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WJ to XJ brake upgrade questions

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Old Apr 5, 2023 | 05:02 PM
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Smile WJ to XJ brake upgrade questions

My ****box is a 93 with a 4.5" lift and 31s on 15" rims. I'm gathering all the parts for the WJ to XJ brake upgrade. So far, I pulled the front and rear brakes off a 00 WJ, welded the spacers on the front knuckles and bought the spacers for the bolts. Soon I'll get the CAB FAB knuckle swap steering system. I searched the web and found various write-ups about the upgrade, but no one that I've seen addressed the brake lines.
My questions are 1) Will the XJ brake lines be a direct fit to the WJ calipers, if not, what do I need? 2) Will the 15" rims fit with plenty of clearance? If not, what (safe) suggestions should I consider while I save for 16" rims and 33s?
Last, the calipers have corrosion, what product do I need to coat them with before I paint them?

Before anyone asks, this build is not a rock climber, mud rally, ramp jumping or any other fun activity of that nature. I'm building a daily driver for occasional use on moderate trails and overlanding. One day, I'll drive it from AK to TX.
Any thoughts will be appreciated..

Last edited by blaube; Apr 5, 2023 at 05:05 PM.
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Old Apr 5, 2023 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by blaube
My ****box is a 93 with a 4.5" lift and 31s on 15" rims. I'm gathering all the parts for the WJ to XJ brake upgrade. So far, I pulled the front and rear brakes off a 00 WJ, welded the spacers on the front knuckles and bought the spacers for the bolts. Soon I'll get the CAB FAB knuckle swap steering system. I searched the web and found various write-ups about the upgrade, but no one that I've seen addressed the brake lines.
My questions are 1) Will the XJ brake lines be a direct fit to the WJ calipers, if not, what do I need? 2) Will the 15" rims fit with plenty of clearance? If not, what (safe) suggestions should I consider while I save for 16" rims and 33s?
Last, the calipers have corrosion, what product do I need to coat them with before I paint them?

Before anyone asks, this build is not a rock climber, mud rally, ramp jumping or any other fun activity of that nature. I'm building a daily driver for occasional use on moderate trails and overlanding. One day, I'll drive it from AK to TX.
Any thoughts will be appreciated..
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/wj...-combo-237396/

https://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1052019

https://cavfab.com/products/wj-knuck...teering-system


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Old Apr 5, 2023 | 11:31 PM
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The soft lines will use the same banjo bolt and go right on
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Old Apr 5, 2023 | 11:36 PM
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Thank you for the links.
Looks like I already have the correct backspace of 3.75. I'm still going to move up to 16" wheels eventually..
I'll read through the threads a bit more thorough soon.
I'm already saving for that CavFab steering. I need to save another $200 for shipping to AK.

Thanks again.
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Old Apr 6, 2023 | 08:06 AM
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Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ
The soft lines will use the same banjo bolt and go right on
Thank you for your input.
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Old Apr 6, 2023 | 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ
The soft lines will use the same banjo bolt and go right on
Where did you get that 31 gallon tank? That will come in handy for my drive from AK to TX.
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Old Apr 6, 2023 | 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by blaube
Where did you get that 31 gallon tank? That will come in handy for my drive from AK to TX.
I got it in a wrecking yard. But it is made by Transfer Flow, in Chico, CA
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Old Apr 6, 2023 | 02:07 PM
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Here's my thread on the subject. I kept stock style inverted y steering for a multitude of reasons, including cost and the fact that I don't care for unsealed heim joints on a daily driven vehicle.

WJ Brake Swap, on the cheap - Jeep Cherokee Forum
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Old Apr 6, 2023 | 03:43 PM
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Originally Posted by blaube
Thank you for the links.
Looks like I already have the correct backspace of 3.75. I'm still going to move up to 16" wheels eventually..
I'll read through the threads a bit more thorough soon.
I'm already saving for that CavFab steering. I need to save another $200 for shipping to AK.

Thanks again.
Keep in mind that tires for 16" wheels (may be/are) a bit more pricey than those for a 17" wheel and tire sizes are a bit more limited with a 16" wheel as well. If you are not crawling you may consider a 17" wheel.
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Old Apr 7, 2023 | 07:49 AM
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Thank you
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Old Apr 7, 2023 | 07:55 AM
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Originally Posted by danej1026
Keep in mind that tires for 16" wheels (may be/are) a bit more pricey than those for a 17" wheel and tire sizes are a bit more limited with a 16" wheel as well. If you are not crawling you may consider a 17" wheel.
Thank you for the information. I don't understand why 16" wheels would cost more than 17" wheels.
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Old Apr 7, 2023 | 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by blaube
Thank you for the information. I don't understand why 16" wheels would cost more than 17" wheels.
Tires... there is more rubber in a 33" tire with a 16" wheel than a 17" wheel and if I remember correctly there is more selection with the 17" wheels. I could be wrong though.
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Old Apr 7, 2023 | 04:30 PM
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The price thing is a little deceiving. You have to look at the load range rating. Many 16" tires have a load range D or E, which means more of everything. Some 17s do and some not. It depends on the load range rating
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Old Apr 8, 2023 | 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by danej1026
Tires... there is more rubber in a 33" tire with a 16" wheel than a 17" wheel and if I remember correctly there is more selection with the 17" wheels. I could be wrong though.
I guess that makes sense. But, I want more tire than wheel. I want to avoid that mall crawler, yuppy look as much as possible. So, I'll spend the money...
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Old Apr 8, 2023 | 12:53 PM
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Originally Posted by 4.3L XJ
The price thing is a little deceiving. You have to look at the load range rating. Many 16" tires have a load range D or E, which means more of everything. Some 17s do and some not. It depends on the load range rating
Yeah, I learned about that when I bought what I have now. At the time, I couldn't find any 16s in the price point I was willing to pay. I was trying to keep money reserved for the lift. That's why I currently have 31s on 15".
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