1998 jeep cherokee xj 4x4
03-31-2013, 06:28 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1998 jeep cherokee xj 4x4
My new (to me) jeep cherokee XJ 4x4.
Just looking for some general advice just bought a great xj from Tallahassee and its in great condition seems to be stock everything except rims and a well placed Sony CD player 4x4 seems to work fine just wanting some general upgrade advice I have to drive a lot and am looking for good gas mileage looking into some computer chips and I'm not looking to jack it up just replacing worn stock parts with new better parts and getting a full mechanical tune up and inspection any advice would be appreciated.
Just looking for some general advice just bought a great xj from Tallahassee and its in great condition seems to be stock everything except rims and a well placed Sony CD player 4x4 seems to work fine just wanting some general upgrade advice I have to drive a lot and am looking for good gas mileage looking into some computer chips and I'm not looking to jack it up just replacing worn stock parts with new better parts and getting a full mechanical tune up and inspection any advice would be appreciated.
03-31-2013, 06:40 PM
#3
Seasoned Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Garden Prairie
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 2000, (1957 Willys)
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Regular maintenance and proper tire inflation will get you the most MPG. Computer chips or 'diodes' or whatever the latest fad is just aren't proven for these 4.0's. They were built to last, not to sip gas.
Based on my experience, I throw new thermostats into vehicles that still have factory originals. Flush the coolant, or have it flushed. Really flushed, not just changed. Keep her cool and she will run just fine.
Plugs, wires, and a fuel filter would be a great start. If you're inclined, check the resistance of your wires to see if they're going.
I run 5w-30 synthetic and change every 15,000. I've put several hundred thousand miles on a few vehicles and the synthetic oil has never let me down.
Keep coming back here for more ideas.
Best of luck.
Based on my experience, I throw new thermostats into vehicles that still have factory originals. Flush the coolant, or have it flushed. Really flushed, not just changed. Keep her cool and she will run just fine.
Plugs, wires, and a fuel filter would be a great start. If you're inclined, check the resistance of your wires to see if they're going.
I run 5w-30 synthetic and change every 15,000. I've put several hundred thousand miles on a few vehicles and the synthetic oil has never let me down.
Keep coming back here for more ideas.
Best of luck.
03-31-2013, 07:33 PM
#4
CF Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Riviera, Texas
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The Jeep's 4.0 JX don't get great gas mileage to start with. On the average they get approx 16 miles to the gal. plus or minus a few miles. You have to remember you are driving a box with wheels. Like mentioned above a good tune up and regular maintenance will keep her running it's best. When you do your tune up your best bet is to run Champion copper spark plugs for 1999 and older and NGK copper for 2000-2001 gaped at .035. Stay away from the high dollar gimmick brand spark plug. They are not worth the money and most people have the best luck with the OEM plugs which are the Champion and NGK as mentioned above. Also when doing the oil change stay away from the Fram oil filter. It will run best on Mopar, Napa golds and Wixs brand filters. You will be best off on doing a COMPLETE cooling system flush and replace the coolant with 50/50 water to antifreeze mix. Replace your t-stat with a 195deg and try to get the t-stat from the dealer. The best ones for the 4.0 are OEM. If you are unsure when the last time the fan clutch was changed out you really should consider changing that out too.
Welcome to the forum.
Welcome to the forum.
03-31-2013, 09:22 PM
#7
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
98 jeep cherokee XJ 4x4 l6 4.0, automatic transmission, 4 door, 136,000 miles, leather seats(2 inch sized rips), tinted windows, power locks/windows(with push button only works on driver door and rear hatch passenger and rear door window buttons work but locks don't, but they make noise) Lots of pics in profile
Trending Topics
03-31-2013, 10:10 PM
#8
Senior Member
Very cool! That looks about like mine when I first bought it last year. Change all the fluids and check the bushings on the front suspension.
03-31-2013, 10:25 PM
#9
Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
98 jeep cherokee XJ 4x4 l6 4.0, automatic transmission, 4 door, 136,000 miles, leather seats(2 inch sized rips), tinted windows, power locks/windows(with push button only works on driver door and rear hatch passenger and rear door window buttons work but locks don't, but they make noise) Lots of pics in profile
Check out my thread, also has a link to a full write up on how to fix! I can answer any questions you have!
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/doo...t-work-166053/
04-22-2013, 03:22 PM
#10
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Busted a bolt for my passenger side rear shock and it slid past the exhaust hanger and sat on the exhaust needless to say its worthless now so I replaced my rear shocks and added stainless steel hardware for both got my cb mounted between the sun-visors and all the wires neatly tucked away got mobile 1 synthetic oil and mopar oil filter new spark plug wires and got green led and tail light tint on the way got new tow chains with hooks all painted black for the front and shackles for the rear and a Reese hitch going on tomorrow
04-22-2013, 04:56 PM
#12
Senior Member
Ha! That very same thing happened to my shock, I didn't realize for several weeks and thought that my muffler was loose, but it was my shock rattling against it.
04-23-2013, 09:45 PM
#14
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Front tow hooks and rear shackles not good for anything but towing me or light work but looks cool I think. Changed my automatic transmission filter/fluid and gasket and changed transfer case fluid, got differential gaskets today changing gear oil tomorrow, got CB radio installed overhead placement need to be adjusted but works great and wires are all tucked away going on an 18,000 mile trip Thursday night should be done by then
Last edited by jdhk42098; 04-23-2013 at 09:54 PM.