Been out of an XJ for over 6 years, so I’m a little rusty when it comes to knowing all the tips, tricks, etc on maintenance and upgrades.

Here’s what I am working with and what I believe I need to get done:

1996 Sport, 5 spd manual, 127K miles

To Do List:

- Front & Rear diff fluid
- Transfer case fluid
- Tranny fluid (Redline MTL90 good??)
- Possible trans mount (want something stiffer)
- Engine mounts (thinking of going the IronMan route on these)
- CAI (I don’t off-road, so what do you recommend?)
- Rear leaf springs (I’m not lifting, just want to resolve the rear sagging issue)
- Suspension & steering components (bushings, tie rods, ***** joints, steering stabilizer, shocks – its all old and needs a refresh)
- Exhaust (cat back or maybe a new high-flow cat as well – not urgent as mine is still good – this is more of a luxury item right now)
- AC (sometimes only blows from defrost vent – believe its VAC related as I found a broken line in front pass corner of bumper)
- Illumination for cluster and AC controls (AC controls might just be burnt out bulb, cluster seems dimmer than normal – any brighter bulbs available?)

I think that covers most of it. I’ve already done a tune-up with the Mopar kit (cap, rotor, wires), as well as Bosch Platinum plugs (I only ran these in my last jeep with excellent results). I know many say to stick to the Champions or the Autolites, but I never had any issues with the Bosch in past Jeeps, so wanted the same for this one. Also installing a fresh Mopar fuel filter later this week when I get the Jeep inspected.

Main goal with this Jeep is to make it a solid daily driver that also has some “sporty” performance. Its not a car and by no means meant to be raced or anything like that, but I feel the things I want to accomplish (as I did with my last XJ) will get me the results I am looking for.

TIA for your input!

GS

 

Looks good to me. I would do idler arm and control arms as well.

 

Ah, your football is missing. That line should run to a small football shaped vacuum canister in the front bumper that acts as a reserve tank to provide steady vacuum under all engine conditions. Without it, wierd things can happen, like the AC only coming from the defrost vent.

 

LOL....its still there, I found the broken line that I believe connects to it while I was following the line past the battery and into that area. I pulled the line a little and it was pretty loose, so I continued to pull it and it just came right out. I checked the end of the line and saw it was cracked, so assumed it broke off at some point.

I'll have to snap some pics and remove the fender liner to really get an idea of what needs to be replaced/fixed in there. Any idea on how much these parts cost?

 

As far as the suspension and steering stuff, any recommendations on parts to use? What steering stabilizer to use? Poly bushings? Any kits for the whole setup available?

 

Also I would replace spark plugs, plug wires, Dizzy cap and rotor button, oil and oil filter, air filter and fuel filter.

 

That's all been done......was the first thing I did.

 

Champion or Autolite sparkers! Champion or Autolite sparkers!

 

Bosch Platinum.

BDS Stabilizer and Shocks, BDS Bushings, JKS Trac Bar, OE Tie Rods. Ball Joints, none are necessarily worse than the other, its all hype.

 

Either is fine. Don't waste money on platniums or multi-tip plugs, I've never seen a difference in them (other than my wallet getting lighter).

 

I went from OE to Bosch and noticed a difference, but than bosch to carquest, its essentially the same thing but cheaper.

 

One thing that helped with my older jeep is that I cleaned/replaced the main power & ground wiring, and went through and cleaned & di-elec greased all the electrical connectors I could find. All my bulbs are brighter and windows and locks work a lot better.

 

Might as well do the big three.

 

Set of 6 Bosch Platinum #4003 cost me $15 shipped. No hit in the pocket and performing well. I don't expect any huge difference, but as long as it runs well and they compliment other things I do to the Jeep, its money well spent IMO.

 

Is the BDS a step up from OE replacement? Shocks I may stick with Bilstein......have had great success with them and since I don't go off-road, the added stiffness I've experienced from them is a little more suitable to my street driving style. And a set front and rear is only $250 shipped.