Jeep XJ tips and tricks to keep your Cherokee on the road or trail
How to tighten up the steering box on a Jeep Cherokee XJ.
The Jeep Cherokee uses a Saginaw steering box like many other vehicles. You could swap in one from a Chevy or a Durango if you wanted to change the steering ratio. I prefer to just keep the stock one.
To access the adjuster screw, you have to remove the electric fan. You can get more space by removing the air box but that is not entirely necessary.
The alternator is located in a low place on the Xj engine. This makes it susceptible to damage from mud and water. It is also annoyingly hard to get to.
Continue reading “91 to 96 alternator change Jeep Cherokee XJ”
I noticed oil building up around the base of one of the posts of my two post lift. After inspection, I found the oil was leaking from the vent on the lift cylinder.
Continue reading “Shop lift cylinder repair”
I previously tried to tighten up the steering box on this Jeep. But it seems too far gone. I have decided to replace it.
Continue reading “Replacing the steering gearbox on a Jeep Cherokee XJ”My son bought this Jeep from his high school history teacher. He and my dad repainted it and Scott restored the interior using parts from Pull a Part and from another donor Wagoneer he found.
finally decided to pull my engine and give it a refresh. 450,000 miles.
First I set the transmission on a jack and removed the cross member.
Next I removed the drive shafts and the exhaust.
Then I lowered the transmission slightly and removed the transfer case.
My son’s 1991 Jeep cherokee had a problem where when you put it in four wheel drive, it would stay there. Since he has a 231 transfer case, this was not good on dry pavement.
To get it out of 4HI, I had to crawl underneath and pop it out with a pry bar. I could see the problem right away. The bushing at the transfer case was worn out allowing the lever to move around on the rod.
I found that Amazon had the bushing so I ordered a couple. They are kinda expensive for a small piece of plastic but not too bad.
I picked up my new engine form R&L carriers today. I figured it would be easier to pick it up at the freight depot than deal with getting a truck backed up to my shop.
I used the lift to unload from the Pick Up.
On a rebuilt engine or if just changing the oil pump, you can do considerable damage to the engine if you try to start it without oil pressure. It takes quite a few turns to purge the air out of the system on a new pump.
Continue reading “How to prime the oil pump on a Jeep 4.0”