Kevin McNulty
Former Editor, Mud Life
With the economy in the Dumpster, many of us are turning to our older 4x4s for daily driving and adventure rather than purchasing a new vehicle. Keeping these old beaters running efficiently and dependably with aftermarket performance parts is easy, and with regular maintenance the vehicle can be depended upon in the toughest situations.
Recently we completed a number of engine performance upgrades with easy bolt-on components on our old adventure wagon, a '97 Jeep Grand Cherokee. These mods noticeably increased the V-8's power, and the work completed the summer maintenance for the rig, which included an oil and coolant change. The upgrades and maintenance procedures aren't specific to this model engine; most of these steps can be completed on just about any rig. We now feel much better cruising the Jeep across hot deserts and around the country in search of our next off-road adventure.
We picked out a number of performance products and ordered them through Summit Racing Equipment, which was easy and painless. Included in this medley of parts is a Firepower Ignition kit from DUI (Davis Unified Ignition), an Odyssey battery, a Hayden severe-duty fan clutch, a high-volume water pump, a Jet thermostat, upper and lower radiator hoses, a 175-amp Tuff Stuff alternator, and E3 spark plugs.
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