Raven - 2001 XJ

[bigwalton]

Most folks know I went to AZ to pick up a very clean, built 2018 JKU Rubi Recon last year. I sold my LJ for it, which was my winter driver and had intended to drive the JKU year-round (when I wasn’t driving the Postal or 77 Cherokee in good weather).

Wellllllllll… now that I have a full time office job, I just couldn’t do it. Last year, working from home, I drove it maybe four times over the winter and only on dry days. This year, I couldn’t be picky on when I drove it in. So…

Introducing Raven.


The reason for the name, got to use a gift from last Christmas.


2001 2WD (yeah, I know, but that can be fixed) with 230k miles and SUPER clean aside from weathered paint on the hood and roof. Everything works. Has leaks but I got it crazy cheap with brand new tires, rear lift gate struts and, as I found this weekend, brand new front brakes. Had to do the front hubs, but had a pair on the shelf and it was kinda fun to see the 2wd setup. Same as 4wd with a cute stub outer to compress the bearing.



May do a couple things to it to “prep” for a 4wd swap, basically making it a clone of the kid’s 2001.

I’d been getting crazy anxious about the JKU in the salt. Feeling way better now and I actually save money “putting up” the JKU for the winter on the insurance and running this with just liability

 

[Interceptor]

I have a soft spot for the Cherokees.

 

[gr8dain]

Looks super clean! Can’t wait to follow the 4wd conversion

 

[bigwalton]

Looks super clean! Can’t wait to follow the 4wd conversion

I don’t know how fast that’s going to happen. This winter and how well it does in the snow will be the determining factor there.

Lots of rotted out XJs up here though with working 4wd, so a donor should be easy and cheap, but with no truck/trailer or anywhere to store a dead vehicle it’s going to be interesting.

 

[bigwalton]

I have a soft spot for the Cherokees.

Ditto. Big time. I just adore that we got the kid’s from @Randyzzz

 

[bigwalton]

Realized I still have a set of 3” front lift springs from the LJ in the basement

 

[gr8dain]

I don’t know how fast that’s going to happen. This winter and how well it does in the snow will be the determining factor there.

Lots of rotted out XJs up here though with working 4wd, so a donor should be easy and cheap, but with no truck/trailer or anywhere to store a dead vehicle it’s going to be interesting.

I did not think you had to worry about dead vehicles like I do. But screw it. I did it anyway.

 

[bigwalton]

I did not think you had to worry about dead vehicles like I do. But screw it. I did it anyway.
View attachment 106523

Yeah, I'm not in the situation you are but I'm just not down for that.

 

[gr8dain]

Yeah, I'm not in the situation you are but I'm just not down for that.

Mr Lupo has been rubbing off on me. Not in a good way. This is my first and last parting out.

 

[Chamba]

I did not think you had to worry about dead vehicles like I do. But screw it. I did it anyway.
View attachment 106523

Wish you were closer... I'd take the hood off your hands to help reduce your burden

 

[gr8dain]

Wish you were closer... I'd take the hood off your hands to help reduce your burden

That hood is a POS fiberglass one that my son wants me to keep so that he can practice painting on it.

 

[bigwalton]

Well, we did a thing yesterday. Guy listed this for a steal on Thanksgiving and I arranged to go look at it first thing Friday. Same Rough Country lift as Laura's yellow XJ from @Randyzzz (that was recently installed by the PPO) and good 31" Kendas. Nice CD stereo with USB and aux, redone headliner, new basic tuneup and other good things. Lots of small issues, but drives and rides well. 4x4 works and it drives well enough to do it for this winter and then convert the black one in the spring/summer next year.

 

[jpnmaine]

There you go. Very clean looking..certainly better than New England standards. What year?

 

[bigwalton]

The maroon one is not clean. Rockers and quarters are shot.

The black one only has an issue with sun damage on the hood and roof.

Both are 2001.

 

[Chamba]

Manual transmission? I'm not sure where the clutch master is on XJs, but maybe it's not obvious.

 

[bigwalton]

Manual transmission? I'm not sure where the clutch master is on XJs, but maybe it's not obvious.

No. Someone replaced the shifter handle so it looks like a manual. All of ours are AW4

 

[jpnmaine]

Yup. Missed that side shot. There is work to be done.

 

[bigwalton]

Yup. Missed that side shot. There is work to be done.

Only enough to make it work this winter and then give up its lift and 4WD

 

[1x1_Speed_Craig]

Having daily-driven a '99 XJ through Michigan winter conditions (with Lake-effect snow in West Michigan) in the past, I rarely even used 4WD in mine. The wheelbase & handling was great for winter driving...better than I had expected.

Nice scores, Eric.

 

[bigwalton]

Having daily-driven a '99 XJ through Michigan winter conditions (with Lake-effect snow in West Michigan) in the past, I rarely even used 4WD in mine. The wheelbase & handling was great for winter driving...better than I had expected.

Nice scores, Eric.

I had to take the 2wd over to Grand Rapids for the state swim meet for the kid when they had a real nice lake effect weekend. I managed but I really missed 4wd — in unplowed parking lots, especially.