KJ to XJ C8.25 disc brake conversion
#1
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.slow
KJ to XJ C8.25 disc brake conversion
I hit up the junk yard/ part store/ amazon to gather parts required to convert to disc brakes in the 8.25 axle.
Junk yard:
2003 liberty KJ backing plates, caliper brackets, calipers, soft brake lines, hard brake lines (just in case).
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/ rear disc proportioning valve.
Part store: (Auto Zone)
85W-140 Gear oil, two axle seals (part #8835S), two wheel bearings (part # 6408), parking brake shoes ( part # 862), brake pads (part # DG964), ten wheel studs for ZJ w/ disc brakes (part # 610-234.1), eight (grade 8) 3/8-16" x 1-1/2" bolts, lock washers and nuts. (Will be used to mount caliper bracket to axle)
Amazon:
Disc Brake Cable (34.25") - Crown# RT31041, Disc Brake Cable (70.5") - Crown# RT31040
Waiting on brake rotors because found some drilled/slotted on local sale page but haven't got answer back from them. I know I'll need some regardless.
Given the fairly detailed list, am I missing anything before I get axle stripped apart?
Junk yard:
2003 liberty KJ backing plates, caliper brackets, calipers, soft brake lines, hard brake lines (just in case).
1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee w/ rear disc proportioning valve.
Part store: (Auto Zone)
85W-140 Gear oil, two axle seals (part #8835S), two wheel bearings (part # 6408), parking brake shoes ( part # 862), brake pads (part # DG964), ten wheel studs for ZJ w/ disc brakes (part # 610-234.1), eight (grade 8) 3/8-16" x 1-1/2" bolts, lock washers and nuts. (Will be used to mount caliper bracket to axle)
Amazon:
Disc Brake Cable (34.25") - Crown# RT31041, Disc Brake Cable (70.5") - Crown# RT31040
Waiting on brake rotors because found some drilled/slotted on local sale page but haven't got answer back from them. I know I'll need some regardless.
Given the fairly detailed list, am I missing anything before I get axle stripped apart?
Last edited by XJGunny; 02-24-2017 at 04:23 PM.
#5
CF Veteran
Parts list looks legit but the Liberty soft lines will not bolt to the XJ. You need ZJ lines.
The axle bearing are a 30 minute job with the right tools.
The axle bearing are a 30 minute job with the right tools.
#7
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
And skip the drilled and slotted rotors.
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#11
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Year: '98
Engine: 4.0 I6
Don't use drilled Rotors. Firstly, they are prone to cracking (the holes weaken the overall structural integrity). Secondly, you are removing frictional area from the rotor which technically decreases breaking power.
I went with Centric ultra premium Rotors with the anti rust coating and they are great. Very high quality and actually have more rotor thickness than the cheap rotors. Fronts and rears were like $40 each on Amazon.
I went with Powerstop Z36 pads, really good cold bite - haven't gotten them super hot yet though but they are quiet and grab much harder than whatever was in there before. I did my front brakes when I did the ZJ rear disc conversion
Edit:
When pulling the rear wheel bearing and seal, I just did them both in one shot (removal). 5lb slide hammer made quick work of it. I also rented a bearing and seal installer kit from O'Reillys which made install really easy.
I went with Centric ultra premium Rotors with the anti rust coating and they are great. Very high quality and actually have more rotor thickness than the cheap rotors. Fronts and rears were like $40 each on Amazon.
I went with Powerstop Z36 pads, really good cold bite - haven't gotten them super hot yet though but they are quiet and grab much harder than whatever was in there before. I did my front brakes when I did the ZJ rear disc conversion
Edit:
When pulling the rear wheel bearing and seal, I just did them both in one shot (removal). 5lb slide hammer made quick work of it. I also rented a bearing and seal installer kit from O'Reillys which made install really easy.
Last edited by investinwaffles; 02-25-2017 at 07:08 PM.
#14
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.slow
Did the swap on Saturday. Pretty easy and straight forward. The parts I used listed in 1st post all worked as planned. A slide hammer was required to get the axle bearing out. I ended up using regular discs as suggested. The passenger e-brake cable was a bit shorter than driver side as far as extended from housing (if that makes sense) but still worked. I used the KJ brake lines and used the flare nuts from the XJ hard line. After reassembly and bleeding brakes I am extremely happy that I did the conversion. Much better braking.
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Did the swap on Saturday. Pretty easy and straight forward. The parts I used listed in 1st post all worked as planned. A slide hammer was required to get the axle bearing out. I ended up using regular discs as suggested. The passenger e-brake cable was a bit shorter than driver side as far as extended from housing (if that makes sense) but still worked. I used the KJ brake lines and used the flare nuts from the XJ hard line. After reassembly and bleeding brakes I am extremely happy that I did the conversion. Much better braking.