Here is a modification that all Cherokee owners will love. Whether you
love the back country, crawling the rocks, spinning the mud or just
crusing down town who wouldn't want more power from their Jeep? In fact
who wouldn't want more power, a better sounding exhaust, a better
sounding intake for very little cash? And to top it off... it's easy to
install!
Yep, if
you are anything like me, I've got you interested. As I was talking to
Rusty at Rusty's Off Road he explained his "Exhaust System"
which consists of a Flowmaster muffler and a 2.5" aluminized
tailpipe with chrome tip for the mere price of $139.00. He also then
expained he had develped an air tube ($19.95) for the XJ that utilized a
conical K&N air filter ($29.95) for a total of less than $50.00. So
for under $200 you can have a full catback exhaust system and a new
K&N air filter setup!
First off
I am really happy with this system. It's my job to inform you guys/gals
of the good deals out there and this is one of them. I had been on a
search for a good catback exhaust system for Project X for a while now.
For the most part they are pretty expensive, especially when you start
thinking stainless steel or aluminum which is well worth it. Hey if your
gonna do it, do it once and do it right.
Ok, so
now your thinking "This sounds good, but how do I go about getting
my old exhaust off?" well, it may be easier than you think. There
are two ways to go about this. First if you have the tools, it's fairly
simple to do yourself. These tools include a suitable ratchet and socket
for the exhaust hangers, preferably an impact gun, and a set of torches.
OOHHH you say, I don't have torches. Not to worry, procede to the second
alternative, take the Cherokee to your local gas station or similar and
they will probably charge a small fee ($15-20) to take off the old
system. If you're lucky, they will also get rid of it for you. Since I
also don't have a set of torches, I opted for a combination of 1 and 2.
I loosened all the clamps that I could, and left the exhaust hanging
from the rear hanger. I then drove about a mile to the gas station
service center and the gentelman cleanly took the exhaust the rest of
the way off.
Follow these easy steps:
1. Remove clamp between muffler and catalitic converter.
2. Remove clamp at end of tailpipe next to gas tank.
3. Remove hanger from rubber mount.
4. Install muffler and slightly tighten clamp to hold it in place, be
sure to get it square.
5. Install tailpipe into muffler and into rubber hanger (see step 3) be
sure to get it square at the TAILPIPE exiting the vehicle (I made this
mistake). One thing you may have to modify here. The bracket holding the
stock tailpipe extends towards the back of the Jeep. If you use the
location as it is, you either have to stress it very far back or clamp
it around the chrome tip. It was fairly easy to just flip the hanger so
that it pointed towards the front of the Jeep. Click on the picture
below, it says 1000 words.
6. Remember I told you to square the exhaust at the back of the Jeep?
This is what it looks like if you don't. However if you do, don't fret,
it's fairly easy to fix. Just loosen the clamps and rotate.
You will notice while installing the tailpipe that it is mandrel bent
with perfect bends all the way through. Now, go back to all the clamps
and loosen and reposition them in a direction that hangs down the
lowest. This is sometimes difficult, but will pay off on the trail. Now,
get in and start it up. I'm sure you'll be pleased with the sound that
you hear.
Next we
will move on to installing the Air Tube. If you thought the exhaust
system was tough, this will be a breeze and only takes about 10-15
minutes. The Air Tube replaces the stock air box and air filter and
replaces it with a steel tube with a mounting bracket and spigot for the
breather hose.
Follow
this simple procedure:
- Remove
the airbox cover, as if to replace the stock filter.
- Once
you have the filter removed, remove the 2 bolts and 1 nut holding
the box to the frame (all shown with circles in the
"During" Picture).
- Next
slide the Air Tube bracket over the rear stud that held the airbox
down and slightly tighten the nut (circle in the picture).
- Slide
the stock rubber intake hose over the end of the Air Tube and
completely tighten the clamp (square in the picture).
- Check
the fit of the breather hose (rectangle in the picture) you may have
to slightly trim it to fit. Then slide it on the Air Tube.
- Now
finish tightening the nut on the bracket (circle in picture).
- Finish
by installing the K&N air filter on the other end of the Air
Tube and tighten clamp.
 |  |
| During
| After |
That's it!
You will notice when you start the Cherokee the increased intake sound.
You can really hear what the engine is doing as it revs through the RPMs.
The last big question may be, "How does it perform?" Well,
I've never been one to notice much difference from seat of the pants
performance, but I can definitly tell there is more power than before.
It is especially noticable off the line, and while traversing steep
hills, where it once used to want to down shift, it now climbs strong.
Also, the sound that the exhaust and air tube give off are by no means
annoying. In fact I can't hear either one over the hum of the Goodyear
MT's going down the highway. The exhaust and Air Tube sound is most
noticeable at idle and high RPMs. For a true bang for your buck
performance upgrade, this one will be hard to beat. Congratulations
Rusty, job well done!For
Product Info Contact
Rusty's Off Road Products
213 Oak St.
Trussville, AL 35173
205-655-8714
Rusty@rustysoffroad.com
http://www.rustysoffroad.com/
By - J.R.
Farrar
