauge wire laying around I might install also. I'm pretty sure I still have a THOR cowl intake too. Still on the fence if I want to install it.
Future Mods:
This is a list of things I plan on doing when I get back to Hawaii. My goal is to lift it and stuff 33x12.5s without cutting the fenders anymore than I have to. We'll see how long that last.
R.E. 5.5 inch coils on JKS ACOS
Clayton 6.5 leafs on Liquid Iron leaf sliders
JKS Adjustable track bar
Tom Woods HnT SYE (NP242) and driveshaft
???? Rock Sliders
TnT full frame stiffeners
SeriousOffRoad long arms
Ford 8.8 w/ shaft upgrade and locked out 4.88 gears
D30HP shaft upgrade selectable locker
Currie HD steering
Vanco Big Brake kit
Anyway you get the idea. After the winch, armor and bumpers it should bring it down at least an inch. I'm not trying to compete but I want to be able to head out and keep up with most of these SWB Jeeps running around.
Well thats it for today. I'll check in again when I get something else to do to it. Thanks for reading all my yapping.
uke:
