99' XJ: Slowly Going Down Under.

[MCObray]

Hi all. This build will be very slow. Working a part time job and going to college won't allow too much of a cash flow towards the Jeep.
This is my 3rd Cherokee;
I previously owned a 2000 Jeep Cherokee SE:

I then decided, "Hey I drive a Jeep and now I want one lifted". Being not too knowledgable at the time, I just picked up a Jeep that was lifted:

.
It was nice and I though the coolest thing ever... for like a week, before I discovered that it had blocks in the rear, 2+ inch coil spacer, no AA/SYE. I had it for about a year and in that time I decided that it was right to put the thing up for sale and start clean.

I searched and search and didn't have a car for about two weeks and finally I found something in McMinnville, OR. I went and checked it out and this was the one. Low mileage, very clean, and a good base to build off of:

My plans for my Jeep is just to be a capable DD since this is my primary vehicle. I'm not going to be hacking up the fenders/bumpers, no childish "angry eyes". Won't be on Long Arms, just going to keep this simple and clean as I do plan on having the Jeep for a very long time. I am attending college, working a part-time job, so money towards my XJ will be slim. Whenever I do purchase a product that will go on/in my Cherokee, I will try to find the best quality because I rather do it once, than do it twice.

I love this Jeep.

The look I am going for:

 

[MCObray]

My first mod was to get a new set of wheels and an additional tire due to the fact that I had three matching tires and one off-brand tire.
Picked up a set of 15x8 Factory Ravine wheels for $125:

Replaced one off-brand tire to match the set which were Goodyear Silent Armors.

 

[MCObray]

Alternator was shot within' a week of purchase so thats the first maintenance item I tackled with my Gramps:

Got some small mods done as well: Maglite mount. (Maglite has been moved for safety reasons now)

Jeep License plate.

Mounted spare tire. Grandpa's help.

 

[MCObray]

Got my OEM Tune up kit in. I ordered it from TeamCherokee.com and I received it in a week!

Build Sheet:
Sales Code Description
*B6 Vinyl High-Back Bucket Seats
-AZ Agate
AHT Trailer Tow Group
AJP Power Convenience Group
APAS Monotone Paint
ARUP SE Decor Group
AWS Smoker's Group
A20P 4.0L Engine(ERH)/4Sp Auto Trans(DGS
BASS 124 Amp Alternator
BCDS 500 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGAS Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
CABP Bucket Seats
CBWP Highline Door Trim Panel
CDBS Reclining Front Seats
CFMS Rear Folding Seat
CGGS Traveling Inboard Seat Belt Buckle
CGWS Next Generation Front Air Bags**
CKAS Carpets - Floor and Cargo Area
CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops
CKXS Plastic Liftgate Trim Panel
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CSSS Illuminated Rear Assist Handles
CUFS Full Length Floor Console
CUXP Front & Rear Ash Trays
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGSS 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHNS Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System
DHSP Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever
DJHS Dana M30/181MM Front Axle
DMDP 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRAS Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEDS Tinted Rr Drs/Qtr/Liftgate Glass
GFAS Rear Window Defroster
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GTZP Manual Remote Mirrors
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
HAAP Air Conditioning
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group
JAZP Analog Instrument Cluster
JBFP Instrument Panel Black Bezel
JCDS 100 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBP Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAP Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
KDPS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING COLOR
KGPS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KRPS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING COLOR
KTPS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KYPP STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
K3ZS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
LAJS Headlamps On Warning Chimes
LCKS Front Dome Lamp
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
MBJP Black Front Bumper
MBKP Black Front Bumper End Caps
MBNP Black Rear Bumper
MBSP Black Rear Bumper End Caps
MCAS Front Bumper Guards
MDA Front License Plate Bracket
MFAP Black Headlamp Bezels
MFFP Black Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MMCS Upper Door Frame Moldings
MMGS Belt Moldings
MMKS Body Color Drip Trough Molding
MNAS Black Door Handles
MNJP Black License Plate Brow
MUKS MOPAR Chrome Bodyside Molding
NAA Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFAS 20 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHBP Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
NHM Speed Control
NMCP Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
PW1 Stone White Clear Coat
QW1S Stone White C/C
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RALP AM/FM Radio
RCBP 2 Speakers
RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCG Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SDAS Normal Duty Suspension
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SHCS Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars
SUA Tilt Steering Column
TBB Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TM6P P215/75R15 BSW Wrangler AP Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WJDP 15X7.0 Styled Steel Wheels
WKBP Matching Spare Wheel
WLYC All Steel Wheels
XCYS Delete Remote Start System
XJFS Tethered Fuel Filler Cap
XPFS Protective Coating and Remover
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications
ZFJP Spring - Left Front
ZFUP Spring - Left Rear
ZUHP Spring - Right Front
ZUUP Spring - Right Rear
Z5BS Payload Rating - 1800#

 

[MCObray]

Found a deal on Craigslist for a set of LT235/75/15 BFG T/A KOs All Terrains for $350. They had less than 1,000 miles on them and I needed new tires badly!

 

[MCObray]

Decided to do a little cleaning:

New

Then I scored another deal on Craigslist. A lighty used HD Old Man Emu Suspension system for $240:

I cleaned up some:

Unfortunately I had a few family issues come up and well... Family>Jeep. I sold it for $475 though so at least I made a profit.

 

[MCObray]

Moving forward from selling the Lift Kit, I had to service the differentials:

I also decided that since the SOLID differential covers were on sale that I might as well pick them up!:

Painted:

Few more pics:

 

[MCObray]

Hit a milestone shortly after:

 

[MCObray]

Dana 30 & Chrysler 8.25 Solid Differential Covers installed:

C4x4 Front Tow Hooks & Brackets:

Headlight set-up:

Bought this for $130:

Didn't like how high it sat so I turned around and sold it for $250. Profit!

 

[MCObray]

Got the lights installed! Night and days difference:

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Wow! Nice clean Jeep!!

Bummer about the OME lift, that was a great score! But it's good to see you have your priorities in order! (Family first)

 

[MCObray]

Within' a few weeks of having the Solid cover on there, I got some gnarly grinding from the Jeep... Turns out it was the Tie-Rod hitting the Solid Diff. cover so I had some grinding to do:

Relocated Maglite mount:

Finally got my C4x4 Tow Hooks & Brackets in.

A cool picture a friend took:

 

[MCObray]

Welp, luck finally struck. I was in attendance at the 2nd annual "Don't Fear the Jeeper" event presented by ******** Hannah, and happen to put 12 doll-hairs worth of raffle ticket into the Bushwacker prize box. My number was called for a sweet pair of Bushwacker Flat Fender Flares for a 2-Door JK. I was so stoked to find I had won! I want to say thanks to Don't Fear the Jeeper for putting on an awesome event, as well Bushwacker.

Well the fun doesn't stop there because with the money I got from selling those new fender flares, I put it all towards purchasing the Old Man Emu kit I so desired...
Part#: ARB8402

 

[MCObray]

OME came in.

Some before and afters:

PITA rear shock:

My good friend Nikson, whom helped with the install:

 

[MCObray]

Well my Craigslist addiction brought me to another find. Brand new JCR Gas Tank Skid for $175. Still in packaging and un-painted:highfive:.