If everything else is working ok there's no reason a standard radiator replacement won't work. Don't fall for the 3 row hype. A 2 row or thick single row should work just as well or better than a 3 row.

 

I'm with Downs ^^ 100%. Update your entire cooling system. Water pump, hoses, fan clutch, rad, therm, etc.. with good quality aftermarket or OEM stuff. Its not very expensive and that 0331 will be just fine. Preventative maintenance my man! there are a LOT of us 0331's still on the road. Not saying it wasn't a thing, (maybe hyped a bit, I didn't just say that). just keep your engine cool. I saw a poll several years ago that showed 0331 failures...most where at or before 100k. so if it made it past that, then its prob good and you just have to not overheat it.

 

Ended up taking your advice @Savage71 and replacing rad, thermostat(195 degree), thermostat housing, upper and lower rad hoses, heater hoses, water pump inlet tube (modified here: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/wat...5/#post3568364), temperature sensor, flushed all systems really well (including heater core). Was not only cheap but fun and easy job to do. With the rad and grill out I was able to degrease a lot of the front of the engine, as well. Only thing I didn't replace was the water pump... hoping that doesn't come back to bite me later on. Also replaced coil pack and all new NGK plugs, removed and thoroughly cleaned the throttle body and installed all brand new IAC, TPS, and MAP sensors. Cleaned and re-oiled AFE air filter too + sanded and repainted the peeling AFE heat shield. Oil change with Wix filter and Valvoline Maxlife 10w30. Will def be sending another sample to Blackstone labs before next oil change to see if I can get improved figures. She's purring now!

...now it's on to new O2 sensors, new injectors, new leaf springs, new ball joints upper and lower, new sway bar bushings, new outer axle seals up front and a rear diff drain and clean....potentially new wheel bearings. Wheew! Love my XJ... it's always something!

Also fun project I will post pics of is thinking of mounting an ammo can/tool box where I deleted my A/C. Thank you all you veteran CF'ers for all your help, cheers!

 

Nice man! Thanks for coming back to the thread and helping to wrap it up for the next guy. Smart to replace those cooling system components! Let's loop @tjwalker in here cuz he and others were early in mentioning the same. I think most owners (esp with older vehicles) ignore the importance of keeping the engine cool.. then something fails or there is a seep (from the water pump for instance..nudge..heh!) and after a little while, things are getting a bit warm. I learned that a lot of ppl dont even look at their damn gauges! my father in laws civic blew an upper hose.. got so hot that the engine died.. he just kept cranking it... in the street.. over and over and over... like he just thought it was a fluke or something. blew my damn mind! dude totally ruined his car. Anyway man, my 0331 is still rockin..running cool at around 208ish and strong... 189k on the clock these days and sounds beautiful. Keep the shiny side up my man!