champion spark plugs?
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 82
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From: western mass
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ive noticed a lot of posts on here that say to run champion plugs. I run bosch something or others. Does it make a big difference?
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,023
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From: salem, OR
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Depends, some years seem to run better with the ngk and others the champions, just do a bit of reading and most of those threads will show why/which is best for your year
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 82
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From: western mass
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
yea i put the bosch plugs in a few months ago and it didnt seem like it made a huge difference in performance, the old plugs were way over due to be replaced, and now im getting a knock, lopes a bit too . rock auto has the rc12ecc plugs for $1.70 so id be crazy not to try them. thanks
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 731
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From: St. Albert
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Hmm, interesting. In my 89 I switched from virtually brand new bosch platinum to Champion Coppers, didn't notice a difference whatsoever.
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Like a thread said earlier i also depends on year i have a 97 ZJ 4.0 and its been nothing but golden after changing out the bosch doubles to champion... Besides to me unless you have a souped up engine its pointless to buy anything but the champions
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 838
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From: Tulsa,Oklahoma
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I changed out my plugs when I first bought this xj over a year ago, plugs were ngk's iirc and changed them over to champions....
and I could tell a difference, steadied out the idle very noticeably...
EDIT: had some reflection I think the plugs were autolite
and I could tell a difference, steadied out the idle very noticeably...
EDIT: had some reflection I think the plugs were autolite
Last edited by DieselDaze; Nov 27, 2013 at 09:48 PM.
All they have to do is light off the charge and continue to do so reliably for an acceptable period of time. Coppers might get you 30K, double platinums about twice that.
Single platinums are bad news in the waste spark systems (00,01), other than that there's nothing a $7.00 plug can do that a $2 plug cannot.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 667
Likes: 50
From: napoleon ohio
Year: 98, 00, 01 and another 01
Model: Cherokee
Engine: both 01 jeeps have viper coil pack
there should be info on the underside of the hood in reference to what plugs your XJ takes. I use champion and have had no problems.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I tried the Bosch Platinum plugs in my 98 and it ran like crap. I replaced them a couple days later with Champion and it ran perfect.
BTW, They in stalled Champion in the Jeeps from 99 and older and NGK in the 00-01. But our 4.0 will run perfectly fine no matter what year with both Champion or NGK.
BTW, They in stalled Champion in the Jeeps from 99 and older and NGK in the 00-01. But our 4.0 will run perfectly fine no matter what year with both Champion or NGK.
Herp Derp Jerp

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Yes, the waste-spark ignition. Actually, RC12ECC were the factory fill on 2000+, but dur to longevity issues with the distributorless ignition Chrysler recommended they all be replaced with NGK ZFR5N. Outside of those years, NGK or Champion coppers is a matter of personal preference (or budget).
Fancier plugs have a few issues with frequently not being in the correct heat range and causing problems down the road. You'll find a lot of crap like Bosch +4 and E3 things working fine on Day 1, but a few months later it's misfire land. I don't see the point in running $9 plugs and leaving them in for 3 years when you can change $3 plugs annually. Most 4.0s probaby have enough issues they'll kill the fancy plugs long before their time, anyway
Fancier plugs have a few issues with frequently not being in the correct heat range and causing problems down the road. You'll find a lot of crap like Bosch +4 and E3 things working fine on Day 1, but a few months later it's misfire land. I don't see the point in running $9 plugs and leaving them in for 3 years when you can change $3 plugs annually. Most 4.0s probaby have enough issues they'll kill the fancy plugs long before their time, anyway




