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Old July 30th 08, 03:56 AM posted to rec.autos.4x4
98XJ
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Posts: 49
Default Help with Jeep Cherokee (XJ) Brake Upgrade

On Fri, 27 Jul 2007 19:39:25 -0700, wrote:

>I have a 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport that I purchased new and I'm looking
>to upgrade the brakes. The vehicle has 132,000 miles, but I believe I
>can get another couple years out of the old gal because she still runs
>strong.
>
>I use my 2005 Grand Cherokee (Rocky Mountain ed) to pull my boat, but
>my wife "encouraged" me to buy a pop-up camper, so I'd like to use my
>old XJ to pull it. It's only 2,800 lbs, but my current XJ brakes suck
>(always have more or less for towing), so I'm looking for any advice
>on upgrading.
>
>Has anyone here done any brake upgrades on their XJ? If so, what have
>you done? Should I replace the master cylinder, upgrade the rear
>drums to disc brakes, something else? I have standard size tires on
>the Jeep and don't plan to upgrade to oversized anytime soon.
>
>I'm lost in high weeds and looking for help! Thanks.
>
>Kevin


Kevin,
This past winter, my '98 XJ needed new rear drums, shoes and wheel
cylinders. Rather than replacing them all, I found a wrecked '07
Liberty and pulled the rear discs. Total cost ~$225.

I started at about 8:00AM pulling the old parts, stopped on the way
home to have the rotors turned (probably was unnecessary), set to work
on my XJ, and could have finished the whole project by that night,
except it took me awhile to determine that the newer hard lines had a
metric connector, and the originals were standard.

I didn't need to change the proportioning valve. The car stops great,
and tracks straight under braking pressure.

Because I used Liberty parts rather than Gr. Cherokee or a Ford
Explorer, it was a straight bolt-on, and my stock 15" wheels still fit
fine.

I highly reccommend it.

My guide was Eric Zappe's, "High Performance Jeep Cherokee XJ
Builder's Guide". Check out
http://www.ericsxj.com/

Good luck.
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