1989 cherokee build...
 

Allright. I am starting it. A build thread for my cherokee.

I have owned my 1989 cherokee for 1 year now. 257k mile. 4x4. Automatic. In the last year I have been working out all the little bugs with it, and I am just now getting to a point where i can start adding some mods.

The things i have done in the last year are:

New tires, 30x9.5x15, Falken tire with a hybrid tread.
New wheels
3" lift with spring spacers, and a add-a-leaf
New radiator
New thermostat
New coolant hoses
New water-pump
New alternator
New front wheel bearing hubs
New wiper switch and blinker switch ($230 from jeep, Ouch)
New headlight switch
Transmission serviced with new filter, and all new amsoil sythetic fluid
High Flow Air Intake
Wal-mart baja lights

I know there is more i have done, but i am just not remembering right now.

Over the next couple months I plan on adding a lot to the jeep. I will post pictures of the progress, and as always try to keep everyone up to date on the build.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...l/44014e74.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...l/4ffe7b5c.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...l/7c2f56e9.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/n...l/4f5b9c8c.jpg

That should get this started for now. Feel free to throw out any ideas for the build. I am always open to new thoughts.

Question for you guys,

I have been reading a TON about D44 axle swap. My D35 is making a lot of noise, and only getting worse over time. It really is the next thing on my to do list.

What D44 are just a straight bolt in swap? Or is it worth just rebuilding the D35?

I don't do a lot of wheeling, some here and there, and even then it is not too extreme. I do drive a lot of hunting access roads though that can get pretty rough.

Thoughts and suggestions are always appreciated.

Dana 44's are bolt in, only thing to beware of with any axle is it's gear ratio, and whether it'll be the same as your front axle.

Outside of that, given your description, I'd just stay with a 35. Parts are a dime a dozen from the junkyard, and if you look around on this and other forums, or Craigslist, you can usually grab an entire axle on the skinny.

How do you like the Baja? I saw them and was considering them. Great lookin' 89! :thumbup:

what part of washington are you from that lake shot looks VERY familiar...i grew up in Monroe. jeep looks good man, i have a dana 44 in my 87 so your best bet is to look for 87 wagoneers or newer cherokee's to i believe 1990 with the towing package if you want a 44. but make sure you take a picture with you if you cant recognize one without it.

Thanks, I think maybe i will just be rebuilding the 35. The more i read, the more i think it is the way to go.

The baja's are ok for the price ($25 for the pair at wally world). They are only a 55watt H3 bulb, and so the same brightness as my low beams are. All in all, good for the price. I am going to add a light bar up top with some KC's or Hella's (whatever is cheaper at the time).

That is lake crabapple, right next to lake goodwin. I live 1/2 mile from the crabapple boat launch, and 1 mile from the lake goodwin boat launch. On top of my jeep build, I am trying to get a 21ft aluminum starcraft boat ready for next summer right now as well.

I do know how to tell the difference between axles, but great thought on the picture idea.

A 35 and an 8.25 is kinda hard to decifer..kinda there are differences a D44 you will know the difference no matter what..lol they look nothing like the other two here are some pics

http://i960.photobucket.com/albums/a...mith/axles.jpg

XJ Dana 44's came in some, but not all '87-90 XJ's with the towing package.

If i were you I would find a '97+ C8.25 rear end and swap that it.....it is also a bolt-in and has strength comparable to a D44

you can identify the C8.25 easy, it is an oval cover with a rolled lip, the D35 has a flat lip on the diff cover.....see the above pic and you will know what i mean

Today I changed the oil on the xj. I learned the oil filters from a 92 4.0 are different than my 89 4.0. My buddy had a extra filter, said i could use it (92 4.0) and it did not work. Ended up at walmart to buy one.

I also flushed out my heater core today, although it was very clean. no brown gunk came out at all, went from green to clear. I guess that is a good thing.

I aways liked the 89 Larado's I have a bone stock one I'd like to do a mild lift to.

I have always liked them as well. Sometimes i see a newer one driving down the road and get jealous, but then i remind myself how reliable and trustworthy my 89 has been, and I just smile. She has treated me well, and I try to return the favor.

holy crap that cold air intake? looks like its going to fall apart i would get some metal in there. everything else looks great:guns:

looks like your on your way to building your jeep the right way.

That is a bad picture of the air intake. It deffinetly is not going to fall apart, and it deffinetly helps with the throttle responce. It really is only a temporary thing until i build my snorkel.

Do it right, or dont do it at all. That was the way i was raised.