"As long as you keep track of the parts"

LOL

 

Hi all. I'm fairly new to the xj world. Right now I'm pretty much focused on fixing leaks and some other basic things that are showing on a completely stock vehicle with 100k+ miles. I'm not trying to build a pure rock crawler, but I do want to build a rig capable of handling moderate trails with ease and tackling the occasional difficult obstacle. Honestly I think I'm only shooting for a 3.5 to 4 inch lift, but that could change.


My question is about mod priorities.


With the XJ there seems to be all these uni-body considerations. You can get frame stiffeners, steering box braces, track bar braces, and on and on.


At what point is this stuff necessary and where should one prioritize it compared to say skids, or armor, and that sort of thing? Before lifting (lots of parts seem to be designed to work only on lifted vehicles)? When you notice you have problems? May not be needed for my uses?


Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

I have a 1987 Cherokee 4.0 5 speed its the base model with the dummy lights on the dash. I want to install a temp gauge because I believe its running hot what would be the best gauge to get that wont break the bank?

 

u could upgrade the cluster with a full one from the junkyard.

I like auto meter stuff and Sunpro is cheaper but still good.

 

Thanks for the reply, any advice on pulling the cup bearing that is at the end of the front t-case shaft? I think the rest can just be driven out after removing the retaining snap ring... correct?

 

1987-90 will swap right in. You'll also need to replace the Temperature Sending Unit and the Oil Pressure Sending Unit.
http://www.naxja.org/html/techarticles/gauge/Gauge.htm

 

That's an excellent question. Some of these items actually combine. For example, a proper offroad bumper with nice long tie-ins strengthens the uniframe for lateral and torsional stress and provides a solid point for the steering.

Pragmatically a lot depends on your budget, opportunities, and what you feel comfortable with. Check the local for sale section or Craigslist for goodies. Sometimes you can find used stuff cheap. Methinks you'll put those on first, lol. A stock XJ is actually pretty capable with some armor on it. If this is your daily driver then I'd put a pretty big priority on armor and recovery.

What size tire to you plan to run? This is also very important. Stock steering is just fine for 31s on a 3" lift (well, the tie rod is ****, but you don't need to worry about blowing up the uniframe from stress)

There's no single answer to this. Best advice I can give is to check out some folks build threads and figure out what YOU like. There's a LOT to be learned there, with pictures too lol. There's also a sticky in Modified Tech discussing lift stuff.

Yes on most of them. Various size sockets, PVC or ABS pipe (for whacking on) and good use of a mallet will take care of the bulk of them.

As for the stupid thing at the end of the shaft, it needs a special puller tool.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'm thinking I would like to try and stuff 33's under 3.5 - 4" of lift. Still trying to determine how realistic that is I guess. Either way I think 33's are my target tire size. I'll adjust my plans accordingly to get there.


I'll do some more digging through build threads for sure.

 

33"s can fit a 3" lift with trimming, so yes you're in the right ballpark. Lucky for you there are a ton of builds in this range lol

Oh, do you have rust? If you live in an area with road salt I'd do stiffeners first.

 

Hey, I was looking to buy an old cherokee from my neighbour, from what he's told me the car is ok, theb only thing that bothered me is that he said it uses about 100oz of oil for a 1000 miles. Is that even normal?

 

What engine? That's 3 quarts of oil in 1000 miles. A lot,,,,,

 

5.2
i know, right? what could it possibly be? maybe there's a leak? and how can i find it out?

 

if it's leaking 3 qts that fast it won't be hard to miss. clean everything up on the engine and below, also at the rear main. drive it for a day or two then check around for oil leaking down from the VCs, rear main and pan seal.

 

Massive thanks! Will try that out this weekend

 

My 1999 Jeep Cherokee with the inline 6 engine gets really poor mileage. Maybe 10 mpg or less. I am told that the problem may be the oxygen sensor. Is there some way of knowing if that is the problem short of just installing a new one?

John