How many "hail Mary"s will it take...

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Today, we made some more progress on Mira's XJ. She swapped out a broken tail light (probably the first of many), and we got the rear bumper removed in preparation for installing her JCR Offroad gas tank skid plate.

Mira & her little sis Maeve helped get the bolts in after I hoisted it up under the Jeep. We also used JCR nut strips, which made the install very easy & straightforward.

Mira torquing down the skid plate bolts.

Mira's post-JCR Offroad gas tank skid plate install "rear window doodling".

And finally, a post-work "victory spin" around the yard.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

We made some progress on Mira's XJ interior removal today. The headliner and much of the interior trim is removed, and ready for the replacement as-needed. We also plan on having the windshield replaced while it's out. Next, we'll be running the wiring for her Gentex temp/compass mirror, and also lighted sun visors (an upgrade for this Jeep).

Keeping track of the trim & screws for future reinstall.

Behold, the ugly, saggy headliner. Girl Power 1, Headliner 0.

And a post-work victory lap around the yard.

 

[Randyzzz]

 

[tower210]

I love the tough clean look of a mildly lifted XJ two door. My first car (that I bought) was a 90 white 2D, unfortunately had the dreaded 4.0 head issue.

 

[jims chop shop]

Nice !!

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Contortionist Mira performs some under-dash work. Mira's base-model Jeep XJ now has under-dash courtesy lights, and we got some of the wiring run for the Gentex Temp/Compass mirror. We were not able to get her lighted visors working, as the plug for the harness differs between her 1997 model, and the 1999 donor model. That's OK, though...she'll still get (non-lit) vanity mirrors.

However, it's typically 2 steps forward, one step back. Now her gauges/stereo aren't working. We'll address that another day.

We also got the new later-model (1999) headliner, sound bar & speakers installed today. This replaced the old, sagging headliner.

 

[flashover604]

Am I the only one who, upon seeing the "contortionist" pic, thought: "When she gets a Scrambler she'll be able to get to the horribly designed brake switch."?

 

[MrBeep]

Am I the only one who, upon seeing the "contortionist" pic, thought: "When she gets a Scrambler she'll be able to get to the horribly designed brake switch."?

Spot ON! I think she may have a new career Craig.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Mira's Gentex Temp/Compass mirror is now installed & working, lighted vanity mirrors are now working, and the instrument cluster/stereo is working again. Productive weekend!

 

[Roman]

Am I the only one who, upon seeing the "contortionist" pic, thought: "When she gets a Scrambler she'll be able to get to the horribly designed brake switch."?

I was just thinking "Huh, I USED to be able to do that...

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Progress today...sort of.

We painted the inside roof over the driver area with Eastwood Rust Encapsulator paint, as there was a faint tinge of surface rust starting due to the thin OEM primer inside the cab. It probably wasn't necessary, but it gives us some peace of mind, and it was the time to do it.

We also replaced the steering wheel, and multi-function switch, but found after getting everything back together that the turn signals aren't working.

Cruisin' around the yard (which is when we realized that we now have no turn signals, and that the air bag light is also on). Two steps forward, one step back.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Turn signals and cruise is working again. The turn signals must have just been a connection issue. The old cruise switch (from a different vehicle) was the culprit for the non-working cruise; I switched the switch, and it all works great now.

I got the headliner reinstalled, and the new (all dark) dash swapped in today. All electrical is working with the exception of the driver door speaker (next to be fixed). The center console will be replaced with a dark one to match the dash, and dark carpet will be swapped in, too.

*HUGE* thanks to Amy for suggesting that we move the axle-less '99 donor Cherokee to the corner of the garage to make room for Mira's pending engine swap. It was easier than anticipated to move the XJ about 6-8 feet diagonally.

With all the parts we continue to get from this Jeep, it's the gift that keeps giving!

 

[flashover604]

This is a cool thread man. It's cool to see you guys working on it together. I bet she'll enjoy, appreciate, and take care of it more than her friends that didn't put the sweat equity into their first cars.

 

[surfjeepzx]

This is a great thread. Just read through the whole thing and you're doing a bang up job. Time well spent with your girls. I'll be following along.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Due to excessive rust in the floor of Mira's Jeep, we will likely scrap the entire project (tongue in cheek). I pulled the seats, console & carpets tonight, and this is what I found. Woot!

We'll be bringing the XJ into the dealership shortly to get the air bag sensor relocated, as recall was not taken care of by the previous owner(s).

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

This is a cool thread man. It's cool to see you guys working on it together. I bet she'll enjoy, appreciate, and take care of it more than her friends that didn't put the sweat equity into their first cars.

This is a great thread. Just read through the whole thing and you're doing a bang up job. Time well spent with your girls. I'll be following along.

Thanks guys! Much appreciated.

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

It was a productive weekend for Mira's Jeep. Although I didn't have my girls with me this weekend, I made some good solo progress.

• Fixed driver door speaker wiring, and installed driver-side Infinity XJ tweeter (passenger side to be installed soon), then rocked out to the Foo Fighters, which sounded great!
• Installed 4-flat trailer wiring.
• Fixed broken driver door stop.
• Removed the rear seat, and all seat belt bolts through the floor, and reinstalled after using anti-seize.
• Got rear carpet ready to remove, with the exception of drilling out the riveted factory tie-down point (must be removed to get the carpet out).
• Fought for a couple hours with one broken seat bolt (still never got it out). It's the only bolt that hasn't come out like butter. I was unsuccessful at getting a good enough weld with a nut on the broken bolt, so I'll hit it with an EZ-out next (ironic name...I have never had good luck with them).

The XJ is going in to the dealership next weekend for the airbag sensor recall, and potentially some other work. More to come...

Craig

 

[Polarfire]

The XJ is going in to the dealership next weekend for the airbag sensor recall, and potentially some other work. More to come...

Nice work! Being a new XJ owner myself I'm reading this thread with renewed interest! What is the airbag recall? What years were affected (Mine is a 2000)?

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Nice work! Being a new XJ owner myself I'm reading this thread with renewed interest! What is the airbag recall? What years were affected (Mine is a 2000)?

Thanks! It's not the airbag, but rather the airbag sensor. They were originally located under the driver's seat, but the recall moved them onto the transmission hump under the center console. I think it ranged from '97-'99ish model years, but check out your 2000. If it's under the seat, it's in the wrong spot. They were prone to moisture being located there.

Craig

 

[Polarfire]

Thanks! It's not the airbag, but rather the airbag sensor. They were originally located under the driver's seat, but the recall moved them onto the transmission hump under the center console. I think it ranged from '97-'99ish model years, but check out your 2000. If it's under the seat, it's in the wrong spot. They were prone to moisture being located there.

Craig

Good to know! I'll check it out!