2000 2001 aftermarket header information
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2000 2001 aftermarket header information
I have a 2000 4.0, just like many others I had a cracked cylinder head. I had a 98 head laying around so I replaced the cracked one with that. Obviously I couldn't use my stock exhaust manifold, so I had to go with an aftermarket. My first choice (cheap) was one of the typical eBay headers that average about $150. They are nice looking, bright silver, with the tubes that make a big loop. When I received it, I was excited, mainly because it just looked tough and had good build quality. Long story short, it would not fit properly!!! The intake manifold did not clear the header, and therefore would not seal. It was about 1/4 inch off. I shaved some of the intake manifold and also heated and bent the header itself. This got me down to 1/8 gap where the intake manifold sealed to the top of the head. Not wanting to mangle things to much, I gave up. Not to mention that the way the manifold is designed makes it nearly impossible to get two of the bolts in on the bottom side. I took the $150, and spent $206 on a Pacesetter header. This one is designed with straight tubes, much like a stock one. It fit great! Everything cleared, lined up, and I was able to easily get all the bolts in. The only thing was that they provide funny looking washers that are thicker on one side to replace the stock ones. The purpose of my post is to warn others who might be doing the same swap, or simply buying a header for their 2000-2001 Cherokee. Buy the quality part, not the cheap no name brand one. Apparently the one I bought was manufactured a little of, not quite within spec
Even after matulating it, which I didn't want to do, the intake manifold still wouldn't clear in those spots
This one fit nice
Finished!
Even after matulating it, which I didn't want to do, the intake manifold still wouldn't clear in those spots
This one fit nice
Finished!
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Ttherk.XJ98 (06-29-2023)
#2
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Doesn't look like anything is wrong with that first one. It's a header for a wrangler. The second one is an XJ header and that's why it fits. Either they sent you the wrong header the first time or maybe....ordered wrong(happens to the best of us).
Last edited by Cheddarnut; 06-13-2015 at 08:32 AM.
#3
The first header will fit with the older style intake.
That is his problem. Didn't do his homework.
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
Nope. That header is made to fit the 2000 and 2001 XJ, with the twin downpipe or precats. The 2000 and 2001 did not come with the old style intake. That header will not fit any Jeep that came with the old style intake, because those older Jeeps all had single downpipes.
Last edited by extrashaky; 06-13-2015 at 09:26 AM.
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
ok, i need to know. (may have the same issue in the future). what is needed to run the older head on a 2000 xj? will the stock intake and exhaust manifolds work? or do i need something different..
what is that second set of headers? what brand and year were they built for?
what is that second set of headers? what brand and year were they built for?
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#8
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Yes, extrashaky is correct. The problem was due to bad build quality. The first header I used would not have worked on a 2000+ Wrangler either. Believe me, I tried everything, even using the older style intake just to see. I also mocked up the setup on the original 2000 Cherokee head, still would not clear. The stock exhaust manifolds are the same Chrysler part number whether they are on a 2000 Cherokee, a 2000 Wrangler, or 99+ Grand. I just assume the one I bought was made a bit out of spec. I've seen others use the exact same setup I tried the first time, with the first header, and it did work. I think my point is just perhaps to avoid some of the cheap parts we find, I bought it simply because it was the cheapest and it ended up costing me more in the end.
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: Golen 4.6L
You can avoid all that by just going with a Clearwater head, which is made to the 0331 specs without the casting flaw. That way you have ports in the head and in the exhaust manifold that are the same size.
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
The second head
Where did you find the second head that worked? I’m looking for one that connects to the downpipe cats and can’t seem to find one for the 2001 xj.
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