How to start? I have almost no experience working on vehicles, but i do know how to use tools and follow directions. I am about to start working on my 1997 cherokee and need to finish it by July...if the rain ever stops.


The work that needs to get done is:
S10 Bastard pack
Transfer case drop (with hockey pucks apparently)
Front and Rear Shocks (Bilstein 5100 $80/piece...still looking cheaper of same kind)
Rear brakes
Extend Rear brake lines
Trim fender flares (i would rather get some cheap replacement that would look better than what i have because the monkey of a mechanic that did them mickey moused the things on there)

The only one that doesn't look like complete crap:

Fender flares are on the backburner for now, but will be done soon.

Basically what i want to know is the order i should do this work in, all the parts i will need, any special tools needed so i can start looking around, and any helpful information dealing with the mechanical aspect.

 

Howler GT on here offers a nice extender for the rear brake line.

 

So do you have the s10 pack already? what are you going to lift the front with? coil spacers?

The TC drop should happen after you get the XJ lifted. The brake lines as you lift it as well. DO NOT CHEAP out on the brake lines, it is not worth saving a few bucks. Buy a kit, rusty's are awesome IMO.

Good luck and take pictures as you go.

 

yup they are cheap and easy to do. and what is the intended use of this heep and how much can you do your self

 

How much Lift is you goal? What are plan for front? I'd start with the lift. Fix or replace flares as needed, Lifting will cause some changes to be needed. Brakes and Tires next. Wait on TC drop and/or pinion shims, till after lift, depending the characteristic of your Jeep and the amount of lift will determine need and amount. Might require SYE, instead.

Tools basic hand tools Met/SAE, Torque Wrench, Breaker Bar, BFH or 2, Jack Stands at least 4, Bottle Jack (stock jack), Floor Jack, Coil Compressors, 1-2 Ratchet Straps.

I've done all of the work you listed and more with that list. In fact except for the stands and floor jack, all of the tools I would need to use for this type of work are in my tool kit under the back seat, all the time.

 

most of the stuff you are doing is pretty straight forward no special tools required maybe a coil spring compressor but not always make sure to bleed brakes after brakelines are installed if you go with new lines that is very important as for order lift it and put on brakelines shocks and tcase drop at the same time fenderflares can go on whenever you might just want to get stock flares they can be had cheap and are tough check out my alblum to see what the flares look like mines a 96 but you will get the general idea good luck with the build

 

I dont have anything ATM since i wasn't too sure on what i was doing. I only intend on lifting the back 1"-1.5". Trust me, there will be more pics than you know what to do with once i get started.

 

If you just looking for 1-1.5" you can do that with a set of extended shackles for the rear, and new shocks(optional, recommended)

 

Start with the Tech section here and also try www.naxja.org both have many posts and technical write ups on everything you mention.
Before I did that I would buy a service manual and read it cover to cover.

 

Should i do the bastard pack and shackles, or would it be fine with just the leafs?

 

Here's some pics of underneath, yes I know its a rusty heap (thanks to Washington/New Hampshire weather). Should I be getting all new leaves or just add the S10 leaves, maybe mix n match?