Y2K XJ 4x4

[TantoTrailers]

More to come but we bought a 2000 Jeep Cherokee XJ! It's got 200k miles and a lot of character but the body is in great shape and the engine was just rebuilt. She runs like a dream and has a 3" lift kit with brand new AT tires. I'm looking at getting the paint touched up in a bit and then it will be onto the upgrades.

So far on the list:
Bumpers front and rear. Looking at a winch type for the front and a tire carrier swing away rear. Still looking at options but that seems to be the style that appeals to me most.
Skid plates
Frame stiffening (necessary?)
5" lift kit
Thule Square Bar gutter roof rack
23 zero walkabout RTT
23 zero or rhino rack 270 awning...considering the shorty from Rhino Rack

I'm sure I'll add more! Hoping to get out to Silver Lake off road area in Michigan next weekend!

View attachment 662652

 

[TantoTrailers]

More pics! Got some Rough Country seat covers, Weather Tech floor mats, a new 4" 30' tow strap, and a powered sub to add some depth to the tunes. Summer vibes every time I get in this thing but I think my gf might like this a little too much!!!

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[karlmagnum]

Nice XJ. The RC covers look great and comfy.

 

[Zeep]

Why do you want/need 5" of lift ? Looks good where its at!

 

[TantoTrailers]

Why do you want/need 5" of lift ? Looks good where its at!

I’m new to this 4x4 stuff and it’s just an assumption because my passenger front tire rubs some of the control arm/other components when I turn all the way to the left like doing a U turn. I am going to take it to a shop to see if there is an easier/better fix.


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[TantoTrailers]

Replaced the driver door control panel to fix the windows on all doors now. Installed 3 of 4 new Kicker speakers (4th isn't getting power, tomorrow's problem). Got the powered Kicker sub working and tuned the head unit the way I like it I think. Going tk have my audio need friend take a look to see if anything can be tweaked or improved.

Ordered replacement passenger door controller to fix the door locks and a new driver power window actuator cause mine doesn't stop when it's all they way up or down....just ratchets.

Tomorrow im replacing the turn signal module, replacing the driver door control panel if it arrives, troubleshooting the last speaker and taking it in to a body shop to see what can be done about the surface rust.

Got a little XJ sticker for the corner of the windshield, a dream catcher for the mirror, and got my Michigan off roading permits! Almost there!

And dropped a new KNN air filter in there till I decided if I want to mess w exhaust.

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[Zeep]

You probably just need to adjust the steering stops, on your front axle.

 

[TantoTrailers]

You probably just need to adjust the steering stops, on your front axle.

Told you I was new! Didn’t even know that’s a thing!!! Maybe that’s why I haven’t noticed it turning all the way right...

Thanks man!


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[TantoTrailers]

Well those bolts are stuck on there good....21 years of never having been moved might have fused them in there...gave it a good wd40 bath but I don’t have high hopes of these letting up.


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[TantoTrailers]

Got the passenger door all situated, now my locks work!! Also replaced the turn signal switch module so the hazards don't go on intermittently when turning left.

One of the steer stop bolts came loose but the passenger side is stuck and that's the one that rubs bad! I'll keep trying but I don't want to break that bolt so it might need a heating! My buddy has a bolt heater I can use at his shop...maybe tonight.

I'll be installing and testing the trailer wiring 7 pin to 4 pin connector and I have that driver door speaker to figure out, may have to run all the way back to the head unit, might actually be easier!

Also need to order a replacement power window actuator for the driver door and the rear hatch space bag is on the way!

Also made a little bracket to hold my ORV flag for certain parks that require it displayed! I love keeping random brackets I come across, these two are from network switches from work haha. I'm going to drill 2 more holes in the top there to attach it more firmly to the frame.



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[Rutz-Carlton]

Nice rig -- congrats! As to the window not stopping when it's all the way up, it might just be the spiral cable. See the bottom part of this page: http://www.steigerperformance.com/dif.cgi?SP12001.

 

[TantoTrailers]

I am buying the whole window motor and assembly minus the glass. $30 well spent. Got my 4 pin converted to 7 pin to match my trailer and it tested perfectly! Ready to pull my Tanto!

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[TantoTrailers]

Well I got out to do some fun stuff with the new toy and it didn't disappoint!!! It got me through all of the dunes except 1 at Silver Lake in Michigan! So much fun and I can't wait to go back.

However, I would like a more plush ride through the bumps and whoops, especially at anything other than crawl speed. What do I need to upgrade? Longer travel suspension? Long arm modification? I was just getting tossed around like Ace Ventura in the Landrover scene of the Nature Calls movie!

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[zgfiredude]

Does it have a front sway bar? If so, replace the sway bar end links with "disconnect"-able ones. It makes a HUGE difference on my JK.

 

[TantoTrailers]

Ok not sure if I already said it but almost everything is fixed inside.

Windows fixed including new driver door regulator.
Door locks fixed
Turn signals fixed
All speakers replaced plus powered sub
Cables in driver door boot fixed so things work when the door is wide open.

I have an appointment for steering repairs and rear leaf spring replacement end of July (earliest I can get workd done round here)

Today I'm dropping off the jeep for rust and paint repair...hoping this works out well and can hold up to a 100k miles of use haha!

I modified my center console with a little belt organizer which holds my pen, sunglasses, extra USB charger and knife securely in place.

Added a side bag in the rear, mounted my fire extinguisher in the spare tire and strapped down the air compressor.

Got my IL overlander patch on there and my Tanto Trailers sticker too!

After paint I'm replacing all of the exterior lights to smoked out versions since I will be upgrading the bumpers over winter. This thing is going to look legit! After all this I think the only other upgrade I will consider is a shock upgradesometime next year.

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