Been looking at the Optima Yellow Top Battery with dual terminals. I work at Advance Auto Parts so I get a good discount lol. But I want to know a higher amp alternator thats compatible with my XJ? Its a 2000 Jeep Cherokee SE 4 cylinder 5 speed. Any tips are greatly appreciated! Thanks!

 

Dodge Durango 160 amp alternator. The electricals are plug and play but u still need to grind the bracket or something

Don't forget upgrade your cables too. Contact Jon (5-90) here on the forum. He ll hook ya up

 

Upgrade to a group 34/78 battery, anything around 850CCA should be more than enough. If you need more power than that, you should go dual batteries.

Dont forget the "Big 3" wiring upgrade!

 

Tell me more about this "Big 3" wiring upgrade lol! Im already in the process of upgrading to H4 headlight housing with the heavy duty H4 harness, other than that I dont know of any other wiring upgrades!

 

Email 5-90.

 

Big 3 upgrade is:
Alt + to Batt + [Positive]
Batt - to Frame/Fender [Ground]
Engine Block - to Frame [Ground]

http://www.kelleyswip.com/electric.html

 

If all you have are a few lights maybe you can use a stock XJ alt. a 119A one. I'm using that one on mine and may upgrade later for one reason my winch. I have a lot of lights 8 Hellas, 8,000 HID headlights and fog lights but will never use them all at the same time. The winch is my biggest draw a 9,500# rating.

I see many people making the mistake when buying a battery (for multi-purpose use) to look for the one with the largest CCA. What most everyone needs isn't CCA but the largest "Reserve" it has.

 

I think you'll love the yellow top. Made a HUGE difference starting the XJ in 20 below temps this winter! I had Advanced Auto check my CCA for ****s after I installed it and heavy gauge cables. I ran well over the advertised CCA.

 

Does your store carry AGM batteries? Probably less expensive than an Optima. Otherwise, I would definitely consider a blue top.

 

I use a Grand Cherokee 146 amp alternator and Sears Platinum Pro battery, upgrade cable as mentioned. You will have to do a little grinding on alternator brackets but it is easy...


Plenty of write up on the alternator brackets. I prefer the battery I bought to the Optimas, they have went down hill a bit IMO. I run a winch and decent sound system as well. Good luck!

 

Optima batterys suck.

I have had good luck with Interetate batteries. But i am trying the (popular on these forums) Sears battery next.

The durango ALT upgrade is on my list too, kellywip cables are sitting here waiting on the battery and ALT.

 

Just picked up an AGM battery from my local Sams club. 3 year free replacement. $130. Liking it so far. Have that paired with wiring upgrade and 136A GC alternator. Seems to do pretty good to power my winch.

 

Hmm...never heard of Interetate batteries....