ExpatMJGuy

This XJ got a great new lease on life and has been sold to a young family up in Tennessee. I had intended to take this Jeep to New Zealand with me, but it was abandoned at the last minute after finding out some real technical details the in the Warrant of Fitness process for New Zealand registration. New Zealand has strict restrictions on lifts and ride heights and the the 4wd conversion could have proven to be problematic. Prior to sale she got a new engine and a complete new grey interior. Complete with reupholstered leather seats, and new carpet. The trim and dash came from my other XJ that was parted. As much of the tan interior was sold as best as possible. She was also converted to 4wd. Great Jeep. It was a disappointment leaving her behind. But we're onto a new XJ in New Zealand.

UPDATE: All the parts have been used off this Jeep or Sold including the engine, driveline, and the entire interior was moved into another XJ for a color change! Very few parts remained when we were done. The Chassis itself was sent to the crusher when all the parts were used. RIP Your sacrifices will not be forgotten.

1997 XJ Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0L, 4WD, NP242 Transfer Case, Chrysler 8.25 Rear Differential. Auckland, New Zealand Status: Owned and Driven Australian spec XJ Sport! Imported from Australia to New Zealand sometime around 2003. Moved to New Zealand and started a new project learning all RHD and international market quirks! FYI if your vehicle is RHD your steering adjustment nut is most likely reverse threaded! Ask me how I know!

Update... This poor girl was parted out and gave many parts to other Comanches in need! It was eventually discovered that the vehicle had been in a prior accident and the frame previously pulled. The very front end even was welded from another Jeep. There was significant rust in this area of the frame and it was determined that she wasn't salvageable. The grill and chrome bits along with the black interior got moved to my other Comanche as well as the fender flares. Rear glass was also moved to my other Comanche. The tailgate was sold to another party, and when we got down to just the bed and the frame it was sold to someone in NC with the intent to turn it into a MJ trailer and scrap the damaged front end. All of her parts were used to the best of my ability. May your sacrifices not go unforgotten!

Sold to a gentleman in South Carolina. It's been fully painted red and the interior redone in black. It looks incredible.

Problem solved.... Two pairs of vice grips....

Well I carefully got the cap off but no screw behind it

So my truck didn't come with an elbow where the quarter glass closes. I stumbled across one on a Cherokee at the junk yard that looks identical but when you go to actually attach it to the vehicle, how it mates to the glass is actually different. Does anybody know how I get this style off? I really don't want to break anything. I don't see screws or pins or anything like the one I found on the Cherokee. Thanks!! .

Almost forgot to transfer my glove box key. But we've passed emissions and have a current registration! Leather seats coming soon!

So the XJ is pretty much done! I haven't had a lot of time to document as I've gone but, the engine is in it after having to go back and do an intake manifold gasket again. I then started the 4wd conversion and decided to do the interior swap at the same time since you have to mount the bracket for the shift lever linkage under the carpet. When I got the carpet out of the donor Jeep I decided it was time for new carpet due to the rust pretty much destroying the carpet. The rest of the trim and the headliner went exactly as planned. I've sent it off for an alignment and tire balance, had a spare key made, and put in a new controller board for the key fobs this week. So I need to run up to Ohio and pickup my reupholstered leather seats in Agate and it's pretty much done!

I haven't updated this in a while but I've been crazy busy with the move. So for those that don't move, my wife's work threw a curve ball and decided to send us to New Zealand instead of Australia. It was number 2 on our list so we still can't complain. Right after a back surgery late last summer we got the green light for the move. Jeep should be on the boat at the end of May. I just got my XJ finished up and now I'm in a mad dash to put my MJ back together in time. I disassembled it and got it ready for paint and then dropped it off for its actual paint job while we were in New Zealand last January. This week I started basic reassembly. I replaced my tailgate hardware, I've got the grill mostly back together and key parts lenses on the rear. I'm ordering some more parts this evening. I'll prolly start fender liners and fender flares tomorrow, that or start working on rekeying the ignition.

So I just learned the rear bumper I have for my MJ won't work. It came off my parts long bed and and the mounting holes are different on my short bed. I need one ASAP as I have to put my MJ on a boat by the end of May. I was planning for chrome but I can go with black if someone has the matching black front bumper. I can even trade the straight chrome bumpers that I have.

Since we're on axle topics I'm hunting an a front Axle for a 4wd conversion. I'm finding some conflicting information when it comes to axles used. I don't remember where I found this but I've held onto this screen shot for a long time. But I just read from somewhere else a blanket statement that the MJ shipped with 3.55 gearing. What is the truth here? My MJ is an 88 Manual with the 4.0L so I was thinking I was looking for a 3.07 axle. 3.55 would be nice... There's a lot more of them out there.

Is this stuff still needed?