Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

If you have a mid-sized Jeep Cherokee, you NEED this book, especially if you plan to drive it off-road or plan to modify it! The book is layed out in a logical order and is surprisingly thorough! The pictures are very detailed and there are more of them than I expected. Where Eric got some of the things he has pictured here, I do not know. I'd go so far as to say that if you have a question about any modification or what mods would be appropriate for your driving style, this book will likely have what you need to know before you start. EVEN which models, by year of production, may be appropriate for what you want to do. I was impressed also by the technical things, what to avoid, how to repair, pro's and cons of many mods, manufacturer recommendations, and tips for the install of the components that may otherwise be overlooked by the manufacturer's directions.

Overall, I'm impressed with my copy and I would certainly recommend it to anyone who is even curious about these tough little vehicles.

P.S.
No, I'm not done with mine, and NO, you can't borrow it.
You need one for yourself! This Amazon deal is the best I've seen for this book. Buy one today!

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.

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!!

I purchased this book and have found the advise in it to be sound. I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering the build up of his Jeep Cherokee (XJ). There is an appendix in the back with a list of on-line wholesalers that is worth having. I also recommend joining NAXJA as this (Jeep Cherokee only) on line community is very helpful in assisting you on what to do, how to do it, and were to get it.

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.

easy and pleasant to read. covers all basic modifications and improvements for off road use . gives a lot of information for the changes of the model through the years so very help full for someone who intents to buy an xj to know what to look for , but also for the owner to know the weak and the strong points of his jeep. you will read it more than once. inspirational and motivating.

Really the only thing I don't like about this book is how the author dosen't go into performance modifications to the 4.0L, 2.5L, or engine swap options. It mainly focuses on things that him and his buddies have done to thier jeeps. Also, he should've added all the parts from other makes/models (junkyard options) that are interchangable with the XJ. Maybe on the revision he could get the guy from Jp Magazine involved. XJ owners (without actually looking inside first) will naturally be drawn to a book with this title. Reccomend not buying. Nothing really new. Just google Jeep Cherokee performance if you don't know what it is you want to do.

I'll come right out and admit it, I was a Toyota guy before I bought my Cherokee.

Now that we've got that off my chest, on to the book... Where to start, this is a valuable resource for anyone like me who has never really dealt with Jeeps (except to give them a tug out of the mud) and I learned a lot even from a first quick read. The tire size/lift charts alone helped save me a couple hundred bucks due to being able to plan my lift and tire purchases to get the right stuff.

That being said, I agree with Wayman's comments that the author could have added a great deal more information on engine performance and a junkyard interchange would have been amazing, even if it only listed common Jeep to Jeep swaps like the KJ liberty to XJ rear brake swap or which Grand Cherokee alternator works best.

If you are new to modding Jeeps and/or want a paper book to help plan your build, this is indispensable and highly recommended. If you already know most of the Jeeper secrets, then feel free to give it a pass as you may not learn much.

This magazine is an informative well written guide to building up your XJ. It gives pros and cons for each modification, and reasons for doing the mods in the first place. It may not have everything, but it is a great place to start and may save a few builders from doing hasty mods and wasting time and money they could save for what they really want long term. You can't beat it for the price! I recommend this product to all XJ owners new and old who want to start modifying their XJ, or are not sure how to get their XJ to the next level.