4.3L XJ

07Negative from the Bay Area came up last night and spent the night here in Chico. He wanted to do some mild wheeling so we went up Cohassett Rd. It has mixed ownership so is not maintained and only gets a little better, at least from our perspective every year. It has lots of wash outs, large puddles in the winter and a half dozen mud holes in the wet season capable of swallowing a Jeep. The grades are long with big changes in altitude, so a good cooling system is required and a small lift is recommended. A stock rig could make it, but would be bottoming out in a few places.



The view into the Ishi Wilderness from about 4000'



Sometimes the road is narrow with steep drop offs.

07Negative

What a great way to have spent 24hours and 500 miles on my jeep. That was the roughest road I have ever driven on. Some spots were questionable on whether or not if I could pass it and not slide off the side. I really didn't mind loosing those 2 bolts to my rear shock. Beside. Maybe I'll get off my @$$ and finally install those 2 new rear fox shocks that have been sitting in my closet.
I really like how your gas needles didn't move. I'm definitely getting a 31gallon fuel tank. That thing is awesome.
Sorry my sissy jeep wasn't cut out for the heat. I've been reading all these cats complaining about over heating. While living in the Bay, I've never had to worry about it. Now I know what everyone is whining about. Just Empty Every Pocket! By the way. Chico is freakin awesome. At least from what I saw of it. You made it interesting b/c you know so much of the area. Thanx again. I'll see you soon!
I now have a new list of things to get my rig. I was gonna keep saving for that long arm setup. But from that experience. Priorities are changing. Not in any particular order.
1) 31 gal. fuel cell
2) bumper & winch
3) Upgrade cooling system.

4.3L XJ

Don't forget a rear recovery point. Then we will hit the rocks and try out that locker.

07Negative

I have a class 3 tow hitch. I just need a D ring for it. That's easy to be had.
I wanna gab your head off about a cooling system. I don't think I need a 3 row. But I think a 2 row aluminum will do. I'm going to get a new T-stat for safe sake new hoses. Not sure what else to be done. I use to use Redline's water wetter on my civic (400hp twin charged) and it seemed to help a smiggin.

4.3L XJ

I use water wetter too. Does help. If you can get the three row, get it. XJs are hard to cool due to the shape of the radiator, long and narrow. Also, make sure all shrouds are there and you can substitute a 2000 cfm efan for the 1100 cfm fan you have now.

07Negative

I've been reading on the different fan setups, but haven't really done the real research yet. I had a Flex a lite fan on my civic as well. Not sure if those apply to these jeeps.

4.3L XJ

The real trick is not getting the fan, but one that is small enough, 11" diameter that has the high flow. I have dual Derale fans. 2000 cfm each

07Negative

I read about a Ford Taurus Fan. That thing is nuts!
So I have more missing bolts. Now it's off the header that connects to the exhaust pipe. Runnin straight headers right now. Getting new bolts today.