The XJ "refurbish" is going ok, but has given me a few problems. The first was simply getting the oil filter off. I tried two strap wrenches, punching a screw driver though it, and eventually got it off by beating a few notches in the edge of it and tapping it off. The rubber seal was smashed on their pretty good. The valve cover gasket is a lot different then the one on my YJ, it took a while, but no problems. The spark plugs were ok, but the coil rail was a PITA to deal with. The transmission fluid, transfercase fluid and rear diff all went pretty quick.
The coolant change had a little surprise for me. Since the radiator is not the original, I am guessing that at one point the P.O. poured some stop leak into the over flow tank??? I found a 2" thick gunk at the bottom of the over flow. I ended up pulling to over flow out and scraping out as much as I could and then rinsed it out until it was clean. I used compressed air to blow the lines clear.
Next up is front and rear shocks and all new brake fluid. After that I'll save the worst for last with the front axle U-joints. So far it looks like the P.O. had the fluids changed. The worst looking was the brake fluid, it looked like oil.
I still have the interior, stereo, "new" rims, and some exterior work. I sold the beater Jetta today for $250 so I have a few more $$ to fix up the XJ.