Sold the XJ, now a long term 96 ZJ build.

[IllianaXJ]

I sold my 01 XJ about a year ago frankly because I lost interest in it. It didn't take long for me to miss it, so I started casually browsing Craigslist and local forums for another project. I happened across this 96 ZJ with the simple CL ad title 'Project Jeep'. Since I'm an idiot, I clicked it. The next day I was enroute with a trailer to bring it home.

This will be a long term build into a reliable DD/weekend wheeler. I'm not going to go full Expo kit on it since let's face it, I live in Indiana. I'm planning on a trip to CO/UT in 2013, but that's pretty much the extent of 'extreme' backcountry travel it will see.

Basics: 1996 Limited, 5.2, 249, 3" Skyjacker + 2" Tera BB, worn 265s, color matched ARB front bumper, K&N FIPK, Pioneer radio with ipod hookup. PO got it in a trade for another vehicle. The interior was hammered, both from abuse and leaking sunroof/HVAC drain. He stripped it minus the front seats and then the tie rod adjusting sleeve snapped and he didn't want to mess with it. I picked it up for $900.

Pics the day I towed it home:









Got it home, replaced the $13 adjusting sleeve drove it around the neighborhood. Seemed to run ok, front trackbar was making an awful racket, rear suspension was clattering and the exhaust was rusted through so I parked it until I had time to work on it.

[IllianaXJ]

A few days later I got a chance to work on the new rig. Removed the nerf bars and brackets, mesh grille, non-working white face gauges and put all the dash trim back on. Replaced the rear Skyjacker LCA bushings, put a proper 10mm bolt in the front trackbar to remove the slop caused by a 3/8" bolt and found a couple HVAC issues. I found the A/C drain leaking around the firewall seal and the blend door arm broken so it only blows at the floor. On the plus side, the A/C is ice cold!

We happened to get a wrecked 97 ZJ Laredo in at my part time job (towing company) that we bought for scrap value, so I was able to score the entire grey cloth interior (minus headliner) for $0. Now it looks like this:

[GregB_00XJ]

Nice score man... I have a 2000 XJ and often think about moving up the ZJ or WJ for the size and V8 (trailer towing). I would miss my XJ, so I would end up with a second Jeep...oh nos!

Will be following this one!
Greg

[IllianaXJ]

As time and funds became available, the ZJ got a new turbo muffler/tailpipe, serpentine belt and plugs/wires/cap/rotor. For Christmas I got a JKS adjustable rear trackbar I need to install.

It now rolls on 31" BFG ATs on black painted Jeep steelies. I sold the stock gold wheels and street tread 265s, but now I'm wishing I had just kept the stock wheels and waited for a good set of tires. Oh well.

Long term plans call for a 231 t'case swap, sliders/skids, rear bumper w/ tire carrier and lockers. For now it's a DD so I can save cold weather wear and tear on my 6.5L Suburban. All told I probably have $1200 in it as of right now.

[IllianaXJ]

My new serpentine belt started to squeal, and after investigating I found the power steering pump was sitting crooked. Further investigation found the PS pump bracket looked like this:



A trip to the junkyard and 20 minutes and it's all better.

[GregB_00XJ]

All told I probably have $1200 in it as of right now.

I don't know what they cost down there, but around these parts, that front bumper is worth about $1200.00...so you are doing great!

[Firehawkclone]

Nice find. I started with a $800 93 ZJ myself. Yours is alot nicer than mine was.

[Hill, Bill E.]

I don't know what they cost down there, but around these parts, that front bumper is worth about $1200.00...so you are doing great!

I was thinking the same thing! Bought a bumper, and a Jeep came with it!!

Good score!

[MN ZJ]

This is the same rig that's on NAGCA, right? I've enjoyed following the thread.
-K

[IllianaXJ]

This is the same rig that's on NAGCA, right? I've enjoyed following the thread.
-K

Yep, that's the one. I need to update that thread, thanks for the reminder.