Hi I am a new person on this forum. I got my first car yesterday it's a 1998 Jeep Cherokee XJ limited. I just wanted to see if anybody had any tips or tricks to bestow upon me for future use since I plan on keeping this vehicle for years to come.

 

Welcome, new person. This forum is full of tips and tricks that cover routine maintenance as well as modifications to suite any taste. Take some time and browse our fine selection of write-ups and stickys.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to the forum!!

 

Welcome to the forum! check for leaks, listen for howling in the differential and make sure you have a nice set of tires? plan to do any wheeling?

 

Congratulations on your Cherokee purchase,..I am seriously in love with mine haha,...it only gets worse

 

Welcome. Feel free to pm me with any questions. My 00 XJ is my first car as well. I'm still learning

 

Check the fluid level and condition of every fluid holding thing on it before taking it out.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome. Im looking forward to playing with this jeep. Already changed power fluid.

 

Maintenance first, then toys. Too many people blow all their time and money on "upgrades" and let maintenance that would truly benefit them long term slide.

Always have money saved and be ready for the next thing to maintain or fix. They are super reliable, but if you're looking to keep it a long time, you'll want to nip even the smallest things in the bud as they come up.

Practice your Google-fu. Internet searches will teach you virtually everything you could ever need to know including how to do virtually any task yourself.


Fluids is a great place to start. Most owners neglect their transmission, transfer case, differential, and brake fluids. The transmission can be "changed" with a series of drain plug drains and refills over a few weeks. Transfer case and diffs can be completely changed. Dex/Merc III for trans and xfer case. 75w90, 80w90 (or 80w140 if you tow a lot i guess) for the diffs (Lubelocker gaskets are awesome and make for very easy future diff service).

A coolant flush would also be wise.

Spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor might be another neglected point of maintenance.

The odds are good that you would benefit from an oil filter adapter O-ring replacement (search it). It's a bit of a pain to do--not complicated, can just be physically difficult--so be properly researched and prepared. It is almost never the kind of thing that MUST be done ASAP, but they can end-up oozing oil which gets blown onto the starter which shortens the starter's life, so it's a nice thing to do once you're comfortable.

Headlight harness upgrade (search it) is a great, cheap upgrade that everyone should do.

If you start to have problems with power windows, door speakers, or power locks, the first thing you should check is for broken wires in the rubber boot that's in the hinge area between the door and the vehicle body. Very common. The same kind of thing can happens to wires in boot of the tailgate hinge, too.

Rugged Ridge makes THE best floor mats.