Before the lift, before the tires, before the lights and the roof racks, what are the things that any XJ owner should look into doing?

Let's compile a list of neat little tricks to do to your stock XJ and make life a little better for both Jeep and owner.

Please include the year of the vehicle you're describing.

Any car: change the fluids and examine them. You learn a LOT from used oil.

+1. There's no point spending money on blinging out any vehicle until you know it's fundamentally sound. Fluids, tune-up, etc. are great places to start.

Register it and get license plates first thing id do.

Bought my 99 Cherokee w/ 113k on the odo. I did a tranny, t-case, and coolant flush, replaced the plugs, cap, rotor, and plug wires, and changed the oil and filter as soon as I got it home.

Make sure to put "your stink on it"! At least one thing to make it yours is Ok. At least put an air freshener in it!!!!!!!!!!! Then, make it right with oil, filters etc.!

When I bought my 88 xj from a guy in front of QT for 200$ the 1st thing I did was fo get a starter.. LOL he said it was "low" on oil and the motor seized. Tow home new starter and ill be damed the motor was HEALED... LOL

All of the previously mentioned items above as well as:

Change out the radio and speakers if stock.

Put in some rubber tire tread floor mats.

Check the front end for worn parts.

Fix any leaks......like that is possible.

Check the tire pressure.

Let it sit out in the rain for its' first bath.

hahahahahahaha

Funny, Mine doesn't leak at all.

Around here have the cop or border drug dog sniff it out so you dont get caught with someone else's stash or leftovers that are unwanted when stop for something simple.

Change all fluids do a full inspection from nose to tail esp checking out the front end. make a list of worn out parts / stuff leaking and go from there.

First thing is first...

Look all over for both any little "gifts" left from the PO, as well as look for whacked out DIY jobs the PO also attempted (crazy wiring, welded shock mounts, etc.)

Second, get angry, cuss, stomp, call the PO and tell them theyre stupid, whatever you choose.

After those two initial steps, proceed with fluid checks, etc.

*register it and get plates-makes you legal
*detail it inside and out-you learn every inch of the vehicle very quickly, and you get the old owners smell out.
*routine maintenance (fluids, brakes, gaskets, plugs, bulbs, wires etc etc)
*fix or replace anything that needs fixing or replacing
*drive or stock for a month or two


after 2 months of daily driving, and no issues, i start to spend money.


that is basically how i treat any vehicle i care about.

i just bought my XJ sunday, so i have 2 months of getting to know it to go.

On my '93, I started with new floors, clutch, and oils. It will be getting insured and tagged next week. I'm planning on driving it bone stock all through the winter to make sure it is solid and reliable. Hopefully it is, then mods can start in the spring.