Back in an XJ – need some advice on upgrades / maintenance
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 4
From: Wantage, NJ
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
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.
BDS adds stiffness with the 5500 series, and the price is amazing. Not to mention that they warranty them for as long as you own the vehicle and have receipts.
BDS is about $38 per shock.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
How are they for street use? Lets just say I tend to drive my Jeep like a car at times......
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Just checked their site......
F&R shocks now $47.32 /ea
Stabilizer $55
Wonder if their "add-a-leaf" is better than going with new leaf springs??
Do the Quadratec ones come with new bushings, etc?
F&R shocks now $47.32 /ea
Stabilizer $55
Wonder if their "add-a-leaf" is better than going with new leaf springs??
Do the Quadratec ones come with new bushings, etc?
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,112
Likes: 4
From: Wantage, NJ
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Some do, some you need to buy the bushings separatly, it should be stated, if not I would call to double check.
Edit: Wow, I must have just made the deadline for the price change or something, ordered them the other day at $38 a piece.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
I figured.....was thinking the same.
This usually happens to me......I'm used to missing out on deals. 
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
I broke the pass side mount on my old cheap twice and wound up installing some HD mounts through a local 4x4 tuning shop.
Just looking to avoid breaking a mount this time around. Getting stuck is no fun.
Just looking to avoid breaking a mount this time around. Getting stuck is no fun.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
From: NYC
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Update
That's where I'm at so far. Think I wanna add a few "to-do's"....
- serp belt
- water pump, t-stat, housing, & rad cap
- CPS (have, need to install it)
- fan clutch (ZJ unit)
- coolant temp sensor
That should finish it all up and make this XJ 100% sound again (by my standards
).
1996 Sport, 5 spd manual, 127K miles
To Do List:
- Front & Rear diff fluid (not yet)
- Transfer case fluid (not yet)
- Tranny fluid (Redline MTL90 good??) (done)
- Possible trans mount (want something stiffer) (any poly mounts to recommend?)
- Engine mounts (thinking of going the IronMan route on these) (ordered - not installed yet)
- Rear leaf springs (I’m not lifting, just want to resolve the rear sagging issue) (would like something that offers no more than maybe 1" lift)
- Suspension & steering components (bushings, tie rods, ***** joints, steering stabilizer, shocks – its all old and needs a refresh) (got some new Tokico Trekmasters - $80 shipped for all 4!!! not installed yet)
- 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) (might order the Walker downpipe, but may wait to do a full exhaust including headers)
- AC (sometimes only blows from defrost vent – believe its VAC related as I found a broken line in front pass corner of bumper) (fixed - capped the line where the vac tank is missing)
- Illumination for AC controls (where can I get this bulb??)
To Do List:
- Front & Rear diff fluid (not yet)
- Transfer case fluid (not yet)
- Tranny fluid (Redline MTL90 good??) (done)
- Possible trans mount (want something stiffer) (any poly mounts to recommend?)
- Engine mounts (thinking of going the IronMan route on these) (ordered - not installed yet)
- Rear leaf springs (I’m not lifting, just want to resolve the rear sagging issue) (would like something that offers no more than maybe 1" lift)
- Suspension & steering components (bushings, tie rods, ***** joints, steering stabilizer, shocks – its all old and needs a refresh) (got some new Tokico Trekmasters - $80 shipped for all 4!!! not installed yet)
- 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) (might order the Walker downpipe, but may wait to do a full exhaust including headers)
- AC (sometimes only blows from defrost vent – believe its VAC related as I found a broken line in front pass corner of bumper) (fixed - capped the line where the vac tank is missing)
- Illumination for AC controls (where can I get this bulb??)
- serp belt
- water pump, t-stat, housing, & rad cap
- CPS (have, need to install it)
- fan clutch (ZJ unit)
- coolant temp sensor
That should finish it all up and make this XJ 100% sound again (by my standards
).