my current 2001

[01yellowxj]

Ok, a few items I have to do to my XJ, any advise would help.

2001 XJ 80K miles 4.0 auto 4x4

1. I have been thinking that the loose or slop in the steering was from the lift due to the jeep only having 80K miles. Am I wrong for thinking this? The jeep has a 6" lift and changing lanes on the interstate is when I notice the slop in the wheel the most.

2. plan to drop down to a 4.5" lift by swapping out the front springs from 6" to their 4.5". With adjustable uppers and lowers I assume that I will need to adjust those as well.
Is that correct?

3. Have a oil leak that is real small on the rear and get on tranny. Was the 4.0L known for rear main seals? Not 100% sure its rear main but looks to be.

4. What brake modifications are there? Or what are you guys doing with 31 - 33" tires doing to stop better?

5. Anyone here local done the rear seat mod to add head rest yet? http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1030378
I want to do this for my kids and friends in the rear.

Thanks guys. Hope to see some of you soon.
Chad

 

[bzauche]

Ok, a few items I have to do to my XJ, any advise would help.

2001 XJ 80K miles 4.0 auto 4x4

1. I have been thinking that the loose or slop in the steering was from the lift due to the jeep only having 80K miles. Am I wrong for thinking this? The jeep has a 6" lift and changing lanes on the interstate is when I notice the slop in the wheel the most.

2. plan to drop down to a 4.5" lift by swapping out the front springs from 6" to their 4.5". With adjustable uppers and lowers I assume that I will need to adjust those as well.
Is that correct?

3. Have a oil leak that is real small on the rear and get on tranny. Was the 4.0L known for rear main seals? Not 100% sure its rear main but looks to be.

4. What brake modifications are there? Or what are you guys doing with 31 - 33" tires doing to stop better?

5. Anyone here local done the rear seat mod to add head rest yet? http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1030378
I want to do this for my kids and friends in the rear.

Thanks guys. Hope to see some of you soon.
Chad

1. As far as steering goes, what have you replaced/upgraded recently? I assume your track bar is much longer than stock. Are your tie-rod ends, etc...all good?

2. I would think that adjusting the arms would be enough for the swap. Your back end will be higher though so you have to think about that.

3. I know the RMS on our XJ's is pretty notorious for leaking. I think mine's already been replaced twice, but I'm at 165k miles, although it is an '01 like yours.

4. For brakes, you could do a rear disc conversion like the Teraflex kit or you could piece your own together. I put Black Magic pads and Centric Premium rotors on (the kit from http://blackmagicbrakes.com/). Talk about a world of difference! I'm running 31's though.

5. Never even knew that was a mod!

 

[01yellowxj]

1. As far as steering goes, what have you replaced/upgraded recently? I assume your track bar is much longer than stock. Are your tie-rod ends, etc...all good?

2. I would think that adjusting the arms would be enough for the swap. Your back end will be higher though so you have to think about that.

3. I know the RMS on our XJ's is pretty notorious for leaking. I think mine's already been replaced twice, but I'm at 165k miles, although it is an '01 like yours.

4. For brakes, you could do a rear disc conversion like the Teraflex kit or you could piece your own together. I put Black Magic pads and Centric Premium rotors on (the kit from http://blackmagicbrakes.com/). Talk about a world of difference! I'm running 31's though.

5. Never even knew that was a mod!

1. Full 6.5" RC X series suspension has been on the last year 10k miles. All looks good and tight.
2. Rear has already been dropped to RC's specs
3. Not looking forward to that repair
4. Im running 33's now and going down to 31's
5. Looks sweet! Cant wait to do it.

 

[XJfreakHO]

Why? Im going to run 33's on a 4.5" lift, my brother does, so do alot of friends.

Its perfect with a bit of fender trimming, looks great, and has a way better COG.

 

[01yellowxj]

mine is my daily and my 3 and 8 year old have a hard time getting in. Plan for some sliders one day with the tubes straight out to act as a step but down the road.

 

[Jamescad04]

as far as the rear brake upgrade you can put rear disc brakes on from a zj, yes rear mains constantly fail on the 4.0, my rear seat came from a zj so did my fronts so i do have head rests all around. 31's on 4.5" is going to look small just letting you know I had that for a while and man it was funny looking I had to go 33's also you may or may not be already geared for the 33's take that into consideration as well if your geared for 33's and you go down to 31's you not going to like driving the jeep.

 

[01yellowxj]

as far as the rear brake upgrade you can put rear disc brakes on from a zj, yes rear mains constantly fail on the 4.0, my rear seat came from a zj so did my fronts so i do have head rests all around. 31's on 4.5" is going to look small just letting you know I had that for a while and man it was funny looking I had to go 33's also you may or may not be already geared for the 33's take that into consideration as well if your geared for 33's and you go down to 31's you not going to like driving the jeep.

look into rear brakes I guess after I fix rear main or the oil leak.
The 33's are ok on the 3:55's and once I lower the front we will see if any issues with rubbing. If not they will stay one for now as they have less than 5K on them. Big thing is allowing my kids to get in and out easy. my 8 year old hates that it is that high. We will see

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

On the oil leak, check the valve cover gasket (run your hand on the back side of the motor) and the oil filter adapter o-ring between the block and the housing (will be leaking down the side of the oil filter if the o-ring is bad). Both are just as common to leak and will blow back/down the back of the engine and mock a rear main leak.

Been through 2 valve cover gaskets, 3 or 4 oil filter adapter o-rings, 1 distributor gasket (not an issue for you!) and 1 rear main on my Jeep. It's leaking oil at a fairly alarming rate now, so something tells me i'm due for another distributor gasket (might just stack like 6 of the damn things on each other this time..) and a rear main.

 

[KPTHEMP]

5. Anyone here local done the rear seat mod to add head rest yet?

YES, and I loved it, although i took a different, easier approach

SEE post # 126

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1011933&page=9

 

[Jamescad04]

Been through 2 valve cover gaskets, 3 or 4 oil filter adapter o-rings, 1 distributor gasket (not an issue for you!) and 1 rear main on my Jeep. It's leaking oil at a fairly alarming rate now, so something tells me i'm due for another distributor gasket (might just stack like 6 of the damn things on each other this time..) and a rear main.

You know i wonder if all that leaking your jeep is doing is because its in pain from all those collisions. The oil leaks are just tears.

look into rear brakes I guess after I fix rear main or the oil leak.
The 33's are ok on the 3:55's and once I lower the front we will see if any issues with rubbing. If not they will stay one for now as they have less than 5K on them. Big thing is allowing my kids to get in and out easy. my 8 year old hates that it is that high. We will see

If it is 3.55 that you have that's stock so you wont have any issues going to a smaller tire size, actually you'll probably like the jeep better, it will have more pickup.

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

You know i wonder if all that leaking your jeep is doing is because its in pain from all those collisions. The oil leaks are just tears.

Nah, i'm pretty sure it's because I dont drive it every day anymore and it's jealous lol.

 

[01yellowxj]

YES, and I loved it, although i took a different, easier approach

SEE post # 126

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1011933&page=9

I like those but need gray to mach my fronts.

If it is 3.55 that you have that's stock so you wont have any issues going to a smaller tire size, actually you'll probably like the jeep better, it will have more pickup.

I think its 3:55 8.25 in rear and D35 up front. I was thinking 265/75/16 or maybe even 235/85/16's

 

[01yellowxj]

Once I fix the leak I will be looking for the following to put on. Are there ones to stay away from?


XJ Rock Sliders & XJ hitch (would like a factory one)

 

[PacificEd]

Once I fix the leak I will be looking for the following to put on. Are there ones to stay away from?


XJ Rock Sliders & XJ hitch (would like a factory one)

Buy whatever brand of hitch you like in a class 3. The big thing will to acquire the nutstrips to make it easy to bolt on without having to fish bolts and those metal tabs that keep them from turning through the unibody rails. JCR sells them if you can't find OEM.

 

[Cottontail]

I really like my AJs Offroad sliders.

 

[RenegadeStang]

I have a Hidden Hitch brand hitch on mine. Very nice as most of it tucks up behind the bumper.

 

[01yellowxj]

I have a Hidden Hitch brand hitch on mine. Very nice as most of it tucks up behind the bumper.

good to know, thanks