Project: Black Betty
08-18-2015, 02:30 PM
#1
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Project: Black Betty
2000 Jeep Cherokee SE
4.0L I6
AW4 Transmission
NP231
Dana 30 Front
C8.25 Rear
3.55 Gear Ratio
142,000 Miles
Purchased her about 2 months ago in my home state of South Carolina in fairly good condition and a very clean interior. This is my first Jeep so I'm pretty excited to start working on it.
Already purchased new tires General Grabbers AT2 30x9.5x15 along with some used Grizzly Jeep Wheels(CL $100 for all 4), Upcountry front coils and rear leafs, and a Rough Country 1.5 BB kit. Hoping the coils, springs, and BB kit will be here by this weekend.
This will be my DD so I don't want to get to crazy with the tires or lift yet. Figured I would keep it simple.
Future plans for now in no certain order are:
General Maintenance
Window Tint
New Radio and Speakers
Lighting
Hitch and Front Tow Hooks
ZJ Steering Upgrade
Currently repainting Bumpers and Fender Flares.
Also redid my headliner with rattle can bed liner.
4.0L I6
AW4 Transmission
NP231
Dana 30 Front
C8.25 Rear
3.55 Gear Ratio
142,000 Miles
Purchased her about 2 months ago in my home state of South Carolina in fairly good condition and a very clean interior. This is my first Jeep so I'm pretty excited to start working on it.
Already purchased new tires General Grabbers AT2 30x9.5x15 along with some used Grizzly Jeep Wheels(CL $100 for all 4), Upcountry front coils and rear leafs, and a Rough Country 1.5 BB kit. Hoping the coils, springs, and BB kit will be here by this weekend.
This will be my DD so I don't want to get to crazy with the tires or lift yet. Figured I would keep it simple.
Future plans for now in no certain order are:
General Maintenance
Window Tint
New Radio and Speakers
Lighting
Hitch and Front Tow Hooks
ZJ Steering Upgrade
Currently repainting Bumpers and Fender Flares.
Also redid my headliner with rattle can bed liner.
Last edited by BuddhaJeeper; 08-18-2015 at 09:30 PM. Reason: Spelling and Grammar
08-28-2015, 09:36 PM
#2
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Upcountry leaf and coil springs
1.5 Rough Country BB Kit
30x9.5x15 General Grabber AT2s
Jeep Grizzly Wheels
There is a slight drive line vibe at @35mph. Going to install a Rubicon Express Transfer Case Lowering kit.
Painted bumpers and fender flares gloss black. Still need to repaint rear hatch
1.5 Rough Country BB Kit
30x9.5x15 General Grabber AT2s
Jeep Grizzly Wheels
There is a slight drive line vibe at @35mph. Going to install a Rubicon Express Transfer Case Lowering kit.
Painted bumpers and fender flares gloss black. Still need to repaint rear hatch
Last edited by BuddhaJeeper; 02-24-2016 at 08:15 AM. Reason: spelling
06-23-2017, 06:47 PM
#3
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Wow so its a been a long while since I've looked at my build thread. Guess I could update it a little. I've since redid my lift and added some tires and wheels and some general maintenance
I decided to go with a 3" Zone kit and added some Iron Rock Offroad short arms and track bar. HD No Lift Shackle Relocaton Boxes. Kept the RC shackles(Upgraded!). Added a 3/4" coil spring spacer. I was sitting at a little over 4" of lift total at that point. I need to remeasure and see if she settled any. Sold the slightly used Crown Leafs, Moog Springs, RC Shocks, Grizzly Wheels, General Grabber ATs and IRO shackles to my GF's brother. His Jeep is sitting behind mine in the first pic.
Moog sway bar bushings.
Extended front and rear brake lines.
I went with some 31x10.5x16 Falken Wildpeak AT3s and Ion Alloy 171 Black Wheels.
I also swapped out my LP Dana 30 for a HP and added new Spicer ball joints, axle side control arm bushings, Timken unit bearings and new pads and rotors
Upgraded to a new ZJ steering set up with a new steering stabilizer.
Rebuilt my front driveshaft and added new axle shaft u joints(all Spicer parts)
Rear disc brake swap(Thanks Big David!) with G2 E-Brake Cables
Added a SYE, Adam's Driveshaft and a 4 degree shim in the rear.
Finally found a shop that would do an alignment(CS Motorsports in Gastonia, NC). Most shops didn't want to mess with it because of the lift and adjustable control arms. They would look at me like I was crazy when I told them to adjust the caster too.
Addressed some oil leaks. Oil Filter Adapter, Rear Main Seal and Oil Pan.
Changed Diff and Tranny fluids.
Ripped out my old headliner and applied some truck bed textured paint.
I think that pretty much sums it up for now. I'll throw in some pics in my next post. I also keep editing this post because I'll remember more stuff I did.
I decided to go with a 3" Zone kit and added some Iron Rock Offroad short arms and track bar. HD No Lift Shackle Relocaton Boxes. Kept the RC shackles(Upgraded!). Added a 3/4" coil spring spacer. I was sitting at a little over 4" of lift total at that point. I need to remeasure and see if she settled any. Sold the slightly used Crown Leafs, Moog Springs, RC Shocks, Grizzly Wheels, General Grabber ATs and IRO shackles to my GF's brother. His Jeep is sitting behind mine in the first pic.
Moog sway bar bushings.
Extended front and rear brake lines.
I went with some 31x10.5x16 Falken Wildpeak AT3s and Ion Alloy 171 Black Wheels.
I also swapped out my LP Dana 30 for a HP and added new Spicer ball joints, axle side control arm bushings, Timken unit bearings and new pads and rotors
Upgraded to a new ZJ steering set up with a new steering stabilizer.
Rebuilt my front driveshaft and added new axle shaft u joints(all Spicer parts)
Rear disc brake swap(Thanks Big David!) with G2 E-Brake Cables
Added a SYE, Adam's Driveshaft and a 4 degree shim in the rear.
Finally found a shop that would do an alignment(CS Motorsports in Gastonia, NC). Most shops didn't want to mess with it because of the lift and adjustable control arms. They would look at me like I was crazy when I told them to adjust the caster too.
Addressed some oil leaks. Oil Filter Adapter, Rear Main Seal and Oil Pan.
Changed Diff and Tranny fluids.
Ripped out my old headliner and applied some truck bed textured paint.
I think that pretty much sums it up for now. I'll throw in some pics in my next post. I also keep editing this post because I'll remember more stuff I did.
Last edited by BuddhaJeeper; 07-04-2017 at 03:05 PM.
06-23-2017, 07:24 PM
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Just got finished up installing the head light harness upgrade(Thanks to jhc7793). Installed new sealed beams for now until I decide if I want to go with the H4 upgrade or Truck Lites.
Next on the list is...
1. New Shackles...the IRO ones didn't fit in the HD Relocation Brackets =
2. Window Tint and Rain Guards
3. Gauge Cluster
4. LED lighting from One Way(already purchased).
5. Over Head Console and Harness install(already purchased).
6. Noico Sound Deadener
7. Stereo and Speakers
8. New Headlights(H4 upgrade or Truck Lites) smoke side markers and turn signals
9. Fog/Driving Lights
10. Sway Bar Quick Disconnects
= done(shamelessly stole this idea from CurrySoSpicey)
After that probably going to tackle the exhaust and replace some sensors. Try to improve my gas mileage a little. I also have the 4 Hole Injectors(Thanks jhc7793!) waiting to be installed.
I'll try to do better at keeping this thread updated but I'm terrible at taking pics. Once I get started with a project I forget to take the time for pictures.
Clearwater Head swap, bumpers, sliders, skids, cowl air intake(thor or piece together a spectre?), bushwhacker flat flares, ZJ or WJ front seat swap, Wet Okole seat covers, new floor and cargo mats(rugged ridge), regear and lockers(spartans or aussie?) are all on my wish list as well.
Next on the list is...
1. New Shackles...the IRO ones didn't fit in the HD Relocation Brackets =
2. Window Tint and Rain Guards
3. Gauge Cluster
4. LED lighting from One Way(already purchased).
5. Over Head Console and Harness install(already purchased).
6. Noico Sound Deadener
7. Stereo and Speakers
8. New Headlights(H4 upgrade or Truck Lites) smoke side markers and turn signals
9. Fog/Driving Lights
10. Sway Bar Quick Disconnects
= done(shamelessly stole this idea from CurrySoSpicey)After that probably going to tackle the exhaust and replace some sensors. Try to improve my gas mileage a little. I also have the 4 Hole Injectors(Thanks jhc7793!) waiting to be installed.
I'll try to do better at keeping this thread updated but I'm terrible at taking pics. Once I get started with a project I forget to take the time for pictures.
Clearwater Head swap, bumpers, sliders, skids, cowl air intake(thor or piece together a spectre?), bushwhacker flat flares, ZJ or WJ front seat swap, Wet Okole seat covers, new floor and cargo mats(rugged ridge), regear and lockers(spartans or aussie?) are all on my wish list as well.
Last edited by BuddhaJeeper; 04-24-2018 at 08:02 AM.
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06-24-2017, 11:25 AM
#8
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Yakima Roof Rails
My brother just dropped off his old Yakima Roof Rails and Wind Fairing. Kind of a surprise and he didn't want anything for them. Figured what the heck free is for me 
Took about an hour to install. Removed the old system and slid the factory roof rails off. Reinstalled the slider rails attached to the roof. Mounted the Yakima bars with gutter mounts.
Took about an hour to install. Removed the old system and slid the factory roof rails off. Reinstalled the slider rails attached to the roof. Mounted the Yakima bars with gutter mounts.
Last edited by BuddhaJeeper; 06-24-2017 at 04:22 PM.
06-24-2017, 04:35 PM
#9
Seasoned Member
Nice looking rig!
A question for you... You said the IRO shackles didn't fit in the HD No Lift relocation brackets? Do you mean the IRO shackles were too wide for the brackets? And did you have the boomerang shackles?
I have the IRO boomerang shackles and had been considering the No Lift relocation brackets, so this is news to me.
A question for you... You said the IRO shackles didn't fit in the HD No Lift relocation brackets? Do you mean the IRO shackles were too wide for the brackets? And did you have the boomerang shackles?
I have the IRO boomerang shackles and had been considering the No Lift relocation brackets, so this is news to me.
06-24-2017, 05:03 PM
#10
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Thanks!
I had these http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10456.html and yes they were too wide. They would only fit in the lower holes of the brackets and even then the sides of the shackle would not move freely in the bracket if that makes sense.
I'm thinking of going with a boomerang shackle myself. Something like these http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10457.html
I had these http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10456.html and yes they were too wide. They would only fit in the lower holes of the brackets and even then the sides of the shackle would not move freely in the bracket if that makes sense.
I'm thinking of going with a boomerang shackle myself. Something like these http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10457.html
Last edited by BuddhaJeeper; 06-24-2017 at 05:07 PM.
06-24-2017, 06:28 PM
#11
Seasoned Member
Thanks for the info. I have the shackles from your second link. I wonder if they would fit in the relocation brackets? Overall I have been happy with those boomerangs so far.
06-25-2017, 09:13 AM
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
I was just looking at boomerang shackles online and there's so many options to choose from.
The boostwerks look amazing but out of my price range. http://www.boostwerksengineering.com...les-_p_24.html
The IROs but I'm a bit skeptical since the other ones I had didn't work with the HD relocation brackets. http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10457.html
Rubicon Express is what I'm leaning toward
Then there is Rusty's http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-su...-shackles.html
JKS
Decisions Decisions
The boostwerks look amazing but out of my price range. http://www.boostwerksengineering.com...les-_p_24.html
The IROs but I'm a bit skeptical since the other ones I had didn't work with the HD relocation brackets. http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/10457.html
Rubicon Express is what I'm leaning toward
Then there is Rusty's http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-su...-shackles.html
JKS
Decisions Decisions
07-03-2017, 10:13 AM
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Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
Rubicon Express Boomerang Shackles
So I decided on the RE Boomerang Shackles. Ordered them Friday afternoon from Amazon and they showed up Sunday morning @10 am.
The install went fairly smoothly although they did require some effort to get them over my Zone leaf spring bushings.
These things are a lot more beefier than the Rough Country ones and allow for full movement in my HD Off Road relocation brackets. They measure 6 inches from the center of each hole if anyone was wondering.
Shot a few squirts of Lucas grease in the zerk fittings and everything is working accordingly.
The install went fairly smoothly although they did require some effort to get them over my Zone leaf spring bushings.
These things are a lot more beefier than the Rough Country ones and allow for full movement in my HD Off Road relocation brackets. They measure 6 inches from the center of each hole if anyone was wondering.
Shot a few squirts of Lucas grease in the zerk fittings and everything is working accordingly.
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