I bought a jeep ;>

[noelb1]

Allright I've come over to the dark side from owning many sierras to buying a 1997 XJ Cherokee , Bought it cheap $1500 with a few months rego and a blown auto apart from the gearbox everything works and is in good condition , $330 later for the bits to rebuild the tranny and I have a fully functioning cherokee.

So far I have fitted 2" Ironman lift using foamcell shocks , Dual battery system with Gel battery in the boot with some accessory plugs for the fridge and reversing spotlight.

A couple of q's for the cherokee owners .

1) the operating temp for the motor seems to be around 95-100*c traffic/highway doesn't seem to make much difference is this correct?
2) I seem to be getting between 12-15l/100km on e10 is this about right? and what are you getting?
3) Anything I need to keep an eye out for IE preventative maintenacne
4) will 31s affect the gearing /fuel economy too much?

Ill post some pics up when I find the camera ( just moved house)

[mkpatrol]

So you are coming out of the closet then?

[noelb1]

Hi my name is noel and i...... , yeah haven't had it out yet to see how it goes offroad compared to my old zook on 33s, geared and locked , could be interesting

[SCANAS]

welcome to the world above 90kph!

[GUtripper]

Allright I've come over to the dark side from owning many sierras to buying a 1997 XJ Cherokee , Bought it cheap $1500 with a few months rego and a blown auto apart from the gearbox everything works and is in good condition , $330 later for the bits to rebuild the tranny and I have a fully functioning cherokee.

So far I have fitted 2" Ironman lift using foamcell shocks , Dual battery system with Gel battery in the boot with some accessory plugs for the fridge and reversing spotlight.

A couple of q's for the cherokee owners .

1) the operating temp for the motor seems to be around 95-100*c traffic/highway doesn't seem to make much difference is this correct?
2) I seem to be getting between 12-15l/100km on e10 is this about right? and what are you getting?
3) Anything I need to keep an eye out for IE preventative maintenacne
4) will 31s affect the gearing /fuel economy too much?

Ill post some pics up when I find the camera ( just moved house)

Weighing in at a ton or more less than a cruiser or patrol they are very underrated by non jeep owners.... Can be made very capable quite easily.

Ironman....... There are literally a hundred ( well, almost) brands of lift kits coming out of the US. Ironman wouldnt rate.

Economy seems about right. You could improve it further by fitting a Warn freewheeling front hub kit to stop the front wheels dragging the diff and tai shaft.

Things to watch out for? Reverse lock out switch fills up with goop Offroad and may stop functioning, it can be pulled apart and cleaned. Keep up the oil changes ESP in the rear diff, the wheel bearings run directly on the axle shaft and will flog out if oil runs short or gets old. Temps are high due to a big engine in a confined space, but make sure radiator and thermostat are keep clean, and run good quality coolant. Keep and eye on the clutch fan too. Temps can be reduced by lifting the rear of the bonnet (longer bolts and washers under the hinges) and trimming a touch off each side of the rubber seal along the top of the firewall. Easier and cheaper than cutting vents into the bonnet.

They run a double cardan joint in the tail shafts which can flog out along with unis....check them regularly.

Check out mags like JP out of the US.
Get to know http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, also check out wooders garage in Sydney, also do a search on 'Go Jeep' and you'll find that site full of tips and mods and maintenance ideas.

[BigRedJeep]

Haha, Bout time you came to the Dark side!!

[noelb1]

yep , now gotta find time to get it dirty. found a sticker in the glove box that says "fitted with factory locking differential " does it have a lokka or is it just a glorified lsd? It does like getting sideways in the wet .

[jeepjk]

WElcome to the darkside!!!!!
Nice flex big red jeep

[outbackarmour]

They run a double cardan joint in the tail shafts which can flog out along with unis....check them regularly.

double cardon on the front shaft, single unis in the rear. unless its had a SYE put on aftermarket, then it will run a similar(if not the same) ds as the front.

They are a very underrated car, simple 2" lift, 30" tyres and front auto locker and you will see the end of many tracks that most 4bies wont.

[matt9876]

Hey noelb1

I got an 99 XJ, Welcome to the club (I'm getting an 80 soon so will be out lol).
With regards to temp, 95-100 is perfect. When I got mine it was all over the place, but with a new thermostat, waterpump and coolant it doesn't move far past 100.
I've had my trip computer on for about 5000K now and I'm getting 13.5 running normal unleaded (not e10).
With regards to maintenance just change plugs, oil and air filter regularly. I had some trouble from my diffs with the wrong oil. So if you're getting strange noises i'ld start with that.
31" tyres will add to fuel economy.

[saar74]

Hi,

First, great Jeep. Where are the pictures?
I had a 2001 XJ till a month ago (for 10 years), here are some answers:
1. Temp: usually, it will be around 95-100C, that is normal.
2.My XJ, with 3.5" lift and 245/75/16 Copper STT tires used 20L/100km, so you are good there too.
3. We'll get to it after 4
4. Yes. You will use more fuel and you will need to have a ~3.5-4.5" lift. You will feel that the car is much "heavier" on the road due to the gear ratio.

Preventative maintenance:
1. Replace the original plastic radiator with an "all aluminium" one, you can find those on eBay for less than $200 shipped.
That is the most important tip I can give, my plastic radiator exploded (they do not leak, they explode!) twice in 10 years, the second time, it took the head gasket with it. not the cheapest story...
2. Add manual control to the A/C vent so you'll be able to turn it on manually while driving off-road.

Enjoy your Jeep,
Saar.
(Now, I drive a Mitsubishi Montero)

[calebhawley]

Allright I've come over to the dark side from owning many sierras to buying a 1997 XJ Cherokee , Bought it cheap $1500 with a few months rego and a blown auto apart from the gearbox everything works and is in good condition , $330 later for the bits to rebuild the tranny and I have a fully functioning cherokee.

So far I have fitted 2" Ironman lift using foamcell shocks , Dual battery system with Gel battery in the boot with some accessory plugs for the fridge and reversing spotlight.

A couple of q's for the cherokee owners .

1) the operating temp for the motor seems to be around 95-100*c traffic/highway doesn't seem to make much difference is this correct?
2) I seem to be getting between 12-15l/100km on e10 is this about right? and what are you getting?
3) Anything I need to keep an eye out for IE preventative maintenacne
4) will 31s affect the gearing /fuel economy too much?

Ill post some pics up when I find the camera ( just moved house)

Weighing in at a ton or more less than a cruiser or patrol they are very underrated by non jeep owners.... Can be made very capable quite easily.

Ironman....... There are literally a hundred ( well, almost) brands of lift kits coming out of the US. Ironman wouldnt rate.

Economy seems about right. You could improve it further by fitting a Warn freewheeling front hub kit to stop the front wheels dragging the diff and tai shaft.

Things to watch out for? Reverse lock out switch fills up with goop Offroad and may stop functioning, it can be pulled apart and cleaned. Keep up the oil changes ESP in the rear diff, the wheel bearings run directly on the axle shaft and will flog out if oil runs short or gets old. Temps are high due to a big engine in a confined space, but make sure radiator and thermostat are keep clean, and run good quality coolant. Keep and eye on the clutch fan too. Temps can be reduced by lifting the rear of the bonnet (longer bolts and washers under the hinges) and trimming a touch off each side of the rubber seal along the top of the firewall. Easier and cheaper than cutting vents into the bonnet.

They run a double cardan joint in the tail shafts which can flog out along with unis....check them regularly.

Check out mags like JP out of the US.
Get to know http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com.au" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, also check out wooders garage in Sydney, also do a search on 'Go Jeep' and you'll find that site full of tips and mods and maintenance ideas and a good game.

I tried all these improvements back in 2012. Do you know what I decided? I sold the Cherokee It was too old. Bought another car, a new one, and since then I've only changed the oil, changed the brake pads once.

[Caltroe]

I tried all these improvements back in 2012. Do you know what I decided? I sold the Cherokee It was too old. Bought another car, a new one, and since then I've only changed the oil, changed the brake pads once.

I did the same thing, and have no regrets about the Cherokee. It really is a very old model.