ok. im ready to start cleaning up my newly inherited 1996 4.0 cherry red xj classic. im new to jeep and auto mechanics in general. i'm a chick electrician, so i can use tools...but engines are a new animal to me. here are my yet unanswered questions...
.. i want to change all fluids and do an entire tune up. BUT what oil and fluids do i use? what is the difference btw synthetic and conventional etc... here are my thoughts so far about what i'm going to do. please respond if i'm doing anything stupid.

1. fix valve cover leak and oil filter adapter leak
2. change front rear diff (75w140 rear 75w90 front)
3. tranny and transfer case mopar/dexron 3
3. oil filter k/n
4. oil 10w40 valvoline conventional
5. new battery cables + engine ground
6. champion plugs .35 + cap, wires, rotor, fuel filter
7. coolant flush, 190 thermostat, new fan clutch
8. rancho 5000 shocks + aal and 1" spacers
9. 235/75/15 wrangler AT radials
10. seafoam
11. clean IAC
12. oil sensor sending unit

p.s. anyone live in bay area wanna hang and show me some stuff...or help with the PITA oil filter adapter....

 

sounds like your on the right track

you will get lots of different opinions on oil and plugs

 

uumm... dont think K&N oil filters are worth it and i wouldnt replace the fan clutch unless it didnt work... would also check radiator hoses and make sure there good if your gonna be draining and what not for the radiator flush and thermo... have fun!

 

old red has been running a lil hot -220 (ish). and fan clutch spins like a **** after shutting engine off. spins like 30 seconds after... so i figure its bad. i also wanted to maybe hook up elec fan to a switch? when it gets hot. i don't really "wheel". but i do do a lil back country camping up north and it gets hot up in the mountains... electric stuff i can do.

 

i stuck a electric fan in my old 98 diesel... autozone sells a kit where you can set it for a certain temperature and it sticks through the radiator... so when it reaches that temp it automaticaly comes on... no switch needed... old ford taures fans with the 3 wires... not the 2 wires... flow more air then most aftermarket setups... and can be had at a junk yard for $20... i found two so i got them both... still got one in storage...hmm... maybe ill stick it on the XJ... forgot i had it!

 

every thing sounds right. i use a k/n oil filter but i run 20w50 full syn. and 75w90 gear oil in both diffs.

 

As far as oil, I would say run some Valvoline maxlife syn blend or Amsoil full syn (what I prefer)10w40 maybe 15w depending where you are. Wix/Napa Gold filters (the gold filters are usually cheaper)are what I use mostly.. sometimes Bosch. I would also recommend a qt of MMO in your oil also. As for trans/t-case I would use Amsoil Universal ATF. And Amsoil severe gear for your front/rear diffs. As for tires, dont waste your time with the wrangler AT's. There are MUCH better AT tires around.. Bridgestone Dueler A/T (REVO or 693/695), Dayton Timberline A/T, Cooper Discoverer ATR( I think) The Firestone Destination AT's are also decent.

For lift, I would recommend some 98 ZJ country/upcountry coils (regular will net about 1" upcountry will net about 1.5-2") up front. And bastard pack for the rear (either dakota or S10 leafs).
You cal get the accel tune up kit on quadratec for pretty cheap

 

perfect. thanks for the info. i just went to 4x4parts store made friends there. dude is going to look my jeep over and while she is up on the lift I'm gonna have 'em take of the oil filter adapter. i tried for about 2 hours with wrenches and vice grips and the biggest pipe i could find..to no avail. i need a lift, not my jack stands. that bolt sucks.

all advice has been greatly appreciated. thanks again guys!

 

We have the exact make and model xj... your on the right track with just about everything..As far as motor oil....ive allways used the synthetic high mileage mobil one. Mine ran a little hot when i got it too... I replaced the thermostat to a lower temp one.. And ran a switch of my electric cooling fan and mounted it on the dash so if it starts running warm i can flip it on anytime.. Just something to keep in mind.