Mira's '93 XJ 2-dr. build (11-year-old's first Jeep)

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Spent a lazy Sunday here reading through the entire thread. I love it! Mira will have an awesome Jeep when it comes time for driving and the ability to proudly say she helped build it. Not many kids, boys or girls, can offer that up. Congrats to Craig for taking the time and doing this right... both the Jeep build and the child raising duty. :thumbup:
I've been eyeballing that bumper from JCR myself, glad to hear your experience has been a positive one. Looks like they cut most of the metal out but leave small parts still attached so you can bend it in shape? Kind of like steel origami (sp?). What else is required when you buy the bumper... the frame extenders? Can't wait to see this on and painted with your OCD!
Keep rolling, I'm subscribing.
And could you post a sample of the final color? I couldn't see it earlier in the thread. *scratches head*

Thanks jeepdreamer. Synergy Green is the color, and it looks like this.

JCR bumper do not come with the frame tie-in's so you would need to purchase those as well.

Correct. We bought the newer-style JCR frame tie-ins separately, as well. It'll definitely add the strength where needed.

Craig

 

[jeepdreamer]

Hmm.... Looks like that electric green color found on some TJs a while back. That should get her noticed!
Thanks for the info about the tie in brackets. I'd rather order it all at once since it has to travel across the pond.

 

[wokkerk]

Just read through this and really enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your story!

 

[Sonoma Country]

I will be getting a '96 Country in a couple weeks. Used to be mine then sold to my sister who is now giving it back. I had the same idea of doing a build up from stock with my kids. Ages 6, 11, and 13. It would be great to have all those "extra" hands, and the knowledge they will gain before they can even drive is priceless. Good Job Mira! and Dad.

 

[knever3]

What happened to the pics?? They are all gone.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

What happened to the pics?? They are all gone.

I'm still seeing all the pics. :wave:

Craig

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Unfortunately for me, Mira & her sister are with their mom on this long holiday weekend. I took advantage of the time, though, and finish-welded Mira's JCR DIY front bumper, and started the slow, semi-tedious process of grinding & sanding the outer edges all pretty 'n stuff. It's going to look really nice when it's done.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

So we have made H-U-G-E progress. We grafted in some rear doors, painted it red, and... :spin1:

Not really, but the project has changed direction. A giant "thank you" to Travis (mrclean) for basically managing the entire purchase/pick-up of this super clean 1998 XJ Classic for me. Thanks man!

It's a 200K+ mile 1998 XJ Classic that was originally from Missouri, and it doesn't even have so much as any surface rust on the underside. That's the VERY good. The less-than-good (but still not horrible). It's throwing some codes (Injector Circuit Open Cylinder 4, Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected). The engine will likely be pulled & parted out/sold, along with the AW4 trans, and the 8.25 rear axle (3.55 gearing).

After a family discussion between me, Mira & her little sis Maeve (9 1/2 years old), we decided that we're going to apply all of Mira's accumulated parts to this red 1998 XJ, and Maeve is going to take over the build of the 2-door XJ (we also have a beautiful leather-interior'd, all-the-bells-and-whistles 2000 XJ on the way as the driveline/interior donor for Maeve's XJ). We'll start another build thread for Maeve's build.

The red XJ will be getting the 94K-mile '99 XJ drivetrain that we bought last year, as it runs perfectly. It'll also get a lot of the near-mint interior bits from the '99. Mira's first job will be to start swapping interior stuff over. It'll also be getting the 50K-mile '05 LJ axles (Dana 30/Dana 44 that we have been working on making pretty.

Craig (and Mira)

 

[jeepdreamer]

Make sure you check the head number on the new ones. If its got 0331 stamped on it, pull the valve cover and check for a crack between cyl 3&4.Just learned about this and went to check on my new (to me) 01 and yup... I won the cruddy head prize. Gotta pull my VC anyway to stop a leak so I'm hoping it hasn't cracked...yet. But the body is SO pristine I couldn't pass it up for 1200 bucks!:thumbup:

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Make sure you check the head number on the new ones. If its got 0331 stamped on it, pull the valve cover and check for a crack between cyl 3&4.Just learned about this and went to check on my new (to me) 01 and yup... I won the cruddy head prize. Gotta pull my VC anyway to stop a leak so I'm hoping it hasn't cracked...yet. But the body is SO pristine I couldn't pass it up for 1200 bucks!:thumbup:

Thanks jeepdreamer. The 94K-mile '99 XJ driveline donor has the 0630 head, so we should be all set. We lucked out with that one.

Craig

 

[Johnnie Walker]

I'm sure both will turn out great. I prefer 2-doors, unfortuantely only have ever owned 2 of them.
Is the newer red heep still going to become that metallic green color? And has there been a change in the color decision for the 2-door?

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

I'm sure both will turn out great. I prefer 2-doors, unfortuantely only have ever owned 2 of them.
Is the newer red heep still going to become that metallic green color? And has there been a change in the color decision for the 2-door?

Mira does like the red, but I'm 99% certain that it'll ultimately be repainted the Synergy Green color that we've wanted all along. The red looks great from 20 feet, but definitely has its fair share of small flaws.

BTW, here's little sis Maeve sitting on her new-to-her 2-door Cherokee. We'll start a separate build thread for her soon...big news re: a drivetrain & interior donor purchase coming soon.

 

[jeepdreamer]

Dang... the kids a growing so fast! Better start wrenching faster or they will be in college soon! :O

 

[jeeperjohn]

Wow, 2 project XJ's and 2 daughters. By the time they get married you will be so broke you will have to have them support you! Awesome projects, good luck with the builds :thumbup:

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Mira got to work removing the entire interior on her Cherokee today. She started with the seats...

...then moved on to the interior trim/side panels, seat belts, etc...

...and ended up with this. There is one spot on the passenger floor board that will need repaired. I'm glad we pulled the carpet to find it. This Cherokee will receive a VERY nice interior from a low-mileage '99 donor vehicle that we already have.

Overall, we made really good progress today. We still have to remove the headliner yet, but that'll go pretty quickly.

Craig (and Mira)

 

[Fore Wheeler]

Wow, how nice it would be to stand in the back.of a jeep.

I'm too tall and fat.

 

[Kittrell]

Looks like the airbag module has not been relocated on this XJ. That was a factory recall, interesting that this one missed it. They moved it from under the driver's seat to under the center console rear mounting bracket. It had something to do with moisture getting to the module having it mounted under the seat. No time like the present to put it in the correct place. Mira got a pretty nice upgrade, keep up the good work............:thumbup:

 

[Driftunit]

Subscribing!

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Looks like the airbag module has not been relocated on this XJ. That was a factory recall, interesting that this one missed it. They moved it from under the driver's seat to under the center console rear mounting bracket. It had something to do with moisture getting to the module having it mounted under the seat. No time like the present to put it in the correct place. Mira got a pretty nice upgrade, keep up the good work............:thumbup:

Yeah, I'm familiar with the recall, and we'll definitely be relocating the air bag module.


Progress...

Mira helped me last weekend with a compression test on her '99 XJ engine donor vehicle (94K miles, formerly mechanic-owned). Everything checked out great! So...

...the old, rough-running engine was pulled today, and the engine compartment power washed afterward.

The front axle will be pulled & sold tomorrow, as Mira's XJ will be getting my "old" 53K-mile Dana 30/Dana 44 axles. I hadn't planned on pulling the front axle just yet, but a buyer popped up for the HP D30, and out it'll come.

Craig

 

[Tacedaddy]

nice craig, glad too see more progress