how to

[drobes]

I know this is going to sound silly but as a person who has never really fixed up a veh i was wondering if you guys could give me some good insight of where to start. The basics i know (fluids, belts,brakes, ect). i would really like to do alot of the planned improvements myself but dont want to get in to deep. i was thinking i would like to start by putting on exhaust and a lift. i do have good apptitude just inexpierenced.

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79 cherokee 360 th400
edelbrock performer package. more to come.

[joe]

Just my 2 cents but start with buying an original or quality repop of the "factory" shop manual for your specific year. It won't tell you how to do lifts etc but it'll let you know what you're dealing with and I'm sure you'll be doing other maint to your Jeep besides lifts and tires http://www.ifsja.org/ubb/smile.gif

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Regards,
-joe
63 2-dr Wag, 73 J-4000, 82 CJ-8

[Ralph]

The best advice I can give you is to prioritize your projects in terms of what needs to be fixed, what you want to modify, etc. Then tackle each task methodically, following a manual (Haynes is pretty good overall), asking the advice of others, and of course coming to this forum for group therapy and troubleshooting.

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J ust
E mpty
E very
P ocket

[drobes]

haynes manual i have, and i certainly expect problems along the way. my tranny is the first to get done, that i know i dont know how to do so im having it done for 800.00.

[BobBarry]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by drobes:
haynes manual i have, and i certainly expect problems along the way. my tranny is the first to get done, that i know i dont know how to do so im having it done for 800.00. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Very smart; get basic maintenance out of the way, so it runs *at least* as well as it did when it left the factory. Safety and reliability come first, so do all those before any upgrades.

As others said, prioritize. Then run the idea before the collected eyes of this list, and we'll tell you the problems we faced when *we* did that exact thing (virtually anything that can be broken, repaired or improved on a FSJ has been done by somebody on this list). Then you can make an informed decision about whether you want that to be your next project.

For example, you mention exhaust. Are you thinking just a high-flow muffler? If so, is your catalytic converter in good shape? If not, then the high-flow muffler will not improve performance; you'll have to replace the converter as well to see any gain. Then, what condition are the pipes in? How is your heat-riser valve? Will you be able to find a replacement if your original cracks into two pieces? Are you prepared to replace the studs that will break at the exhaust manifold outlet? Do you have a stud-extractor, a drill and a helicoil kit? If you have to remove the manifold, are you willing to remove any bolts that might break off in the head? And are you willing to remove the head to do so?

I'm not trying to scare you away from an exhaust; you may get everything off without a hitch. These are just some of the problems that you might very well likely run into when "doing the exhaust". I've faced each of those problems at one time or another. Just know what *might* be necessary for the job you are planning, allot the necessary time, and be relieved when you only hit two or three of the dozen potential snags.

If you expect the unexpected (and that's where the experience of the people on this list comes in), you are much less likely to get in way over your head, and turn your Waggie into a big frustrating pile of parts.

Other advice; have the necessary tools on hand when you start the job, which will DRAMATICALLY cut down the time you have to spend on the job. Angle-grinders and air-tools earn you back their investment in NO time!

As for which specific job you should do next, that all depends on what you want your truck to do.

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Bob Barry<UL TYPE=SQUARE>* '78 Cherokee 4-door
* '88 Grand Wagoneer[/list]http://studentweb.providence.edu/~rbarry/wheels/