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Considering a 98-01 Cherokee....advice??

Discussion in 'Cherokee' started by BigNuge, Jul 27, 2019.

  1. Sep 10, 2019 at 9:41 AM
    #41
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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    That's asinine (them not you).
    You run a shorter shock... say for a 2.5" lift.
    I measured for my shocks but to save some money I went with ones that were advertised for a 4.5" lift..... they limit my suspension movement, I've got bump stops to keep them from bottoming out but they also limit the droop.
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  2. Sep 10, 2019 at 2:43 PM
    #42
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Im trying to rest my hand, so I limited my work in the shop to painting the underside of the rear chassis. As I detailed above, I had previously treated the entire rear section of the chassis with rust converter. That has set for 2 days, so now I top coated the entire rear section of the chassis with Duplicolor bed liner (black). I like the result, came out good!

    The front section and front wheel wells will be getting the same treatment.

    FC0733DB-D3E9-4C12-ADD8-FEEA64BF3C27.jpg 2B0E69D2-B515-49DA-9441-9DB799C06C64.jpg 25FCDEA0-8F39-40E2-A896-4633DA61C0D0.jpg 32270F06-60B6-45E8-965B-2A2C486D58DC.jpg 3786E1CD-C23A-46F4-8C40-7A0DBDDDB8B9.jpg
     
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  3. Sep 10, 2019 at 5:34 PM
    #43
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    A couple comparison pictures of the underside of the rear chassis.

    Should last as long as I’m going to own it!

    3775381F-127B-4E56-846D-DF901261F655.jpg 5FE2D4DE-E7EF-4112-8A09-BB2A0C928B93.jpg
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  4. Sep 15, 2019 at 3:49 PM
    #44
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Back at it today....got a lot done (seems like a lot of little things to do at this stage).

    Got my new “front end service kit” in, used the small pitman arm puller to get the old steering stabilized off. Also used it to get the OEM sway bar link studs out.

    75ACE8E5-AC54-48AE-A55B-801E3C0BE2C6.jpg

    Bought a 6” cutoff wheel to get the track bar bolt cut. Got all the front suspension parts out, except for the LCA’s. I am keeping the LCA’s on while I clean/treat rust/paint the front wheel well areas. Got both front wheel well areas chipped, brushed, cleaned and wiped down, treated all rust with rust converter.

    2E2F2DAE-51DF-4D38-BF58-51B6682A252E.jpg 8F3044C9-A934-420D-B733-F30ABE832A2B.jpg

    Got the rear sway bar cleaned up and painted, both fuel tank straps cleaned up and painted.

    Got the new rear bump stops installed.

    Got the charcoal filter assembly pulled apart. Had to fab up a new bracket, the old one was just not savable.

    253F0047-AB8C-496D-8F2B-BEC4D1D886AC.jpg
    B9C2C22B-57A5-4A6B-8044-315162775C84.jpg
    F5EBFCDF-7891-4BA5-A35E-43FBC3A99D61.jpg
    4F90F45B-14CA-4E00-8FCA-69D50E24A93D.jpg
    972F70EB-82FA-43CF-A335-B733586D64AC.jpg

    Good productive day in the shop, and listened to the Pats lay waste to the Dolphins....all in all a great day!

    Got the new fill and vent hoses in for the fuel tank. Going to get a hand re-installing the fuel tank tomorrow. It good to be on the “re-assemble” part of the project!
     
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  5. Sep 16, 2019 at 4:20 PM
    #45
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Did a couple things tonight, kind of in a holding pattern while I wait for the rust converter to cure (which takes a couple days).

    Anyway, got the gas tank back in, replaced the fill and vent hoses.

    1CE1BE76-B726-4C17-97B9-832DA73F43E5.jpg

    Got my new needle scaler in, took it to the rear axle....damn, I should have bought one a long time ago! Got the axle cleaned and treated with rust converter.

    62392354-1D61-40B0-9ABE-E8B204A66D43.jpg

    Now that I’m just around the corner from getting the axle back in I am wondering if the rear sway bar should be left out. I want this to be a good on-road driver, not just an off road machine.
    If I were to remove the rear sway bar would that make the handling too soft on road??
     
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  6. Sep 16, 2019 at 6:07 PM
    #46
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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  7. Sep 16, 2019 at 6:27 PM
    #47
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks! It’s been a lot of work, but a fun project! I’m itching to drive this thing around under its own power!
     
    JKBob 25[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Sep 16, 2019 at 6:48 PM
    #48
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    I like watchin these type of builds. I always learn stuffs. :)
     
  9. Sep 17, 2019 at 5:51 PM
    #49
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Baaaaaaack at it.....it’s starting to look like a vehicle again!

    Got the wheel well area (both sides) painted up with bed liner. Came out great, gonna make the truck look great when it’s all together! Also got the new braided brake lines on. I would have loved to start getting the lift kit in up front, but I have to let the paint dry...lol

    93A3DB11-8901-451B-8DD7-50AF7270D12E.jpg 50DF8ED3-DE0B-48E1-B417-6A6F79F3102C.jpg

    Got the leaf springs in!! Boy was I happy to get that done! It was a hell of a job to get the leafs into the rear shackles, but I got it done with some strategic prying and manipulation. Also got the charcoal filter box in (with the new bracket), as well as the new braided brake line for the rear. Got the shocks in (on top mounts), the rear is just about ready for the axle to go back in.

    82BBFFC8-7047-4E9B-9FA0-F66C743C17E4.jpg 50FE7F7B-89F6-4A97-9A41-4E65D195B103.jpg 63EE5AB4-426D-48C0-B4C8-D1CFD68769D3.jpg B43C639A-7D8B-4204-B494-6E04A8896B26.jpg A67BD929-C032-4C6C-8FD1-10B3A815C72E.jpg

    The rear axle rust treatment came out great, have to wait another day before painting it.

    B30F9C02-FBCD-49D6-A892-1B6FBF6B2E7E.jpg 2888779C-AFD9-4A1C-9569-E6CEAA5C5426.jpg

    Getting damn close to having it back on it’s own wheels....love it!
     
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  10. Sep 19, 2019 at 5:07 PM
    #50
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Put a few hours in today. Got started with the front suspension. Boy oh boy was that a real job, made worse due to no engine/transmission to use for weight to compress the suspension to get the control arms bolted up. Got pretty hairy for a bit using ratchet straps to get things lined up, but I got it done.

    0289F98D-7EDF-48A9-A5A3-3423E29D41AE.jpg EF0B858D-4693-4E9B-A095-7D1AE8E16812.jpg 87849CB2-23F3-4145-ADB6-C352D95CB4FB.jpg 488528A5-8B62-437D-983E-F3E636193FF0.jpg 2C0FE6FC-974C-41AC-9B7D-A10179FD44EF.jpg 7405A441-0F6E-4CC5-9B1D-5D831B9122CF.jpg 15EC3B02-D0F5-4343-BF89-0C2DBDDF4229.jpg

    Gonna get the rear axle back in this weekend, front brakes back together, then get all the brakes bled and new ebrake cables in so it’s officially a rolling chassis again.
     
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  11. Sep 21, 2019 at 3:53 PM
    #51
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Mid weekend update....had some help for a while, got the axle back in the rear.

    C828519C-3F8B-4A63-8DDB-AA86094D4E06.jpg 87C8C05D-DD3B-4692-8725-F26AF2C32F14.jpg C3457497-30FB-4ECB-8B63-6C5FE4C67153.jpg 6C7CDC6A-A64F-4D5B-82E1-689BAD8E093E.jpg 57F36E20-D5FA-47CA-82BD-545B29B53A66.jpg 68121E98-238A-48A8-B56B-116177005E28.jpg 9748E76C-366F-47B1-BE9A-B1A55D26286A.jpg

    Got the new calipers in, front brakes all put together. I ran out of brake fluid for bleeding the brakes, I’ll get them bled tomorrow. Had to order the new ebrake cables, those are due in next week.

    BB8DA30F-A606-4FFA-BEC5-D6EFAE769E5B.jpg B936B551-CD83-4E04-A52A-E9F7AD34E8E3.jpg

    I’ll be grabbing new lower shock mount hardware and getting those in tomorrow as well. I’ll have the chassis work complete this weekend, ready for the motor swap!

    Once the Jeep is rolling on complete brakes I will be rolling it out so I can clean the damn shop...it’s a mess and I hate it.

    Next on the “to do” list is the hack and tap SYE while the tcase is on the bench.
     
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  12. Sep 23, 2019 at 5:12 PM
    #52
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Only limited progress over the last couple days. Ran out of brake fluid, got more but didn’t have a second person to help bleed (plus the driver seat isn’t in, so bleeding like that isn’t very convenient).

    Got all new ebrake cables in. Nice surprise, found rear brakes are brand new! Shoes, hardware, adjusters...all new. Got the rears all back together, new ebrake cables all the way to the handle. New adjuster assembly due here tomorrow. Got the adjuster housing relocated 3” towards the rear to give the driver side rear a little extra slack, it was more taut than I was comfortable with.

    Got the wheels back on, it was great to have it rolling on it’s own again! Adjusted the steering link a bit, wheels are way off after the lift. With no engine it’s sitting waaaaay high, so I am not going to worry about getting it lined up yet.

    Got the driver side interior floor section painted with the undercoating like the other side, came out good. A day after the paint I got the floor put back together with carpet and whatnot.

    One unfortunate issue is one (15 wire) connector on the driver side kick panel got damaged during the use of a wire wheel on my grinder. The connector got busted up, and 4 wires got ripped right out of the connector. I have ordered a set of 8 pin connectors to make up 2 connectors to replace the 1.

    I’m headed out on a upland bird trip next week, so I probably won’t be doing much more on the Jeep this week....got to start getting things ready for that trip. Really, I was hoping to have the XJ ready for it....but that won’t be happening.
     
  13. Sep 24, 2019 at 1:27 PM
    #53
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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    You might look at getting a steering box brace. Ironman4x4fab is coming out with a new one that you don't have to remove the pitman arm to install. Really helps support the steering box and tighten up the steering.
     
  14. Sep 24, 2019 at 7:56 PM
    #54
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Having fun following your build dude. My intro to Jeeps was an XJ. So I have a soft spot.
    But just an FYI. You can Do a one man brake flush. Wasn't sure if your aware. Did mine this past weekend. And have an excellent pedal.
     
  15. Sep 25, 2019 at 10:19 AM
    #55
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The damn brake bleeding is kicking my ass for some reason. I can’t get the pedal to firm up at all. I went so far as to swap the MC and booster with the ones from the donor (much nicer shape), still no go. I have ordered a power bleeder, done messing with this thing. Been bleeding brakes my whole life, have never had this much trouble.

    I was going to see how it handled before investing in bracing. I do see what you mean, but I figured I’d see how things went when it’s all together.
     
    JKBob 25[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Sep 25, 2019 at 10:38 AM
    #56
    Prerunner1982

    Prerunner1982 Well-Known Member

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    The "frame" is known to crack near the box, consider it preventative maintenance? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjD6lWLOdf0
     
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  17. Sep 26, 2019 at 3:39 PM
    #57
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I like the taste of humble pie. Sometimes I think my subconscious does it to me just to keep me on my toes.

    So, the story goes like this. After getting the front knuckles cleaned up and painted I moved on to pulling the brake lines and hoses. Replaced them with the nice braided extended hoses that come with the kit. While disconnected I thought it would be a good idea to clean up the calipers and give them a coat of paint. In the process of cleaning them with my needle scaler I damaged the piston on one of them. Looked them up, found they were cheap, replaced them both at Autozone. To save time I brought both old ones to exchange on the spot so I didn’t have to deal with the core charges. Got back home, new calipers in hand, and installed them.

    Now, I detailed above how much trouble I was having getting the brakes bled. Try and try, I just couldn’t get the peddle to firm up. And what’s more, the “flow” of fluid from the front bleeders just didn’t seem right.

    Fast forward to tonight. I got my new power bleeder in. Got it set up, 2 fresh quarts of fluid. Fill everything up, pressurize the system. I put the XJ up, open the front/pass bleeder....FLOW STILL SUCKS!!! Now I’m about to rethink my life decisions at this point. I cannot for the life of me figure out what the hell is going on. Then, while staring at the sad flow of fluid flowing from the bleeder, I realize what’s wrong....I finally realize that the bleeder is on the BOTTOM of the piston chamber.....OMFG....MORON......

    I never even caught it, and it was the boob move of the century. Swapped calipers, bled the fronts....rock hard peddle.

    Got the ebrake adjuster in, and ebrakes back together. All brakes back together.

    I love the new power bleeder BTW....speeds up that job, and makes it a one person job to boot!

    Got the wheels back on the XJ, cleaned up the shop. Glad to be at this stage. Next I’ll be getting the interior electrical connector replaced, and then get the interior all back together. Just about ready for the motor swap, which makes me very happy!

    Done for a couple days....got to get my Tundra on the lift to assess an exhaust leak before my bird trip.

    Good evening all.
     
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  18. Sep 28, 2019 at 4:02 PM
    #58
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Got the Jeep rolled outside for the first time in weeks. Good to see the sun shining on it!

    05C0E649-CA35-4368-B091-4E29B3167255.jpg A540386E-89E0-4B08-8123-F26EC3657B85.jpg 904B3B24-69E5-45E5-8B34-AD34D67B43BA.jpg 8CE73F34-C5A2-4189-97BB-503ECC0A8FE5.jpg A479C51D-F3E5-496D-88D1-DB747B738D63.jpg
    FDD19684-48AF-440F-A55B-F484230C2B4F.jpg

    I’m headed out for a week up north upland bird hunting.

    Have a good week everybody. It’ll be time for the engine swap when I get back, already lining up the help t get that done in one day.
     
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  19. Oct 2, 2019 at 6:53 PM
    #59
    JKBob 25

    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

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    Brakes are finicky and a pain in the ass. And there's no guess work. Their good....Or their not.
    Boob move.....we all been there done that. Nope....not even gonna mention mine. :cool:
    Awesome build dude.
     
  20. Nov 4, 2019 at 4:40 AM
    #60
    BigNuge

    BigNuge [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey everybody....just a quick hello to let you know I haven’t died...

    Been a crazy busy month, house renovations, fall/cold weather prep, and work gets busy in the fall in the industrial boiler business.

    I have actually started prepping the donor XJ for engine removal. It’s on the lift, and I have got the transmission all but ready for the pull. A few more “under side” things and I’ll drop it and get the topside ready for pulling the motor. Can’t wait to get the motor into the 99, see it move under its own power again!

    Stay safe everybody....
     
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