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Good economical brake upgrade for an 89 XJ?

SonicCougar99

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Williams, AZ
My brakes on my 89 XJ are pretty well shot, and I'm pretty sure my booster isn't what it once was. Before the winter hits, I want to upgrade and replace my brake system. I see all sorts of talk about different Grand Cherokee upgrades that go with X part or Y model, and its hard to figure out the easiest, most economical way to go about it. Can anyone point me in the right direction? My XJ has a BB lift and 235's, but I could possibly go with a proper 3" and 31's in the future. No bigger than that in the foreseeable future. I am already going to do the ZJ V8 tie rod end upgrade, and will be junkyard shopping next month when I go to Phoenix for a weekend, so having a list of what to look for would be awesome. Thanks.
 
I have dual diaphragm booster on my 87 MJ, it mad a big difference, and it wasn't too difficult. The rod has to be modified and the WJ uses a different fitting on the brakeline. I just salvage as much of the WJ lines and flared the other end to work on my MJ prop valve, there are some write ups here and there search for "WJ booster" either here or Google and it should come up.
 
Wj booster and master.
rear disc conversion using JY parts and ZJ prop valve spring or remove spring.
Go on rock auto and get centric premium pads, rotors, and calipers, for the front they are dirt cheap and will help a lot.
 
Black magic pads and centric premium rotors for the front. Swap in a larger.diaphragm booster from a.95 or 96 XJ.
 
I got wagner pads, they're good... I might try EBC pads (their street compound) next.

They squeeze wagner discs. The wagner shoes press against original drums.

It's interesting how quality (any brand that is an OEM supplier) stops better than the white-box mystery brakes. Step up to quality aftermarket (they sometimes supply the OEMS, such as Brembo) and they stop even better.
 
I've been doing a lot of reading and been looking at the WJ booster/master cylinder swap. What would the difference be between that and the 96 booster? I was reading some people say the WJ was easier for them to do?

As for the rear discs, at this point I don't really want to get into that as I've got a lot of other things I need to get done over the winter (not just on my XJ) and as long as the rear drums are working well, and the booster/MC fixes my sponginess, I will hold off on that until next year when I can dedicate a little more time for that. I've already been working for 11 days straight, and won't have a day off until next Wednesday. After that, it's 9 more days in a row until I spend the weekend in Phoenix for the NASCAR races. I need my Jeep ready for that trip in one day, hence the need for ease of installation/lack of fabbing custom stuff.
 
Honestly, I would start with doing a complete overhaul on what you have. If your current brakes are shot, you will be surprised at what kind of results a properly adjusted and non worn out stock system is going to do compared to now.

Replace or turn the rotors front, put new pads on and calipers if you need them, move to the back and get a whole drum brake rebuild kit with new shoes, drums etc. If you have any leaks or a leaky wheel cylinder, fix those. Flush the entire system, get as much of the old fluid out as possible and refill with new fluid and bleed.

With 235's you could add some good front pads and maybe upgrade your booster to a dual diaphragm and you would be set, but even the stock brakes should be plenty for the tires you have.
 
I have a WJ booster/master cylinder plus ZJ rear disc brakes and it stops better than any Jeep I have ever owned aside from my JK's

I think I spent about $150 on all brand new parts for the WJ stuff. The ZJ disc caliper brackets I got at pick a part and everything else was bought new. It cost me about $300 total with all brand new parts aside from the brackets for the ZJ disc's.
 
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