After searching for a replacement for my 1993 Cherokee, I picked up a very nice 1997 LX450 with lockers and only 125k miles. Everything works on this vehicle, even the items that are known to have issues. The lockers lock, the antenna goes up and down and the windows even go up in a rapid fashion.
Oh, and it included the original phone.
The first step is getting the vehicle to the point where I trust it, and won’t damage it in my local trips into the mountains. This consists of some maintenance items and adding a bit of armor. I swapped out all fluids on the vehicle, inspected belts, hoses, etc. and then put in a call to Slee.
Having been out exploring off pavement for over 20 years, I know how I tend to get stuck. In most cases, I set the vehicle down on something while crossing a slide or a washout. With that in mind, and a vehicle of this size and weight, I need something to protect the underside. I purchased a transfer case skid and a set of slider steps from Slee. Everything bolted on very easily, but I didn’t like the smooth surface on the bars of the slider steps. When they get wet, I just know my foot will slide off, and I will ********** my shins. A quick trip to the hardware store provided the solution, and I put on 2” grip tape. It has nice secure footing now.
With this being my fist automatic transmission, I am a bit paranoid about having a dead battery and not being able to roll start it. I checked what was under the hood, and found a four year old Valucraft battery. I pulled that out and put in a Sears Diehard platinum. That will keep my mind at ease for now, but I will eventually put in a dual battery system.
I dropped the spare tire, and found a very worn 275 street tire. The vehicle came with four new Nitto Terra grapplers in 285. So, off to the tire store. I picked up a new BFG AT KO in 285, as that is likely what I will run after the Nittos wear out.
The brush guards over the rear tail lights had to go. I live in Washington State, and have a lot of tree branches to deal with on the roads and trails. Those little brush guards look like they were designed perfectly to grab any branch that scrapes the side of the vehicle, and wedge it between the brush guard and the body.
Mud mats were also put in, both the floor mats and cargo area. Husky liners were used for the floor mats and Weathertech for the cargo area. I also installed the Landtank seat mod, since my right knee was really talking to me after my first 2 hour drive.
With those items done, I feel good about being able to start taking it out.
Of course, there is still a lot to be done. Right now I am in the classic 80 Series quandary over whether to get an ARB bumper or the Slee bumper.
• High points of the Slee: light weight, good recovery points, very good looking bumper on the 80.
• High points of the ARB: More protection of the headlights/grille from brush, and can bounce critters off of the road while giving you the chance of still having a drivable vehicle.
That being said, I have never hit a deer, and really haven’t had brush problems with the front of my vehicles. I am also not a rock crawler, so the clearance of the Slee bumper doesn’t come into consideration. Tough choice.
Other items will include:
• Birfield & bearing service, and replace the PHH
• Move the Ham radio over from the old vehicle.
• Move the driving lights over from the old vehicle
• Buy & install roof rack
• Scangauge
• Buy and mount a winch
• Put in a dual batt system
• Buy & install kit to raise spare tire underneath
• Wire more accessory plugs for front & rear
• OME 2.5” lift
• Let bank account recover
Initial impressions:
While it is odd getting used to an automatic transmission, I really like this vehicle. While driving, it does not feel as big as it looks. We’ll see what happens when I try to fit it through tight spaces where I used to take the Cherokee.
Oh, and it included the original phone.
The first step is getting the vehicle to the point where I trust it, and won’t damage it in my local trips into the mountains. This consists of some maintenance items and adding a bit of armor. I swapped out all fluids on the vehicle, inspected belts, hoses, etc. and then put in a call to Slee.
Having been out exploring off pavement for over 20 years, I know how I tend to get stuck. In most cases, I set the vehicle down on something while crossing a slide or a washout. With that in mind, and a vehicle of this size and weight, I need something to protect the underside. I purchased a transfer case skid and a set of slider steps from Slee. Everything bolted on very easily, but I didn’t like the smooth surface on the bars of the slider steps. When they get wet, I just know my foot will slide off, and I will ********** my shins. A quick trip to the hardware store provided the solution, and I put on 2” grip tape. It has nice secure footing now.
With this being my fist automatic transmission, I am a bit paranoid about having a dead battery and not being able to roll start it. I checked what was under the hood, and found a four year old Valucraft battery. I pulled that out and put in a Sears Diehard platinum. That will keep my mind at ease for now, but I will eventually put in a dual battery system.
I dropped the spare tire, and found a very worn 275 street tire. The vehicle came with four new Nitto Terra grapplers in 285. So, off to the tire store. I picked up a new BFG AT KO in 285, as that is likely what I will run after the Nittos wear out.
The brush guards over the rear tail lights had to go. I live in Washington State, and have a lot of tree branches to deal with on the roads and trails. Those little brush guards look like they were designed perfectly to grab any branch that scrapes the side of the vehicle, and wedge it between the brush guard and the body.
Mud mats were also put in, both the floor mats and cargo area. Husky liners were used for the floor mats and Weathertech for the cargo area. I also installed the Landtank seat mod, since my right knee was really talking to me after my first 2 hour drive.
With those items done, I feel good about being able to start taking it out.
Of course, there is still a lot to be done. Right now I am in the classic 80 Series quandary over whether to get an ARB bumper or the Slee bumper.
• High points of the Slee: light weight, good recovery points, very good looking bumper on the 80.
• High points of the ARB: More protection of the headlights/grille from brush, and can bounce critters off of the road while giving you the chance of still having a drivable vehicle.
That being said, I have never hit a deer, and really haven’t had brush problems with the front of my vehicles. I am also not a rock crawler, so the clearance of the Slee bumper doesn’t come into consideration. Tough choice.
Other items will include:
• Birfield & bearing service, and replace the PHH
• Move the Ham radio over from the old vehicle.
• Move the driving lights over from the old vehicle
• Buy & install roof rack
• Scangauge
• Buy and mount a winch
• Put in a dual batt system
• Buy & install kit to raise spare tire underneath
• Wire more accessory plugs for front & rear
• OME 2.5” lift
• Let bank account recover
Initial impressions:
While it is odd getting used to an automatic transmission, I really like this vehicle. While driving, it does not feel as big as it looks. We’ll see what happens when I try to fit it through tight spaces where I used to take the Cherokee.
