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Thanks! Its one those small things that really makes a XJ look 100x better. Good Luck with your trim, I'm glad I could help out.

Haha It’s funny how many people have been irritated by the word “Budget” in the title of this video. “Budget” doesn’t mean cheap. Thanks for watching my video! Read some of the other comments if you want more explanations.

Is it safe to assume your XJ is currently stock? Based on your MPG that makes me believe that it is. The thing that kills the MPG the most on a XJ, are lifts, gears, and bigger tires. You also need to think about how much extra weight in gear you’re carrying around too. Especially if you are out camping. Anyways, it sounds like you’re building a pretty cool XJ. Good Luck with your build.

Yeah that’s definitely alway a possibility. Time will tell how long these ones will last on my XJ. But regardless of a possible failure in the future. It’s pretty nice not needing the hold the hood up and put the hood prop up.

When I was doing research about this project, I did see that people were piecing their own kits together. Not a bad idea by any means. But I like the idea of buying a pre made kit. It takes the guess work out of it.

No, I’m running 4.10 gears, and 35’s. I do also drive my XJ a little harder than most I think. I haven’t corrected my speedo gear ether. It’s only off by a couple mph.

Just use one old rear hatch strut when you replace the struts on xj rear hatch

@kevinkibler2181 Thanks, that’s awesome! I’m excited for your XJ project. We need to keep these XJs on the road!

Thanks dude!

Thanks!

That’s awesome! Good Luck with your XJ project!

So I’ve actually switched back to the mechanical fan since I made this video. My XJ runs too hot with the 3 electric fans during the summer here in Utah (218 F-225 F). Maybe if the 3 E. Fans were better quality then it’d work better. So for now I’ll stick with the mechanical fan. I also upgraded to a 12 blade Aux fan from a 2000 XJ.

@wrenchestoadventures oh nice yeah I hear that a lot, I put a wj mechanical fan i think it was, it was so long ago but it really helped suck air better, I could hear the difference it definitely pulls air harder

I’ll be testing that theory on my Comanche haha

@wrenchestoadventures some states require bars, but all 4 off the xj, it is a noticeable difference

Interesting, I didn’t know that. I’m due for an oil change. I’ll check out that oil you mentioned.

That's true but how much is to much idk

Awesome! Where did you buy your 62mm throttle body? Also why did you opt for 0w40 oil?

Sorry, I don’t know where you can buy those.

@@wrenchestoadventures OK

Sorry, I don’t.

No, I didn’t paint the lower seal trim. On the ‘97 and newer XJs that trim piece is completely rubber and looks nice with just some simple cleaning. On the ‘96 and older it’s painted metal with a rubber seal for the glass. Mine were all messed up so I converted to the ‘97 and newer lower all rubber trim.

You’re welcome! Thanks! I will, I’m getting started on my next video today.

Oh dang, that’s unfortunate. I wonder if the paint stripper would remove super glue?

I still have them. What are you looking for? You can email me at wrenchestoadventures@gmail.com , so we can work out a deal if I have what your looking for.

Awesome! Thanks, for supporting my channel! So I converted to the '97 and newer windows on the front and back doors. That rear trim on the '97+ has a full rubber cover, unlike the painted metal trim on '96 and older. Check out my window conversion video from a few weeks ago, I talk about it in that one.

Thanks! That is funny you said that. I was just looking at my roof rack. It needs some help! haha

That’s a awesome deal for a XJ. It’s also nice to start with a bone stock one too. What do you have planned for it?

@@wrenchestoadventures ultimately I'd like 35s, f/r bumpers, winch, rear locker at the very least. Sliders. Just had a kid 7 months ago and needed a family rig. My 85 pickup burnt down and I decided it was time to turn a new leaf.

@@wrenchestoadventures also, a fire extinguisher..that is the one "MOD" nobody talks about until it's too late, I learned the hard way..

That sounds like an awesome plan. I have my XJ setup on 35’s and it’s very comfortable as a daily driver and a rock crawler. I also need to invest in fire extinguisher for mine. Like you said it’s definitely an over looked mod.

Thanks! I’m glad you like my channel. I found someone local on Facebook marketplace selling complete doors for all the parts I needed. I also have a parts XJ that I bought for my Comanche project. But I have also found the moldings and weatherstripping at the local junkyards before too.

@@wrenchestoadventures Nice! I'll keep an eye out in my area. Came across new OEM style stuff on one site but for what they're asking seems like I could get complete doors!

I’ve also seen some “new” OEM style parts for sale on various websites. But I not willing to pay what they are asking. I paid $100 for two front doors with all that parts I needed.

DO IT!! Its totally worth it. For sure this is my favorite mod I've done to my XJ.

That’s awesome, now you don’t have to worry about anything for a while. 21 mpg is great! What was your mpg before all the upgrades and maintenance?

You’re welcome! 👍🏻

I've been seriously considering putting a stroker kit on the 4.0 for the Comanche build. It all depends on what I find when I tear the engine down. It has a bad knock. I'm hoping there isn't too much internal damage.

@@wrenchestoadventures im new to the channel and really like were ur goin with it .Have u seen Newcomer raceing break horsepower record with an almost complete stock stroked/turbo 4.0 it really shows how much potential and durability these engines have 1087hp🔥 granted we wouldnt need that kind of power but this means we can make resonable hospower and plus awsome torque from a modest combo.. lots of after market stroker rebuild kits for a fraction of the cost and headache of making an LS work ..i also love and considered the LS for my built 89 xj but really learned over the years how realiable my cherokee was mainly impart cause of the jeep inline 6.. i'll be watching eather way what ever u decide it will be awsome content.. have a good one and safe travels from "Rooster"...

@@88349 Hey, I just saw your comment. Thanks for supporting the channel! It means a lot! 👍🏻 Also I think I have seen the guys videos of high hp 4.0s. It’s pretty impressive how much power they get out of them. I’d love to build a stroker 4.7. I mean who doesn’t love a LS swapped Jeep XJ.

I’ll have to check that brand out. I typically just use what ever is most convenient to buy locally.

@@wrenchestoadventures it's quite expensive and made by Shell but it's worth it. On my XJ, if I use any other kind of oil, it makes a clicking sound after shutting it off. With Rotella it doesn't make that sound and it sounds a bit quieter and runs smoother.

Thanks for the feedback. I did notice that too while I was editing the video. Looks like I have go pee haha I’ll work on that going forward.

That's awesome! I was also debating which way was easier. I had actually bought complete doors for the 97+ swap, but then decided to just convert my 96 doors to work with the 97+ windows and trim. It sounds like you had a equal amount of work to do to convert to the 97+ doors as I had in converting to just the windows and trim. I do really like the removable doors and half doors idea. I'll for sure be making some for my Comanche. So depending on how that goes ill probably make some for my XJ too.

Budget doesn't always mean cheap haha. I'm not a fan of tire carriers. I just ratchet strap my spare down in the back.

I do really like the look of vintage XJ parts too. It’d be cool if you could somehow do the removable steering with the Renix horn button?

@@wrenchestoadventures I mean, one could probably use screws or make an adapter.

I never thought about getting a larger throttle body. I’ll look into them. Thanks!

You’re welcome 👍🏻 That’s awesome you have 96 too! We need to keep these old XJs on the road! Good luck with yours.

@@wrenchestoadventures we have a 94 also

I’m not familiar with those spark plugs, I’ll look them up

Same bro those things are tazers they burn all the fuel efficiently

Yeah I’m in that same boat! The best I can do is 13.8 MPG.

I agree, tire size does make a big difference. But I guess there is a trade off. You can't always find a narrower tire, especially in the bigger tires 37" and larger. At that point you just have to except your MPG is going suffer. HAHA

Haha yeah aerodynamics is not a trait the XJ has.

That’s one way to get better MPG 😂

Thanks for the insight. I actually did not consider the weight or temperature of the engine oil hurting the MPG. I was focused more on the way the fuel system operates. Open/ Close Loop etc. I would like to see some actual real life data on how much the oil weight/ temp affects MPG. Do you know of any good TH-cam videos or web sites that could shed more light on this subject?

​@@wrenchestoadventures that's not how it works. Learn more about how and when the computer runs in closed/open.

Can you explain what you mean? I have a very good understanding of how the system works.

@@wrenchestoadventures O2 sensors don't work until they warm up from exhaust heat or their internal heating element. So until they start sending a signal the engine runs in open loop. Then switches to closed loop once it sees a reliable signal coming from the sensors. The engine may also go to open loop during hard acceleration. Viscosity of engine oil effects MPG because thicker oil creates more patristic drag on the engine. It takes more energy for the rings to wipe oil from cylinder walls. A thicker oil film adds mass to reciprocating engine components. Thicker oil causes more massive droplets of oil to be flying around the engine. Which saps more power from rotating and reciprocating engine components as they strike those more massive droplets. Also thicker oil requires more H.P. to pump. All these issues may seem trivial, but they're not. If you were to double the viscosity of an engine's oil it would likely quadruple oil induced parasitic drag.

I agree with you on how the o2 sensors work in relation to open/close loop. As well as under hard acceleration it does switch back to open in order to affectively supply the max amount of fuel. Thanks for the explanation on how the oil affects the MPG. I definitely learned something about it. What you said all makes sense to me. I wish there was an easy way to test MPG at different engine and oil temperatures. I’d like to see how much it actually affects the MPG.

Yeah no problem 👍🏻 You’re definitely going to like the next video then!

Yeah new fuel injectors and some heat shielding for them makes a big difference. Also I’m pretty sure the front drive shaft is good on the Blue Cherokee. Do you need one? Email me and we can talk more about it. wrenchestoadventures@gmail.com

@@wrenchestoadventures ya I need to for sure get to that soon. And ok I just sent you an email man