So I have a 1996 cherokee and I have a 2001 cherokee for parts, my question is will the alternator and starter from my 01 work on my 96? The parts house said they are different part numbers and that the alternator is 117 amps where my 96 is 90 amps. Same exact engine other than the coil Rail on the 01. Should work though right?

 

Rockauto.com is a great resource for this kind of stuff. Once you get down to a list of parts w/ prices, if you click on the part number for one in blue text, it will bring up a list of models that part is used on...

The parts will physically bolt up, but the connectors changed in '99. The connector for the alternator can be purchased there on Rockauto, the one for the starter isn't listed.

 

What if I cut the connectors off the 01 and wire them in?

 

Perfect...

 

That will work for a little while, but you'll get moisture into the connection and it will corrode the wires from the inside pretty quickly (ask me how I know...). I'd recommend putting a good heat shrink tube over each splice and making sure they seal well to hold this issue off for as long as possible.

 

If you use that heat shrink with the "glue" inside it should be just fine.

I have been using a lot of those heat shrink solder connectors and really liking them. These are the ones that have the solder in the connector and it melts just with the heat gun when you are shrinking them. I have had zero issue with them. I know this will trigger someone but I am def in the solder the connections camp and I have had virtually zero issues over the years with soldered connections and good heat shrink.

 

I wasn't aware of ones that soldered from a heat gun, that sounds like a really great product. Do you have a link? I see ones which have the "glue" but still need to be crimped, but not what you're describing.

 

I personally would buy a set of matching generic male/female pre-wired plugs, solder and heatshrink them to the cut wires.

Cant think of any reason why not to do the job properly

In the meanwhile, just bodgy them together with screw connectors and electrical tape

ps, if you ever get a chance to rat an old XJ, grab some electrical connectors

 

These are the ones i have.

 

Thanks! I wasn't aware that a heat gun nozzle was a thing, either. I'll have to use a piece of flashing or something with the old Makita.