Hi all. I got my 01 Xj sport about 2 months ago and have not doe much to it yet. I only recently upgraded the headlights with a putco headlight harness, autopal housings, 55/100w bulbs, and also installed some 784 injectors. I did the headlights only because the stock lighting was even worse then my 59 pickup, and the injectors to hopefully help out my already suprising mpg (i was already getting about 18mpg which i was happy with).I was wondering if anyone else had any other suggestions on basic stuff I could do.
For what i plan on using it for, I do not think there is much to work on. I dont plan on going crawling with it, so I dont think suspension/tires is a concern. Its just going to be used for commuting to work/school and the occasional weekend camping trip. And I probably wont be going too remote when camping. A few weeks after I got it my gf, daughter, and i went camping up on mt graham (arizona) and made it even on the unpaved and unmaintained parts of the road just fine and enjoyed the whole trip. If anything i was thinking possibly putting in a cd player since it only came with the tape player, and a roof basket since we were kind of tight on storage. let me know what you guys think.

 

I think u already know what u need to do. All the things u listed, do it.

Another thing u should do is to keep up the maintenance.

Replace the oil filter if u have a Fram. Use napa gold or wix.
Replace spark plug wires and spark plugs that is champion copper cores or NGK.
Replace the cap and rotor, it make sure the terminals on it are brass.
Check all fluids, including trans, t-case, diffs
Check all brakes etc.
Check all hoses and make sure they are In good condition and aren't leaking too.

I'm sure there's more but I can't think now

 

Excellent advice^^ right here!!

Clean the throttle body and IAC. 01 doesn't have cap, rotor, plugs, and wires......NGK plugs then.

 

Take very good care of your cooling system. The 2001 models are prone to cylinder head failure usually resulting in a crack. But if you take care of it, and don't overheat it you should be fine. Pop the radiator cap and make sure there's no poo-poo in there.

 

Oh right. I wasn't paying attention. Lol. I was tired.

 

Just replace the cap. They don't last forever.

 

Good call. Cheap insurance as well.

BTW Cruiser, I like your pink link. That's cute.

 

Aaaaaw. You noticed!!!

 

I recommend all terrain tires and new shocks.

 

Maybe a roof rack or interior organization in the back? So you can organize your stuff for camping.

 

thanks guys. i figured there wouldn't be much besides just making sure its got all maintenance done. like i said, seemed pretty capable for what i need anyways.

 

I use my XJ the same as you except for having to deal with alot of mud and snow. Other than the good recommendations mentioned above I've removed my rear sway bar(just disconnect it first to see if you like how it handles)and put quick disconnects up front. I put a stainless shield from the under the radiator back to the oil pan to keep snow from packing up into the engine bay. I also trimmed the front fenders,removed the fender liners and sealed off the engine bay,did a "cut and fold" on the rear panels,removed the bumper caps and the guard on top of the rear one,painted the areas on the body where gravel and what not have dinged it(I used Rust-oleum Universal Satin in black). I did all this so I'm able to keep the almost constant mud I deal with cleaned out. I still want to put screening behind the grill to keep bugs out of the rad and a/c condensor. Probably be other "improvements" as problems arise.



2 of 3 from Album '96 XJ SE
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On my 01, I rebuilt the cooling system. I replaced everything except the heater core with oem and oem equivalent parts. Mech fan clutch, radiator, water pump, thermostat, overflow bottle, temp sensor, hoses, and fresh 50/50 coolant. The cost was just under $300 and it took about 3 hours from start to finish (very easy). Afterwards my XJ ran consistently at 205 degrees, with the ac blowing, in stop and go traffic with Texas temps ranging from 100-110 degrees. It ran 215 to 225 before in the same conditions. Temps are in the mid 80's now and the XJ is running at 195 deg. Knowing the potential for head issues on the 01 model, this simple maintenance task was money well spent IMO.

 

I think i used to use bosch oil filters on the car i had before my previous one (last one i used only oem). will that be fine? any item numbers for oversized filters that will still work just fine? for the plugs, you recommend the ngk iridium or just the regular ngks?

what doesn't last forever, the cap or the head? Im not too worried if the head goes. the place i got it from included a two year warranty with only a $100 deductible, so if it blows i wont be paying an arm and a leg.

Its got 31" BFG all terrain ko's all around with decent tread for being used. i have thought about new shocks cause i get a lot of nose dive when stopping. got any recommendations? id like it pretty stiff.

 

Stiff?

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/p...Grand-Cherokee

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/p...Granc-Cherokee