New guy here, been doing some reading on the forum thinking of building up my 97 cherokee sport this summer. Nothing too crazy just want something that looks good, has good clearance and is fun to take off road.

Here is my basic plan

I want to run some 35" MT's undecided on which ones
New rims, looking at some cheap black ones 15"-17"
How much lift do I need, I've seen a few guys running 35"s with a 4.5" lift and the fenders trimmed.

Are these ebay kits worth anything?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-5-X...Q5fAccessories

I'll also want to pick up, or fab a new front and rear bumper with tow hooks.

Would it drive terrible with the stock axles and gears? I won't be doing any crazy off-roading initially so I was planning on saving these for later as im on a tight budget. I'll eventually replace them and do lockers.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated, just need some help making a parts list and getting going in the right direction.

 

Dang... if that's your "nothing too crazy", i'm scared of your crazy.

 

35" is pretty big on a cherokee. I'm running a 6.5" lift with 33" and I can flex my 33" all the way into my fenders and i've trimmed my fenders.
Some other people may have some thoughts on Zone lifts... but IMO i'm not crazy about Zone lifts. Out of all the lifts I have had on my previous vehicles Rough Country is my fav. I abuse my XJ and my lift never fails me. Soft enough I drive it everyday to work but rough enough it doesn't fail me offroading. But that's only my thoughts.

 

Check out www.roughcountry.com for the lift & go with the full leaf packs (NO BLOCKS)! Also dont forget the Tcase drop! Your really gonna wanna regear if you go above 33" tires! As for rims go with 15"s cause you'll find the price if 35" MTs on 17s can be costly!!!

 

if its a car part, off ebay, or from japan/china... probably not good

 

x2!!!!

 

I would stay away from 35s if you dont do too much wheelin. Mine only has a 4.5'' homemade crappy lift, and 31'' m/ts and it will go anywhere you point it. I only get stuck when I suck in a bunch of water and blow up my motor( which I've done twice now, I really need a snorkel lol)

 

What do you guys think about this lift with 35"s?

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_6x.html

I really want to go with 35"s for that little extra clearance, theres a few trails around here that the guys with 33"s really struggle with and get stuck on, but the guys with 35"s rarely have problems. little bit of bottoming out.

 

How is this parts list looking

Rough country 6" suspension lift
35" Mts
15" Amercian racing mojave flat black 8-10 wide
SYE
Bushwacker fender cut flares

Thats probably all I'll be able to afford this summer and should be a good start anything I'm overlooking?

 

I have a Zone kit in my jeep, they are usually made by RC, RE, Skyjacker ...etc and I have no complaints about mine. The coils are from RC as are the AAL and shocks as far as the other other materials I have no idea who makes them but they work and have been for 1 1/2 years now with no problems...Tj

 

that RC 6.5 lift is very nice i am going to be getting it in a few months, 35's your going to have to re Gear my man, whats your rear axle if its a thurdy five you might as well upgrade now before it breaks on ya with 35's the gears i would recommend would be 4.88's i would say go higher but you stock dana 30 cant.

 

I can almost guarantee you that you will end up spending over 3 grand for all that. maybe even more if you keep breaking other things in the process.