High-Performance Jeep Cherokee XJ Builder's Guide 1984-2001 (S-A Design)

By Eric Zappe

Ready to turn your Jeep Cherokee XJ into a trail-worthy machine? Why not? With two available 4-wheel-drive systems, solid axles front and rear, and a torquey 4.0-liter straight 6, the Cherokee is a very capable machine, especially when it's modified the right way. This book isn't about cutting apart your Cherokee to build an over-the-top, off-road-only rock crawler (though you can take it there), and it isn't about building a jacked-up, chrome-covered show rig either. This book is about building a useful, capable Cherokee for mountains, the mud, the desert, the street, and everywhere in between. With the modifications explained on these pages, your Cherokee can take you and yours just about everywhere you want to go - and get you back safely. Author Eric Zappe explains how to upgrade your Cherokee's suspension, axles, differentials, engine, transfer case, wheels and tires, skid plates, and more, using aftermarket and salvage yard upgrades. Zappe even has special sections covering basic driving and recovery techniques, and a number of built-up Jeeps to give you ideas for your own Cherokee. Also included is a detailed account of a group of XJs making a run through the famous Rubicon trail.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1932494146
• ISBN13: 9781932494143
• Release Date: June 2006
• Publisher: Cartech Inc
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 11.0" x 0.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Must have for Cherokee(XJ) Owner

Must have for all Jeep Cherokee(XJ) Owner who want to build up his/her rig. Price is cheap for the amount of informations and photographs that are included in this easy to read layout.

Want to customize your XJ? Read this first.

Other reviews have already said it better. But this really is the must-buy guide for anyone interested in customizing a Jeep Cherokee XJ. Even if you are experienced with off-road customizations, you'll likely learn a thing or two from this book. The guide is broken down into several different sections each dedicated to a different system and what you might consider upgrading there. Sections include suspension, wheels and tires, steering and brakes, axles and gearing, transfer case, engine and transmission, body upgrades, and skid plates and recovery. The book continues by highlighting several featured Cherokees and describing the various parts and upgrades that went into them, all with detailed color photos. I've already got several new ideas for my own XJ after reading this builder's guide, and have discovered several cost saving alternatives to my original customizing plan. Basically, this book paid for itself. This guide is worth every penny. Buy it.

A must-have for every XJ Cherokee owner!!

This book is a definate must-have for every XJ Cherokee owner. If you intend modifying your Jeep or even if you just want to find out what is possible with your Jeep, this is the book to have. It covers every aspect from suspension, wheels, tyres, drivetrain, bumpers, skidplates, etc, etc. It really is comprehensive and there are numerous beautiful colour photos of Jeeps in action. A number of modified Jeeps are also featured with details of their mods that will give any owner thinking of doing the same great ideas as to how he/she should progress. The author is also still an active member and moderator on the Jeepforum which means he keeps abreast with all things Jeep. This book easily gets my five stars!!

Jeep Cherokee XJ Classic

This is THE book to get for your Jeep Cherokee XJ. It's well written and extremely thorough. The project descriptions are carefully researched, and the book is crammed with color photos to make things as clear as possible. This isn't some fluff piece or magazine reprint, it's the single best resource of Jeep XJ data available. With this book and with average tools and average ability, you can do pretty much any of the modifications listed in the comfort of your garage or driveway, and there are tons of mods to do! If you want to improve your Jeep XJ, from mild to wild, start here.