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Hello All. I have a stock 1996 XJ 4.0 auto with 172,000. I'm interested in installing a cold air intake. Any suggestions on brand? Also, do the throttle body spacers improve anything? Eventually I want to change the leaf springs to remove the sag but not looking to lift it high. Should I replace the front springs also or do they sag? Again, any suggestions on brand? Thank you for any info. Scott
No idea on the cold air intake. TB spacers are a waste of time and money on an XJ.
Front springs can sag. There are lots of options for replacement. Many folks like the Moog coil springs. There are measurements (I think it's 17.5" front and 17" rear - from center of wheel to fender flare, but don't quote me on it.) so you can check. I'd do the leafs and then see if it looks like it's sitting at a good height.. if not, toss some new coil springs in there. (the coils are a HECK of a lot easier to replace than the leafs if you have any rust where you live.)
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
TB spacers are very useful, in the same way that prayer cloths and lucky charms are useful.
They enrich those who sell them.
Cold air intakes aren't much better. The theory seems sound, but studies have shown they provide very little real-world benefit. Do a search on the benefits and, surprise! They are mostly touted by people who sell them, and kids who have installed them and are enjoying that great placebo effect. Actual tests with, you know, scientific instruments (like a dynometer) show it's mostly show and very little go.
Only if it's an actual cold air intake and not a pretty tube with a fancy filter on the end of it that everyone calls a "cold air intake". Even the designs that have a heat shield are complete BS. Think about it- where is the fancy filter getting this "cold air"? From the engine bay right off the side of 500-degree exhaust manifolds and right behind a 200-degree radiator?
The stock setup isolates the air filter from the engine bay heat and ducts in air from outside the engine bay- it IS a "cold air" intake. Yes, the expensive aftermarket ones look cool and can flow a lot of air. But, the stock set up already flows more than what the engine can ingest, it just doesn't look cool.
Springs, front and rear, can sag. Cherokees are famous for this. Lots of threads around here on what brands are good and how to get the job done. (HINT: The rear spring bolts are held in place with red Loctite. A torch is mandatory.)
Last edited by BlueRidgeMark; Jun 12, 2018 at 08:06 PM.
I saw an intake I sort of liked. He just used two 4" ABS 90* (Ells) to go right straight back to a hole in the intake cowling to the right of the vacuum booster with the 4" ABS. Cool air and good for more than a few feet of water.
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Saw this on our local Craigslist. Seems about like what you posted. Good for fording, but with all that nice conductive aluminum, I doubt there's much cold air getting in there.
But it's pretty, I guess.
Good for sucking in rainwater! Yeah! Water injection!
Last edited by BlueRidgeMark; Jun 14, 2018 at 02:28 PM.
Looks....pretty....cool......doesn't get too wet over there.........mmmmmm Neat solution....maybe? Us 87-90 Renix would need to re-locate our expansion bottle.
Looks like the wiper linkage could be an issue?
Last edited by DFlintstone; Jun 23, 2018 at 07:26 PM.
Cold air intake only works if the intake is placed outside the engine compartment, so the ones that just place a cone airfilter under the hood are just a cold air intake that sucks in very hot air
I have a 2.5L with carb in my 85, I am thinking of possible a straight up through the hood pipe with a tractor type filter on top, more military looking for certain.
Not sure if yours is the same as my 97, but directly in front of the forward facing rectangular intake on the filter box is a plate that can be removed from behind the headlight assembly. I removed this plate and connected a piece of cut soda bottle to the front. Instant outside front cool air...
Looks....pretty....cool......doesn't get too wet over there.........mmmmmm Neat solution....maybe? Us 87-90 Renix would need to re-locate our expansion bottle.
Looks like the wiper linkage could be an issue?
Stays dry and I used one of those prefilter bags over the filter. Thinks it's called drycharger? Wiper linkage was a problem first test fit. After a few adjustments it is 100% functional. It's been on for probably close to 2 years with no problems. Just a cheaper homebrew solution if anyone is interested.
Cold Air Intake
