JeepDawg
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- New Jersey
1985 Red Jeep Cherokee 2 Door / 2.5L 4Cyl / 5 Speed Manual Transmission (Pioneer with CommandTrac) - $1,500 OBO.
This Cherokee has been owned by one family for 22 years and driven 161,536 miles. Over the last four+ years, I have been trying to restore it to its early glory days. However, family responsibilities now require that I devote my attention to other areas (i.e., wife and kid) – which means that I must give up this project. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure (please note that the wheels and tires have been replaced with stock rims and Goodyear RTSs – and the stereo/speaker/amplifier have been removed).
http://home.mindspring.com/~dwhall/photoalbum/ (May have to copy & paste web address)
The Jeep runs well, with no major mechanical issues. On the positive side, the interior is immaculate! Since I’m not the most mechanically inclined, I began this project by focusing my energy on the interior. There is a new headliner; newer door panels; custom Lloyd’s front mats (driver’s and passenger’s), new rear cargo area carpet; carpet and seats are in excellent condition all throughout; soundbar in the rear (speakers, stereo, and amplifier have been removed); aftermarket tint; new rear wiper motor, full-sized spare.
In addition, there have been many repairs intended to have this XJ running perfectly – including, but not limited to, a new Weber 32/36 DGEV, Holley fuel pressure regulator, heavy duty battery cables, new clutch, new oil pan, new fuel pump, new starter, new front brakes, new power steering pump, new power steering box, new motor mounts, new AC components (still needs a compressor), etc. The engine was rebuilt about 30,000 miles ago, four-wheel drive is perfect, compression is good, and it is driven regularly. There is also factory sun roof (with no leaks of any kind). Factory service manual and Chilton manual also included.
The bad includes the exterior. My intention was to sort out everything mechanically and on the interior, then finish it up with body repair and new paint job. There have been no accidents, but there is rust in maybe four spots that need attention. I replaced the doors with newer doors (also red). However, the color does not match perfectly – so there is a color discrepancy between the doors and the rest of the body. I still have the older doors with windows, regulator, locks, etc. in place – which are included (along with the original Carter Carb and barely used K&N filter for stock carb).
Other areas requiring attention include a couple of leaks – one from a front seal and another from the gasket for the fuel pump. I experimented with synthetic oil, and joila!….leaks. I have since returned to regular 10W40, but the two leaks remain. Also, I think the exhaust needs to be replaced (i.e., catalytic converter and muffler). The header is fine, however. While the car runs very well, I have some concerns about the transmission. It was replaced in July 05 with a used tranny. However, when I had the clutch replaced, I think the mechanic used the wrong fluid – and it just doesn’t feel as strong as it used to. I have since added Redline MT90, and it runs much better. But I think this may need attention sometime down the line. The driver’s side window regulator needs some attention. While the window goes up and down, it’s a little hard to get the window up. (The regulator could easily be replaced with the regulator from the spare door – which works just fine.)
It has only been offroad (i.e., the beach) back in the late ‘80s. As for towing, my father towed a small boat a handful of times back in the ‘80s as well. Other than that, this has only been used on highways and around town.
Most Recent Repairs:
12/9/06: Heavy duty battery cables.
12/1/06: New power steering box; new spark plugs (Champion).
8/29/06: Installation of Weber Carburetor 32/36 DGEV
7/7/06: New AC hoses and conversion kit to R134A. (Still needs new compressor.) Radiator Flushed.
6/8/06: New front brakes (@159,207 miles.
5/5/06: New clutch
4/22/06: New clutch fork, throw out bearing, and starter.
3/6/06: New oil pan.
1/13/06: New right/front wheel hub and bearing.
11/7/05: Electronic ignition controller.
11/1/05: New motor mounts.
8/2/05: New power steering pump (@ 154,013 miles).
7/25/06: New shocks.
7/15/06: Replaced transmission with used.
This Cherokee has been owned by one family for 22 years and driven 161,536 miles. Over the last four+ years, I have been trying to restore it to its early glory days. However, family responsibilities now require that I devote my attention to other areas (i.e., wife and kid) – which means that I must give up this project. Here are some photos for your viewing pleasure (please note that the wheels and tires have been replaced with stock rims and Goodyear RTSs – and the stereo/speaker/amplifier have been removed).
http://home.mindspring.com/~dwhall/photoalbum/ (May have to copy & paste web address)
The Jeep runs well, with no major mechanical issues. On the positive side, the interior is immaculate! Since I’m not the most mechanically inclined, I began this project by focusing my energy on the interior. There is a new headliner; newer door panels; custom Lloyd’s front mats (driver’s and passenger’s), new rear cargo area carpet; carpet and seats are in excellent condition all throughout; soundbar in the rear (speakers, stereo, and amplifier have been removed); aftermarket tint; new rear wiper motor, full-sized spare.
In addition, there have been many repairs intended to have this XJ running perfectly – including, but not limited to, a new Weber 32/36 DGEV, Holley fuel pressure regulator, heavy duty battery cables, new clutch, new oil pan, new fuel pump, new starter, new front brakes, new power steering pump, new power steering box, new motor mounts, new AC components (still needs a compressor), etc. The engine was rebuilt about 30,000 miles ago, four-wheel drive is perfect, compression is good, and it is driven regularly. There is also factory sun roof (with no leaks of any kind). Factory service manual and Chilton manual also included.
The bad includes the exterior. My intention was to sort out everything mechanically and on the interior, then finish it up with body repair and new paint job. There have been no accidents, but there is rust in maybe four spots that need attention. I replaced the doors with newer doors (also red). However, the color does not match perfectly – so there is a color discrepancy between the doors and the rest of the body. I still have the older doors with windows, regulator, locks, etc. in place – which are included (along with the original Carter Carb and barely used K&N filter for stock carb).
Other areas requiring attention include a couple of leaks – one from a front seal and another from the gasket for the fuel pump. I experimented with synthetic oil, and joila!….leaks. I have since returned to regular 10W40, but the two leaks remain. Also, I think the exhaust needs to be replaced (i.e., catalytic converter and muffler). The header is fine, however. While the car runs very well, I have some concerns about the transmission. It was replaced in July 05 with a used tranny. However, when I had the clutch replaced, I think the mechanic used the wrong fluid – and it just doesn’t feel as strong as it used to. I have since added Redline MT90, and it runs much better. But I think this may need attention sometime down the line. The driver’s side window regulator needs some attention. While the window goes up and down, it’s a little hard to get the window up. (The regulator could easily be replaced with the regulator from the spare door – which works just fine.)
It has only been offroad (i.e., the beach) back in the late ‘80s. As for towing, my father towed a small boat a handful of times back in the ‘80s as well. Other than that, this has only been used on highways and around town.
Most Recent Repairs:
12/9/06: Heavy duty battery cables.
12/1/06: New power steering box; new spark plugs (Champion).
8/29/06: Installation of Weber Carburetor 32/36 DGEV
7/7/06: New AC hoses and conversion kit to R134A. (Still needs new compressor.) Radiator Flushed.
6/8/06: New front brakes (@159,207 miles.
5/5/06: New clutch
4/22/06: New clutch fork, throw out bearing, and starter.
3/6/06: New oil pan.
1/13/06: New right/front wheel hub and bearing.
11/7/05: Electronic ignition controller.
11/1/05: New motor mounts.
8/2/05: New power steering pump (@ 154,013 miles).
7/25/06: New shocks.
7/15/06: Replaced transmission with used.
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