Bought a 5 speed Classic XJ Jeep

[Wes]

Sorry Paul, I have to agree with the rest in not liking the gold rims on there. They dont look bad per se, but the originals were just more fitting.

[2000Silverbullet]

like the original wheels best. I think the offset on them actually places them wider, too. Little better handling from a wider track (Like a Pontiac!).

Same width and offset.









I've got both sets of wheels. I'm leaving the gold lace with the better tires on for winter and will switch to the original 10 spoke smaller tires for summer.

[*B2*]

Hmm.. I still think those win. The stock wheels are hideous IMO.

[00Beast]

I like the stock wheels a LOT better than the cross-laces.

[PRD2BDF]

If there was some gold on the outside of the Jeep then I would say the crosslaces would be fine but I don't see any gold, just the grey. Therefore my opinion is the factory wheels should go back on, it's much more cohesive.

[2000Silverbullet]

Guess I'll just have to paint some gold flames on the side then.

BTW All the top of the line Limited versions of this Jeep came with these exact Gold wheels no matter what colour the bodies were painted.

[Wes]

If you like them, then by all means keep em on there. As long as you like them, thats all that matters. I was just throwin my 2 cents in there. And for me, Cody hit the nail on the head. It was the lack of any sort of gold on the exterior that makes them less fitting to me.

[harofreak00]

[00Beast]

Do it!

[94SilverSSEi]

I think the gold crosslaces look much better than the stock ones but I totally agree with Haro's post.

Silver crosslaces would look awesome!

[*B2*]

Yeah, I was actually going to suggest the same thing. I think the crosslaces fit perfectly, but grey would be even better.

[2000Silverbullet]

OK, I admit the gold lace wheels came off of a black limited model that had the gold pinstriping.
Grey lace was available and probably sold with my model and colour.

I also admit the grey does look better. Thanks Andrew for making it clear.

Now I feel better about beating on these all winter in the salt.

[2000Silverbullet]

Ohhhhh, it's got bigger problems now I think than the colour of the wheels!

Huge amount of oil and water blowing out of the PCV and other non airtight valvecover fittings.

The amount accumulated in the picture was after only two days total of 20 miles (30 kms).

......and I am detecting water in the oil...........it could be condensation?

Cool humid weather and short trips.

[00Beast]

Paul, I'd pull the head on that beast. Not worth killing the bottom end just b/c you have a leaky HG. Drive the 88 while the 89 is down.

[Bonneville92V688]

Yuck... definitely looks like a BHG.... but if you know the AMC straight six, they DO crack heads. I would certainly pull the head and get it cleaned and checked for cracks.

[dpcookson]

I'm thinking it's time for a full rebuild, Paul. That much blow by isn't good to begin with, coupled with the "snotty" oil just spells disaster in the future. I'm starting to understand why you changed the name of the post from "cheap" to "classic", however "project" might be more fitting now. LOL

[2000Silverbullet]

Ya that's why it's nice having a choice of Jeeps. I had to disassemble the window regulators on the 88 today and lube them up. They use a spiral flexible rod inside a plastic tube to electrically wind the windows up and down. Never been lubed and they were so slow it would almost stall....I would have to pull them up by hand. They move pretty quick now!

So as good as it looks on the outside, there remains some wear on the inside that needs to be taken care of.
Doing the work myself will save about a grand.


Sorry for the lack of Bonne pics but both my Pontiacs are hiding in the garage.













Hey I just noticed a subtle difference between the two Jeeps. Can you tell from a front shot what is different?

[repinS]

Cool humid weather and short trips.

I wouldn't jump to a BHG conclusion with the above note. I've seen many perfectly fine motors cough up the same yellow crud after driving in similar conditions.

Leakdown and compression testing should be in order first...

[2000Silverbullet]

Yes, I'll do the compression testing this weekend.

[JMH1950]

Hey I just noticed a subtle difference between the two Jeeps. Can you tell from a front shot what is different?

Besides the tow hooks?