So we have a 89 Cherokee with 216k miles, not all the time but sometimes whenever you would turn left (it doesn't happen as often if you turn right) but the steering wheel will lock up and not budge, it's pretty scary feeling honestly , the steering shaft isn't making contact with anything in the engine bay so it's not hitting anything, next thought was maybe the u joints in the steering shaft are bad? Could that be? If not what else?

 

Lifted with stock track bar ?

 

Sorry should of mentioned, all stock components at stock height

 

Then id say balljoints or axle u joints binding.

 

while i am no expert but i had to disagree with the above, a ujoint would make rotational noise and would make the steering wheel rock back and forth while turning and moving. Of course he didnt say if it was doing it while moving or not. And a ball joint i dunno i just dont see it freezeing up and than letting go.
any chance the cylinder lock is dragging?

 

Might have to start disconnecting things- start with the input to the steering box, then the pitman arm...checking along the way for anything loose, rough or binding when you turn the steering wheel.
When it locks up, what do you do to get it loose again? Any noises?

 

So everything in the engine bay is fine , it's not binding anywhere under there, it only happens when driving and when it happens I usually try and slow down and turn it the opposite direction as hard as I can to unlock it for say, there's no odd noises or vibes anywhere, and it doesn't do it all the time only sometimes and it only seems to do it when you turn left

 

Id pull steering wheel and have a look .

 

That's what I was thinking maybe something in the column

 

Sounds like the wheel lock to me. It's behind the wheel. You needs a couple special tools to remove the plate. There's a write up on this.

 

Do you have a link?

 

same aspect .