Newbie

[SavageCherokee]

I am a convert to the Cherokee life. Was gonna build up a Comanche but changed my mind as I have kids and Comanche did not fit what I wanted to do . What I need is advice . I picked up a 97 Cherokee 4 dr Selec Trac last weekend for 2500. Has 112000 miles and I want to get your input . It will be a daily driver and I want to run 31x12.5 tire or a 32x11.50 tire . I want to keep the cog low. I wheel 2-3 weekend a month , not rock crawling just off roadin . I want a good street ride and decent performance off road. I have a D44 rear end I got from a friend . Anyways I need your suggestions on lifts and Limited Slips or Lockers . I would like to have the Ravine wheels that come on tjs but I also like the Black rock crawlers. Remeber I have the full time transfer case . I have decided on the 4:10 gears . I also have a 8.8 rear exploer axle with discs that I could use . I want the ideal set up for my needs . Just needs to be dependable and ride good and perform off road . So fire away with any suggestions . Also will the gear set from a dakota 242hd fit the jeep version to make it stronger ? Any tire opinion on the pro comp xterains.What about any thoughts on fiberglass fenders?

 

[VegasAnthony]

replace the radiator with a 3 core GDI

IMO you dont have to beef up the T case for what yoiu have planned ..

If yoiu really want to keep the COG down yoiu are going to have to trim the fenders
otherwise fitting 32" tires is gonna be a 6.5" lift

trim the fenders and yoiu can go with a 4" lift

Im guessing yoiu have a Dana 35 ..no need to put in a 8.8 yoiu have a Crysler 8.25

 

[Lawn Cher']

Whoa, lots of questions. Sounds like you found a great platform to start with, and either of your available rear axle upgrades will be great for the size tires you mention. The 8.8 should have disc brakes already, which is an advantage over the D44... however the D44 is the correct width and a bolt-in axle.

You'd probably like a OME lift to fit the 31's, they are reported to have an excellent ride.

 

[IdahoEagle]

replace the radiator with a 3 core GDI

IMO you dont have to beef up the T case for what yoiu have planned ..

If yoiu really want to keep the COG down yoiu are going to have to trim the fenders
otherwise fitting 32" tires is gonna be a 6.5" lift

trim the fenders and yoiu can go with a 4" lift

Im guessing yoiu have a Dana 35 ..no need to put in a 8.8 yoiu have a Crysler 8.25

Why would he have to trim with the 4" or go as big as a 6.5" in order to clear 31s or 32s? He can keep it pretty mild and go as small as a 3" and make that work. a 4" would be the best overall. Rusty's sells their 4.5" in a long arm if you want to keep it small and flex like crazy. Just a thought.

 

[wil4thril]

I think a good 3.5" with the JKS arms would work fine for the 31's and be very streetable. Get the disco's for flex and it is your call on the rear. SYE for reliablity. 2500 is a pretty good buy so you are already ahead of the game....good luck and keep an eye on this forum for ideas. But are 31/32's really all..........?????

will

 

[SavageCherokee]

Oh I almost forgot . Since I won't have a pickup bed I will have a 5x8 trailer and need a hitch . Any suggestions ? Makes me little wearry since its a unibody as to which hitch to get.

What kind of rear and front traction adders do you guys recomend . Could you adapt the Factory rubicon lsd/locker to the 44 I have ?

I used to work at an off road shop a few years ago and just did not pay attention to the Cherokee stuff . Mainly cause my buddy had an AMC eagle and that thing was a piece . Any I swore never to have anything amc. But now i see how crazy I was not to pay attention to the specially the last gen ones man they are really awesome simplistic vehicles . Something that is very rare these days.

 

[VegasAnthony]

Why would he have to trim with the 4" or go as big as a 6.5" in order to clear 31s or 32s? He can keep it pretty mild and go as small as a 3" and make that work. a 4" would be the best overall. Rusty's sells their 4.5" in a long arm if you want to keep it small and flex like crazy. Just a thought.

OK if he uses big arse bumpstops he could get away with 3"
and limit his uptravel..

anyway ya put it .........best way to get COG= trimming

 

[ILLXJ]

Here are my opinions. But first a ? Do you want 31x12.5's or do you mean 31x10.5's? With 31x10.5's you can run your stock rims, any thing wider you will have to get rims w/different backspacing. A 3" lift will work for 31's if you want to trim the fenders 32's should fit. As for the rear end what do you have now? If you have ABS you have the D35. If you don't you may have the 8.25. If you have the 8.25 I would just regear & lock it. As for gears I would go 4.56's. I ran 31's & 4.56's for about 6 months & loved it. A lot of people say if you lock the front you will lose the FT option. You will need a SYE. As to which lift & lockers do a search & you will find more than you can read in a week. For a hitch find one for a XJ. Don't get a universial one. For mounting use the factory nut strips from the dealer. On a 97 the right one should already be there. These are handy because the gas tank skid also mounts to them.
Remember these are only my opinions. I'm sure someone will disagree with me. For what it's worth here is mine on 2 3/4" & fender trimming w/31's.

HTH. JIM.

 

[DaffyXJ]

Oh I almost forgot . Since I won't have a pickup bed I will have a 5x8 trailer and need a hitch . Any suggestions ? Makes me little wearry since its a unibody as to which hitch to get.

What kind of rear and front traction adders do you guys recomend . Could you adapt the Factory rubicon lsd/locker to the 44 I have ?

I used to work at an off road shop a few years ago and just did not pay attention to the Cherokee stuff . Mainly cause my buddy had an AMC eagle and that thing was a piece . Any I swore never to have anything amc. But now i see how crazy I was not to pay attention to the specially the last gen ones man they are really awesome simplistic vehicles . Something that is very rare these days.

I used a drawtite class three hitch on my 01. I put Rusty's 4.5 inch lift (Fixed lowers, stock uppers) and had 32's on it. No trimming, worked great. Did run 15x8 with 4.75 BS rims to keep the tires inside the fenders.
Heres a pic back in 02 after the first lift.
http://www.tqci.net/~scot/xjindex/daffyxj.jpg

And for giggles how it looks now. :gag:
http://www.tqci.net/~scot/nicerocka.jpg