97 Cherokee 2 Dr
 

I just recently perchased a 1997 Cherokee 2Dr manual from a friend who got it from a friend lol. So problem is I have no idea what has been done to this jeep all I know is what is apparently obvious front doors have been removed and replaced with home made custom doors rear end doesn't look original to jeep and spider gears have been welded together for a po boys locker transfer case shifter shifts from 2wd to 4WH no problem will no shift into 4WL though has exhaust leak I'm assuming from where the noise is coming from its a cracked manifold which seems to be pretty prevelent in 4.0s other than that it runs very strong has no leaks. I have no idea what size gears are in it just know I start in second as easily as I start in first and that's with 33s on it and at about 50mph in 5th I'm almost redline'n so I'm assuming that the gears are not stock surely keep go faster than 50 lol other than that it has a rubicon exspress lift have no I dea how much just no it runs 33s no problem and could fit 35s sense the fenders have been cut out. All that said its in the shop right now having a local jeep gooroo going through it top to bottom. Just looking for somewhere to start I guess lol

hey and welcome to the forum

I dont want your question to fall through the cracks and never get answered
I'm going to bump it so a mod hopefully sees it and can move it to the correct section
if not, just ask 1 or 2 questions at a time in 'advanced tech' or 'OEM tech' or 'chat' and you will get a quick and specific response
post some pictures soon we all love a late model 2 door 5 speed. good luck!

The "local jeep guru" should be able to answer your axle, gear, and lift questions
Unless he is a "wrangler" guru lolol
Wouldn't worry too much about the lift
As for the gears, take a pic of the "pumpkins" (axle differential) front and rear so the "experts" here have a fighting chance
Even better, since it's probably needed, pop those dif covers and drain all the gear oil
Then get pics of the internals
Replace cover with approved sealant and fill with proper gear oil 75w-90 iirc

Basically, pics pics pics....
Enjoy your new Xj!

Ps. Google is your best friend.

Thanks man and ya I'm defenently going to do some before and after pics it's pretty ruff right now just looking for the best place to start on it ya know chomping at the bit waiting for that mechanic to call me back lol

Best plan is to take a deep breath and woosahhhh
Then remember, rushing it will only cost more money and busted knuckles.
I personally had to cut out a days worth of welding on my project because I didn't think long and hard before I welded in my new back window.
Patience IS a virtue.
Next, when ya get the "list" from the "guru", upload the info here
Then we can tell ya (our opinion) what should and shouldn't be done, if and when, etc.
Then pics pics pics lolol
Lastly drive that beast
More than anything, how YOU think it drives or should is most important.

Here's the kicker how do I find out what size gears they are if they aren't original to the jeep lol

First plan would be pics of the axle from the end of the vehicle (pumpkins)
Then we can tell ya what axles they are
That will provide what limited gears came in that axle
Last would be pulling the dif cover and taking pics of any markings on the gears themselves
Simple really
Then we will know what gears
;)

Nice will do as soon as I get her back just figure theres no way they could be stock gear size seeing as how high my rpms were at 50mph in 5th and I'm no expert but just eying the rear dif it just looked outa place like it didn't belong on the jeep should end out more tomorrow from the "guru" lol

My 94 with standard transmission, with stock gears, stock wheel size has a tick over 2K RPM @ ~77MPH indicated on the speedo in 5th.
90MPH @ 2.5K RPM in 5th.
Well, "HAD".