Adjust your kick down cable!! Very simple and videos all over youtube including one by bleepinjeep. I daily my xj with 4.5 in lift and 31s 60 miles everyday. Recently took a 610 mile trip with no issues. All stock other than lift and tires. No reason it should be slowing down that much on a hill!
I let off the throttle for a sec and smash back on it. Usually gets a downshift for me. I never had any issues keeping around 60-65 up steep hills and I have 33 inch tires on my XJ.
@@KCars I daily drove it for a long time with stock gearing and never had driveline issues. That’s with some light off-road driving here and there mixed in. I also drove long distance on the highway regularly with no issue. You just have to get used to the slight loss of power and learn how to deal with it.
Hey KCars, I had that grinding noise as well when I lifted my jeep 3 inches with 31s, the solution is to buy the transfer case drop kit (1 inch) from rough country, really easy install!, would recommend to do that for now so you won't mess up your pinion angle on the diff until you get your slip yoke
people are suggesting to adjust kickdown cable yet noone actually says how to do it. 1.make sure jeep is off. 2.push the gray half moon shaped button on throttle linkage until it retracts in you might have to push kinda hard. 3.get in jeep and in one motion push the gas pedal. you will hear a sound that sounds like a zip tie from that linkage thing you messed with. and its done. you may need to do this a couple times to get it right.
@@KCars it mechanically adjusts the line pressure in the trans. Which changes all your shift hardness shift points how hard it goes in to gear from park or reverse. Changes how much throttle is needed for a downshift. It does a bunch of things
sounds like you might want to regear to 4.10 or 4.56 if you plan on ever doing 33s - 35s. Even with the current set up i’d do 4.10s. Keep up on your front end components and death wobble will not be an issue. Good luck bro🤙🏼
Would the stock gears cause it to not want to downshift at highway speeds? And what are the front end components that I need to look at/replace? Thanks
@@KCars To help answer part of your question, I currently drive a completely stock 2001 xj with 250000 miles on it and it has the same issue of not downshifting on a moderately steep incline. So it is most likely the stock gears that cause the issue.
unsure on the downshift issue, i'd recommend regearing to 4.10s for 31s. it'll wake the jeep up on acceleration and you'll be able to pull up hills. my xj is on 35s and 4.88 gears and i have no issue doing 75+ up grades and taking it on long trips
I’ll have to look into going to 4.10s. Some people have recommended adjusting the kick down cable, could that be the solution to the downshift issue? Thanks
Currently no check engine light codes. This video was filmed back when it was still very cold, around 20-30 F. Last week I drove it in about 50 degrees F and it downshifted fine going uphill at around the same speed. Wonder if the temperature has anything to do with it? Should I change out the TPS and see if anything changes? Thanks
@@KCars I would change fluid and filter with correct mopar fluid to make sure it flows proper at low temperature and if the TPS is not too expensive chage that and clean the throttle body and idle air solenoid, it's an easy project
Whever I drive above 60 it gets progressively louder, and sounds like a ww2 bomber plane, and makes my ears ring at 70. But why? I replaced everything, new drive shaft, sye, rebuilt transfer case, re-geared to 456, 4" lift, 32" tires. I'm guessing it's the tires, or the Detroit lockers, I don't know. Over inflated tires? My tires are take-offs from a gladiator , have been balanced. Noise lessens when tires are warmed up. What do you guys think? I can't hold a conversation or drive above 60.
What does it sound like it’s coming from? Could also just be wind noise or road noise, they’re not the best insulated vehicles. Could also be the tires
I don’t think the lift and tires created that issue. It’s an issue of the Jeep not wanting to downshift. Some people have suggested that I need to adjust the kickdown cable to fix that issue.
It’s definitely not a fast or quick vehicle but it really isn’t that bad. It’s great at what it was made to do and I can’t really expect it to be able to accelerate quickly
Have you looked into what the slip yoke/drive shaft would run you when you get around to it? I might lift mine around 2 inches and would like a sense if you got that far in research!
This is the kit that I’d most likely get: www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-driveline-driveshaft/jeep-sye-driveshafts/slip-yoke-eliminator/advance-adapters-sye-tom-wood-cv-driveshaft.html I got quoted a couple hundred for the install
dont bother with 2 inches. if you are on factory leaf springs they are likely sagged and ruined. mine were very bad and my third time offroad i snapped one. ended up going with a 4.5" lift and 33" tires. I installed a SYE yesterday made a huge difference.
@@OvenBak3d360 preciate the input. I’m after more of an upcountry suspension package look/feel. I can understand where you and others are coming from not spending the effort on a 2 incher. Just some research!
That is def some slow acceleration trying to pass the semi and having the throttle floored open wide. Have you done anything to adjust or improve acceleration? Something like a throttle body spacer. I'm also wondering if a kickdown cable adjustment could help with the shifting. Cheers
@@KCars update: wanted to keep you in the loop. I adjusted my kickdown cable today and very, very pleased with the results. Driving low throttle, I'll get it to shift 1st into 2nd right below 2000rpm, and 2nd into 3rd right above 2000rpm. Shifting is smooth and I really think it's going to optimize gas mileage for city driving. Only trouble was that my adjuster (it's a little button mechanism you press with your thumb-- you'll see it if you go to do it) was completely seized and took a solid 20 mins of pb blaster and scrubbing to get it to move even a little bit. Glad I put the effort in, as it's now much more smooth and efficient. YMMV but I'd recommend.
Adjust your kick down cable!! Very simple and videos all over youtube including one by bleepinjeep. I daily my xj with 4.5 in lift and 31s 60 miles everyday. Recently took a 610 mile trip with no issues. All stock other than lift and tires. No reason it should be slowing down that much on a hill!
yup, agreed. common problem. a simple youtube search will cure the downshift problem.
Awesome, thanks. I’ll have to look into this
I let off the throttle for a sec and smash back on it. Usually gets a downshift for me. I never had any issues keeping around 60-65 up steep hills and I have 33 inch tires on my XJ.
It usually downshifts if I let off the throttle. Did you have to regear for 33s?
@@KCars I daily drove it for a long time with stock gearing and never had driveline issues. That’s with some light off-road driving here and there mixed in. I also drove long distance on the highway regularly with no issue. You just have to get used to the slight loss of power and learn how to deal with it.
💯
Same I have 4.0l 35 inch tires and 4 lift. I recently took a road trip to southern Ohio and it handle just fine Up and down all those hills.
Hey KCars, I had that grinding noise as well when I lifted my jeep 3 inches with 31s, the solution is to buy the transfer case drop kit (1 inch) from rough country, really easy install!, would recommend to do that for now so you won't mess up your pinion angle on the diff until you get your slip yoke
when you mentioned about letting go of the accelerator
I think I’m just gonna go straight to the slip yoke eliminator. Thanks!
people are suggesting to adjust kickdown cable yet noone actually says how to do it.
1.make sure jeep is off.
2.push the gray half moon shaped button on throttle linkage until it retracts in you might have to push kinda hard.
3.get in jeep and in one motion push the gas pedal. you will hear a sound that sounds like a zip tie from that linkage thing you messed with.
and its done. you may need to do this a couple times to get it right.
Awesome thanks. And what does this cable actually do?
@@KCars it mechanically adjusts the line pressure in the trans. Which changes all your shift hardness shift points how hard it goes in to gear from park or reverse. Changes how much throttle is needed for a downshift. It does a bunch of things
sounds like you might want to regear to 4.10 or 4.56 if you plan on ever doing 33s - 35s. Even with the current set up i’d do 4.10s.
Keep up on your front end components and death wobble will not be an issue.
Good luck bro🤙🏼
Would the stock gears cause it to not want to downshift at highway speeds? And what are the front end components that I need to look at/replace? Thanks
@@KCars To help answer part of your question, I currently drive a completely stock 2001 xj with 250000 miles on it and it has the same issue of not downshifting on a moderately steep incline. So it is most likely the stock gears that cause the issue.
Thanks
unsure on the downshift issue, i'd recommend regearing to 4.10s for 31s. it'll wake the jeep up on acceleration and you'll be able to pull up hills.
my xj is on 35s and 4.88 gears and i have no issue doing 75+ up grades and taking it on long trips
I’ll have to look into going to 4.10s. Some people have recommended adjusting the kick down cable, could that be the solution to the downshift issue? Thanks
@@KCars kickdown cable is something to check/adjust. checking ATF/changing could also help it out. check the TCM fuse. TPS could also be an issue.
Awesome, thanks!
@@KCars no problem. if you have a discord i can help you out more there
@@drmoto8058 can you spell out the acronyms? I'm a neophyte
adjust the kick down cable. It's a simple adjustment. If that doesn't fix it then you may need to re-gear.
Several people have commented these same two solutions. I’ll have to look into these. Thanks!
Good video! We also have Cherokee XJ, but using it more for offroading than higways... :)
Thanks for watching!
Try ACDelco Spark Plugs, it should make the engine a bit doggier.
My stock ‘96 xj has no problems downshifting when it needs to
That’s good. I think I need to adjust my kickdown cable
The XJ's, I have one, hate being rushed while accelerating and when it hits fifth gear it does not want to downshift unless it's almost stalling
True I have the downshifting issue as well. Several people have said that the solution is to adjust the kickdown cable
I wonder if your throttle position sensor is causing the downshifting issue, any codes? I have 2 xjs 2000 model and both downshift fine going up hills
Currently no check engine light codes. This video was filmed back when it was still very cold, around 20-30 F. Last week I drove it in about 50 degrees F and it downshifted fine going uphill at around the same speed. Wonder if the temperature has anything to do with it? Should I change out the TPS and see if anything changes? Thanks
@@KCars I would change fluid and filter with correct mopar fluid to make sure it flows proper at low temperature and if the TPS is not too expensive chage that and clean the throttle body and idle air solenoid, it's an easy project
I’ve done all of that except for replace the TPS, I can’t imagine it would be too expensive
xjs have mechanical down shift not electrical.
Whever I drive above 60 it gets progressively louder, and sounds like a ww2 bomber plane, and makes my ears ring at 70. But why? I replaced everything, new drive shaft, sye, rebuilt transfer case, re-geared to 456, 4" lift, 32" tires. I'm guessing it's the tires, or the Detroit lockers, I don't know. Over inflated tires? My tires are take-offs from a gladiator , have been balanced. Noise lessens when tires are warmed up. What do you guys think? I can't hold a conversation or drive above 60.
What does it sound like it’s coming from? Could also just be wind noise or road noise, they’re not the best insulated vehicles. Could also be the tires
@@KCars underneath, I did put sound mat in. It doesn't seem like wind noise. I'm thinking it's the tires. Oh well
@@sirthrival4601 hmmm ya mine definitely has road noise that sounds like a hum from the tires. I actually kinda like it tbh lol
Ok serious question….why does the lift and 31s creat the inability to accelerate going up a small hill?
I don’t think the lift and tires created that issue. It’s an issue of the Jeep not wanting to downshift. Some people have suggested that I need to adjust the kickdown cable to fix that issue.
Yes
Yes
Speed up with no fear bro it's an amazing car for accelerating what are you saying?? Ill.make a video if necessary
It’s definitely not a fast or quick vehicle but it really isn’t that bad. It’s great at what it was made to do and I can’t really expect it to be able to accelerate quickly
I might get one of these... in 5 speed form... good daily?
The 5 speed will definitely be fun. Yep I like it as a daily, don’t have to worry about any kind of speed bumps or accidentally scraping anything.
Did putting on 31s change the speedometer? Like your actually going slower than the speedometer is showing?
I’m sure there is a slight difference but it’s not noticeable
Have you looked into what the slip yoke/drive shaft would run you when you get around to it? I might lift mine around 2 inches and would like a sense if you got that far in research!
This is the kit that I’d most likely get: www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-driveline-driveshaft/jeep-sye-driveshafts/slip-yoke-eliminator/advance-adapters-sye-tom-wood-cv-driveshaft.html
I got quoted a couple hundred for the install
dont bother with 2 inches. if you are on factory leaf springs they are likely sagged and ruined. mine were very bad and my third time offroad i snapped one. ended up going with a 4.5" lift and 33" tires. I installed a SYE yesterday made a huge difference.
@@OvenBak3d360 preciate the input. I’m after more of an upcountry suspension package look/feel. I can understand where you and others are coming from not spending the effort on a 2 incher. Just some research!
With a 2 inch lift you shouldn't need a SYE. I've had a 2 inch lift on my '01 XJ for 20 years with no SYE and no issues.
cherokee tyres 31,gears 3,73?
i don't understand english, so i'm asking here
Yes the tires are 31 inches. I believe the stock gears are 3.55
@@KCars if you add 4.10 or 4.56, make a video showing the difference of 3.55
Will do👍
@@KCars ;)
That's not normal for it not to downshift.Im on 33s and stock 3.73s and have no problem keeping 75.
A lot of people have suggested that I need to adjust the kickdown cable so that’s probably what my issue is
That is def some slow acceleration trying to pass the semi and having the throttle floored open wide. Have you done anything to adjust or improve acceleration? Something like a throttle body spacer. I'm also wondering if a kickdown cable adjustment could help with the shifting. Cheers
I have not done anything yet but several others have also recommended to adjust the kickdown cable which I need to do, thanks!
@@KCars update: wanted to keep you in the loop.
I adjusted my kickdown cable today and very, very pleased with the results. Driving low throttle, I'll get it to shift 1st into 2nd right below 2000rpm, and 2nd into 3rd right above 2000rpm. Shifting is smooth and I really think it's going to optimize gas mileage for city driving.
Only trouble was that my adjuster (it's a little button mechanism you press with your thumb-- you'll see it if you go to do it) was completely seized and took a solid 20 mins of pb blaster and scrubbing to get it to move even a little bit. Glad I put the effort in, as it's now much more smooth and efficient. YMMV but I'd recommend.
I’ll have to get to it, thanks!
Pinon bearing or gears need reset
What do you mean by resetting the gears? Is that regearing it or something else? Thanks
@@KCars setting the depth of ring gear to pinon ya know it be running to deep or too shallow
Thanks
1 wind gust 📈📈📈📈📈📈📈📈
You’re not wrong😂
@@KCars It’s like a kite with a motor hahaha
😂😂😭
@@KCars I like XJs tho
Me too