CheapXJ
NAXJA Forum User
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I started writing a response to Rich's thread, but I just thought this deserves its own.
when I look back (especially now), I think the most useful present I ever received was my 86 Cherokee. The keys were in my stocking, christmas of '98. It had a 2.8L V6, automatic, and the 228 transfer case. It wasn't a hop in and go type vehicle. it was a project vehicle. it needed lots of work. I didn't really know much about vehicles at the time. Dad and I had done all sorts of maintenance type stuff together, I always showed an interest in workin on vehicles. For as long as I can remember, I was always by my dad's side in the garage. Spent years as his "gopher". I learned the names of tools and what they did by doing this.
When the XJ showed up. the hands on learning started. I turned the wrenches. I learned so much about vehicles from this experience. When the other kids in school were goin to the mall and hangin out, I was in the garage with Dad. Learning all the pieces of a vehicle, what they do, where they go, how they work and how to fix them.
Although the original XJ that started it all is gone, Dad used that beat-up old XJ as a tool. He took that knowledge in his head and and copied it into mine. I used that knowledge all the time. To help others, to help us, to help myself.
It got me into wheelin, a hobby which has brought so much to my life. The knowledge I have gained because of this hobby is priceless. The people I have met on the trail, through this club and some others are some of the kindest and most awesome people I have ever met. The only thing I value more than this are my friends and family.
This last summer I picked up a basket case MJ. same color as the original XJ, many of the same problems. Now of course, dad's reaction to me dragging more junk home was a typical dad reaction. But even when he said things like "You're nuts" or "What the hell do you need that for" He always had the biggest grin on his face. He was a motorhead when He was young as well. Had a 67 Chevelle SS L88. The motor was basically a race motor built for the street (I've heard the story of the night when he and his friends, after a few beverages, decided to replace their racecar's blown motor with his motor for the next day at the track, let's just say his motor did very well in the car.) He saw so much of himself in me.
So anyway, I took this basket case MJ, and made one hell of a rig out of it. Did most of the work without my dad by my side all the time. When I got stuck, he was there to help, to teach the final few lessons in basically rebuilding a vehicle from the ground up. But he gave me all the knowledge to do it. Rebuilding the motor, swapping in a completely different drivetrain and turning one man's trash into my treasure. I know it made him so proud so see his son be able to do it.
By putting two stamped pieces of metal on a ring into my stocking that christmas, my father gave me so much. This past sunday, I was out on the trail, with some great people doing something I love. Mike and I had chopped the top off the MJ on saturday. Sunday was the first day I got to enjoy it. Literally, it was the single best day of my life thus far.
That sunday was also the day my father passed away. I'm just starting to realize now just how much he's done for me and how truly great of a man he really was. With those keys in the stocking, my dad gave me things that no amount of money can buy.
Even now, with how sad I am, and how much I miss him. when I look at that MJ parked in my driveway, it puts a great big grin on my face, even now when I need it the most. Though it sounds weird, it almost seems like by giving me those keys, he gave me the strength to carry on.
I love you so much Dad, and more now than ever before. You lead me to peace and happiness in an event where most would find none. To me, you are, and always will be, the greatest man that ever walked this earth.
Thank you so much!
when I look back (especially now), I think the most useful present I ever received was my 86 Cherokee. The keys were in my stocking, christmas of '98. It had a 2.8L V6, automatic, and the 228 transfer case. It wasn't a hop in and go type vehicle. it was a project vehicle. it needed lots of work. I didn't really know much about vehicles at the time. Dad and I had done all sorts of maintenance type stuff together, I always showed an interest in workin on vehicles. For as long as I can remember, I was always by my dad's side in the garage. Spent years as his "gopher". I learned the names of tools and what they did by doing this.
When the XJ showed up. the hands on learning started. I turned the wrenches. I learned so much about vehicles from this experience. When the other kids in school were goin to the mall and hangin out, I was in the garage with Dad. Learning all the pieces of a vehicle, what they do, where they go, how they work and how to fix them.
Although the original XJ that started it all is gone, Dad used that beat-up old XJ as a tool. He took that knowledge in his head and and copied it into mine. I used that knowledge all the time. To help others, to help us, to help myself.
It got me into wheelin, a hobby which has brought so much to my life. The knowledge I have gained because of this hobby is priceless. The people I have met on the trail, through this club and some others are some of the kindest and most awesome people I have ever met. The only thing I value more than this are my friends and family.
This last summer I picked up a basket case MJ. same color as the original XJ, many of the same problems. Now of course, dad's reaction to me dragging more junk home was a typical dad reaction. But even when he said things like "You're nuts" or "What the hell do you need that for" He always had the biggest grin on his face. He was a motorhead when He was young as well. Had a 67 Chevelle SS L88. The motor was basically a race motor built for the street (I've heard the story of the night when he and his friends, after a few beverages, decided to replace their racecar's blown motor with his motor for the next day at the track, let's just say his motor did very well in the car.) He saw so much of himself in me.
So anyway, I took this basket case MJ, and made one hell of a rig out of it. Did most of the work without my dad by my side all the time. When I got stuck, he was there to help, to teach the final few lessons in basically rebuilding a vehicle from the ground up. But he gave me all the knowledge to do it. Rebuilding the motor, swapping in a completely different drivetrain and turning one man's trash into my treasure. I know it made him so proud so see his son be able to do it.
By putting two stamped pieces of metal on a ring into my stocking that christmas, my father gave me so much. This past sunday, I was out on the trail, with some great people doing something I love. Mike and I had chopped the top off the MJ on saturday. Sunday was the first day I got to enjoy it. Literally, it was the single best day of my life thus far.
That sunday was also the day my father passed away. I'm just starting to realize now just how much he's done for me and how truly great of a man he really was. With those keys in the stocking, my dad gave me things that no amount of money can buy.
Even now, with how sad I am, and how much I miss him. when I look at that MJ parked in my driveway, it puts a great big grin on my face, even now when I need it the most. Though it sounds weird, it almost seems like by giving me those keys, he gave me the strength to carry on.
I love you so much Dad, and more now than ever before. You lead me to peace and happiness in an event where most would find none. To me, you are, and always will be, the greatest man that ever walked this earth.
Thank you so much!
but dig on the :sunshine: memories and celebrate the lessons learned every time you pass one along. 
and had much fun in it about every six months for it's 85-91 tour of Woody Family Duty...
