Enthusiast II
So after some talking, we decided that we want to do longer and bigger trips this year. That got us onto the topic of inviting a few of our friends on to A big trip to Maine this year. Not just for fun but also for safety reasons. Along with that came talks of another vehicle. Em’s Jku does very well for us but I wanted one of my own not only to invite others with us on trips but also to use on my camping trips. So the hunt began to find myself something. I have been a Jeep guy for a long time but this time i went into it open minded. my plan included trying to trade my Chevy pickup for something. Not only to get myself a rig but also to save on fuel. I searched Facebook marketplace and Craigslist And found a few I wanted to look at and that were interested in my truck. We hooked up the plow and off we went to a 99 4Runner. We got there and after checking out the bad rot on the frame decided that was the one. Number 2 was a 01 4runner at a wholesale yard. Super clean. Ran good however after test riding it realized its speedometer and odometer didn’t work. I don’t know much about Toyotas so I had to pass again. With another 99 4Runner on the horizon we headed out. looked good on the outside but once again New England winters got to that one as well, frame was more of a project then what I wanted. So headed back home. A week goes by feeling defeated, thinking about canceling the Maine trip and then the Jeep gods shined on me. .9 miles from my house I find a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. The owner is asking 650 for it and tells me that it was running fine then one day sounded like it jumped timing or something and needed a new motor. Knowing Jeeps and their legendary 4.0 I talked him to $250. The unibody is spotless which is unheard of in New England. I get it towed home. I reset the distributor since the prev owner messed with it to try to fix it. Then off to Napa. bought A 60 dollar crankshaft position sensor and installed it. Turned the key and she woke right up! My plan is to budget build this thing but do it right. Stay tuned and adventure on! View attachment 143325
