Thatxjguy's 1999 Jeep Cherokee Build 'Hole in the Pocket'

[thatxjguy]

Here's another small project that I'm working on:

I found some KJ center caps that I'm going to modify my wheels to install. I plasti-dipped them a dark gray and then added the gloss overlay layer:

I borrowed a friend's template and did some drilling and counter-syncing. Now those KJ center caps will bolt right up.

The back of the KJ center caps have a 3-screw/2-peg pattern. You have to drill 5 holes in between the 5x4.5 lug holes for them to fit:

So that's what I did:

Then, after that was finished, I turned the wheel around and made some counter-syncs so that the new screws I bought would sit flush with the wheel instead of sticking out:

After adding some paint tot he raw steel, the new screws are now flat with the wheel:

And here is the finished effect:

 

[thatxjguy]

Big day today!

These tires are now just a memory to my Jeep. They served me well with well over 50k miles and still 30% of their tread left:

My new tires are 33x12.50r15 Cooper Discoverer STT Pro on 15x10 Cragar V5 wheels:

 

[831_xj]

Damn those tires look so rad.. wonder how they work in the rocks

 

[thatxjguy]

Now I've got some new center caps, which are actually made for a Jeep Cherokee. I think they look much better being silver on black:

 

[thatxjguy]

Added all new lug studs, nuts, and locking nuts all the way around:

Also, I found these clear marker and turn signal housings at the boneyard, so I picked them up and put amber light bulbs in them so they stay the same color, but look sportier during the day:

 

[thatxjguy]

The ride quality of these new tires is amazing. They've taken some of the gas mileage away that the Duratracs provided, but I've noticed in the recent rain that they bite so much better.

 

[thatxjguy]

Some updates! (Sorry for inactivity)

My Jeep died on me in the middle of the Howard Franklin bridge, a long bridge between Clearwater and Tamps FL. It overheated and the radiator tank cracked, transmission cooler line popped, serpentine belt fell off, and I lost lots of fluids.

Nonetheless, I didn't give up on the old Jeep. I upgraded to a 2-core all metal radiator by CSF. What an awesome OEM fit it was. I also replaced the water pump, and did a Mopar 195 thermostat, as well as a Gatorback serpentine belt and a ZJ clutch fan.

 

[thatxjguy]

New transmission cooler brackets (home made):

New O2 sensors:

It's been running alright, except a little warm on hotter days, about 220. I'm not a fan of the temperature, being used to 209-ish most of the time. Not to mention, it's very odd that the RPMs are 100+ above normal when it gets hot like that:

Did a full Mopar tune up ($50? I'll take it!)

So I've been tracking the problem. With everything replaced, I'm resorting to hood vents from a Chrysler Lebaron, and picked up a new hood from the junk yard to slice into:

I've upgrade to LED blinkers, reverse lights, and brake lights:

 

[thatxjguy]

I've re-geared my axles to 4:56 finally. Now I can keep up with traffic with the new tires.

And some shiny new center caps, since the old ones got ruined while re-gearing with oil and tools:

 

[thatxjguy]

Made progress today, got the holes cut in the hood for the vents:

 

[thatxjguy]

 

[ExpedBonnie]

Pretty damn nice man. I bought my first XJ about 2 months ago and plan to get started on her as soon as I quit fixing stuff that breaks..