Project Anna: Part 1- An Introduction

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
03/05/2015 at 18:42 • Filed to: Anna, Project Anna, Jeep, Cherokee, fixer upper, project car hell

Well my best friend got a new car yesterday: a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Classic 4X4. Body and chassis have about 290,000 miles on it. The newer engine and transmission have about 170,000. It needs work. But it runs and drives and was bought for a good price. I plan on doing a full series of her so without further ado, let's begin!

My friend is now the third owner. The PO bought it in 2000 from a Honda dealer in North Carolina. She was a beach bum, which explains the stickers and tons and tons of sand on the inside. This car has dings, dents, missing paint, and tons of other blemishes. It has lived a life.

Interior is filthy but really not too bad. Smells of wet dog so the first purchase was three Damp Rid containers to try and suck the moisture out.

Driver's seat motor is pretty much dead and beat up. We want to find a new seat, but that's rather low on our priority list.

So far, these are the parts we need to buy:

All three mirrors (both door mirrors are cracked and the rear view is gone)

A new steering wheel (since it is magically half gone)

Right center air vent (because AC does work)

Front right inner door panel (it's pretty much on its last legs)

The driver seat and maybe motor

New glove box

Right sun visor

Center console lid

Right passenger air vent

Left tail light (this one is cracked and shattered)

Whole new radio (this one is dead)

Speakers

Overhead storage bins (these ones do not really work)

Trunk lift piston thingys (whatever holds the trunk up are called)

Repairs wise, we need to:

Find out why it has a check engine light

Replace all fluids

Fix front driver side window (needs to be put back on track)

Clean the whole damn interior

Fix the right rear fender arch (popping off)

Pop out a few dents

Sort out some funky wiring

New headlights

All new bulbs

Get rear driver side door to close properly

Fix horn???

As of now, that is pretty much everything... this list may be added onto though! Stay tuned for more Project Anna!

DISCUSSION (11)

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/05/2015 at 18:47

I'm not seeing it in person, but from the pictures, that body, for having 290k on it, looks pretty good. Interior can be fixed up here and there. Hopefully the CEL is something minor. If it runs, drives, and shifts, then I'd say it was a good deal. White looks rather good on those Cherokees, not gonna lie.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
03/05/2015 at 18:49

Being a Florida car all its life helped. There is virtually no rust on the thing... save a few minor spots that are only on the surface.

I have a cheap bluetooth code reader so hopefully i can figure it out. Seller said its been on for like 4 years now.... and it still runs and drives. 4WD works great.

XJDano > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/05/2015 at 18:55

Country or limited? Limited I'd guess. Edit: doh classic...

Fender flares. Remove the metal bracket before trying to rip off the flare. Pretty sure it snaps into the bracket, then gets bolted on. I pitched mine years ago.

Does it have an ash tray? Those seem to disappear.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > XJDano
03/05/2015 at 18:59

We havent decided if we are going to toss them or plastidip them black to break up some of the white.... thanks for the tip there though; they need all new clips to hold them in place.

Yes, it does have an ash tray! I was also shocked to see it in there.

XJDano > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/05/2015 at 19:09

Also heads up bottom of rear bench is removable for a flat cargo area. Fold forwar then one side has a latch to free it & then pull out.

The windows work on a worm drive gear system. I have yet to fix mine. That may be wrong with it.

Carwood > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/05/2015 at 19:13

Jealous of Cali jeeps. Minimal rust if any and all you need to do is continue the TLC. Look forward to following this.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > XJDano
03/05/2015 at 19:22

All the other ones work great which Is nice. All power locks work great as well.

He has a 98 Cherokee Sport now.. But it's a 2wd and his parents and they kinda wanted it back. So that's why he has this. Heplans on a few tasteful mods but I won't let him get too crazy or bro-y lol. This'll be fun practice for me.. I never get to get my hands dirty because I have a 13 Civic...

XJDano > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/05/2015 at 19:29

One more word of warning, if you ever change the rear shocks the top bolts WILL break the heads off.

Also http://www.naxja.org/forum/ for any XJ stuff you need to know.

jkm7680 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/05/2015 at 19:31

Not bad at all for the mileage!

Rock Bottom > XJDano
03/06/2015 at 10:11

Mine didn't... and mine is a 91.

Rock Bottom > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
03/06/2015 at 10:13

Welcome to the XJ sickness!

Kinja'd!!!