Questions or comments?
Write to us at 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870, christian.lee@primedia.com.
Cherokee Suspension Tips
Q: I have a '90 XJ Cherokee with open Dana 30/35 differentials in the front and rear. I want to replace my 3-inch suspension system with a 4.5-inch system. My Jeep powertrain runs quietly on the road, but I was wondering what I would have to correct with the larger suspension. I have looked at a transfer case drop, CV driveshafts, brakeline extensions, and axle degree shim kits. I also wanted to know what you thought of automatic lockers. I spend 60 percent of the time on-road, but I like to do some adventurous wheelin' the other 40 percent of the time. What would happen if the rear axleshafts were welded together? Any other suggested upgrades would be appreciated. Thanks for everything.
John Shipley
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
A: John, The suspension correction items you mentioned are commonly included in many aftermarket suspension systems and are necessary when lifting Jeep XJs. Check with the manufacturer of whatever kit you select for assistance in determining what items you'll need to buy that aren't included. One item you'll most definitely need is a slip-yoke eliminator (SYE) for the transfer case. Adjustable control arms are another item that will assist in achieving an accurate pinion angle, and a drop pitman arm will effectively address most steering issues. As for automatic lockers, they're awesome - complete traction at the push of a button. ARB, Tractech, and OX Lockers are companies that offer such items. Lastly, if you weld the axleshafts together to create a "Lincoln Locker," you'll certainly have traction on both wheels, but your on-road driving performance will be affected. For the amount of time you spend on the highway, we'd suggest going with an automatic-type aftermarket locker
Diesel TJ?
Q: I'm a huge fan of your magazine and a jeep fanatic. I'm wondering if we will ever see the the 2.8L turbodiesel that is being put into the '04 Liberty in a TJ? I think this would be the best TJ ever: A high-mileage, high-torque motor with outstanding fuel economy that will pretty much run under water! What could be better than a Rubicon Edition TJ with a diesel motor? How can we make this happen?
Brian Stimits
Woodland Park, Colorado
A: Brian, A diesel Rubicon TJ would be a sight to see. However, we don't have as much pull over at DaimlerChrysler as we'd like to think, so we're essentially left with prayer and the power of persuasion. Tell your local dealer, write to Jeep, and attend Camp Jeep events where you can grab an engineer by the ear and get his or her take on the idea. We're sure it's something that's been mulled over once or twice. Contact Jeep via its Web site at www.jeep.com. Good luck.
A Bit of Everything
Q: I have a '97 TJ with a four-cylinder engine. I'm currently running 32-inch tires and considering running 33s. I do both highway and off-road driving weekly. Will 4.88 gears in the pumpkin be too low for the highway? I don't want to strain the little four-banger. My other question is, are the 4.88 gears structurally weaker than 4.56 gears because of their size? And last, how would the four-cylinder engine and the AX-5 tranny hold up to the extra pounds of boost that an Avenger supercharger puts out?
Adam Parrott
via e-mail
A: Adam, The 4.88 gears in your TJ should work well on the highway running 33-inch tires. Yes, they are structurally weaker than the 4.56 gears, but that's the trade you make for taller gears. As for the Avenger Supercharger, we've yet to test it out on a four-cylinder, but the company asserts that its system works well in these applications and shouldn't overload your stock drivetrain.