Howdy, New to the forum and just purchased a 2000 XJ 4.0L about a week ago,first car, it has 4.5 inch lift, new audio system and an additional internal engine fan, runs good and has about 200,000 miles on it, What improvements or general car maintenance things should I do to make it run smoother, last longer, and just general good modifications to make, Im rather new to any kind of auto-mechanics, but am researching and learning as I go, cosmetic wise its already pretty done up, the original owner rhino lined the outside of it, added a rack and had some custom interior work done

 

Welcome.

When I get a new to me Cherokee I:
I turn off my phone put on some tunes and spend most of the day giving it an in depth cleaning inside and out from the ground to roof rack. Literaly.
This way I get my eyes and hands on everything and get a good idea of what I've got and what needs doing now and what can wait untill later.
Then it's on to cleaning and re freshing every single ground connection, all of them. I can't harp on this enough. (Search this forum for self education on why it's a thing &#128077
Then it's a good service by the factory book, Cruiser 54's mostly Renix tips and finally, a beer.

WARNING: mixing beer with cool parts shopping = running out of wallet before running out of beer... or so I am told.

 

I would be poking all around the body and undercarriage to see if the previous owner rhino lined over rust.

 

I would fab a good steering set up as first priority

 

Whats a good steering set up you recommend? is this something I buy and just take to a mechanic to install?

 

I would be making darn sure every fluid in the Jeep was in good condition and at the proper level first.

 

This is just a heads up...if you plan on having a paid mechanic do most of the maintenance, your jeep will become unaffordable in a very short time. Learn from here how to do it yourself. Lifted jeeps require even more maintenance than a regular just in lubrication of drivetrain alone.

 

I was waiting for someone else to be Dr Doom but since no one did...


With a 2000 my you need to be aware of the potential 0331 cracking head issue.. Google it.

1) using your Google info see if it still has the original 0331 head or it's been replaced with a TUPY head.
2) if it's the 0331 it doesn't mean it's cracked, mine hasn't, but you need to make sure it's not so you don't trash the bearings.
3)If it's the 0331 head you need to do everything you can to keep it from overheating. Cooling system inspection/maintenance should be # 1 on your list.

 

Would it be best to just go a head and replace it with a better one? even if it hasn't cracked yet it looks like most are gonna crack at some point, and this jeep has a couple miles on it, So would I be saving myself money to replace it before something happens?

 

Thanks for that! Most fluids seem good but Im gonna have to charge the A/C in it, nothing too major

 

Thank you! I will keep that in mind, How often would you say I need to lubricate my drive train with the lift that I have

 

I do mine every oil change, 3000 miles...or every thousand or two when im under there

 

At your lift height im not sure i can recommend.

For bolt on im not sure what to suggest.


Mine done on wj knuckles fair amount of fabrication

 

Welcome! I’ve compiled an Amazon Storefront of all the stuff I’ve used to lightly modify/repair/maintain/restore/preserve my Cherokee, along with links to frequently bad/crusty parts that I’ve had success with on Amazon. Something I wish I had access to when I Was starting out a few years ago.

 

Thank you so much!