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Project Grandpa Jeep


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So what it needs.....most likely just a head, its an 0331 head, and it got overheated, and then the problems started. Id bet the block is fine. So the plan for now is to grab a junkyard 0331 TUPY head, rebuild it, put that in, remove the grandpa steps, find some alloy wheels for it, general clean up, and then list it on bring a trailer.

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Just now, 89 MJ said:

Weird that they weren't offered, considering you could get them for the MJ.


Not entirely weird. The XJ was compact and targeted as the family car and I doubt many were being lifted. The MJ and SJs had running boards and SJs were bigger and taller and the MJ was probably predicted that they would be lifted and the long boards that run to the rear wheel well are perfect for reaching into the bed. Which I have a set of those as well. 

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On 12/11/2020 at 10:42 AM, 89 MJ said:

:worthless:

It looks good in the linked pictures.

 JFC this forum software pisses me off at times.

 

On 12/11/2020 at 11:25 AM, eaglescout526 said:

Hmmm. Gotta find a set. I didn’t even know any were made to fit the XJ. I don’t even think they were offered as a factory accessory. 

Make offer!

 

Apparently they just spent $2k on a mechanic who did the head gasket but did not replace the 0331 head after it overheated and was getting contanminated oil/coolant. We told them they need to find a new mechanic.

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Just now, Jesse J said:

well yes. why was it so popular?

Because people were buying a functional utility vehicle and it had everything they wanted, power windows, doors, ac etc. most people were not buying a Cherokee for luxury. If they wanted luxury they went for a grand Cherokee. If they wanted a real Offroad they bought a wrangler. You had 3 options. Luxury grand Cherokee, 4 door functional suv, or 2 door plaything wrangler. It was a different market and a different time, not that 4 door wranglers are out there people who would love a wrangler but wouldn’t ever really use it and can not justify a 2 door for the family get their wrangler and something family friendly. so you bought a run of the mill XJ sport. You could save money on buying an SE, but they were kinda stripped down and plan looking, which was the intent of the SE. And if you wanted it, you could spend more on the limited, but it was a pretty pricey jump for that luxury most people didn’t care about. 
 

 

interestingly enough the export cherokees are typically much higher packaged jeeps. Since they cost more overseas buyers expected more in them. Sort of how you can get a Mercedes with cloth seats and a manual transmission overseas, but here they are only high in luxury cars. 

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3 minutes ago, Sir Sam said:

Because people were buying a functional utility vehicle and it had everything they wanted, power windows, doors, ac etc. most people were not buying a Cherokee for luxury. If they wanted luxury they went for a grand Cherokee. If they wanted a real Offroad they bought a wrangler. You had 3 options. Luxury grand Cherokee, 4 door functional suv, or 2 door plaything wrangler. It was a different market and a different time, not that 4 door wranglers are out there people who would love a wrangler but wouldn’t ever really use it and can not justify a 2 door for the family get their wrangler and something family friendly. so you bought a run of the mill XJ sport. You could save money on buying an SE, but they were kinda stripped down and plan looking, which was the intent of the SE. And if you wanted it, you could spend more on the limited, but it was a pretty pricey jump for that luxury most people didn’t care about. 
 

 

interestingly enough the export cherokees are typically much higher packaged jeeps. Since they cost more overseas buyers expected more in them. Sort of how you can get a Mercedes with cloth seats and a manual transmission overseas, but here they are only high in luxury cars. 

that makes a lot of sense. so glad I bought an mj though way cooler :roflmao:

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5 minutes ago, Jesse J said:

that makes a lot of sense. so glad I bought an mj though way cooler :roflmao:

Keep in mind that if you look at the history of the XJ aside from 97-01, the XJ in the beginning still had high end options and trims all the while being sold alongside the SJ Wagoneer and the SJ Wagoneer was a high end vehicle in its class too. But AMC offered the same luxury to those who wanted an XJ but wanted the luxuries of the SJ.  

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31 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

Keep in mind that if you look at the history of the XJ aside from 97-01, the XJ in the beginning still had high end options and trims all the while being sold alongside the SJ Wagoneer and the SJ Wagoneer was a high end vehicle in its class too. But AMC offered the same luxury to those who wanted an XJ but wanted the luxuries of the SJ.  

yeah that makes sense it all is coming together, I just had the litte trim pieces on the sport they mess with the body lines

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  • 4 weeks later...

Pulled a used 2004 WJ 0331 TUPY head at the junkyard yesterday. Got the head cleaned up, valves lapped, and the high temp primer on. Head was real real clean inside, amazingly so. I would not have hesitated to run it as is, but I wanted to be able to say it has a rebuilt 0331 TUPY head to maximize the value. 

Mmmmm milky:
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Ok so nearing the home stretch on this. Took the seats out, cleaned them up, rebuilt some foam on the drivers seat. The seat was in very good shape and the vinyl had previously been replaced, but a little bit of the foam was squished enough that the fabric was loose. 

Cleaned carpets, painted the end caps and side trim. Replaced the rear wiper switch and got the rear wiper working. Replaced the front fog lights with new ones. Repainted the front bumper, misc cleanup and touchup, painted roof rack. Got another set of wheels on craigslist which overall was a little nicer, buffed those up and will be taking them to costco tomorrow to get some new Michelins mounted. 

Still planned are front and rear diff service, and trans flush, transfer case fluid change also.

Before:
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Back cleaned:
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Clean, but still some old coffee hiding under the seat we hit again:
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New fogs:
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Some scratches on the wheel:
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After:
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All wheels buffed and ready for new tires:
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Other wheels/tires still on, buffed, but not quite as sharp as these:
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Getting close!
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I hate drum brakes:

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Pictures don't do the wheels justice for how shiny they look in person. Real pleased with how they buffed up/cleaned up.

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Rebuilt seat cushion:

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Changed all fluids today, I don't think the diffs had ever been done before, front looked like used motor oil, the rear looked brand new. 

Trans fluid was really dark, like motor oil, but transfer case had only some tint to it. 

I'm going to do front brakes tomorrow, then front wheels go on for good. We have had a vinegar flush filling the cooling system since at one point it was badly rusted, to the point the heater core was totally block with rust scale. We have blown it out and rinsed but having that acid sit in there will eat up the rust scale remaining. Time to purge it out now.

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6 hours ago, Pete M said:

holy crap, did those scratches buff out!?  :bowdown:

Still one or two that were deep enough that you can see them if you look, but otherwise yes. This is the first time I’ve buffed wheels and I’m amazed at how well it worked. I wish I had tried this years ago, I’m amazed at how nice they look now. I swear it’s like looking at brand new wheels now. 

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http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1346.jpg
http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1347.jpg
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http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1349.jpg
http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1350.jpg
http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1351.jpg
http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1352.jpg
http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1357.jpg

Have I said lately how happy I am with how these wheels turned out?

http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1373.jpg
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Oh you sexy reflective beast:
http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1390.jpg
http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1391.jpg


http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1421.jpg
http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1429.jpg

http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1450.jpg

Surface rust:
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http://colorado4wheel.com/images/gp4s2/content/images/large/IMG_1518.jpg

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