Top 10 mods
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 651
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From: Fayetteville, NC
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Just got a 96 xj 2 months ago. Put some wheels and tires on it. After I put on a three inch left I'm left with anyway to go with it.
What would be the top ten mods after a lift and tires?
What would be the top ten mods after a lift and tires?
1-lockers is always good.
2-lowers gears...to spin the bigger tires, plus you're adding lockers, might as well upgrade here too
3-rock rails- keep your body straight, maintain open/close functionality of your doors
4-fire extinguisher...watching your junk burn to the ground can't be fun
5-fullsize spare
6-HiLift jack
7-tow points front. budget option is front towhook brackets. The high dollar option is aftermarket bumpers with tow point
8-tow points rear. budget option is a tow hitch. Tow hitch adds extra utility to your SUV. Again, the high dollar option is aftermarket bumpers with tow point
9- winch. budget option is to wheel with someone else who has a winch
10- unibody stiffeners/reinforcement...wheeling is tough on these things
No particualar order, I was firing these off pretty quick
2-lowers gears...to spin the bigger tires, plus you're adding lockers, might as well upgrade here too
3-rock rails- keep your body straight, maintain open/close functionality of your doors
4-fire extinguisher...watching your junk burn to the ground can't be fun
5-fullsize spare
6-HiLift jack
7-tow points front. budget option is front towhook brackets. The high dollar option is aftermarket bumpers with tow point
8-tow points rear. budget option is a tow hitch. Tow hitch adds extra utility to your SUV. Again, the high dollar option is aftermarket bumpers with tow point
9- winch. budget option is to wheel with someone else who has a winch

10- unibody stiffeners/reinforcement...wheeling is tough on these things
No particualar order, I was firing these off pretty quick
Last edited by RenegadeT; Jul 22, 2012 at 07:52 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8,172
Likes: 17
From: The Republic of TEXAS
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
1. MAINTENANCE?......especially the cooling system? Big tires/lift make for more engine/tranny load, more heat. Nobody thought I'd suggest that, now did they.
Last edited by djb383; Jul 22, 2012 at 08:56 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: Fayetteville, NC
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Done:
Wheels
Tires
front&rear diff fluids/gaskets w/black rtv
Coolant looks ok/full
Transfer case fluid & rear seal
Ac recharged
(compressor just locked up so I have a pulley installed but at 50 a lb for freon I still have my ac hooked up just behind the pulley.) Any thoughts?
P.s. engine runs at 220 is it time for a thermostat?
Wheels
Tires
front&rear diff fluids/gaskets w/black rtv
Coolant looks ok/full
Transfer case fluid & rear seal
Ac recharged
(compressor just locked up so I have a pulley installed but at 50 a lb for freon I still have my ac hooked up just behind the pulley.) Any thoughts?
P.s. engine runs at 220 is it time for a thermostat?
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 247
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From: Columbia, SC
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Check the actual running temp. with an infared thermometer. If it really is running 220*, Flush and fill your rig. Mine rarely breaks over 210* with the AC on in the Southern heat.
And you've got to upgrade the stereo; I have to have my tunes.
And you've got to upgrade the stereo; I have to have my tunes.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 375
Likes: 3
From: Louisville KY area
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Three inches is a really good lift height IMO, especially if it's a daily driver. Top mods depends upon your wheeling style. For trail riding and light crawling don't worry about skids plates, rock rails, and roll bars as much unless you like serious rock crawling or mud bogging. I really like having a winch on my XJ and a good sound system really helps the miles go by. If you drive at night a lot then driving lights might be a good addition too.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
1-lockers is always good.
2-lowers gears...to spin the bigger tires, plus you're adding lockers, might as well upgrade here too
3-rock rails- keep your body straight, maintain open/close functionality of your doors
4-fire extinguisher...watching your junk burn to the ground can't be fun
5-fullsize spare
6-HiLift jack
7-tow points front. budget option is front towhook brackets. The high dollar option is aftermarket bumpers with tow point
8-tow points rear. budget option is a tow hitch. Tow hitch adds extra utility to your SUV. Again, the high dollar option is aftermarket bumpers with tow point
9- winch. budget option is to wheel with someone else who has a winch
10- unibody stiffeners/reinforcement...wheeling is tough on these things
No particualar order, I was firing these off pretty quick
2-lowers gears...to spin the bigger tires, plus you're adding lockers, might as well upgrade here too
3-rock rails- keep your body straight, maintain open/close functionality of your doors
4-fire extinguisher...watching your junk burn to the ground can't be fun
5-fullsize spare
6-HiLift jack
7-tow points front. budget option is front towhook brackets. The high dollar option is aftermarket bumpers with tow point
8-tow points rear. budget option is a tow hitch. Tow hitch adds extra utility to your SUV. Again, the high dollar option is aftermarket bumpers with tow point
9- winch. budget option is to wheel with someone else who has a winch

10- unibody stiffeners/reinforcement...wheeling is tough on these things
No particualar order, I was firing these off pretty quick

Other cheap stuff
Efan shutoff for water crossing
Cowl or other snorkel/cold air intake
More lights (harbor freight)
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
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Posts: 9,652
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From: Chattanooga
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Id say:
1. Armor (sliders, skids)
2. Recovery Points & Recovery Equipment
3. Lockers
4. Bumpers
5. Frame stiffeners
6. Rear Disc's
7. Winch
8. Head lights upgrade (h4's or projectors)
9. Cooling upgrades (aux fan, hood vents, trans cooler)
10. Roof Rack (Keep your spare out of the cab, and room for additional camping gear, etc)
Thats my opinion on a good list of upgrades.. in that order. Luckily for me the P.O of mine already had armor under neath (no sliders yet). I have front and rear recovery points (front tow hooks tied WAAYYY back into the body, and a rear d ring shackle).
1. Armor (sliders, skids)
2. Recovery Points & Recovery Equipment
3. Lockers
4. Bumpers
5. Frame stiffeners
6. Rear Disc's
7. Winch
8. Head lights upgrade (h4's or projectors)
9. Cooling upgrades (aux fan, hood vents, trans cooler)
10. Roof Rack (Keep your spare out of the cab, and room for additional camping gear, etc)
Thats my opinion on a good list of upgrades.. in that order. Luckily for me the P.O of mine already had armor under neath (no sliders yet). I have front and rear recovery points (front tow hooks tied WAAYYY back into the body, and a rear d ring shackle).
Seasoned Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 362
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From: Minnesota
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
- Tow hooks front and back (could use a receiver in either location)
- Stronger front bumper with extended mounts and winch plate. Could incorporate tow hooks or be a DIY welded to good tow hooks.
- Winch
- Snorkel or cowl cold air intake
- Switch to shut off fan for water crossing
- Full size spare and a place to mount it
- Good Radio to listen to tunes
- CB
- Armor if you are doing rocks
- ****** strap
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside C.A
Year: 1992 Laredo
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 inline 6
Originally Posted by polishingterd
And # 10 is a roll of duck tape for girlfriends mouth to stop her from saying "u are not going up that".
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34,088
Likes: 257
From: Lantana, Fl
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
Top 10 mods?.. Hope cruiser54, Xj88, Red82 and myself are on this list. Lol
My list includes Tires and lighting as my primary. Lifts, Gears and lockers are at the bottom. Address the simple, most needed items first.
My list includes Tires and lighting as my primary. Lifts, Gears and lockers are at the bottom. Address the simple, most needed items first.


