Project Jeep Cherokee - the condensed version

[Zembonez]

This is the condensed version of my Jeep Cherokee build - without all of the thread babble.
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CLOWN'S 2000 JEEP CHEROKEE BUILD THREAD

As some of you know I bought another toy. This one is a 2000 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 with the 4.0 inline six. I have a soft spot for Jeeps. Over the next few weeks I plan to post a bunch of new stuff as it is being built in my garage.

It's a good straight Jeep. Completely unmodified... SO FAR.

Here are some ugly before shots.

I'll post up some in process stuff... Most of which will be boring.

 

[Zembonez]

While I am waiting for my suspension parts to get here, the Jeep is in the disassembly stage. I'm removing all of the plastic parts for refinishing and removing years of dirt and grime from all of the hidden crevices that are revealed in the process. I'm also checking for any hidden mechanical issues and making a parts list.

Basically I am making a total mess of my garage. It is understandably grungy behind all of those body panels.

 

[Zembonez]

Parts removed and undercarriage and exterior all washed up! Starting to look better simply with the dirt gone... still an ugly beast though. This will change. The change is much more obvious in person than it is in the pics. Hard to capture white in the sun.

It takes time to get this done right.

While it is in this stage, I'm gonna clay bar and wax the beast.

 

[Zembonez]

arts headed to paint or cleanup.

Found a set of 06 Wrangler Sahara wheels... Haven't cleaned them up yet, but they are going to work just fine.

 

[Zembonez]

All plastic has been refinished and the front pieces reinstalled. I used Duplicolor's Bumper Coating to refinish the plastic to a semi flat black. If you look really close (in person) there are a few marks from stones in them but overall they came out great. This isn't going to be a show car... it will see mud and dirt, so I am trying to resist the urge to over improve it.

Used plain old single stage Semi Flat Black on the metal front bumper.

I've also installed new Sylvania Performance Headlights. I can't stand the OEM dim bulbs and even though the bulbs were good, I replaced them anyway.

Have you ever tried to get 10 year old fender liners clean? (yes I removed them just to clean them) It's a bitch! It was really tough watching Mrs Clown struggle with that.

I didn't want to get any undercoating on them while I was freshening the inner fender area either...

Here are the rear pieces. I didn't get to the rear bumper today... YET! I still need to paint it.

 

[Zembonez]

Much has happened that is not visible in the pic. Clay and wax is done. Front brake lines and ABS lines have been repositioned. Sway bar links are removed (gettin new quick disconnect / longer versions). Shocks, springs, rest of front suspension is either removed or all bolts removed in anticipation of new parts arriving tomorrow. If they come in, it means a 150 mile round trip to pick them up.

Much more should be happening over the weekend as long as the parts get delivered as promised. I have parts coming from all over the US.

 

[Zembonez]

Progress report:

Still waiting on suspension parts.

Did however finish up the updated cluster (with full gauges) installation.

Here is the original POS. Big difference!

Installed my Sony CDX-F5500 instead of the Nakamichi. The Sony has built in sub crossovers and more format capabilities... It sounds really good. Speakers/amp/small sub to follow.

 

[Zembonez]

WOO HOO!

Parts haz landed!

Got the Skyjacker suspension parts, new shocks, some beefy BFGs today! Now all I need is time to work on it.

The tires are a LITTLE bit bigger than the stockers.

Suspension bits including new leaf springs. I also picked up a new take off spare wheel for a total of six!

 

[Zembonez]

WOO HOO!

My sacrifice to the Chrome Gods. I hate the cheap Tupperware black plastic crappy grille that comes on these Jeeps... plus I have to have something that is chrome. The paint is nice and shiny after the clay and wax.

 

[Zembonez]

SCORE!

Picked up ANOTHER matching wheel spare off of Craigslist for 40 bucks. Tire has never been on the ground!