Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

changing to an all electric heating system

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-18-2014, 08:22 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
tat2ts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: WV
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default changing to an all electric heating system

I'm wanting to change my 1998 Cherokee over to an all electric heating system for the interior.
Has anyone here done this? If so any recommendations?
Old 11-18-2014, 08:29 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
drhoward1988's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Wetumpka, AL
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

New vehicles are now equipped with startup heat strips that give you instant heat on start up. Can it be done, Yes. Is it worth it, I say no, not as a stand alone system anyways. It'd be a lot of work to do it right and could end up costing quite a sum of money to do it safely. I'm not sure if anyone on here has done it...search result brought nothing. The factory system should more than suffice your needs for heating and cooling. My 87 rolls it out quite well. I'm not trying to discourage you btw.. just letting you know the major obstacles you will face. Are you currently having trouble with your heat?
Old 11-19-2014, 09:55 AM
  #3  
Seasoned Member
 
Boostwerks.com's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Co
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Default

Why? You already have a very nice and efficient gasoline powered heater under the hood.
Old 11-19-2014, 11:29 PM
  #4  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
tat2ts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: WV
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Yeah it'll only start to put out minimal heat with an engine temp of 210. I back flushed the core and it helped a little but not near enough. My mechanic says the core is shot and replacing it will be around 10 hours labor. I don't care about a/c and wouldn't care if it had to be sacrificed.
Old 11-19-2014, 11:36 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
askingxforxit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Long Beach, Ca
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Default

flush it again, pour some CLR in there and let it sit for an hour then flush it back and forth several times to get all of the chemical out. DO NOT RECONNECT THE HOSES WITH THE CHEMICAL STILL IN THE CORE

Last edited by askingxforxit; 11-19-2014 at 11:43 PM.
Old 11-20-2014, 05:08 AM
  #6  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
tat2ts's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: WV
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

CLR, thanks I'll give it a shot
Old 11-20-2014, 06:58 AM
  #7  
CF Veteran
 
andrewmp6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Louisville,KY
Posts: 8,014
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Paying to have your heater core replaced would be cheaper.
Old 11-20-2014, 07:05 AM
  #8  
Member
 
bac0nfat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Why don't you try replacing it yourself?
Old 11-20-2014, 07:23 AM
  #9  
Junior Member
 
Hopkins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

I had minimal to no heat. Flushed the coolant using a Prestone flush n fill kit. Found that the coolant system had been severely neglected and the heater hoses were 80 to 90% clogged with sludge. First flush unclogged the system, but still no heat. Did a second flush and got even more brown sludge out of the system, but still no heat. Ended up pulling the heater core hoses and using a garden hose to backflush the heater core for an hour or so. Just stand there with the garden hose and keep running it between the 2 holes until water comes out clear from both ends. I have heard CLR works well also. Anyhow, after 3 flushes and replacing the heater hoses I now have heat! Be persistent and it will come back!
Old 11-20-2014, 12:34 PM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
Fred/N0AZZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Monett, MO.
Posts: 7,554
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 14 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

In my 99 the heater and AC will run you out of it even on the coldest or hottest days of the year. If flushing the entire system and replacing the thermostat and radiator cap doesn't work just replace the entire cooling system.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Blackcherokee290
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
27
07-26-2022 07:52 PM
95cherokee89
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
59
10-16-2015 03:17 AM
ButtStripe
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
11
09-03-2015 07:57 PM
palehorse
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
0
09-01-2015 03:55 PM
moparchero
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
0
08-26-2015 12:58 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: changing to an all electric heating system



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:24 AM.