The Grape Ape Jeep

[Clickpopboom]

As some may have seen on my "Cheap Trail Rig" thread, I just picked up this 91 XJ from a coworker. It needs a few things done, but I couldn't pass up the good deal on it.

It needs a few things done- the sway bar endlinks are bad, and so are the track bar bushings. The steering column has the famous loose bolt syndrome that all of these old GM style tilt columns seem to get. I did the key cycle trick and it is also saying the TPS is on the way out. The windshield is barely intact, but I've got the glass guy from work replacing it this week for me.

On a good note, It just had the u-joints and the pinion yoke replaced, as well as the air flow sensor and IAC motor.

I will update the things I do to it on here.

I emailed Jeep and got the build sheet for it. This is what they sent me.



Thank you for contacting the Jeep Customer Assistance Center.

We are pleased to provide vehicle build information per your request for
your 1991 Jeep Cherokee.

According to our records, your vehicle was equipped from the factory
with the following:

VIN:
Vehicle Description: JEEP CHEROKEE
Model Year: 1991
Body Model: XJ J L 74

Sales Code Description

Q7 Cloth Low-Back Bucket Seats
ADH Heavy Duty Electrical Group
AHT Trailer Tow Group
APAS Monotone Paint
ARCP Rubicon X
ARNP Laredo Decor Group
AWHP Power Equipment Group
BAFP 130 Amp Alternator
BGAS Power Front Disc/Rear Drum Brakes
CACP Low Back Bucket Seats
CDBP Reclining Front Seats
CFMS Rear Folding Seat
CKBP Floor Carpet
CKNP Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKTP Cargo Tie Down Loops
CKVP MOPAR All Weather Mats
CLEP Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSAP Spare Tire Cover
CSCP Cargo Compartment Cover
CUFP Full Length Floor Console
CUN Overhead Console
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGSS 4-Speed Automatic AW4 Transmission
DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHNS Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System
DHSS Floor Mount Automatic Shift Lever
DJHS 230MM Front Axle
DMDS 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRAS Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
ERH 4.0L I6 Power Tech Engine
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEDS Tinted Rr Drs/Qtr/Liftgate Glass
GEHS Fixed Door Vent Glass
GFAP Rear Window Defroster
GNCP Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
GRBP Entire Fleet Alike Key (FREQ 6)
GSBP Right Convex Mirror
GTBP Power Heated Mirrors
GXMP Remote Keyless Entry
HAAP Air Conditioning
HGDP Deluxe Insulation Group
JAYP Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JCAS 85 MPH Primary Speedometer
JGBP Digital Clock
JHAP Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBP Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
LACP Illuminated Entry
LAJP Headlamps On Warning Chimes
LBBP Courtesy Lamps
LBCS Glove Box Lamp
LBDP Ash Tray Lamp
LBEP Cigar Lighter
LDAP Underhood Lamp
LDBP Cargo Compartment Lamp
LHDP Headlamp Off Time Delay
LMAS Halogen Headlamps
LSA Security Alarm
MBUP Painted Front Bumper
MBZP Dark Gray Rear Bumper w/Step Pads
MCAP Rear Body Color Applique
MCBP Rear Accent Color Applique
MDAP Front License Plate Bracket
MFMP Black/Bright Grille
MHBS Bright Windshield Moldings
MMCS Rear Qtr Solid Window Insert
MMGS Belt Moldings
MTAS Rear Fascia Skid Plate Applique
MWAP Roof Rack
NAAS Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFAS 20 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHBP Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
NHMP Speed Control
NMCP Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RAFP AM/FM Cassette Radio
RCGP 6 Speakers
RDCP Power Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCGP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SFAS Standard Duty Shock Absorbers
SGAS Rear Shock Absorbers
SUAP Tilt Steering Column
TBB Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TRN P225/75R15 OWL Wrangler AT Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WJNP 15" Aluminum Wheels
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

[Clickpopboom]

Should have mentioned the name comes from it's lovely shade of purple. And here are the obligatory pics.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8258/8665605711_eb0126e604_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8239/8666706048_257fc86f93_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8249/8666705818_8546d15b69_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8665606179_4e10297771_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8665606439_baa64d1307_b.jpg

[Java]

that has all the right parts, especially not having the D35 rear. Even with what it needs I think you got a good deal and it's going to be a great rig. :thumb:

[dscowell]

Looks good! Cherokees are good 4x4. Who did you contact for all that information

[Clickpopboom]

Who did you contact for all that information
www.jeep.com/jeepcares
You can request one from the form there. They usually get back to you within 24hrs.

[glacierpaul]

Lots of potential!, keep the grape ape purple too!

[carpenle]

Great find.

[Clickpopboom]

Lots of potential!, keep the grape ape purple too!

Definitely keeping the purple- It's my youngest daughter's favorite color so she loves the Jeep.


Made some big repairs yesterday- I replaced the missing gas cap, put on new wiper blades, and topped off the fluids. I went and got the temporary registration done today so that I can drive it to the smog station.

[Jackie]

Love the purple-urple. :D Should prove to be a great Jeep.

[Clickpopboom]

Got the windshield replaced by our glass guy at the shop today. It's nice to be able to see again!

I'm picking up a set of these after work tomorrow:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8677354650_f1c8efd3dd_b.jpg

Some people hate the gold lace wheels, but I've always liked them.

[The StRanger]

:eek: Bling Wheels :eek:

[Clickpopboom]

:eek: Bling Wheels :eek:

They're the "gold lace" wheels off of the Cherokee Limiteds. I eventually want to paint the lace either black or body color and leave the polished lip to accent it.

Here they are mounted up:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8543/8681302319_d0a1a2a044_b.jpg

[glacierpaul]

I like that style of wheel too, matching them to the paint will look trick! or black as an accent would look cool too!

[The StRanger]

I do like the wheels.. Black would be realy cool
If it a street truck, Body color would rock !!

[Hypoid]

I might have some center caps for you, I'll have to shuffle some junk around... :)

[Clickpopboom]

I might have some center caps for you, I'll have to shuffle some junk around... :)
That would be appreciated- right now the holes make really good grime and mud holders.

[Clickpopboom]

Did a bit of work today. Replaced the TPS and cleaned the IAC and throttle body. There's a write-up in the How-To section.

From this:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8124/8711298551_3682a0e532_c.jpg

To this:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8128/8712423454_245f310289_c.jpg

I also replaced the track bar. I'll do a write up on this one later. (Yes I know you can pull the bar without the bracket, but I wanted to make sure the mount holes weren't egged out)

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8554/8712943108_9bb6a4ea1b_c.jpg

and put on a Trail Rated badge I had kicking around my desk.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8137/8712419474_eaf610268d_c.jpg

[The StRanger]

That was flat azz nasty...

[glacierpaul]

looks good! I have to address my rear track bar on the YJ, I have lost the bolt (had to have broke) twice now, I guess plowing takes it's toll on that particular item.

[ColoJeeper]

Why run a rear trackbar on a YJ? Took mine off years ago with no noticeable affects and it flexes better.

[glacierpaul]

Sorry for the highjack!
Don, I actually have been running it unhooked for a while. Yes it does flex, my mechanic said it could keep me from gaining adequate traction though? I primarily plow with this Jeep, but not all flat surfaces, so I flex quite a bit and get stuck but that is to be expected plowing. When I bought the Jeep both the front and rear were disco'ed, just hanging hooked on one side, so I re-connected them. I have broke both the front and rear before(track arm bolts) all plowing related. I am open to others suggestions though, this forum is great for that!

[Clickpopboom]

Sorry for the highjack!
Don, I actually have been running it unhooked for a while. Yes it does flex, my mechanic said it could keep me from gaining adequate traction though? I primarily plow with this Jeep, but not all flat surfaces, so I flex quite a bit and get stuck but that is to be expected plowing. When I bought the Jeep both the front and rear were disco'ed, just hanging hooked on one side, so I re-connected them. I have broke both the front and rear before(track arm bolts) all plowing related. I am open to others suggestions though, this forum is great for that!

No worries, it's still tech related. I think you guys are thinking of sway bars though, not track bars.

Sway bar:

http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server5900/13d93/products/15660/images/6790/9512-52087859A__30417.1356993985.1280.1280.JPG

Track Bar:

http://www.omixdealer.com/images/item/normal/18205.05.jpg

[Clickpopboom]

Rough Country 3" lift, steering stabilizer, and some new tires are on their way to me sometime next week.

[ColoJeeper]

Nope...actually talking trackbars. Chrysler added them as a solution to the fear that had been generated about CJ's rolling way too easy and not being stable. I removed the trackbars front and rear from my YJ within about three weeks of having bought it and have never looked back or regretted it at all. Have done the same with the swaybar and other than having much better articulation when wheeling I haven't noticed a real difference there either.

I have 250,000 miles on the CJ and 160,00 miles on the YJ without running trackbars or swaybars and have felt no need for either. Just have to remember that the Jeeps need to be driven like jeeps and not a sports car and you won't have a problem on a well maintained leaf sprung under the axle jeep.

[Rick]

Jeeps need to be driven like jeeps and not a sports carwell put.:thumb:

[Java]

I drove my 88 YJ without the rear trackbar for years, it was the same on road but sooo much better offroad. There is zero flex with it, and IMO it serves little if any purpose. ******* Consumer Reports!!:mad:

[glacierpaul]

Kelly I am talking track bars, and thanks Don and Paul! I think I will take them both completely off and see how next years snow removal goes....while I type it is snowing and we got around 5" earlier today:rolleyes:

[Clickpopboom]

Tires arrived via FedEx today. They're loud, but they look good and feel pretty solid.

LT235/75/15s from tirerecappers.com They sell them as a P235, but I requested LT casings instead so I could have the thicker sidewall.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/8729516129_f4b3335d62_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/8729515385_80186c899e_c.jpg

[glacierpaul]

Looks like they'll do the trick!

[Java]

Awesome!! :thumb:

[carpenle]

Who did you have mount and balance them?

[Clickpopboom]

Who did you have mount and balance them?

Discount Tire. I don't know if they will typically do them for people, but I do a lot of business with them through work.

[Clickpopboom]

My Rough Country lift arrived today. Well, 3/4 of it did. The a-holes managed to ship me a box that was missing one of the add-a-leafs. From a factory sealed and stapled box... :speechless: Takes a special kind of stupid.

[The StRanger]

Discount Tire. I don't know if they will typically do them for people, but I do a lot of business with them through work.

On Arapahoe off I 25 ?

[Clickpopboom]

On Arapahoe off I 25 ?

That's the one.

[The StRanger]

That's the one.

Im right across the street..

[Clickpopboom]

Im right across the street..

The BBQ place?

[The StRanger]

Go Toyota..

[The StRanger]

Even though the BBQ place is good eats..

[Clickpopboom]

Even though the BBQ place is good eats..

I like their stuff a little better than FD's. Their sauce is especially better.

On a tech-related note, I was dealing with a$$-hats all day from the company that sold me the rough country kit. Ileft them a voicemail last night asking them to call me back. I also talked to their online help last night and he promised me a callback 1st thing in the morning. Never got a callback. Called them and the guy asked me to send him a picture of the shipping label. I asked how long it would be to get my missing leaf. He said he would call me back in a few minutes when he had shipping times. He also said he would email me tracking info after he received the picture. No callback. No email response.

I called again a few hours later. The lady there said she could order a new one without the label picture. I asked her how long, she said 3-5 business days. I asked her to expedite the delivery since I have already waited a week. She said she would call me right back to let me know if she could overnight them. 3 hours go by with no phone call. I sent them an email letting them know that if they did not have another leaf on my doorstep by Friday they can either refund my entire order and send me return shipping labels, or they can return half the cost and i would keep the incomplete set and buy a different add a leaf for the rear. I also let them know that if they did not keep me in the loop I would assume that they were just keeping my money and not sending me what I ordered, and I would need to file complaints with the BBB and Attorney General in their state.

This got me a callback within about 20 minutes. The lady apologized for the delay in her callback, and that she was overnighting the leaf and she would send me tracking info shortly. Now... they are closed and still no tracking info. Talked to their online help and got a tracking number and what do you know? It says UPS 3-day shipping (which means no weekend delivery)

[dscowell]

Dude that sucks what a bunch of jerks well atleast you got that all fixed I'm sure you won't be doing buisness with them again!

[glacierpaul]

My Rough Country lift arrived today. Well, 3/4 of it did. The a-holes managed to ship me a box that was missing one of the add-a-leafs. From a factory sealed and stapled box... :speechless: Takes a special kind of stupid.

I have dealt with 'special kind of stupid' many times in life..:) Even the shipping company dropped the ball, Kelly, they need to have a weight for pricing, then weigh it again for shipping and printing the label, there had to be a discrepancy.

[dscowell]

Any updates? Did rest of the lift come in?

[The StRanger]

Souns like a first class cluster !!!!!

[Clickpopboom]

All the pieces finally came in. I had family in town for the weekend, so I didn't get any work done.

[xaza]

Sweet. Get we done

[Clickpopboom]

Didn't have as much time as I would have liked this past weekend. I managed to replace the starter, get rid of the rear sway bar, and install the new shocks on the rear. The rear sway fought me a bit. One of the bolts on the bracket on the passenger side wanted to round off, so I used a die grinder to buzz it off. Next the bar itself wanted to tangle up in the lines when I was removing it. I still had the die grinder handy, so I cut it in half to ensure its full cooperation. :D

I may try to at least get the rear half of the lift done on a weekday after work.

The RC n2.0 shocks were a nice upgrade already. They've got 11.5" of travel, and the rear end feels more stable with the shocks and no sway than it did with the Carquest XD shocks that were on there with the swaybar in place.

[glacierpaul]

Nice!

[Clickpopboom]

Another weekend with not much done. Started installing the lift but got hung up on some frozen bolts on the leaf springs. couldn't get them loose by hand, and couldn't break them loose with an impact either. I'm gonna try soaking them in PB blaster over the next week before taking a torch to them and wasting the rubber bushings.

I also found that I have developed a leak at the Lt Rr axle seal that is dripping into the brake drum.

[glacierpaul]

The torch always works!!

[ColoJeeper]

Sawzall.... drop the blade down between the bushing and the shackle and just cut it out.

[Fordguy77]

Sawzall.... drop the blade down between the bushing and the shackle and just cut it out.
x2 Works great, same way i did it on my ranger, Except i was out of sawzall blades, and used a cut off wheel on a grinder. Same results, more melted rubber...

[ColoJeeper]

Tried the torch method, and while it was working just fine, my neighbors were raising hell and threatening to call the fire dept. Sawzall helped keep peace in the neighborhood.

[glacierpaul]

Tried the torch method, and while it was working just fine, my neighbors were raising hell and threatening to call the fire dept. Sawzall helped keep peace in the neighborhood.

:lmao: "Sawzall helped keep the peace..":lmao:

[Clickpopboom]

No Sawzall or torch needed- I had one of the techs at our mechanical shop go after them with his 3/4" impact today. 1500 ft lbs works wonders on stuck bolts! Those guns are pretty serious- he has a dedicated 1/2" line for it with high-flow couplers. 20 seconds of running it was enough to make the 80 gallon compressor cycle on.

They've now all been removed nearly all the way, then sprayed down with PB blaster then put back in with a 1/2" impact so I can remove them when I get time to do the lift.

[The StRanger]

Iv sprayed then with blaster then over tighten the buts.
Just to brake loose the crust and Volia !!!

[Jackie]

:redface:

[Hypoid]

No Sawzall or torch needed- I had one of the techs at our mechanical shop go after them with his 3/4" impact today. 1500 ft lbs works wonders on stuck bolts! Those guns are pretty serious- he has a dedicated 1/2" line for it with high-flow couplers. 20 seconds of running it was enough to make the 80 gallon compressor cycle on.

They've now all been removed nearly all the way, then sprayed down with PB blaster then put back in with a 1/2" impact so I can remove them when I get time to do the lift.Good deal! I didn't get so lucky, broke the weld holding the captured nut in place. :mad:

I slathered the shanks of the replacement bolts with anti-sieze.

[Clickpopboom]

Had some time to work on the Jeep today. I got the rear end lift done, but it put up quite a fight. When I had him loosen up the bolts on the leafs one of the weld-in nuts stripped off the framerail. I had to cut a square out of the rail, weld up a new nut, and weld the square back in. Then I sprayed it full of body wax to keep it from rusting.

I had to cut through the bolt that was stuck in the nut to get the spring off, so I tracked down another 8.8 bolt.
I'll tackle the front in a week or two.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7436/9120472257_01c4c564b8_c.jpg

[Hypoid]

When I had him loosen up the bolts on the leafs one of the weld-in nuts stripped off the framerail. I had to cut a square out of the rail, weld up a new nut, and weld the square back in.Thinking about my adventure still makes me break out in a nervous sweat. My Mrs. was out of town for a week, perfect time to change the springs in her Jeep. I saved the leaf springs for last. The evening before she was due home, I discovered my mistake. It was too late to make noise so I did everything else I could, quietly.

I started cutting at 8:00 AM. The test drive was to the airport, she was due in at 11:00 AM. I could have gone to work and got paid for the stress...

When I buttoned mine up, I left drain holes in the bottom:
http://www.rmftc.com/gallery/data/549/front_eye.JPG

[Clickpopboom]

Thinking about my adventure still makes me break out in a nervous sweat. My Mrs. was out of town for a week, perfect time to change the springs in her Jeep. I saved the leaf springs for last. The evening before she was due home, I discovered my mistake. It was too late to make noise so I did everything else I could, quietly.

I started cutting at 8:00 AM. The test drive was to the airport, she was due in at 11:00 AM. I could have gone to work and got paid for the stress...

When I buttoned mine up, I left drain holes in the bottom:


Glad I'm not the only one who has done this!

[Clickpopboom]

Progress has been slow with moving to Castle Rock and all. No new upgrades yet, but I did have to replace the ignition lock cylinder last week. I went out to the Jeep after work and the key would only go halfway in... Decided while I was in there that I might as well tear apart the rest of the column and fix the sloppy tilt. So an improvised pin puller, 8mm inverted torx socket and some loctite later I have a nice, tight steering column.

[glacierpaul]

Nice!

[Clickpopboom]

Once again bogged down with maintenance. I had a catastrophic cooling system failure 2 weeks ago. The water pump went and in turn the pressure from boiling coolant blew a hole in the upper radiator hose, heater core inlet hose, and the thermostat housing gasket.

After I got the new high-volume pump installed the thermostat housing did not want to seal. I bought a new housing in case the old one was warped/cracked. Still wouldn't seal. I gooped a whole bunch of RTV on it and let it cure overnight. Still didn't seal. I took it all apart again and put a propane torch on the inlet flange on the head. Bingo! a crack!

I filed the crack out until I hit good metal, and filled it with some JB weld. I then gooped a whole heap of RTV on the mating surface again to be safe. So far so good. Took it for a test drive tonight and had no drips or leaks. Cruising temp has dropped from 220ish to 190ish with the high volume pump. I'm driving it to work tomorrow- we'll see how it does. I will be bringing 5 gallons of water with me, just in case!

[Hypoid]

WOW! When it rains, it pours.

Where did you source that high volump water pump?

[Clickpopboom]

WOW! When it rains, it pours.

Where did you source that high volump water pump?

They're made by Flowkooler, pt# 1747 http://www.quadratec.com/products/71212_100.htm

Here's a link, but I found mine on ebay.

[Popsgarage]

Good pumps. Have run several on my fullsize and mini Cheby's!

[Clickpopboom]

The drive to work went well- Prior to the repairs my temps would hover between 210 and 220 no matter what speed I was at. Now I stay around 180-185.

[Tom]

Sweet.

[Clickpopboom]

Got to do a little more work recently. First on the list was replacing the old, dirty O2 sensor.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7391/10586443763_062310764c_c.jpg


I picked up a tow hitch at the junkyard a while back and finally got around to putting it on. Luckily for me the Jeep originally had the factory tow package, so the nut strips were already installed in the frame rails.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2807/10586447943_5a350760a7_c.jpg


Also got the rear brakes adjusted and am enjoying a lot more stopping power.

[Hypoid]

Thanks for the update!