I recently purchased a 96 4x4 and I want to knock out some maintenance before I really start driving it. I know I want to do the spark plugs for sure and distributor possibly? Any reqs.?

 

Does it have an owners manual? look in there for the recommended maintenance schedule. Look at everything listed until you get to the mileage that is on the jeep.

 

Start with basics. Fresh Champion copper plugs gapped to .035, quality plug wires, distributor cap and rotor. No need to replace the entire distributor unless symptoms point to it.

Then unless you have believable maintenance records showing otherwise, replace all fluids as they are the lifeblood of your vehicle. Oil and filter, transmission fluid, transfer case fluid, differential grease both front and rear and coolant. Consider replacing all cooling system hoses, radiator cap and thermostat.

Enjoy your XJ!

 

Just so you know there are 2 different distributors in the '96.
With any luck you have a white sticker with a number still on yours.
Be either 53006150 or 56027028.
You have to be sure that you get the right rotor.
So if the sticker is gone you can go by the hole.
One is bigger. One is smaller. Use your old one to figure it out and go from there.
Shots for you to compare the 2 at these links.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MPEF...ndex=Universal

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/MPEM...ndex=Universal

 

Check your electrical system for the "green crusties." Separate all the electrical connectors you can find, clean them with spray cleaner, and use dielectric grease in any exposed to weather or water. Clean all ground connections to be sure of good contact.

 

I remember when I was buying a distributor cap I was unaware of the fact that there are 2 different caps. I got lucky and ordered the right one. I believe it was Ralph77 who brought this to my attention several weeks back. I found a really nice closeout sale on rockauto for a bunch of XJ parts, so I didnt pay much for it, but still would have been a disappointment if I got the wrong one.

here is the stuff on sale right now from RockAuto for the 96 XJ

https://www.rockauto.com/RSS/vehicle...l=en&html=true

 

I was wrong about that apparently. The cap I mean. Not when it came to the rotors.
I could have sworn that when I bought tune parts for my '96 I used to own 11 or so years ago that both mattered.
Asked in the computer about which distributor at my store on both the cap and rotor.
But going on the website now I just see the one cap so.......

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/ECHM...ndex=Universal

 

Ah yes, I went back and read the thread we discussed that in.... Here:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/roc...t-sale-255864/