Cherokee Xj Upgrades What You Need To Know

[@nathanbanks6533]

He genuinely looked sorry when he called his XJ a “truck” 😂 great video btw!

[@TheOceanX]

Mine has a five inch lift and 33s. I went with control arm drop brackets and adjustable control arms instead of a long arm kit; as I wanted it to handle well on the road. Daily driven in the winter; only really muddy forest trails & beaches in the summer; really happy with it so far. Next are frame stiffeners & power steering box stiffener!

[@billskinny7639]

Thanks for the advice, man. Good video 👍

[@andrew_xj8411]

I like the build man. I am rocking a 4.5” with 33’s right now. Want to go to a 6.5” like you eventually

[@richtyler1353]

Great video. Yes that’s what I did we found some Danna 44s for super cheap the front one was bent a little and Johnny from Jeepers and Creepers has all the knowledge and stuff to get it bent back to normal. We then fully trussed the front and back. The already had E-Lockers so it was a win win.

[@Jacob-ie3en]

Great vid bro! I want to build something like yours but im 16 so money is tight lol. Thanks for all the info

[@rocknroad9167]

Jacob there will be allot more info and really cool upgrades coming soon all the support and comments are great thank you and support the channel if you can by telling other and subscribe

[@marcoantoniocasoascanio6905]

Amazing xj... Love the Jeep xj.

[@B.Zee...]

Really beautiful Jeep bro

[@pasindupethum3839]

Love this jeep Im srilankan Havent this jeep in our country but im really love this

[@markbradley9008]

Rule number one: lockers before lights

[@BradleyBeeksAdventures]

Just weld that shit lol! But I do agree, hell lockers before lift even.

[@larrywarren1049]

Not always necessary

[@BradleyBeeksAdventures]

@@larrywarren1049 it is with nothing but Muskeg lol

[@Sxvx9e]

Hey bro wussup man amazing set up wondering if you remember where you got your front and rear bumpers from ?

[@Boot38979]

Club xj approved

[@tylerbourne2769]

See I was always told work around the tire that you want to run so if you want to run a 33 inch tire make it according to that tire size Granite yeah all of the things that you covered in your video are great options I would definitely do a lot of them but I start with my tires first and then work my way around

[@NoLurp]

Tyler Bourne granted*

[@keithlucas6260]

Yep buy frame stiffeners from end to end and be sure and use mig welding. Mark the weld locations and grind that area clean. Next use a good welding primer and coat the back of the stiffeners and any areas on the frame.

[@rocknroad9167]

Keith Lucas it’s a crazy how much it helps

[@Idle_Cerberus]

How much does it cost to have your frame stiffened at a shop?

[@keithlucas6260]

@@Idle_Cerberus, depends on the shop and rate. Figure $120/hr and how many stiffeners you use. Just the two front ones took a couple of hours to pull off the bumper and fender support brackets, then line up the stiffners and mark the outlines. Next was the pre-paint and grinding followed by using alignment bolts, and then welding clamps....two more hours. Last the welding and wire brushing followed by painting letting it dry and putting it all back together....two more hours. That was just the front 18 inches.

[@Idle_Cerberus]

@@keithlucas6260 dam so it's a pretty costly investment on the vehicle huh? If I don't plan on doing any rough off-roading (just my properties dirt driveway haha) I should be fine without the stiffeners for now correct?

[@Idle_Cerberus]

@@keithlucas6260 i unfortunately absolutely suck at welding lmao, I'm more of a wood worker I tried welding and needing glasses makes it impossible to see thru the helmet lol, but yeah I guess I'ma have to save up long term for that investment (after I get a rebuild engine)

[@paulsellers7812]

What wheels are thoes! What’s the backspacing?

[@scarfacejan3]

How are those headlights ? We’re u get them ?

[@BOOMSTICK-PRODUCTIONS]

Righteous 🤙🏾

[@Bansheegaming5150]

Best looking Jeep there is!!!!!

[@charliestone892]

Nice XJ man,I had a 92 with mild upgrades that I had planned to do a whole lot to,had a midlife crowbar thrown at me in the form of divorce so I lost a lot of assets.alot better now days and I have a 2000 XJ 4x4 that I want to build but its right hand drive.was a mail jeep some lady drove forever so high miles but it runs good.missing the front driveshaft but for $500 I took my chances,no rust at all....anyway hope the RHD dont become more trouble than its worth. Stay safe,god bless

[@rocknroad9167]

Thanks brotha I appreciate that you should have know problem driving right handed jeep seen plenty of people do it god bless you and hope it’s goes well for you

[@onefastcyclist]

serious XJ build! Do you take up most of your storage with a spare tire - I didn't see a carrier on a tire swing ? Those 35's are huge, but should offer more then enough clearance for the Rubicon trail.

[@rocknroad9167]

Gary Button I had a rough rack on mine that’s where I carried the spare and now I have a tire swing out

[@rocknroad9167]

Gary Button you should follow me on KZbin and on my Instagram I’m upgrading my xj putting all new suspension on it axles and 40s my Instagram is rocknroad916

[@yodhin79]

How much mpg did you lose after the upgrade ?

[@zachfindlay6193]

Currently building an xj rock crawler, but it’s making a knocking noise in the steering and 4wd won’t engage can anyone help ?

[@altosset11]

What headlights are those?

[@zacharyheld7541]

Where are the fenders from?

[@Trials-and-Tribulations]

Are these alright towing a car and trailer like uhaul car trailer?

[@shinriley]

Wanting to join a Jeep forum. Any good ones I should pay a visit to?

[@alexa-nd6fe]

What’s the exact color of ur jeep?

[@mattcollis9023]

What tires are these?

[@TheGeorgiaMediaGroup]

Let’s see some updates

[@ProjectXJ]

How much do 35s rub with the smittybilt bumper? I have the same bumper with 33's on 4.5" of lift with no rubbing.

[@rocknroad9167]

Kallam Kruse hey I’m going to have to shave at least 4 inches off the bumper for 35s if you would like follow me on Instagram and I can tell you everything I’ve done and also what not to and you’ll see everything that I’m doing and going to do to it

[@rocknroad9167]

Kallam Kruse my Instagram is rocknroad916

[@joseavalos4854]

Hey man quick question, do you get any water in the engine from the hood louvers?

[@rocknroad9167]

Yes you do

[@anayadlc800]

Nice jeep

[@rocknroad9167]

EDEN de la cruz thanks brotha

[@bradh6185]

There is one for sale near me that has the 4-cylinder. Are those any good? I'm sure the straight six is better. But if the 4-cylinder just isn't going to cut it, I will hold off for a straight six.

[@rocknroad9167]

brad h I would deff hold off until you find a straight six

[@bradh6185]

@@rocknroad9167 Thanks.

[@nolanbeck5895]

You did all that to a low pinion dana 30 and with 35's? How's it held up...?

[@kneeknockers1712]

i wanna know the same thing lol especially if he says he wheeling it hard

[@rocknroad9167]

It actually held up really well sorry for the late response been busy it’s now on 60s though

[@gordongman3423]

Tried to install a set of headlights, like on your XJ. But they would not fit into the headlight housing on my 01' XJ

[@pajeeps2384]

Gordon GMan I have an 01’ with LEDs and they fit. What did you get? I believe all XJ headlights are the same size.

[@gordongman3423]

Same thing you installed. But then again, there is no telling what the previous owner did. Installed a set of slim line headlights. Now the the headlight do not turn off, even when both negatives are disconnected from the battery. One battery with dual post. Even the interior lights stay on. Disconnect the positive, light will turn off. I think my Jeep has a poltergeist. Lol

[@pajeeps2384]

Gordon GMan tI didn’t make this video. Whoever the previous owner was must have it all jacked up. Is there a second battery anywhere?

[@gordongman3423]

@@pajeeps2384 No second battery. But if I disconnect the positive side for just one second the lights go out. Then reconnect no problems. Very strange.

[@pajeeps2384]

Gordon GMan yeah, that is weird. Maybe there’s a short somewhere.

[@paxson4524]

So what lift would be good for riding on the road ?

[@BradleyBeeksAdventures]

The stock one lol

[@jareds1559]

Check out the rubicon express lifts. Do not buy rough country lifts, they are all shit.

[@Brzan-mr5lu]

جميلة جداً

[@mikecarr1484]

I put an old man emo 2 and half inch lift. It is perfect. Any more and you have to alter the drive lines.

[@kjamesjr]

I was looking at those springs for my 99. What did you use for shackles?

[@helmiautoparts4357]

I have a question, what is the purpose of very wide tires?

[@rocknroad9167]

Brands_Avenue _Ismailia just more coverage more grip especially when you air down

[@helmiautoparts4357]

RockNroad 916 Thanks bro, but the shape is not that much good.

[@keenanp9045]

@@helmiautoparts4357 and they look cooler lol

[@kalebmoore17]

Damn those fenders. What are they? I want them for my xj

[@rocknroad9167]

Kaleb M rusty fenders there really nice I really like them

[@lordflash7160]

www.hooliganoffroad.com much more better than Rusty s.

[@coltonspellman7170]

@@rocknroad9167 where did u get these fenders at exactly I cant find them

[@edgarrenteria7793]

where did you get the fenders?

[@rocknroad9167]

Edgar Renteria Rusty’s

[@Nothingtoya]

Radius arms suck, it doesnt matter which company makes them. Also, when looking at winch bumpers, I dont think people realize how far most of them stick out, rustys makes a winch bumper that only sticks out 4.5 inches. You dont need as many lights as you think you do. Always, the very first thing you should do, go thru the cooling system, make sure you're stating off with everything perfect. For the love of God, stay away from all of these crappy aluminum radiators. I live in central Florida, the best radiator I've found is the stock replacement from your local auto parts store.

[@rocknroad9167]

Josh B I just but a flexalite radiator with the triple fan on it I think it will work great. Why do you not like the aluminum radiators?

[@Nothingtoya]

@@rocknroad9167 I've tried 3 different brands, none of them worked as well as the cheap stock replacement. Like I said, I'm in Florida, if you're up north, you may not have the same problems I did. You have a nice XJ, I hope the fans work out.

[@drummerkidmorlock5858]

Are you still on stock axles?

[@rocknroad9167]

Drummerkid Morlock sure are

[@rocknroad9167]

But you need to fully upgrade them

[@bradleyscott4947]

Hey bud, good video thanks! I know it's old but I'm late what can I say lol... Anyway, I'm about to start my XJ journey. Picked a 99 4.0 up with 124k miles for only $1,800 🤙!! I'm thinking engine upgrades/exhaust 1st. I know Jeep stopped production of the 4.0, dumbest idea ever because the engine is amazing, but I'm curious if mayne "Crate" makes a reproduction an if you maybe know?🤔 Not that I need it now, just don't wanna put thousands of bucks in something I can't replace the motor in years down the road ya know?

[@daltonandrew168]

Yes u can buy a new 4.0 crate engine. I know modern gear auto makes one and I think eastwood makes one. By the way "crate" isnt a brand. "Crate" is just what people call new engines that they bought brand new from some company. I guess its because its normally shipped in a wooden crate

[@bradleyscott4947]

@@daltonandrew168 awesome thanks for the info. And yeah, definitely not a mechanic so really don't know much lol

[@daltonandrew168]

@@bradleyscott4947 no problem. Hope the build goes well man. Good luck

[@bradleyscott4947]

@@daltonandrew168 thanks bud🤙

[@anthonywiser5256]

Frame stiffeners should be around the same time as the lift

[@earlgeorge7573]

nice but looks expensive???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

[@kjamesjr]

I disagree with the first three. 1) Upgrade cooling system. 2) Gears and lockers/TruTracs. 3) Tires, these will dictate the height of your lift. 4) Lift. Wheel it with the first two with some buddies that can winch. After gears and lockers or trutracs you will most likely be able to go anywhere already at stock height with some 30’s. Then decide your tire. At this point going anything over 33” is for the die hard crawler, which is fine if that’s what you want to do. 4.11 gears will be fine up to a 33” tire. If you REALLY intend to run a 35” tire, I would look at 4.56 or 4.88 gears. At this point you will need to upgrade your axles.

[@rocknroad9167]

KJames Jr. I don’t think the cooling system is that big of a deal I haven’t done one thing to my cooling systems except for hood vents the stock cooling system is actually pretty good but I will be upgrading the cooling system to the flexalite radiator system. What kind of wheeling do you do with yours and where do you wheel at?

[@kjamesjr]

RockNroad91 6 I started wheeling 15 years ago in AZ. Now I live in the north east, NH, and the scenery is quite different. We have one off road park in the entire state. It’s small, usually crowded and mostly mud terrain. Unless you know someone with land you’re reduced to trail riding. The only wheeling I’ve done in the past five years have been on trails, and in lots of snow. I recently retired and sold my 98 and purchased a 99 which is mostly stock as of now. I’ve never had any luck with the stock cooling systems (3 XJ’s). You may get by with hood vents on a stock system so long as you’re keeping an eye on your coolant quality. So flushing and changing every 2 years or so. The Mopar HD (all metal) radiator is on my list. The CFS all metal two row in close second. We’ll see what the budget allows and how much OT I feel like working.

[@rocknroad9167]

That sucks that you don’t have any wheeling spots up there well if your eve down in California let me know I’m always doing something in the mountains that’s for your input and hope your xj build goes well let me know how it goes as well

[@areject17]

😂 you didn’t do anything, you paid a guy to do all that for you 😂 if you could do all this yourself you’d prolly save 10-15 grand

[@CounterclutchHD]

you must be super tall! great jeep