Gotyoulooking

Hi everyone, I got a stock 01 XJ Limited automatic recently and I'm looking to rebuild the suspension and steering on it. I've searched and read all over the forums but it seems either the threads get out of topic or don't discus details so here I am.

Im looking for stock parts but if theres better quality parts for a lil more thats fine by me. Not looking to lift it but once again if the parts are better then why not. I live in NYC where its used as a DD and travel to the Castkills ( Big Indian ) to our cabin and even though the entrance is dirt road I can navigate it fine with stock height. Would like to try a light trail one day just to see how I'll like it but will spend 90% on pavement and the rest on random beach fishing trips.

So what parts will I need to get everything nice and tight and what vendors you recommend that sell kits for my needs. I don't have a budget just because I want to get a list going of parts needed and then look at vendors and prices and I'll be doing the work my self. Any idea what it would cost roughly? Also if you have done this to your XJ let me know about your experince, Thank you.

Things I've done so far:

Engine Oil - Rotella T6 5w-40
Napa Gold Oil Filter
NGK ZFR5N Plugs
STP Premium Air Filter
Fixed vacum leak
4 Polk DB+ DB652 6-1/2" 2-way Speakers
Degrease and cleaned engine and bay

This weekend to do:

Trans drain and refill - Napa DexIII/Merc oil
Valve cover gasket change
Both differential service - Oil recommendations ?

ElMartillo

I've got a stock '96 with sagging springs. I just picked up front and rear HD springs plus spacers for the front from Crown Auto. All told just over $300. I'm told it will bring the height up just a bit from stock. When I install I'll remove the rear sway bar (it's useless) and will eventually make front sway bar disconnects, and consider longer brake lines if need be. Maybe add a HD front differential cover, in case I pick bad lines offroad. I should mention I've already installed a slip yoke eliminator (SYE), and may put in a front differential auto or selectable locker in the future.

I can't imagine you'd need much more that what I'm suggesting, minus the locker.

Martlor13

Dang. All out at stock height. Why did you decide on an sye with no lift?

mikesignal

I think you should decide on if you want a lift or not. You can replace everything on your suspension to OEM specs, or you can replace with a full aftermarket lift parts.

How is you steering now? is it tight or is it sloppy?

ElMartillo

I had to replace the TC anyway, I figured I'd put on the SYE while I had it in front of me. The SYE makes sense in a few ways. I hadn't decided on lift at that point, and this XJ was free, so I could justify the $190 for the kit, although budget is dictating this build; it's my winter vehicle and 2nd XJ. I just wanted to get this one useful. Only spent $325 on the suspension parts and it will actually end up about 2" higher than stock. I'm interested to see how this setup works with no rear sway bar and the front disconnected.

Gotyoulooking

The steering right now is a little loose and when going over a bump in the highway it wants to sway to the left a little bit. Also when I go over bumps or turn and the body gets rocked side to side I get some clunking. I would lift if it meant beefier and better quality parts but don't want anything over 3".

rklettke

I got new poly bushings for my sway bar, zj tie rod upgrade and replaced the drag link and tres with all moog, kinda debating poly for the tres right now. Also replaced my steering box, it was leaking and figured I'd just upgrade to the Durango, also put in jcr steering spacer and the bumper frame tie ins (no aftermarket bumper yet, but you can make it fit with the stock bumper.) I think that put me up to about... 500? I also want to put ironman Andy's steering brace and the bearing that goes over the gear(don't think he makes it for the Durango box yet...) but after that, I'll be pretty deep into just front end parts haha.

FWIW I was used to driving a sports car with really tight steering, so I'm pretty **** about how my new to me jeep handles...

ElMartillo

Try to diagnose your problems first, then when you determine what parts you need to replace you can decide to go with OEM or some sort of upgrade.

Your clunking could be from any number of components, I'd start with the front sway bar. I'd check condition of bushings and connections. See if the swaybar itself is broken. Also check your control arm bushings. Check torque on control arm bolts. Also check bushings on and condition of shock absorbers. Check track bar connections. Bad ball joints could make noise. Other front end components could make noise but I'm not knowledgeable enough of these to speculate.

Take it one component at a time, that way you know what fixes your problem.

If you're not confident in your diagnostic skills, take it to a trusted mechanic for a safety inspection. This should get you pointed in the right direction.

Gotyoulooking

Yeah same here, previously drove a A4 AWD 6 speed. Are the zj tie rods a direct bolt on and what else can you use from a zj that would be more heavy duty than our stock xj pars without mods ofc?

Yeah the bushings on the sway bar are shot and the rest of links that have bushings look stressed and squishy. I was looking to order the control arms and sway bar bushings from mopar but they don't stock the uppers anymore and when looking at them I though I'll have to box weld them for more support. I'll check the shocks as they look pretty new. I def know the leaf springs in the back have seen better days, as the truck looks a little bit lower from the back.