87Warrior

March 2010- The poor MJ has not been getting much action this year. I moved to the city for work while the truck was left in a barn on the family farm. Then I hauled off and got engaged. I have been able to pull apart the XJs interior wiring harness, eliminating eveything I won't need. The front clip, fuel tank, and bed were also pulled from the MJ. Luckily there was very minimal rust on the back frame rails. Looks like some minimal clean up of flaking rust then some POR15 over everything is all she will need. The next series of milestones will be driveline removal from the MJ and getting the XJ dash fitted in there with the firewall modifications. Then to the body shop for new rockers, floor pans and cab corners. Hopefully she will be at paint by the end of the year.

The only way that could have gone better would have been "free" and found out it was the last 92 to roll out of the factory. Congratulations!

He might need the VIN plate from the firewall/inner fender as well. I have tried hard to get at least one 00/01 XJ out of a yard that was a CFC unit. No such luck. Lots of regulations to get around. That is once clean looking truck :shake:

Friday night I made the 120 mile interstate trek back to my home town, where the MJ slumbers waiting for work. At the beginning of my trip light rain had started and slowly changed to heavy. An hour down the road it starts sleeting and spitting snow with the temps holding at 35. The Jeep is purring down the road at 75mph while battling a 30mph cross wind. When the sleet formed a slushy ice bath on the road, I dropped my speed and came upon many illuminated brake lights. Found a newer Corolla shoved in the ditch, flashers on, idiots looking around at their car. Much to Squirt's disgust (the stray dog I rescued), I pulled over and asked if the group needed help. It was clearly a group of college graduates (one dude, two chicks) from the big city headed back to their alma mater, K-State which is mine as well. The fellow starts jabbering about some 18 wheeler who made him "wreck cuz of the snows." I inquired to see if he wasn't sure that his gas pedal got stuck causing the accident. He did not get the sarcasm and started telling the 18 wheeler story again. I pulled the car to the shoulder of the highway and rolled up the straps. The three were truly great full for the assistance and wanted to pay me for my time. I told 'em to just help out somebody, someday and that would be good. That was still not acceptable to one of the gals because a tow truck would have cost them several hundred dollars. So I gave her my cell number and sometime next week I am supposed to get a Chipotle burrito paid for at lunch. Turns out we all live in the OP/Olathe area of KC. At least I got the bed pulled off the MJ today and found minimal frame rust under there! :bowdown:

I bleed purple. Go K-State Truthfully, I was hoping for a sunflower show down for the championship.

Haha. My girlfriends grandfather told me he once took his shiny new Grand Wagogneer over a pass around Leadville (the name has slipped my mind). His wife argued his new Jeep would get torn up, but they still went for it. Got to the top and saw a family of 4 in a convertible GTO. Guess with big motors and a limited slip rear end you can do anything.

If a Grand Caravan can make it to the top of Imogene Pass, I have NO DOUBT a 2wd pickup could make it :banana: Although you might smoke the brakes going down without low-range :ack:

Dang you! I watched the videos and really had no comment, so I went on my way... but alas, I keep hearing "comanchero" go through my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!! :doh:

Work on getting it in 100% shape by August. Drive it to the San Juans of Colorado and do EVERY trail in the area. Camp and enjoy life. Then drive it back. :yes: Take lots and lots of pics for us to drool over. Or you could even invite the Comanche Club members!

I paid $150 for a set of 5 moabs that were partially sand blasted. The guy was going to powder coat them black. Still in the process of getting the primer to lay smooth, but once coated with silver duplicolor wheel paint they will be like new and can be touched up with little work to be like new again. I think the moabs are the best looking factory wheel jeep ever offered and worth the premium price.

Are the tires ST or STT? What size? None the less it seems like a good deal considering the shipping. I plan on going with STs on a set of rubi wheels I am saving.

DBW is one of thoses things that will keep me out of a JK. Even the best computer systems in the world can have a hiccup. I doubt what Chrysler/Fiat/US govt uses is even close to the best. Check out old fleet rigs for an XJ. When I was searching for XJ's, it seemed that most of the fleet rigs had 242s but with no power accessories. Good luck with your search. Keep us updated on your findings... Mostly because I am curious how much difficulty you have finding those rigs.

Be sure you understand the procedure to apply POR15 with the cleaners and treatments. You will not want any primers or paint on the surface you want to treat with the POR. There is a lot of reading available on their website for prepreation steps.

Stop and go traffic will make the most practiced manual guys miserable. I experienced a lot of that when living in Vail during the winter. Used the 4:1 tcase to save my leg. Probably wouldn't be a good idea today.... I did some circuit planning in Leawood last week, around Nall and 127th.

Just throw a dart at a KC map. Haha. Spent a few weeks in Waldo but am now around Lenexa. I have an apartment in Overland Park now. I will say that the JoCo drivers are by far the worst. Guess they are in a hurry to make more $$$. Yes, I realize I now live in JoCo.... But I aint proud of it! 5. The amount of CRAP people have in their backyards is utterly disgusting.

I regret the absence from CC over the last month, but it has been a doozie. I was finally able to find employment off the family farm following graduation last may. So here I am, working with the Kansas City Power and Light company as a Utility Forester. Transplanted from rural KS to KC, I am trying to get accustomed to the big city life. Here are some of my observations: 1. Business men in sports cars on their cell phone might be worse drivers than the women drivers. 2. A lifted TJ works well at forcing open a gap in rush hour traffic. Much more effective than the white 2wd ford ranger my company gave me to drive. 3. The sheer number of people who do not work and will answer their door in PJs at 2PM is astonishing. 4. It sucks being 2 hours from my MJ build!

That's plenty ugly. I expected to see some sort of cage to act as the roof support. I would assume she could bend at the cab plenty easy.

Sent you a PM but have not heard back. I am still very interested in the pair. Thanks a lot, Brett

I think that can go without saying... :brows:

It is stock and in place. Passenger rear corner is starting to droop a little. It will be coming out and getting fixed 100% soon enough.

Probably the rear seat belts or something :nuts: That is exactly why computers should not drive your car.

At one point I was looking for a car to be my DD, to take the burden off of my TJ. I wanted something fun, unique, and easy to maintain. Wound up with a 1997 Mazda Miata :nuts: That car was a pure joy to drive even at 6'3" 180lbs. It got around 28mpg with hard driving. However, I got bored quickly and was driving my TJ more and more after 3 months. Then I bought the MJ and sold the Miata, less than 7 months after buying it. It went to a guy who was planned on autocross'ing it. Moral of the story: It will be impossible to find something more enjoyable than a Jeep to drive. I was surprised how well the Mazda was built. Even impressed with my younger sisters '06 Mazda3. It is very comfortable to sit in and take for long drives. You can shove a lot of crap in the trunk too. It gets 28-32mpg with a ski rack on top. My girlfriend has a '00 Camry and loves everything about it, until it snows/ices. The 4cyl model gets 35+mpg with a load and still has power to go up and over mountain passes. She has 110K miles on it and has had no mechanical failures. My biggest complaint is the seats. They are so damned uncomfortable! If buying new I would probably consider Jeep/Ford/Mazda/Chevy. I would love to get a 5spd Patriot for my DD and cross country trips. If buying used I would consider Toyota/Mazda/Honda.

I think you have come to the wrong place for help with that addiction... We will only make it worse! Welcome to the club, you will fit in quite nicely :wavey:

They just rust from the inside out :nuts: The 99 XJ donor I picked up had the passenger side floor board rusted through.

You need to check that craigslist at least twice a day. It is amazing how fast a 'decent' truck will get sold :typing: Also helps if you are willing to drive a fair distance. I had a short 7 hour drive to buy my MJ. Welcome to the club, where the insanity meets reality and consumes your life :brows: Don't drink the water and you will be fine :yes: