elkwagn

So I just bought a Cherokee, and I need help making this thing safe to drive. This thing will change lanes in a heartbeat even at speeds as low as 45mph! It is a two handed driver at any speed, and so far I am afraid to go over 50, it also srings a little funny over bumps. So here is what I know so far about the lift (guy I bought it from was a moron who traded into it), it has what looks like 6" of lift with springs front and rear(springs in front say Rusty's), drop brackets for rough Country lower arms, explorer pro comp shocks, Rancho stabilizer, 33X12.50 BFG tires on soft 10's, and sway bar disconnects. It rides nice and is very flexy but dangerous on the road. I think it needs new bushings nearly everywhere and that may help but any other thoughts would be nice. Good thing is I bought it very cheap and it runs great and is a loaded 97 sport.

posjeepxj

How do the steering angles look? i bet thats a good part of the issue

Hommersimpson

start replacing bushings.. and maybe lower it just a few inches.. all you can start doing...how much ya pay for it ?

leo3000

X2!

get a front end allignment. and look to see if you have an sye, i sure hope you do at 6inches. and also look to see if you have an HP or LP rear axle, it looks like you have an LP by the looks of that driveshaft angle...

do you know what gears you have, if they are stock it proly is slo and you proly are getting terrible mileage...

greasy

Check steering linkage for wear then check toe in. Toed out will make one drive like s***.

elkwagn

To be honest I wouldn't know a bad steering angle from a good one, not that I am not mechanically inclined (I have built and raced many dirt track cars), but I dont know Jack about steering components. As far as lowering it I may consider that at some point if I cant make it safe to drive, but it has leafs in the back with no blocks and I dont want to buy new springs. I paid $2200 for it!

mwdouglas

check your tie rod ends and go over every bolt in the front end plus check all your bushings mine is the same way but at 65 and i found some of the bolts loose and the outer tie rods are worn out plus the bushings on the sway bar are shot on mine check and replace the bushings and so forth
but on a good note its a killer looking rig

chad142

are your front sway bars in???

truckntractorhick

start out with a alignment and check for bolt tightness and then see if ther's any play under ther!

elkwagn

I dont know the difference between an hp and lp rear axle, tell me what to look for. It does have an SYE, and I have no idea what gears are in it but it seems to have a ton of power on the low end and revs fast, I will check gearing later. The front sway bar is in with a quick disconnect kit on it that has multiple holes on a tube for the connectors to go through, and I have no idea which holes to run it in.

cob24

Sorry for the edit

Throttle Jockey

check all the things everyone else said and make sure the shocks are good. i took my shocks off because i dont take it on the road. if i get my rig up to any speed at all it is like driving a beachball. i mean literally, the thing is all over the place.

elkwagn

I think it was a steal, I started out looking for one with only 3 or 4 inches and 32 or 33's and couldn't find one reasonable enough, but I couldn't even find a stock 97 sport for $2200 so I figured I would deal with the lift on this one even though it is more than I wanted.

builtnotbought89'

lets get a pic of your steering linkage!!!
I vote gets a extreme drop pitman arm, & then an alignment! Cause it sounds like bump steer which is caused by extreme angles in your steering linkage... $5 bet any takers???

Throttle Jockey

it looks good and after you get it straightened out, it should be a good rig. double check those shocks.