I've read several posts about trying to improve upon the stock ignition system. Many of you out there seem to discourage this and I'm wondering why. Instead of using the ICM input wires to trigger the ignition box, what about folding the tabs over on top of the ICM and soldering leads to them? Can't these be used to correctly trigger the Ignition box since they are the factory coil inputs? If so, at this point it would simply take shimming the coil up enough to clear the ICM output tabs (now triggering the ignition box) and installing the coil. Any help is appreciated, I have a new MSD 6A box and a pertronix 60,000V coil I'm dying to try, I just don't want to mess up the family rig. Thanks for any thoughts you all may have.

 

Come on people, any input is appreciated, I see some of you have read my original question. I think in order to earn some credibility on this forum I'm going to just go ahead with the install. Being and electrician I should just go with my gut. I will let you all know how this works some time Saturday. Take it easy my fellow XJ freaks.

 

I think the family is gonna be disappointed when your Jeep doesn't run.

There is little room for igniton improvement on the Renix Jeeps. Every 30,000 miles you put new plugs. I like NGK. New quality igniton wires, not some cheapies. New cap and rotor with brass contacts.

Oh, and this, too:
Renix Jeep ICU/Coil contact refreshing
　
　
The contacts between the coil and the ICU on your Renix Jeep can become corroded and loose causing a complete or intermittent no-start condition. I recommend the following procedure as a maintenance precaution to insure this is eliminated as a possible cause now and in the future.
The coil is attached to the ICU by two T20 Torx bolts. Remove these two bolts and lift the coil up off the ICU. You will see 2 pins and 2 sets of contacts. Clean both the pins and springy contact pieces with a good electronics cleaner.
Squeeze the springy contacts closer together with some needlenose pliers. Apply some dielectric grease to the contacts and bolt the coil back on to the ICU.
While you’re right there unplug the connectors from the ICU and inspect the pins in the harness connector. Make sure the pins are not retracted into the connector. Spray out the connector and the receptacle of the ICU with the same good electronics cleaner you used earlier. Apply dielectric grease to the connectors and plug them back in.
I feel this procedure should be performed at least once in the lifetime of a Renix Jeep.
　
Revised 11-29-2011

 

I am more than pleased so say that the ignition box install was a success in every way. I removed the factory coil exposing the compression terminals on the ICM. The width of the wide side of each terminal is identical to the width of a male spade/blade style push on connector, so you can simply use these for the positive and negative trigger sources. It's also a good idea to use your needle nose pliers to pinch down the push on connectors for a tighter bite as the terminals On the ICM are thin. From here use the aftermarket coil of your choice and follow the instructions for the box you use. I have a much smoother idle, smoother acceleration and it has more top end kick. Any questions about my install I'm happy to chat. Thanks to everyone for their dedication to XJ's.