Bought a 5 speed Classic XJ Jeep

[00Beast]

Looking better and better!

[Boss455]

Paul, I truly admire your patience and skill! Much like Keven, it's all the way and done right with good stuff, not half assed to get it running like me!

[2000Silverbullet]

Looks like it might rain for the first time in three months! So I buttoned up the front pumpkin.
Good thing I keep my used parts from my other Jeep. The 89 now has a better Air Idle Controller and O2 sensor. Much improved idle.

I finished grinding all the holes except for the BIG one. The patch panels are in and I'm going to pick them up.
I'm driving it there cause I just put the plates on it.
I'll probably get the local body shop to weld them in rough and then do the finishing work myself......with a paint brush.

Bought a new fibreglass kit for the two fist sized holes under the back seat.

The only fluid left to be changed is the coolant. It has a new radiator and hoses. I'll pop in a 180 stat when I do that later this week.

Oh and I purchased a new battery for it from Canadian Tire. Got a 6 year warranty. The old one was of unknown age and cranked real slow.

This Jeep was garage kept all it's life like mine. The only reason for the cancer is that leaking rear window and lack of mudflaps. What a shame.
If you keep a vehicle dry and mud buildup free, the body will last forever.

[RJolly87]

If you keep a vehicle dry and mud buildup free, the body will last forever.

I found an even better solution, New Mexico! Just set it and forget it!

[2000Silverbullet]

Lookin better with a new battery, good used IAC, O2 sensor and a clean TB.
Ordered a new starter for my 88 Jeep and this 89 will get it's starter swapped out with the 88's that's only a couple years old. New battery didn't really help. The starter is weak.







Primed and ready for filler. Never made it to pick up the patch panels yet. Had to do some tree pruning.

The rear is hole free and sealed with rust proof tar now.



Looking better all the time. It's been a week now since I bought it and I think I've tripled the value.

[2000Silverbullet]

Another good day, cool but sunny. I glassed the holes under the rear seat but the darn FG hasn't set up yet even after 8 hours....WTF!

I flushed the old coolant out, the green stuff that had turned slightly brown and refilled with 5 year extended life Peak mixes with all. When you Peak, you win. Also popped in a new 180 stat.

The old serpentine belt was squeeling so I installed a slightly used spare from my Jeep. Much improved.

The new lifetime warranty Napa starter was installed in my Jeep and a very good starter was installed in the 89.
The positive battery cable was slightly corroded so I stripped back another inch and reinstalled. It was loose to begin with. 100% better starting now!

This is turning into a very solid Jeep Cherokee. I sure hope someone appreciates and takes good care of it when he finally takes possession in a couple months.

I have an appointment with the body shop next week to weld in the new rear lower quarter. Still more filling to do. I think I'll use the kitty hair. It sets up so much faster.

Scored some original Jeep mud flaps at the wrecking yard. Bonus!!

Also thru down some floor mats to keep the water off the carpet. Is it ever going to rain? Did I say that?!!

Chynna has been distracting me or I would be further along with mods and fixes.......

[myfirstbonnie]

Looking good Paul!

[99bonnieSE]

Looks great!

[2000Silverbullet]

Not much work today. We went to church and then for a 20 mile bike ride.

I did manage to glass in all the holes and apply undercoating to seal up everything. The major panel repair will be later this week.

What a great day it was.

[spidey3479]

Great work! Awesome looking pies, and how cool is it that she's a skateboarder! Score!! I had a 76 Concord through high school and part of college and rebuilt that straight 6 3 times!!! I loved that car. Not much on the top end, but the manual 3 speed was really quick off the line. That engine brings back memories.

[2000Silverbullet]

Russ, how easy is it to replace the lifters? I think they come out the top of the head without having to remove the head. True? There is one that clacks for a few minutes when dead cold. No problem once it's warm.

[spidey3479]

That's true about the lifters, it was an easy rebuild for my uncle and me thanks to the huge engine bay that car had. Looks like the hardest part for you may be having to reach in an not bend over to get at yours.

[spidey3479]

Mine made a little clicking after the second rebuild that never went away. It started using oil again my 2nd year in college so I put new rings and lifters and I think I had to replace one piston. It ran strong until I sold it the next year.

[2000Silverbullet]

All the body work is done. The major panel job is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Darn front passenger power window motor is dead. I'll have to pull one out of a donor Jeep next week. New tires are in tomorrow. Oh the rear driveshaft u-joints are bad. Another job to do.

I removed the front skid plate and prepped the 88 for the tie rods. Ready to re/re then move to the 89.
Scored a nice new Pioneer USB bluetooth deck for my 88 Jeep and moved it's deck into the 89.

Had to buy a huge roll of 3M double sided adhesive to re-attach the lower rubber rocker pads. Should come in handy for the Bonne if I ever have to do them. Cost a pretty penny for that roll!

Did I say how much fun I'm having.

[spidey3479]

No, you didn't say and I appreciate your not rubbing it in. What I wouldn't give to get a wrench in my hand.

[harofreak00]

How much do you have invested already?

[2000Silverbullet]

LOL, I was wondering when you'd ask that question Andrew. Too much in your books.
It's a labour of love.

Besides I need a reliable winter beater when the salt hits the road.

Just paid $70 for two hours labour fixing the rust rot rear quarter. All the other rust repairs cost me about $50 worth of materials.

Two new tires and balancing the others were $400.
Rims were $150 but I have a spare set for my other Jeep now....so say $75

Fog lights $40
Recycled starter $35
Junk yard parts $100

Tune up stuff - $100
Oil changes - $50
Coolant and stat - $25

Tie rod ends recycled from my Jeep but my Jeep's cost $200 so split the difference $100

Sensors were free from my spare parts bin.
5 year old Stereo was free but I needed a new one for my Jeep anyways.

So I've got about $1,000 into a $600 SUV.
It runs great and anything that breaks from here on, I can fix.
I know it needs new rear driveshaft u-joints, they'll be about $50.
.....oh and the headliner will have to be redone soon.....

I value it at about $2,000 on the market but it's worth about $3,000 to me.

[99bonnieSE]

Sounds like my sisters blaze.... paid $500 and have nearly $8-900 into it LOL


Looks good though Paul, keep it up!

[2000Silverbullet]

Ya I'm keeping it up with some more work today. Sunny and cool. Perfect for getting greasy!

Pic of the solid panel and now there is NO rust anywhere on the Cheap Jeep!

New rubber ready to go on after it gets painted.

Front end work about to begin. One more rod end to pick up......$50

[2000Silverbullet]

Got the Jeep prime painted this morning.
Trying to decide what kind of paint to use. The most durable I've ever used is an auto laquer paint in a quart can. It's expensive though. The spray on laquers I have found aren't very good.