i have to put on a new alternator how hard is it?

 

it's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.

but once you figure that out, it's actually quite easy. you have to go from underneath.

 

On the 96s you have to remove the fan blade to remove the alt.It's not hard to do though.

 

I replaced mine on my 97, it wasn't to bad, I think figuring out how to re-route the serp belt was probably the most difficult thing. Just go slow, you'll be fine.

 

His is a 91 though, right? Its very easy and is done from underneath, once you loosen the belt

 

Option 1: go to parts store, buy Haynes or Chilton manual, follow direahrections...

Option 2: take it to a shop, pay shop labor rates...

Option 3: ask a knowledgable friend to help...

Option 4: sell Jeep, buy a bicycle...

 

theres a write up under the xj write up section. check it out

 

upgrade while your there

 

If the 91 is like the 89 then not very hard. There is not alot of room to work but when I did mine I just moved the belt off and placed it on my wrench so it stayed tight over the radiator. I hope that makes sense. Your best bet is to make sure you put everything back the way it was. And don't put the ground to the STA. My family says im famous for shorting out alts. But I figure black to black, but its not true all the time lol. Chilton manual is the way to go, and if you have money get a Mean Green!

 

first take off the serpentine belt. After that remove the battery, then the AC compressor. After that it's pretty much a straight shot. Then, remove the bracket and bolts holding on the alternator.

 

a/c compressor does not need to come off

 

agreed, go from underneath

 

Yes go from underneath. You will be fine, i would say the hardest part in the belt.

 

I replaced mine about 4 weeks ago, I took off the fan, fan shroud, and the electric fan. I was a piece of cake after that except for the river of water I was laying in because it started raining halfway through. I took the electric fan out because it gave me enough space to wrench on the idler pulley after I put the belt back on.

 

Replaced the alternator on my '99 XJ - 4.0 yesterday. Fairly straightforward. Two bolts and a few electrical connections. Agree with other comments about removing and replacing through the bottom. Be sure to back off tension on serpentine belt first. I did not remove the belt as others have commented. I had some help from a friend so replacing the bolts top and bottom was easy as a two man job. For what it's worth, the auto parts store bench tested my old alternator and it passed twice even though the charging gauge in my Jeep was pegged to the left. The new one works fine.