XJ help....

[gijohn40]

So I'm buying a 89 XJ but it has a problem starting... the selenoid needs to be jumped with a screwdriver.. anyone know of any troubles like this that can be fixed quick? Also all you that have XJ's what lift kits do you all run? I'm thinking either 4 or 6 inch.... :-\

 

[DrMoab]

So I'm buying a 89 XJ but it has a problem starting... the selenoid needs to be jumped with a screwdriver.. anyone know of any troubles like this that can be fixed quick? Also all you that have XJ's what lift kits do you all run? I'm thinking either 4 or 6 inch.... :-\

Yeah...ignition switch on top of the steering collum. Could also be the linkage that goes to the switch from the key switch.

All you need to do is pull the bottom part of the dash out and undo the two bolts holding the collum up and the switch is right there. There is just a rod that goes from that switch to the key. Its really easy to replace.

Thats where I would look first.

As far as lifts...lots of different opinions here but if it were me...looking for a total kit it would be Rubicon Express hands down.

 

[Caleb]

Yeah...ignition switch on top of the steering collum. Could also be the linkage that goes to the switch from the key switch.

All you need to do is pull the bottom part of the dash out and undo the two bolts holding the collum up and the switch is right there. There is just a rod that goes from that switch to the key. Its really easy to replace.

Thats where I would look first.

As far as lifts...lots of different opinions here but if it were me...looking for a total kit it would be Rubicon Express hands down.

what he said...on all accounts I have heard if you have to replace the actual tumbler its kinda a PITA cause you have to pull everything apart. My brother had it done on his cherokee when his key got broke off in the ignition.

 

[mbryson]

Don't you just need a new starter solenoid??????



Oh, and RE 4.5" with 32" tires.........33" if you are willing to trim a little. 4.56 gears.

 

[BCGPER]

Hey, I saw this ugly old lifted blue and silver XJ today. Had some custom bumpers on it too. Your old beast still alive? If not, it's got a twin.

Don't you just need a new starter solenoid??????



Oh, and RE 4.5" with 32" tires.........33" if you are willing to trim a little. 4.56 gears.

 

[gijohn40]

Don't you just need a new starter solenoid??????



Oh, and RE 4.5" with 32" tires.........33" if you are willing to trim a little. 4.56 gears.

I'm thinking the starter solenoid too... and I'll be trimming allot so possible 35" with just a 4.5" lift...

Thanks for everyones advise...

 

[mbryson]

Hey, I saw this ugly old lifted blue and silver XJ today. Had some custom bumpers on it too. Your old beast still alive? If not, it's got a twin.

If you were in Rifle, it was/could have been mine. The guy that bought it told me it would see trails of difficulty I could only dream of? (Ummmm....OK.....I'm not the most bad@ss guy out there, but that XJ did some decent trails, esp. for an XJ) There was a 'twin' in West Valley/Magna area for a while. I wonder if that's the one you saw? Did it have 'character' on the drivers door pillar and quarter panel?

I'm thinking the starter solenoid too... and I'll be trimming allot so possible 35" with just a 4.5" lift...

Thanks for everyones advise...

Doable--I added spacers(front) and a 1" block(rear) to my 4.5" RE lift to get about 5.5-6". You'll need perfectly tuned bumpstops at 4.5" but it would be possible. If you're sticking with the stock axles, I'd stick to 33" tires and lock it up (selectable in the front--I think that saved a lot of broken parts--I only used it when I needed it--most of the time, I ran it open). I don't think I got anything except more broken parts going from 33" to 35".

 

[Caleb]

I'm thinking the starter solenoid too... and I'll be trimming allot so possible 35" with just a 4.5" lift...

Thanks for everyones advise...

my thinking may be wrong but if you can jump the solenoid terminals and have it start that would lead me to believe the solenoid is working but there is something up the line from the solenoid thats not making that connection (refer to the second post for suggestions)

 

[Hickey]

Hey, I saw this ugly old lifted blue and silver XJ today. Had some custom bumpers on it too. Your old beast still alive? If not, it's got a twin.

May have been mine.

 

[gijohn40]

my thinking may be wrong but if you can jump the solenoid terminals and have it start that would lead me to believe the solenoid is working but there is something up the line from the solenoid thats not making that connection (refer to the second post for suggestions)

not really... all your doing is making contact on the two battery leads... bypassing the solenoid all together... its possible that the wire leading from the iginition switch to the solenoid could be bad and not allowing for the solenoid to activate... or the low current side is just not good at all... I'll just need to get in and test once I pick it up on monday....

 

[gijohn40]

so guess what I got tonight.....

I was out looking at the XJ's in the slc area and found me a 91 laredo that has a 3 inch lift on it... in great shape so I bought it!!! pictures tomorrow when I get my camera from my daughter!!!

Now I'm looking for assesories!!!