UAEOffroaders

I got this at the start of October, to take over from my ZJ Grand Cherokee as my primary off-roader. First job is to get a new taillight unit for the left hand side as the old one has faded badly.

Cool, let's keep posted as I've just come to own a 96 XJ (as you might have seen) and so I'm also looking at possibilities 8)

Dino's website has loads of possible upgrades, doesn't it? Having read through it I have lots of ideas, some of them expensive!

Richard Moss wrote:Dino's website has loads of possible upgrades, doesn't it? Having read through it I have lots of ideas, some of them expensive!

waiting for the ideas mate

Good luck in your project

I'm going to just use it for a while first and then see what develops.

Richard Moss wrote:I may also replace that chromed grille with a painted one - the chrome looks really old fashioned!

You've found a great Jeep there Richard and I've no doubt you'll have a lot of fun with it. I've been having fun for 17 years in mine.
I recommend that you leave the chrome grille and other chrome bits alone. I know it's old fashioned but the dashboard/interior also looks 1970's and that's just part of it's overall charm. Chromed models, and especially Laredos like mine, are becoming rarer and I'm sure they'll be highly sought after in a few years time when they reach classic status. Definitely a keeper.

Richard Moss wrote:Dino's website has loads of possible upgrades, doesn't it? Having read through it I have lots of ideas, some of them expensive!

But most of them are really cheap.

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October 23rd:

I took this out on a local run in the dunes today and have to say that the results are very impressive - even better than I'd hoped. It certainly gets more power down to the wheels than my ZJ and has me wondering if the ZJ's engine is giving all that it should (in addition to it being an auto). It was able to climb dunes that the ZJ wouldn't even get close to getting on top of and I had to change gear a lot less often than I expected. You can really feel how much lighter it is than the WJ and ZJ and reminds me of a quote from Colin Chapman which went something like: "to increase performance, first add lightness". It's certainly true.

It does need more ground clearance at both ends and so a 2-3" lift is essential. It also has a very squeaky heater blower so that will need to be looked at (it looks like a major job to get at, though).