I have owned 3 different jeeps over the past couple years, 2 Cherokees (96 & Currently own a 98) and I had a Liberty for a while in between there. I never really wanted to mod anything on them up until now. I want to start building up my motor and don't really know where to start. Budget really isn't an issue, as I plan on doing most of this stuff over time. I have a 4.0 stock motor with 142xxx miles as of right now. I don't want to do rock crawling or any serious mudding, I want to give the engine some larger ***** so I can lift it and make it more "capable" to say. I live in MI, so the sand dunes are probably my first target. Any suggestions? I was looking at Intake systems, bored out throttle bodys (not just a spacer) to start. Am I on the right track?

 

If budget doesn't matter do a ls1 swap.

 

I would go this route if I had more resources available to me, but ATM I do not. However, for the foreseeable future, I think building the existing motor is the route I would most likely choose.

A V8 Cherokee is almost too good to be true though That would be the ultimate engine swap.

 

Honestly, I have come to realize that there aren't really many mods that will turn the 4.0 into a monster. It is a great engine that will last forever and has plenty of power right out of the box.
That being said, I am on my 3rd XJ. My first one I had a tb spacer, intake, exhaust and I was happy with it.
I wouldn't try to do anything crazy but a few mods I would suggest would be:
TB spacer, I know they don't do much of anything, but I like the sound it makes and it does make the throttle a little more sensitive IMO
Exhaust system, I went with Dynomax super turbo cat-back system
Simple cool air intake, Rustys/DIY autozone/ I wouldn't spend a ton on a air intake system since it doesn't net you very much hp. Again this is just my opinion
Tune up and routine maintenance, this is what killed my 92, with only 120K on it. I wheeled the hell out of it and ignored simple problems and those small problems turned into big problems...live and learn

I like the exhaust system the best because you can hear what you put your money into, and you will notice the power.

If you are building it from the ground up....Stroker! I don't know a whole lot about the stroker kits but those that do them say they are very very worth it.

 

headers!!! and a nice muffler!!!

my dream..... http://www.quadratec.com/products/77601_802_07.htm

http://www.quadratec.com/products/77603_801_07.htm

 

I would start with intake and exhaust. KnN, cat back system, highflow cat, maybe a tb spacer.