Starting a page for my 2001 XJ build, first named “Dingus II” in honor of the ill-fated “Dingus I” bought and sold just before this one; now named “The Ratmobile” following a rodent infestation. I half-jokingly told a coworker “If you’re ever selling it, let me know!” and not long later, he told me he was actually selling it, and here I am with my very first second XJ.

Current Issues

My Cherokee XJ has its fair share of issues as can be imagined for a vehicle that is over 20 years old. Here is a list of issues that need attention:

• Brake lines are corroded/weeping in places
• Parking brake does not work
• Mild ticking on a cold start, worse if the vehicle sat for a few days
• Unknown minor oil leak
• Leaking heater core
• A/C has not worked in years per previous owner.

Fixed Issues

• Major misfire (spark plugs)
• Rotted quarter panels (cut them off)
• Leaking heater core (heater core bypass)

Project List

Not Yet Started

Things I will do

• Replace suspension
• Replace U-joints
• Replace ball joints
• Replace steering hardware
• Replace rocker panels with 2×6 steel using bracket from Ares Fabrication
• Replace front passenger head rest front seats
  • Acquired front seats from 2002 Grand Cherokee
• Repair or replace fuel tank
  • Acquired a new fuel tank from a part out
• Replace missing fuel tank skid plate
• Replace air box
  • Acquired from a part out
• Install heater core
  • Install A/C evaporator
  • Install HeaterTreater blend door
    • I don’t think I need this, but I already have it
• Install A/C condenser, line is seized
• Install A/C compressor
• Install A/C dryer
• Install A/C lines
• Pressure test A/C system, draw vacuum, and recharge system

Things I might do

These are things that I’m on the fence about for various reasons and might end up doing them one day if I’m bored or want to make change for the sake of change.

• Cowl intake (THOR/Spectre)
  • I think I’d prefer the Spectre for the inline filter
• Rear disc brake swap
  • Won’t do this until I know the parking brake will work
• ZJ fuel tank swap
  • Maybe
• ZJ steering
  • Only if I get larger tires
• Carpet replacement
  • Acquired rear cargo carpet, ripped mine accidentally
• Limited trim interior swap
• WJ or ZJ seat swap
  • Got WJ seats for the front
  • A rear seat with headrests (RHD Postal Service XJ) would be nice
• WJ center console pad
• Misch BigBoy Seat Brackets

In Progress

• Rusty’s Rear Corner Cut Panels
• Install Tanker Tire Carrier bumper from AJ’s Offroad Armor

Completed

• Replace ignition coils
• Replace spark plugs
• Replace tires
• Replace radio (priorities…)
• Bypass heater core
• New brake lines installed (Dorman pre-bent kit)

Factory Equipment Listing

Below is the factory equipment listing. You can find yours here: https://fcagroup.my.site.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing

Equipment Listing

Vehicle Description: 2001 JEEP CHEROKEE CLASSIC 4X4 SPORT UTILITY 4-DR

STANDARD EQUIPMENT

• MONOTONE PAINT
• 124 AMP ALTERNATOR
• 500 AMP MAINTENANCE FREE BATTERY
• POWER FRONT DISC/REAR DRUM BRAKES
• HIGHLINE DOOR TRIM PANEL
• RECLINING FRONT SEATS
• REAR FOLD W/REMOVABLE CUSHION SEAT
• CHILD SEAT UPPER TETHER ANCHORAGES
• TRAVELING INBOARD SEAT BELT BUCKLE
• NEXT GENERATION FRONT AIR BAGS**
• CARPETS – FLOOR AND CARGO AREA
• CARGO COMPARTMENT CARPET
• CARGO TIE DOWN LOOPS
• PLASTIC LIFTGATE TRIM PANEL
• FRONT & REAR FLOOR MATS
• SPARE TIRE COVER
• PASSENGER ASSIST HANDLES
• LIFT GATE ASSIST HANDLE
• FULL LENGTH FLOOR CONSOLE
• ALL 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS
• COMMAND-TRAC PART TIME 4WD SYSTEM
• DANA 30/181MM FRONT AXLE
• 3.55 REAR AXLE RATIO
• DANA 35C/194MM REAR AXLE
• TINTED WINDSHIELD GLASS
• FRONT DOOR TINTED GLASS
• REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
• REAR VIEW DAY/NIGHT MIRROR
• POWER MIRRORS, FOLD-AWAY
• DELUXE INSULATION GROUP
• DO NOT USE – SEE JP, KA CLASSES
• INSTRUMENT PANEL BLACK BEZEL
• 100 MPH PRIMARY SPEEDOMETER
• VAR INTERMITTENT WINDSHIELD WIPERS
• REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER
• DUAL NOTE ELECTROMECHANICAL HORNS
• 12V AUXILIARY POWER OUTLET
• PATRIOT BLUE P/C – MOLDING
• EXTERIOR COMPONENT COLOR
• HEADLAMPS ON WARNING CHIMES
• HALOGEN HEADLAMPS
• CHMSL LAMP
• BODY COLOR FRONT BUMPER
• BODY COLOR FRONT BUMPER END CAPS
• BODY COLOR REAR BUMPER
• BODY COLOR REAR BUMPER END CAPS
• FRONT BUMPER GUARDS
• BODY COLOR HEADLAMP BEZELS
• BODY COLOR GRILLE
• BLACK WINDSHIELD MOLDINGS
• REAR QTR SOLID WINDOW INSERT
• BELT MOLDINGS
• BODY COLOR DRIP TROUGH MOLDING
• BLACK DOOR HANDLES
• BODY COLOR LICENSE PLATE BROW
• JEEP BADGE
• 4X4 BADGE
• ROOF RACK
• CHEROKEE BADGE
• 4.0L BADGE
• LIMITED BADGE
• EVAP CONTROL SYSTEM
• 20 GALLON FUEL TANK
• PATRIOT BLUE PEARL COAT
• FIXED LONG MAST ANTENNA
• POWER STEERING
• LEATHER WRAPPED STEERING WHEEL
• FRONT STABILIZER BAR
• INSIDE MOUNTED SPARE TIRE
• P225/70R16 BSW WRANGLER HP TIRES
• 16X7.0 ALUM “ICON” SILVER WHEELS
• UPGRADED OBD-II CONNECTORS
• TETHERED FUEL FILLER CAP
• PROTECTIVE COATING AND REMOVER
• BUILD TO U.S. MKT. SPECIFICATIONS
• GVW RATING – 4900#
• U.S. DEALER RETAIL
• ZONE 55-MILWAUKEE
• EJ/5760 VEHICLE FAMILY
• FOUR WHEEL DRIVE (4WD)/(4X4)
• LEFT HAND DRIVE (LHD)
• VEHICLE ORDER TRACKING
• U.S. SPECIFICATIONS LABEL
• WISCONSIN SHIP TO STATE CODE
• WISCONSIN SOLD TO STATE CODE

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

• CLOTH LOW-BACK BUCKET SEATS
• AGATE
• LIMITED VALUE GROUP II
• LIGHT GROUP
• SKID PLATE GROUP
• TRAILER TOW GROUP
• UP COUNTRY SUSPENSION GROUP(97-2-26)
• POWER EQUIPMENT GROUP
• 4.0L ENGINE(ERH)/4SP AUTO TRANS(DGS
• LOW BACK BUCKET SEATS
• CARGO COMPARTMENT COVER
• OVERHEAD CONSOLE
• 4-SPEED AUTOMATIC AW4 TRANSMISSION
• LOCK-UP TORQUE CONVERTER
• PUSH TO PASS
• TRAC-LOK DIFFERENTIAL REAR AXLE
• ALL ENGINES
• 4.0L I6 POWER TECH ENGINE
• DEEP TINT SUNSCREEN GLASS
• DEEP TINT SUNSCREEN LIFTGATE GLASS
• SUN VISORS W/ILLUM VANITY MIRRORS
• ALL VEHICLES W/POWER MIRRORS
• REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY
• AIR CONDITIONING
• POWER WINDOWS
• POWER LOCKS
• COURTESY LAMPS
• UNDERHOOD LAMP
• HEADLAMP OFF TIME DELAY
• FRONT FOG LAMPS
• FRONT LICENSE PLATE BRACKET
• NEW LIMITED TRACKING
• 50 STATE EMISSIONS
• LOW EMISSION VEHICLE (LEV)
• AUXILIARY TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER
• SPEED CONTROL
• HEAVY DUTY ENGINE COOLING
• PATRIOT BLUE PEARL COAT
• ALL RADIO EQUIPPED VEHICLES
• AM/FM CASSETTE COMPACT DISC RADIO
• 6 SPEAKERS
• HEAVY DUTY SUSPENSION W/GAS SHOCKS
• DELETE REAR STABILIZER BAR
• TILT STEERING COLUMN
• FULL SIZE SPARE TIRE
• GOODYEAR BRAND TIRES
• MATCHING SPARE WHEEL
• ALL ALUMINUM WHEELS
• TOW HOOKS
• FUEL TANK SKID PLATE SHIELD
• TRANSFER CASE SKID PLATE SHIELD
• FRONT SUSPENSION SKID PLATE
• CLASS III RECEIVER HITCH
• 7 PIN WIRING HARNESS
• 7 TO 4 PIN WIRING ADAPTOR
• 8 ADDITIONAL GALLONS OF GAS
• SPRING – LEFT FRONT
• SPRING – LEFT REAR
• SPRING – RIGHT FRONT
• SPRING – RIGHT REAR
• FAM: AB TRACKING: 20221T09 MY:2002
• FAM: AN TRACKING: 10730T06 MY:2002
• FAM: AN TRACKING: 20225T11 MY:2002
• CUSTOMER PREFERRED PACKAGE 2TT
• CUSTOMER PREFERRED PACKAGE 26T
• LIMITED VALUE GROUP DISCOUNT
• SOLD VEHICLE
• SPECIAL SCHEDULING CONDITION VII
• WISCONSIN ACT-13 RECOVERY
• DDZJQ – 18X7.5 ET45 M12 STEEL WHEEL
• BUILD OUT TRACKING
• STATUS D TO D1 LESS 100%

Photos

Brakes