MY WAY OF HELPING A FRIEND.

[xtrememtbiker85]

I am currently starting a project with my girl friend to fix up an '89 cherokee limited for my best friend. I live in NH and my friend lives in VT. He has no clue about this project. Currently his mother is suffering from colon cancer and he lives in a small town in the middle of no where VT. He has dreams to go back to school to become a teacher for grade school kids or to work with computers. Now he is stuck at home to help his mother and he cannot get any where to get a job because his car got reposessed.

My girl friend and i just bought a 1989 cherokee limited for $100. it needs a small list of things but it is going to become a good vehicle for him to drive for a few years.

The list starts with needing rust repair, behind both rear tires, a 6" hole over the muffler, and i am going to buy new rocker pannels because its rusted out under the rear doors.

It will also need all 4 shocks replaced, and new wheels and tires.
I am currently running a few adds for trading some of my stuff for a set of 4 Good to great stock tires with factory alluminum or steel wheels. I will be buying all 4 shocks this coming weekend at the local Advanced Auto Parts store. I am going with the mid grade stock replacement shock absorbers. AS well as many other parts both new and slavaged for this project.

Next it will be needing basic tune up metainance. I already stormed Advanced today with my G/F and bought Spark plugs, Wires, Cap, Rotor, and a can of Sea Foam.

I already ran the Sea Foam through the vac Line tonight and ran the vehicle so hopefully thats a good start.

I also replaced the wiper blades, and bought a few cool things for it like scull license plate frames, steering wheel cover, and air freshners, just to give it a look of cool to his personalty. We also have an evil rubber ducky to mount on the dash.

I also bought Castrol GTX 5W30 oil, Anti freeze, Fram oil filter and a Purilator air filter so i can do an oil change, coolant flush and it just needs and air fitler bad.

I work at an automotive detailing shop so i will be cleaning the inside very well and i will be giving it a good waxing as well.

I am also replacing the front bumper with a used chrome bumper to match the perfect chrome rear bumper because the front bumper is rusted out. i also have two used but perfect front bumper brackets form my 95 that i will be using in it when i change the front bumpers. I will be putting on new side markers because they are cracked and broken and a new used stock air box.

Next i will be putting on an extra set of vent visors i have lying around and replacing the sagging head liner with a good used head liner from the slavage yard.

It also needs and Exhust manifold. If i can get a good price on a replcement i have a friend that i think would be more than willing to install it for free because we are trying to help out a buddy.

It will also be needing a steering box and possibly some linkages because the steering is very very loose. There are a few other things to do to it but i will be hacking away at it for the next three weeks with my girl friend so we can deliver it to him as a surprise on the weekend of the 5th of August.

I am not only trying to get it running better that it is (it runs great for an 89) but i am also trying to make it look good as well so my friend has a nice looking rig, everyone deserves to have something that looks nice to be proud of.

If i have not said it already this friend of mine has been ther for me many times and he has been a great friend to me and my girl friend. he deserves this more than anyone i know and i just hope that throught the goodness of others we can help him help himself.

All the parts that can be bought used or salvaged will be bought used or salvaged but anything crucial or that should be replaced with new will be replaced with new.

Like i said I am still looking for a set of 4 stock to 30" tires that will last a few years (stock gy wranglers or bfg's or any good tires that will do well in the snow of VT and last a while with some decent looking wheels). Pm me for trade details.

Any one local to Manchester NH is mroe than welcome to donate some time on weekends or after 5 on wheeknights to help out or donate parts.

I just hope that when all this is through i have a good reliable runnig vehicle to give to my friend that i will feel safe giving to him.

thanks for reading and any input is welcome.

 

[xtrememtbiker85]

Today i picked up a new front bumper(great shape chrome), air box, head light switch, side marker lense, lift gate lock cyl and key, lift gate platic pannel trim, and a new steering wheel horn cover. all for $60.

I also have my new bumper brackets, gas cap, rockford fosgate speakers, ventvisors, antenna, t shifter handle and 4x4 lever ('01) and a buch of other stuff that was laying around my garage tha ti will be putting in to it.


Today i got the new front bumper on, new intake box in with new filter, new lift gate lock cylinder and key, new lift gate speakers, new lift gate trim pannel, new side markers and bulbs.

Tomorrow i will install the new plugs, wires cap and rotor.

I checked out the shocks and though everything is pretty well rusted under neath it it seems like the upper shock bolts are in good shape and other bolts too. i am going to replace all 4 shocks this week/saturday.

I still need to find out the status of the exhaust manifold and its install.

I am still concerned about it being reliable or making sure i have done all i can to make it as reliable as possible.

thanks for all the help guys. though i still need tires and wheels and a few other parts its all coming together. I will be picking up a new headliner, drivers seat coutionand visor clips.

I just want to make it a good thing for my friend and not a money pit.

IF THERE IS ANY INPUT OR ADVISE THAT I CAN USE TO MAKE THIS THE MOST RELIABLE VEHCILE I CAN LET ME KNOW. I AM ON A BUDGET BUT I WILL TRY TO DO EVERYTHIGN I CAN TO MAKE IT RELIABLE.


I originally posted this on Jeep Forum and i updated it today with the work i have completed in the above paragraphs.

 

[jeepsrock]

Very nice of you to help someone like this...the best to all of you guys.

As far as things to replace that cause problems ....well i would suggest you remove the throttle body clean and replace if necessary the TPS and IAC. I would also change the o2 sensor if its old.

Other than that if its running well, i guess it should be ok.

pete

 

[5-90]

As far as things to replace that cause problems ....well i would suggest you remove the throttle body clean and replace if necessary the TPS and IAC. I would also change the o2 sensor if its old.

I'd not think "if necessary" on those parts - just change them. Sounds like he'd be better off starting a new clock on engine management - so I'd probably change the MAP, IAT, and CTS as well, just to be sure. Grab the CPS while yer at it - since it's probably running "on the ragged edge" of its useful life as well...

I'd also change the vacuum lines - source those from NAPA, and I'm reasonably sure the part numbers are here (since I know I posted them a few months ago when I got a couple sets.)

No need to replace the headliner - remove the board and recover it. Search here for "how-to," and it's been covered on a few Jeep sites as well - try jeepin.com or madxj.com for starters (and other tips.)

Good luck on the other stuff! Too bad yer not over here... 1) We really need more people like you in CA (most people out here aren't...) and 2) I could really help you source parts - I might even have to go get a few (but I've probably got most of them lying about...)

Expect the engine to run well - ChryCo (ca 8/88) used the AMC alloy and spec for the engine castings until the 1991MY, and the RENIX/AMC-spec castings border on indestructible - and the core electronics seem to be bombproof. Just change the sensors at infrequent intervals (in this case, just change them all so he won't have to anytime soon...) and yer golden. I'd hate to tell you what I've put a few of my RENIX rigs through - and they kept running like a cheap Timex! (Serious, if you want a watch that will take abuse, spend NOT MORE THAN $40 on a Timex. Most of the ones I've had I've lost - the couple that I did break I did in ways that would kill just about anything anyhow - like dropping a 10# hammer on one after I'd taken it off... Oops.)

5-90

 

[riverfever]

Hats off to you and your gal mtbkr. I think that's a fine thing to do for a "good" friend since they are hard to find. I would also love to help out the cause if you all weren't so far away.

 

[Lawn Cher']

Great thing to do for a buddy, kudos to you man.

 

[Ghost]

PB Blaster is your friend..... spray all those bolts a lot b4 attempting removal. Especially the shock ones... kudos to you guys....

 

[dizzymac]

If you need sheet metal at a reasonable price try Isaacsons Steel in Berlin, a bit of a haul from Manchester. You can get a 4'X8' sheet of 18ga. for $63.63. They are diagonally across from the prison, right next door to the DMV.
They are pretty good to deal with, I went up there today to pick up my order but they didn't have it at their new location yet, they just moved, I knew this and prob. should have called ahead. They said they will put it on their truck and have it to me by Fri. morning., I live at exit #28(Campton/Waterville Valley) so it's a bit out their way, but at least they are trying to fix the screw up.
Seeing as your'e doing a good deed,PM me if you need parts and I'll let you know if I have them on hand.

 

[xtrememtbiker85]

Today i changed the spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor. I also changed the front shocks with mid grade stock replacement monroe shocks with out a hitch. The nuts and bolts came out easily b/c there was a ton of grease on them from the engine.

I will change the serp belt and the rear shocks tomorrow. The rear shock bolts look to be in good shape as well, knock on wood.

is really coming together fast. we are very excited and i found a good set of 98 xj classic wheels for trade of my other wheels i have for sale so i just need tires.

i am still going to try and find a cheap headliner for like $10 and i need a drivers seat coution b/c that one is garbage. I am also changing out the steering box with a used one b./c the one it is is junk.


thanks for all the positive feed back.

Ps i checked the front hubs today and they are in perfect shape,the front brakes are good and all the other parts look good.


i will try to do the o2 and the other sensors as i get more cash, i am also going to try and get my hands on a new fuel pump assembly.

all teh brake lines na dfuel lines look pretty clean and overall for an 89 form new england with road salts in in better shape than i thought.

thanks again

-Kyle

 

[Atl XJ]

Too bad you live up north, around here you could have gotten an older XJ that needed a little work like that for cheap that wasnt a total rust bucket like that one sounds like. It would cost you a a few hundred more, but it'd be well worth it to not have to deal with all that rust.

Good luck with your project, I hope he apprecitates it. arty:

 

[xtrememtbiker85]

well, a friend is coming up sat to help me weld in 2x4 steel for the rockers, there is a 6x6 hole over the muffler, and i need to patch up the area behine the rear tires. i may even cut it off completley and box it in like many people do.

so far its cost $420 with purchasing the vehicle. it will be just under $600 by the time i am done. I dont think thats too bad. i can buy a chicle thats body is in better shape for more but would still need all $320 worth of parts i have put in to it so i would rather spend $50 for steel andhave a friend help me fix the rust at this point. the rust is really not that bad especially for an 89.

I could ahve bouth a 94 zj that needed a little attention for $800 but who knows what else it could need too. its all a gamble but i think i am on the right track so far.

plus i can go up to him at any time and bring new parts of upgrades or make repairs. I am positive he will poop himself when he gets it, i know he will be very greatful.

thanks again everyone.

 

[scca28]

i am still going to try and find a cheap headliner for like $10 and i need a drivers seat coution b/c that one is garbage.
-Kyle

Just a suggestion; if you are going to go through all the work of removing the headliner, it might be better to get a kit with new material (if the $$'s are available). Mine was about $39 with the spray adhesive. It's not that hard of a job to do. I'd just be worried that another used headliner is going to start sagging soon after you install it.
Good luck with all that!!!

 

[19CHEROKEE89]

you prolly shoulda put a 10w30 (since thats what it came with) or a 10w40 in it cause of age and miledge. the 5w30 will thin out as it warms and probally leak just that tiny little bit more. either way it will be just fine as long as you keep an eye on it.

and good luck with the project sounds like its goin well.

 

[RichP]

Loose the fram oil filter, replace it with a mopar, K&N, Mobil1, Wix, but get rid of the fram...also the 10w30 is what you want in that engine, 5W is just a bit too thin.

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

I was also gonna say dump the Fram. I've run Napa Gold in both the XJ and KJ and havent had a single problem out of both of them. The Napa Gold costs about $6 and some change...so its not too bad.

And hats off to you and your girl for doing this good deed for your friend. I'm sure he'll appreciate it for a lifetime.

Just out of curiosity, how many miles does this XJ have on it?

 

[RichP]

I was also gonna say dump the Fram. I've run Napa Gold in both the XJ and KJ and havent had a single problem out of both of them. The Napa Gold costs about $6 and some change...so its not too bad.

And hats off to you and your girl for doing this good deed for your friend. I'm sure he'll appreciate it for a lifetime.

Just out of curiosity, how many miles does this XJ have on it?

Yea, I always forgot about napa, they never come into my 'where to go for parts' decisions, all the napa stores in my area where I live keep bankers hours, when I leave for work at 0630 and get back into my area at 1700 they are closed so they are useless for me as well as the other 97% of the people who are not farmers and have to commute to business areas.. Just like the local lumber yard, 0700-1700 mon thru fri and 8-1200 on sat, useless and he still complains that home depot takes his business at chamber of commerce meetings...

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

Yea, I always forgot about napa, they never come into my 'where to go for parts' decisions, all the napa stores in my area where I live keep bankers hours, when I leave for work at 0630 and get back into my area at 1700 they are closed so they are useless for me as well as the other 97% of the people who are not farmers and have to commute to business areas.. Just like the local lumber yard, 0700-1700 mon thru fri and 8-1200 on sat, useless and he still complains that home depot takes his business at chamber of commerce meetings...

yeah they do seem to have kinda odd hours. The one right up the street from me (actually the area warehouse) closes at 7pm, where as autozone stays open till 9. But at the same time we've got a good family friend who is the parts guy at another local napa, so I can usually get a pretty good deal on the expensive repairs....for example i got brand new rotors and pads for my XJ for under $70.

 

[xtrememtbiker85]

ok, exchanged the oil today for 10w30 castrol gtx, and exchanged the oil filter as well.

todady i change the serp belt and started on the rear shocks but i need to wait for more pb to soak in.

the jeep has 187k miles on it.

 

[xtrememtbiker85]

today i did a coolant flusha nd oil change in the pouring rain. then it stopped raining and i scrubbed the white paint wiht a super good cleaner from my work. it looks shiny now. hopefully if all goes rihgt this weekend it will be 90% done.

oh btw i ordered a rustys 2" bb for it and i am getting used 30's for it and hopefully a trade on a set of wheels too.

 

[Atl XJ]

I've supported what you're doing so far but why would you waste money lifting it?