Swank's XJ Cherokees

Drove Red to Chicago and back yesterday during the blizzard to pick up Miata parts.

Probably not the smartest thing i've done in recent history, but in my defense, there wasn't any snow on the ground at home when i left.

The crap tires on it made passing on the highway a bit sketchy, but was fine otherwise. Was only held back on the side streets that hadn't been touched in Chicago by everyone else stuck in the middle of the road. (Oh you're stuck? yeah. You should probably mash the gas pedal as hard as you can. That'll help.)

Including a bunch of idling and crawling around stuck people, pulling 6 of them out, and some messed up single lane traffic through 65, averaged 23.2mpg for the day. Heat is uncomfortably hot in this truck. Was sweating my ass off in a long-sleeve t-shirt only on the way home. SWMBO couldn't figure out why my shirt was wet.

In other news, have a lead on a 98 5.9 Grand Cherokee for $400.

My (red) XJ was crazy in snow. 5" lift with 31" LTB Swampers and a spool in the Dana 44...

We got 24" of snow when we lived in a complex and I climbed in and drove all over the lot to break down the snow to help get others out.

I think XJ's have to be placed very high on a pedestal in 4x4 history.

There's VERY little theyre not good at and VERY VERY little it can't be modified to do very well.

I was starting to wish i had brought the blue jeep right around when i got to Lafayette and there was standing snow on I65N, since blue jeep actually has good tires and a bunch of ground clearance.

But it really didn't matter. I was punching through drifts on the side streets that were up to my bumper and it just didn't care. This thing is going to be obscene once it's lifted and i have good tires on it.

I need to get my Cherokee fixed. I hate driving the Durango in the snow. I would love to get better tires for the Cherokee, but that's not in the cards.

5.9GC for $400?!?! DO IT!!!! You can make that money back just selling off the hood, grill, and sideskirts.

beans wrote: 5.9GC for $400?!?! DO IT!!!! You can make that money back just selling off the hood, grill, and sideskirts.

Yeah. Or it's worth more than that in scrap right now.

It's zero risk. If i can fix it for cheap (which i think i can), then i'll have to decide if i keep it as one of those "So cheap i may as well keep it" things, or flip for a few grand.

Wait - over 23mpg out of a Cherokee? I thought those things struggled to get mid-teens???

Thanks. I guess I need to sell the Vitara and drink that Kool Aid now...

petegossett wrote: Wait - over 23mpg out of a Cherokee? I thought those things struggled to get mid-teens??? Thanks. I guess I need to sell the Vitara and drink that Kool Aid now...

I've been doing 19-20mpg combined in this one. Typically it's 22mpg highway.

The blue one does mid teens normally. 19-20mpg highway. It's also heavier, taller, has bigger tires, and is an automagic.

Mileage DOES suffer quite a bit if i'm bulling along at 80mph. I'm guessing this tank was as high as it was because i was forced to meander along at 50-60mph most of the way.

Yeah when I used to drive the Cherokee everyday, I averaged 60 mph and averaged 21 mpg.

So that sounds about right.

Hey Ben.. Been reading through this build and thought I would post one I got yesterday. Sold the Blue 1996 2WD and got this one, a 1999 from California..NO rust at all... Automatic, 4.0 and 4WD. Needs headliner and that is it I think.

In reply to Billy_Bottle_Caps:

In reply to petegossett:

I know, unbelievable for IL right?

Holy E36 M3 that is gorgeous!

The black fascias are growing on me.

What's your plans?

Not sure, yet, probably not as extreme as you.. Just need a good winter buggy. Will do something with those dumb a$$ blue looking flares though. Looks goofy to me

Trim black paint will sharpen them right up.

Billy_Bottle_Caps wrote: Not sure, yet, probably not as extreme as you.. Just need a good winter buggy. Will do something with those dumb a$$ blue looking flares though. Looks goofy to me

Sell them to me?

With the rest of the truck attached!

XJ's look way better with no flares and a tiny bit of trimming IMO: http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/rubber-edge-trim-after-fender-trimming-97838/

In reply to ebonyandivory:

I do not like the way that looks. I like the factory fender flares, even the oversized aftermarket fender flares. The XJ doesn't look right without flares.

petegossett wrote:

Billy_Bottle_Caps wrote: Not sure, yet, probably not as extreme as you.. Just need a good winter buggy. Will do something with those dumb a$$ blue looking flares though. Looks goofy to me

Sell them to me? With the rest of the truck attached!

If it ever leaves the stable I will let you know

ebonyandivory wrote: XJ's look way better with no flares and a tiny bit of trimming IMO: http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/rubber-edge-trim-after-fender-trimming-97838/

I like it, not sure if I am willing to do it, but I like it

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: In reply to ebonyandivory: I do not like the way that looks. I like the factory fender flares, even the oversized aftermarket fender flares. The XJ doesn't look right without flares.

Normally i agree with you.... but this rig changed my mind.

And this rig is pretty much exactly what i'm out to build.

In reply to Swank Force One:

I like the bar under the window--good idea

Swank Force One wrote:

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: In reply to ebonyandivory: I do not like the way that looks. I like the factory fender flares, even the oversized aftermarket fender flares. The XJ doesn't look right without flares.

Normally i agree with you.... but this rig changed my mind. And this rig is pretty much exactly what i'm out to build.

Nope. Would look better with the tires covered, IMO.

Swank Force One wrote:

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: In reply to ebonyandivory: I do not like the way that looks. I like the factory fender flares, even the oversized aftermarket fender flares. The XJ doesn't look right without flares.

Normally i agree with you.... but this rig changed my mind. And this rig is pretty much exactly what i'm out to build.

I don't know, it just looks......naked.

Also, as someone who's XJ has been through the mud a couple times, the fender flares help.

That particular XJ looks like it's meant for rock crawling or hitting some insane trails, which I could actually see why not having flares would make sense.

GF has been wanting a Cherokee and i am looking casually for a second/replacement vehicle. Is there a buyers guide for these or a good area to get up to speed before finding one?