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XJ Ask the Question Thread
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 854
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
New water pump a couple weeks ago, heater core flushed on same night as water pump fix, new hvac control panel tonight. Tested hvac panel and i either get ice cold air while selector is on cold (expected) or still-cold-but-not-ice-cold air while selector is on hot (not expected). Where do i start looking for issues???
1996 Cherokee 4.0
1996 Cherokee 4.0
CF ADMIN

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34,088
Likes: 257
From: Lantana, Fl
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.Slow
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 2
From: Glendale,Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l 6Cyl
Did a 3" Puck lift on a ZJ today, went great, took about 4 hours with a crappy little compressor and air tools.
Started the 3" lift on my XJ and nothing but nightmares.
First front shock bolts snapped, finally got one side spring in and puck and now I cant get the frame side lower control arm open. Spent 2 1/2hrs o the front before just dropping thag control arm and taking 5 mins to get the spring back in, no I cant get the bolt back in the one side. New shock and everything was reinstalled for now.
How do I get the axle forward to get the bolt in???? Need help please im going crazy!
Started the 3" lift on my XJ and nothing but nightmares.
First front shock bolts snapped, finally got one side spring in and puck and now I cant get the frame side lower control arm open. Spent 2 1/2hrs o the front before just dropping thag control arm and taking 5 mins to get the spring back in, no I cant get the bolt back in the one side. New shock and everything was reinstalled for now.
How do I get the axle forward to get the bolt in???? Need help please im going crazy!
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
From: Wetumpka, AL
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Did a 3" Puck lift on a ZJ today, went great, took about 4 hours with a crappy little compressor and air tools.
Started the 3" lift on my XJ and nothing but nightmares.
First front shock bolts snapped, finally got one side spring in and puck and now I cant get the frame side lower control arm open. Spent 2 1/2hrs o the front before just dropping thag control arm and taking 5 mins to get the spring back in, no I cant get the bolt back in the one side. New shock and everything was reinstalled for now.
How do I get the axle forward to get the bolt in???? Need help please im going crazy!
Started the 3" lift on my XJ and nothing but nightmares.
First front shock bolts snapped, finally got one side spring in and puck and now I cant get the frame side lower control arm open. Spent 2 1/2hrs o the front before just dropping thag control arm and taking 5 mins to get the spring back in, no I cant get the bolt back in the one side. New shock and everything was reinstalled for now.
How do I get the axle forward to get the bolt in???? Need help please im going crazy!
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 0
From: Springfield Virginia
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Did a 3" Puck lift on a ZJ today, went great, took about 4 hours with a crappy little compressor and air tools.
Started the 3" lift on my XJ and nothing but nightmares.
First front shock bolts snapped, finally got one side spring in and puck and now I cant get the frame side lower control arm open. Spent 2 1/2hrs o the front before just dropping thag control arm and taking 5 mins to get the spring back in, no I cant get the bolt back in the one side. New shock and everything was reinstalled for now.
How do I get the axle forward to get the bolt in???? Need help please im going crazy!
Started the 3" lift on my XJ and nothing but nightmares.
First front shock bolts snapped, finally got one side spring in and puck and now I cant get the frame side lower control arm open. Spent 2 1/2hrs o the front before just dropping thag control arm and taking 5 mins to get the spring back in, no I cant get the bolt back in the one side. New shock and everything was reinstalled for now.
How do I get the axle forward to get the bolt in???? Need help please im going crazy!
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 0
From: Springfield Virginia
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
How many problems would I run into if I tried to run the clayton 3-link with just 4.5 inches of lift? I know hey say you need 6.5 but I alo believe they're giving themselves a lot of breathing room. I don't mind if my tranny tunnel has to be "clearanced" by flexing I'm just wondering if I'll run into any other problems. I may even go up another inch by next year.
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 2
From: Glendale,Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0l 6Cyl
Sometimes you can attach a ratchet strap to the axle and a wall and slowly winch it forward. I've always had luck by actually throwing the wheel back on and chocking that wheel where you're attempting to get the control arm on and have someone reverse or go forward until the axle rotates and you can get the bolt in.
That's my next plan, have a buddy come by and use his truck as an anchor. After being in the garage for 10hrs I was exhausted. Had no strength to even pick up the impact gun again. I'll check it out tomorrow.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 854
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
New water pump a couple weeks ago, heater core flushed on same night as water pump fix, new hvac control panel tonight. Tested hvac panel and i either get ice cold air while selector is on cold (expected) or still-cold-but-not-ice-cold air while selector is on hot (not expected). Where do i start looking for issues???
1996 Cherokee 4.0
1996 Cherokee 4.0
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,578
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
New water pump a couple weeks ago, heater core flushed on same night as water pump fix, new hvac control panel tonight. Tested hvac panel and i either get ice cold air while selector is on cold (expected) or still-cold-but-not-ice-cold air while selector is on hot (not expected). Where do i start looking for issues???
1996 Cherokee 4.0
1996 Cherokee 4.0
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 854
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Got a 4.5" rubicon express lift coils and I'm just posting to verify the length to set my lower control arms to. I'm using stock uppers for now. I saw a chart saying 16.5" from eye to eye?





