I guess I will make a build thread too: 2000 Jeep Cherokee XJ

[mnewxcv]

Hello everyone! I've been lurking here for some time and been reading up a lot on other's build threads so I figured I would make one of my own. While I am not planning anything crazy here, I just want to share my Jeep and hopefully shar some adventures in the months to come. For starters though, I will be addressing the basics of getting it running well and taking care of maintenance items so that I can count on it. As of this week, I am tackling the rust spots so I can take it on the beach this summer and not worry about the salty air wreaking havoc on some of the already corroded sections. As far as cherokees go though, it isn't very rusty. Further on the to-do list are track bar bushings, brakes, fluids, etc, with some modifications thrown in.

The existing state of the Jeep is:

2000 Jeep Cherokee 2 Door
3" lift
31" BFG A/T KOs
Rear bumper with tire carrier
LED off road lights

The cherokee has been my daily driver for the better portion of 3 years now. We've had some experiences together, and it's left me stranded a time or two. That being said, we've developed a bond where one hand washes the other, so my taking care of it results in the Jeep getting me in (and out) of whatever situation I throw us in. I will be updating the thread as I work out the kinks and adventure around. Hope you enjoy!

 

[mnewxcv]

today, after realizing I had definitely lost the key to my wheel locks, gave a go at getting the locks off to replace. Better to do it when there is air in my tires than to scramble to do it when I have a flat. I took it to 4 shops first to see if they had any "master" keys that would work. Pretty much all of them told me to screw, or said that it would be "very expensive".

Google shows that pounding a socket that doesn't quite fit onto the lock is the way to do it. Well, the 19mm socket didn't fit, but I hammered it on. It was tight, but not tight enough. it spun off of the lock with force. Now to try the 18mm. Paging 18mm socket. Huh? I don't have one? It seems 18mm is extremely uncommon, and not in 99% of socket sets. It is an in between size. Well, thankfully, sears carried it so $7 later, I hammered that one on. Turned it slowly and...... It came off! Awesome, one down, 3 to go! But wait, theres a stuck wheel lock in my socket now.... I threw it in the vice and tried hammering a screwdriver through the socket to push out the lock, but it didn't budge.

The solution ended up being to thread the lock back onto the wheel lug all the way but not tight, and rock the breaker bar back and forth until it inched its way off the lock. I had 3 more to go, but in order to get the 18mm to hammer onto the lock, I first had to hammer the 19mm on, turn it with the breaker bar to strip it just slightly, THEN I could hammer the 18mm on. It was a pain, but I am glad it was done. I also swapped out a burnt out headlight, nothing too interesting here.

The part of the day that made it all worth it? I went over to the beach and got my sticker, and relaxed as the sun set. It might be rusty, it might need this and that, but the smiles per gallon are way up there.

 

[SilicaRich]

Nice simple setup. Look forward to keeping up with your adventures and changes to come. Funny story too

 

[akpostal]

Nice looking 2 door. I spent a few years in a stock 2 dr XJ myself.

Got t boned with less then a mile to go from 200K miles.

 

[mtbxj87]

Nice 2door. 18mm is extremely common. They're not in sets so you have to buy more.

 

[KelticXJ]

Nice XJ. What rear bumper is that?

 

[mnewxcv]

Nice 2door. 18mm is extremely common. They're not in sets so you have to buy more.

Do you mean uncommon?

 

[mnewxcv]

Nice XJ. What rear bumper is that?

It is made by detours USA. I forget the name of the model but I think they stopped making them. Their website has some pics I believe. I think maybe it was called the tail bone. I got it mainly for the tire carrier and receiver hitch.

 

[mnewxcv]

Do you mean uncommon?

Oh you mean the size is commonly used. It just seems to be uncommon in kits now.... And when I checked, harbor freight, advance auto, and home depot did not carry them in my local stores. Thank God for sears, even though I never shop there.

 

[mnewxcv]

Today I am replacing the track bar bushing on the body end. It is an aftermarket track bar and unfortunately removal of the track bar has been a huge pain in the ***. I ended up removing the track bar mount altogether, but even in a vice, the top nut does not want to break free. I ended up cutting the bolt into 3 pieces in order to remove the track bar from the mount. The heim joint is currently soaking in some WD40 to try to loosen up some of the rust so I can get that off and the new one in!

 

[Cottontail]

I see you picked up a few spare roof rack cross bars!!! Nice build so far.

 

[sjstar]

Look forward to more pictures but xjs are such great rigs. Everything is so cheap and plentiful for them. I like the color too.