OK I've had the XJ for a couple months now, and I'm one of THOSE noob guys who aspires to be a great tinker-er. I want to be more more mechanically inclined. Does anybody have any advice or links to sites so I can become a little more in the loop?

When i started here i knew nothing, now i know a pretty good amount. Just ask questions, look through threads, and if anyone you know is working on their car, just go help. At worst you just watch and learn. I went from not knowing what a differential was to putting a locking differential in my jeep in olny 2 hours. Get with people that know stuff also, ive tought my buddy a lot about his suspension and engine that he wanted to know.
This forum has helped me a lot so just stay on it.

I'm going to be a dick here just a warning


Step 1. Pick a project you want to do on your jeep.
Step 2. Read some write ups on how to do it.
Step 3. Do it.

Thats more or less how I started out. Got a bunch of tools asked questions if i was stuck and learned by doing. I'm only 24 but already built a nice DD/show truck nissan frontier, rock crawler XJ, full built a 240sx, motor suspension rear axle, building a toyota buggy worked on at least 20 other cars/trucks. No school no training just a will to do it my self or help some on else do it them selves.

Another easy way to get into it is to help on a build or have a few people over to help you and you learn that way.

Just my .02

youll learn more over time...check out some other forums as well like jeepforum, naxja, pirate, etc. just search and read through some of there threads youll learn alot

I don't know a lot mechanically, but more than the average person. Basic maintenance is a good place to start. Change your oil and replace your air filter. Two very easy things to do in your own driveway. Learn how to check all your fluids. I would highly recommend picking up a Haynes manual, it'll be the best $20 ever spent if you're looking to start doing things yourself.

If you find you don't know what something is under the hood, look it up online or in the manual. You just have to remember you're not going to learn everything overnight. It takes time.

Something I did starting out. I put money away into 2 different envelopes. One was money for the Jeep, the other was money towards tools. Once a month I'd make a trip to Sears and splurge.

Now my tool vendor basically does my accounting for me.

time is key and of course just doing stuff like everyone else has said. I look at pics then say i want to do that, then just do it. my 1st diy was drum brakes, i dont count oil and air filter haha. Anyway looked at pic and write ups complete and "that was easy now what" til the point that i lifted mine (two times now lol) and just keep going. Not as much experience as these others but i feel that i know more than the average person and am mechanically comfortable to do just about anything like replace my steering, axle joints other numerous things that i have done so far to my xj. I guess you could say i have deffinitely caught the "Jeep Thing"

Yep, that's how I started about 8 years ago... on Hondas, but the principal's the same. I picked projects that I felt comfortable with, and gradually I became comfortable doing more advanced stuff.

My first project ever was a brake job. That got my feet wet and made me realize that cars aren't as hard to work on as I thought. Then I changed a fuel filter, then a short shifter. Then a wheel hub. Within a couple of years, I did a clutch job. Eventually I swapped the engine.

Now, I've done or helped do major work on my XJ, 2 Civics, 2 CRVs, an Accord, and an 86 Mustang. I still run into stuff I don't know, but I'm no longer afraid to tear into things.

Good tools help too. You don't need a ton to start with, but you could drop $200 easily on a good starter set. Craftsman are not the best in the world, but they're plenty good for most shadetree mechanics. 1/2" drive ratchets will be your best friend until you invest in air. As a starter for working on an XJ, I'd recommend a decent 3/8" metric set, a 1/2" metric set, a metric wrench set, a torx set, and a good breaker bar.

the golden rule is that it's easier to fix it at home than out on the road or on the trail. like someone already said, start with fluid changes, brakes, valve cover gasket, work up to transmission filter change. by then you'll know quite a bit.

just look around the forums, you'll learn a lot. Ive been looking around the forums and learned a ton by just reading

Just a quick note - based on quality, warranty, and price, Craftsman is the best tool out there. I've got a good friend who reviews and compares consumer products and they did a test between Kobalt, Craftsman, Snap-on, and Husky. Craftsman won unanimously. Get a good starter set from Sears (it'll probably cost you about $200 unless you go when they have a good sale happening) that focuses primarily on metric tools. What Vindicator listed is pretty good place to start. I'd add on Crescent Wrenches and Adjustable Pliers too.

Anyway, back on topic, as mentioned, go buy a Haynes manual. Though this isn't going to tell you how to fix EVERY problem you may encounter, you'll have the knowledge right in front of you to fix most anything mechanically with your XJ. Just treat it like a bathroom magazine. Read it cover to cover over and over.
Do as much yourself as possible with your Jeep, especially the little stuff (oil, filters, fluids, brakes, tire rotations, etc). This will help you a lot as getting your head wrapped around how those things work will help you figure out other stuff. The best way to learn mechanics is to do it. if you're not at that point yet, find someone who is and learn from them by helping them and getting their help with stuff you need done.
Get on here and just read through threads. There's a ton of knowledge on here. One really good thread to go through is the "Ask the Question Thread" in Tech. It's at the very top. If you have questions, try to find an answer, and if you're still wondering about it, ask away.
We're all on here for one reason - to help each other know and love our XJ's more.

read, read, more reading,read everything,everything.you'll come across -hey mine does that or hey I can do that, and then do it if it breaks, your at home and can get help!

Yeah, I totally agree that Craftsman is best value for money. 99% of my stuff is Craftsman.

The only real problem with Craftsman is that they're known for completely denying warranty if they find out that you're using their tools commercially. I've known people who have brought in tools while in work uniform and told that they were in violation of the warranty terms, and ineligible for replacement. Apparently they can get nasty about it on occasion.

For a home mechanic though, they're the best.

I use harbor freights pittsburg line and so far I haven't busted any of the better ratchets they sell, and if I do They let me return it for an exchange, or if I have the receipt(rarely ever)cash, Ihave busted a S-K(Can't find anyone that stocks them since they sold out, craftsmen and snap-off...errr on.
just look around, find tools your comfortable with and make sure you ask what the return policy is and make sure you get it in writing.

Thanks guys. I have noticed that in the short time I've been on this forum, I've learned some things already. I'm planning on getting the haynes book here before too long...

One write up I want to do for sure is a s-10 bastard pack..... which seems to be one of the more complicated ones.

Tools aren't a problem, as I'm in high school and live with my parents, and my dad has more than enough tools for the home mechanic.

Thanks everyone for the feedback!