XJ questions

Sweetwater

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 29, 2012
Location
The Great State of Mecklenburg
I hope I am in the right sub-forum for these questions, so here goes.

My 2000 XJ is my daily driver. Old Man Emu medium springs, 30" ATs, total 120k miles and 70k of these on OME suspension.

First, I plan to replace OME shocks (they're not toast but close) with Bilsteins in the near future. This leads to first question: If I wanted to gain an additional inch or so in height what is the easy, safe and good riding option? Good time to do it since shocks would be going on regardless. I was thinking spacer in front and quality blocks in the back? The OME springs should have another 100k of life. What do you guys think? I'd be able to run 31" ATs or just enjoy a little more height.

Question two is tougher: for years my XJ runs great, and then summer comes and I go running errands around town. Turn jeep off, come back in a few minutes and start jeep...it runs rough and misses until you get going and then everything is fine. Occasionally the engine light comes on and stays on for a day or so. A google search reveals something about excessive heat under hood causing one cylinder to misfire due to fuel vaporization. Articles claim Chrysler knew of issue and nothing was ever done. Had a shop look at it and they claim nothing is wrong. My first reaction is to add louvers, but I'd like to really cure the problem since this is my daily driver.

Thanks for any input :)

Here's a neat pic of old vs. new:

asweetwaterfarms.smugmug.com_Family_Mountain_Trips_i_T7bShVT_0_M_P1020766_M.jpg
 
I wouldn't run a block. Tough on springs. Extended shackle would be a better option. Spacer in the front would handle that end like you mentioned. Just straighten brake lines and they should be fine. Post up what code your throwing, that might help. Are your temps running high in summer? Is the fan working properly?
 
I got ya on the extended shackles, might have to fiddle with rear end angle too if I do that??? I forgot to mention I have a tcase drop ever since installing OME. No wobbles, no shakes, drives great!

Adding shackles and a spacer is easy enough. It isn't much add'l lift but why not get another inch? I was thinking Rokman spacer up front...jeeps, it is like an addiction.

I don't know exactly the code being thrown, but mechanic a few years ago said the computer indicated cylinder 5 misfire. I just pulled into FireStone and that's what they said was recorded. Of course all was well at that moment. Never runs hot btw...fan works fine and I'm running aluminum radiator that replaced factory plastic-tank radiator when it cracked years age (2007?). Newer thermostat too. In all truth the cooling system seems pretty dang good!
 
Cherokees are notorious for heat soak in injectors 3 and 4. Chrysler put out a worthless tsb that involves putting and insulator sleeve on the injector to prevent this issue. Unfortunately is doesnt do a whole lot. The only real fixes are louvers, wire up a fan that blows for a set amount of time after the jeep is shut down, or fabricate some sort of heat shield to go between the intake/exhaust manifolds.
 
I would build whatever sort of lift you have now to a total lift height of 3.5" I road around on 30's and 3.5" lift for two years and loved it. Shackles for the rear is smart but I don't see the shame in any block not exceeding 1". The OME leafs will be stiffer than stock so I say go for it. If you are inclined, making your own steel lift block can be a piece of cake. A spacer will work for the front. But if you still have the stock upper and lower arms your axle pinion angle will increasingly get worse and your trac bar will need to be relocated or adjusted. A lift kit would make a lot of this less of a head ache to think about but it's not always in everyone's budget. Good Luck!
 
If you like the ride of the OME springs and shocks....I would continue with OME...that make a great product and ride quality is great. add a spacer up front and shackle in the rear.
 
Well, the XJ is currently in the for sale section...explanation is in that thread, BUT if it doesn't sell I will keep driving and keep making tweeks here and there.

If I keep it, spacers up front and shackles in back and Bilsteins even it it doesn't get any add'l lift!

Flyn289: I remember reading the report from Mopar and it amounted to little more than fiberglass wrap and tin foil, just like you said! I like the look of louvers and I saw a set on a Cherokee XJ somewhere...company in Virginia or West Virginia maybe? They made them for police cars and trucks and lots of hotrod stuff. It was a simple cut and rivet operation. IF I keep the XJ it might get the louver treatment! In truth, the problem is so intermittent I almost forget about it sometimes. Then It'll happen a couple times in a row. Rough idle until you get going, lasts a few seconds or so then it is back to good again.

EDIT: Here's the louvers: http://www.hoodlouvers.com/

Anybody run these?
 
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