I have had my XJ for about a month. I drive it on the weekends (got a company vehicle during the week)

I got it because I needed a 4x4 to get me up the mountain to go skiing in the winter.

It is a 99 sport with the off road package and about 136k on it.
I just put new tires on it. I am planning on replacing bad front end shocks this week, and putting on a 2" lift. Also in the next week or 2, replacing the spark plugs.

Any suggestions on what else I should do so I can make it though the colorado snow and up to the mountain on powder days? Either mods I can do to it or just basic maintenance stuff.

 

Check and change all your fluids..

 

I know I am going to sound dumb... but be nice...
I will preface what I am going to say with this:
I have always been a computer nerd and never really into cars till I got my XJ a few weeks ago (I won't say that I am in my mid 20's)


With that said:

I knew it was a good idea to change all the fluids.... but what does that encompass (well besides oil)

 

Change every fluid you can think of on the Jeep. Oil, front and rear differenial oils, tranny oil, transfer case oil, radiator fluid, power steering fluid.

 

Any tips for when I change them? also any tips on disposing of the fluids

 

Buy the Haynes repair manual for the cherokee at kragens or autozone or wherever. Its amazingly helpful and can walk you through most things. You'll learn a lot in a hurry with one of those. The manual is the best money I have spent on my jeep so far

I think the Factory service manual is better, but the haynes one is easy to come by and speaks in layman's terms.

 

I recommend Chilton's manual. I've used both, if you have the choice, go with Chilton's.

 

If your going to get a manual get both a Haynes and a Chilton.

Haynes is better for mechanical stuff and the Chilton's best for electrical.

So if you get both your fully covered.

 

i also live in colorado and snowboard almost every weekend in the winter. i drive the xj up the mountain......i would def do a coolant flush and a t-case service. oh yeah and some new wipers would be great with all the mag chloride they put down on i-70 and make sure you wiper fluid is topped off everytime you are heading up the mountain. nothing worse than slush mixed with mag chloride all over your ws with no way of cleaning it off!! i know ive done it and it was scary!!!!

 

In my old ranger I kept the washer fluid topped off and an extra gallon in the vehicle.
That stuff is nasty.

 

There's always the passenger-with-the-water-bottle combo if you prematurely deplete your windshield fluid. It's the least they can do for giving them a lift to the slopes.

 

I would flush and fill the radiator along with changing all fluids and seafoam it.And i would go with chilton over haynes.

 

If i can find someone that has the chilton book I think I will go with theirs. I might just go with their online version.

Should I seafoam before or after changing fluids?

I am planning on doing the trasmission and other things except the oil and coolent later this week

 

If your planning on goin through a lot of snow it wouldnt be a bad idea to get a limited slip or a locker for the rear end. Also get a good set of tires. I dont think mud terrains would be the best choice for snow. You might just want a good set of michelin or bridgestone snow tires. Also make sure the heat works well. My old K5 didnt have heat in it and let me tell you it is not fun without heat in the middle of winter. You also might want a new cabin air filter so when you turn your heat on it doesnt smell like crap.