I just got a 2000 xj this week, garage kept from the desert, very little rust and paint is still shiny where not scratched or chipped from being a jeep. I am looking to replace some old parts, and do some upgrades. Any advice from experience is appreciated. What she has: new water pump, new ac system(except evap core), new alternator, fresh front brakes with new calipers, banks torque tube headers, flowmaster 40 muffler, and a few other small things. Suspension and drivetrain are good, fresh oil in the diffs and the tranny. Right now fires right up and drives like a champ.

So far I am going to upgrade to a clearwater cylinder head to replace the 0331. Any recommendations on the best gaskets to use?
Mishimoto radiator, the fancy one. Going to replace some hoses and clamps in the process as well.
Any advice on best/favorite thermostat to use? Just use a 195?
Grabbed a steering box from pick and pull to open and see if I can just install new gaskets, mine has a slow leak. Would be easy to change while radiator is out. Already picked up a JCR-offroad steering box mount to replace the aluminium one.
Needs a rear main seal, might as well install a new oil pump while I'm down there for reliability sake. Any recommendations on an oil pump? Also any suggestions on doing a rear main seal on a 2000, to rtv or not to rtv(and how to for the one without the tabs)? Also any recommendations on oil pan gasket?

I love this thing and I want to make it as reliable and minty as I can. Is there anything that would be good to upgrade while the radiator and intake/headers are out that I am not thinking of?

 

When I replace a headgasket I always go with a MLS from mahle/victor and head studs. It seems like a good amount of cash was already put into this Jeep. You may want to keep it right where it is. Use a mopar 195 thermostat. I would leave the oil pump be unless it has some defect. I use the 1 piece blue felpro pan gasket. Cant complain about it, keeps oil in.

I personally would look into a turbocharger set up because that's what I do and that's what I like. Feel free to PM me with questions if you go that route. Stroker kits are also a fun project. If done right you can have a reliable clean rig that is unique and fun. That is my .02 as no one else as jumped in.

 

Thanks, your 2 cents is actually priceless. Ordering those gaskets and head bolts today. I will leave oil pump when I do the rear main seal. As for a turbo, I might start thinking about that later down the road, but I also have a history of speeding tickets... Right now I do have a superchips tuner box and have it set to a 91 tune w/ no rev limiter, and honestly I am happy with the performance. Not trying to build a race car, trying to build something that can get me around deep in the Sierra Nevada mountains for camping, fishing, kayaking, and fpv(fast flying toys). Past weekend I had her up to 75-80 on the highway and she was driving like a champ.

 

It sounds like you have a good starting point. Before you get the radiator, check out the Cold Case radiator, it's expensive but looks like it will hold up pretty good. Have you done anything with the fuel injectors yet? If not, check out the 4 hole upgrade, should yield a little better throttle response. Overall sounds like a good plan that will help to keep your Jeep in tip top shape. Maybe throw up some pictures.

 

I had been going back and forth between a Cold Case and the Mishimoto radiator. The cold case looked nice due to the electric 3 fan fit on, but the whole unit seemed too expensive with their fans. I already ordered the Mishimoto, I like the warranty, and I want to get a rad in there quick as the current one does have a small leak when it gets up to pressure.

As for the injectors, I have read about the 4 hole upgrade, and even the 12 hole neon injectors, but I think I have the stock injectors. Is there a way to tell them apart without pulling the fuel rail? Where is the best place to buy the 4 hole injectors?

 

Thanks for the input. Your .02 is priceless. Mahle MLS head gasket, mopar 195, don't mess with the oil pump, check. I'm not going to put a turbo on it until I get everything else situated, she is currently fast enough for me, I will probably get a locker for the rear before I invest in a turbo. I also have the powerchips tuner box, and it is currently running a 91 tune with no rev limiters. It's not fast, but that's not why I got an XJ.

As for the Cold Case, I looked at it, really liked the triple fan attachment, but the whole thing with fan setup was too spendy. I also like the Mishimoto radiator lifetime warranty, and it is a brand I know and trust, and I already ordered it. I have read about the 4 hole injectors, where is the best place to get them? Also been looking into a different fuel rail that doesn't suffer from heat soak as bad (my rig already has some insulation, so it isn't a big problem, but I want it to be the best).

 

Thanks for the responses. I think my reply was blocked due to me using a VPN 99% of the time (or just because I am such a new user).

Thanks for the recommendation on the Mahler MLS gaskets to use. And the Fel-Pro oil pan gasket. I am going to keep the stock oil pump for now based on your recommendation. As for turbo, maybe down the line after I get the necessities all figured out. Currently I have a powerchips programmer to tune it, currently running a 91 tune with no rev limiter, and I feel like it has plenty of power to get me down the highway and not get speeding tickets.

I looked at the Cold Case radiator, but already purchased the Mishimoto one. It should be arriving today.

Where can I buy good new 4 hole injectors? Mine are still the original.

Also to note: I took apart the steering box I got from picknpull, and there are metal shavings and the internals are too worn for me to rebuild. I am thinking of just going all in on a PSC steering gear box and never have to mess with it again.

 

Check out K-suspension 4 hole injectors. Hes a awesome guy and sells quality product with great customer support as well. I personally run them and im sure a lot of the forum is familiar with them. (LINK BELOW)

https://www.ksuspensionfab.com/store...s_XJ%2FMJ.html