ifixthings
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- WI
Hi all, just bought a 96 XJ 2.5L, 5spd, 4x4, 2door.
I've already looked through the last years worth of posts in here before posting this, and I'm still searching and browsing. This site unfortunately doesn't have stickies for known mods and upgrades like most sites, so finding the info I need is rather like browsing Facebook right now, do a search and hope you luck out....
Anywho, I've got a small list of upgrades already that I want to do. I'm going to do some of the more common things like removable doors, steering upgrade, etc.
I've also got some mods I've found that I want to do like the ZJ fuel tank, swap in vent windows into the doors, and if the gods ever see fit to drop the right XJ in my yard, the vented cargo windows as well.
So mods brings me to my first question. Does the 2.5 follow the same upgrades as the 4.0? Mine is a 96, and is apparently the first year for the MPI. As such, to me it looks like a -2 version of my buddies 4.0 in his 06 Wrangler. I ask so I know if the Neon injector upgrade will apply. If so, awesome.
Next question, and this is both OEM and mod at the same time, my XJ currently has the full height radiator. As in top of core support all the way down to the bottom. I'm a wrench by day, and parts slinger by night (I get to have lots more fun that way believe me) and I've been looking through my catalogs across the XJ year range, and notice that the half height radiator is more prevalent, and by end of production, the only offering.
Is there any reason I need to keep the full height radiator, or can I move to a half height? I'm looking at 3 core aluminum radiators on ebay (yes, I've seen the radiator comparison thread), and would love to move to one of those along with electric fans (2.5 only has 130hp. As spunky as this thing is, I'd like to free up another couple HP if possible, and ditching the mech fan is step 1).
If I can go to a half height, do I need to grab any brackets from the yard to move the mounting points up, or should the mounts already be there, probably just hidden behind the current cooler?
Next, I see a handful of references to intake and header/factory manifold swaps across the 4.0 range. Are there any intakes or factory manifolds/headers that would be a suitable swap for my 2.5 over the current '96 pieces?
Last but not least, I'm looking at a rear disc swap from the Liberty rear axle, and while it seems that the backing plates, hardware, calipers, etc are all direct swap, the only thing I didn't seem to find a DEFINITE answer on, do I NEED to swap the axle shafts and carrier, or is that optional? Odd's are I'd do it anyway just to grab an LSD, but would like to know if I could get away with just doing the LSD by itself.
That's it for the moment, looking forward to some answers and to start wrenching on this thing.
I've already looked through the last years worth of posts in here before posting this, and I'm still searching and browsing. This site unfortunately doesn't have stickies for known mods and upgrades like most sites, so finding the info I need is rather like browsing Facebook right now, do a search and hope you luck out....
Anywho, I've got a small list of upgrades already that I want to do. I'm going to do some of the more common things like removable doors, steering upgrade, etc.
I've also got some mods I've found that I want to do like the ZJ fuel tank, swap in vent windows into the doors, and if the gods ever see fit to drop the right XJ in my yard, the vented cargo windows as well.
So mods brings me to my first question. Does the 2.5 follow the same upgrades as the 4.0? Mine is a 96, and is apparently the first year for the MPI. As such, to me it looks like a -2 version of my buddies 4.0 in his 06 Wrangler. I ask so I know if the Neon injector upgrade will apply. If so, awesome.
Next question, and this is both OEM and mod at the same time, my XJ currently has the full height radiator. As in top of core support all the way down to the bottom. I'm a wrench by day, and parts slinger by night (I get to have lots more fun that way believe me) and I've been looking through my catalogs across the XJ year range, and notice that the half height radiator is more prevalent, and by end of production, the only offering.
Is there any reason I need to keep the full height radiator, or can I move to a half height? I'm looking at 3 core aluminum radiators on ebay (yes, I've seen the radiator comparison thread), and would love to move to one of those along with electric fans (2.5 only has 130hp. As spunky as this thing is, I'd like to free up another couple HP if possible, and ditching the mech fan is step 1).
If I can go to a half height, do I need to grab any brackets from the yard to move the mounting points up, or should the mounts already be there, probably just hidden behind the current cooler?
Next, I see a handful of references to intake and header/factory manifold swaps across the 4.0 range. Are there any intakes or factory manifolds/headers that would be a suitable swap for my 2.5 over the current '96 pieces?
Last but not least, I'm looking at a rear disc swap from the Liberty rear axle, and while it seems that the backing plates, hardware, calipers, etc are all direct swap, the only thing I didn't seem to find a DEFINITE answer on, do I NEED to swap the axle shafts and carrier, or is that optional? Odd's are I'd do it anyway just to grab an LSD, but would like to know if I could get away with just doing the LSD by itself.
That's it for the moment, looking forward to some answers and to start wrenching on this thing.