Jeep Cherokee Forum

Jeep Cherokee 1984-2001: How to Jack Up Your Car

Knowing how to properly jack up and support your Jeep will allow you to safely access the underside as needed. Improperly jacking up any vehicle creates a dangerous situation that can cause harm to yourself as well as the vehicle. By following a simple procedure, you can be confident your Jeep will stay fixed in its raised position.

By Weston Chadwick - August 26, 2015

This article applies to the Jeep Cherokee XJ (1984-2001).

The Jeep Cherokee XJ is a uni-body design. Unlike the body on frame design found on most trucks, uni-body includes the frame rails and cross-members as part of the construction. The disadvantage to this is the factory jacking points become more susceptible to rust and corrosion due to the use of lighter weight materials. They can be harder to locate as well. Running on the bottom of the body along the sides is the frame rail. This is the area where the center and side portions of the body meet. Body strength and rigidity are high here, creating the ideal location for jacking.

Materials Needed

  • Floor jack
  • Jack stand(s)
  • Blocks of wood (optional)
  • Wheel chocks

Step 1 – Prepare floor jack and stands

Depending on the height of your XJ's body, a combination of wood blocks and/or floor jack pad adapters can be used to raise the wheels off the ground. Hi-lift floor jacks are a worthwhile investment with some reaching over 30 inches. Here is one from Northern Tool: Compact High-Lift Floor Jack. Keep in mind this floor jack is only rated to 2,500 lbs. and cannot be used to support your entire Jeep's weight.

A quality set of jack stands is a must. Typically, the higher the jack stands' weight capacity, the larger and higher up the jack stands will reach.

Wheel chocks add some more security against movement. This is most critical for owners with manual transmissions as an emergency brake failure will allow the rear wheels to roll.

Warning

Always make sure your floor jack and jack stands are rated for the weight they will be supporting. Your XJ's curb weight will vary from 2,800 lbs, to 3,400 lbs. depending on the drivetrain and trim level.

Figure 1. A common floor jack.

Step 2 – Prepare vehicle

Ideally, you don't want to jack up your Jeep on an inclined surface. If you must, owners with manual and automatic transmissions must follow a specific set of rules.

Owners with manual transmissions need to place their transmission into either reverse or first gear depending on the direction of the incline. If the front of your Jeep is lower than the rear, you will place the transmission into reverse to keep it from rolling forward.

Automatic transmission owners only need to place their Jeep into park.

Always engage the emergency brake. A quick check of the emergency brake can be done by placing the transmission in neutral then trying to push. No movement should occur.

Figure 2. The emergency brake handle.

Step 3 – Begin raising vehicle

Find the factory jacking locations and place the floor jack pad near it. You want to leave enough room for the jack stand to be centered on the jacking point. With your Jeep raised to your desired height, place the jack stand beneath the jacking point. A block of wood can be used to reduce the chance of damage to the body from the metal jack stand post. The wood helps to spread out the load over a large area as well.

As your placing the jack stand into position, be sure your hand does not come between the jack stand and body or the jack stand and ground.

Figure 3. Safe and proper points for jacking.

Step 4 – Continue raising

Do this at each corner until all four wheels are off the ground. Once it's completely in the air, there should be little to no movement on the jack stands. If you can push against the side of your Jeep and make it rock, the jack stands need to be re-positioned to the proper height to create a level and even surface.

Figure 4. A jeep that was improperly set on jack stands.

Step 5 – Lower back down

Slowly and carefully lower down the Jeep. Most jack stands require you to pull the handle up to lower the stand's post.

Figure 5. Lower the Jeep slowly back down.

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