Have a 2001 Cherokee sport 2wd... was going to put my sound system from my last car into it hoping I wouldn't have to deal with power draw issues and dimming headlights...last car had a 40-70 watt alternator..Well I still have dimming headlights and its only a 600 watt system ding 2 10 inch subs...help!

 

It was probably a 40-70amp alternator. Some XJ's came stock with a 60amp alternators, others came stock with 100amps. I bought a 125 amp alternator from Napa when mine went out, it was cheap, and was a direct bolt-on. It handles my 700 watt stereo without any dimming or other issues.

Edit: Definitely 40-70amp, a 70 watt alternator would produce like 6 amps. Lol

 

I have attached a link below. Go to that site and request a build sheet ant it will tell you what exactly came on your Jeep Right down to how many amps you alt is.
http://www.jeep.com/webselfservice/jeep/index.jsp
How to request you build sheet;
1) Go to, I need CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE.
2) Go to, Send us an Email

 

Yea that was my bad..too many electrical words...I had heard that most of the jeeps that had ac ran 100+ watt alternators...plus its the last year xj I would have thought they wouldn't have skimped out with a low watt alternator

 

I Don't think that, That new of a Jeep would have that low of amps. Unless it has no power locks, windows, outside mirrors or seats. My 98 came with 117 amp stock. This is why it is a good thing to get you build sheet like I stated before. It will give you a lot of info that you can always use in the future.

 

Sweeet I will try that thank you..kinda wish they would just put one more of those stupid stickers on the hood that gave other part specs

 

You are correct!

 

Not a problem.
Putting more info on the Jeep?? RIGHT! That would make to much sense.

 

Stock alternator on the 00 and 01s are 117 amp if i recall correctly.

99s had 90 amp alternators. (120 amp was an option in 99'.)

Might be a slight variation of what I'm saying but I think it's pretty close.

They make a high amp alternator for the XJ but its super expensive. The ZJ alternator is an upgrade.

Upgrading all of your charging wires to either 1 AWG or 4 AWG will also help.

"5-90" sells charging wires for a very reasonable price. I'd link you to his website but I'm on my phone. Ill post it when I get home. He can answer all of your electrical questions.

 

Alternators are rated in Amperes, not Watts. Different quantities. (VxA=W.)

Your 2001 XJ should have a 117A alternator from the factory. Going to a larger alternator in that location will require grinding for clearance - 117/120A is the maximum standard output capacity of that frame size (disregarding the custom aftermarket, of course.)

 

So I got a build sheet...came with a 124 amp alternator....so that its not my power problem...I almost want to say out could be my ground wire on my amp because it is a smaller gauge then my power wire...our ill have to do the big three upgrade

 

Never run a ground smaller than the feed.

You can run a feed smaller than the ground, but NEVER make the ground smaller than the feed.

The same size also works.

 

Ya I'm wondering off that is where I'm getting my light dimming problem from...

 

does this still work?