The aw4 in my 93' is on its last legs. So I decided against fixing it and instead go on the hunt for a replacement cherokee in the newer body style and a 5 speed manual! Eventually I come across a jeep I never thought I would find, especially around here.

I scored it for 1400$, but she does need a little work here and there. Transmission whines pretty bad, but i've got a replacement for it already for 200$.

Its a 1999 Jeep cherokee sport. 2 door, 4.0L, 5 speed manual, D30/C8.25/NP231



Lots more to come as the build begins

I've got my mind set on a 3" lift for this one. Any suggestions on a lift around 600-700$ or less??

I have run a 3" RC lift in the past and it wasn't bad, but I see they now use some N.20 shocks or something???

Was an extremely busy weekend!

-Removed all the door/side mouldings
-Picked up a replacement transmission (this one whines)
-Bought a napa/luk clutch kit
-Ordered 3" Zone lift kit
-Bought a set of lightly used 31" BFG KM1's
-Bought a set of D30 and lsd 8.25 diffs with 3.55 gears to replace the 3.07 diffs

Axles/suspension out of it


Zone 3" lift installed. 3.55 ratio Front & Rear diffs installed (rear lsd) Temporary 33's on the rear until my 31" Cooper STT's arrive, then I will have 4 matching wheels/tires on it.



Front & rear bumpers installed!

Got a set of 31x10.50 Cooper STT's on order! When those arrive I will have four matching wheels and tires on it.

Man those 33s sure like nice on it! Looking good. Where'd you get the bumpers from?

Front is a JCR bumper and the rear is a Dirtbound offroad bumper with tire carrier. I kept both of them from my previous 93 XJ

Looking good man, keep the 33's on just cut the fenders haha

It's tempting, it really is. But my previous XJ had a 6.5" longarm with cut fenders and the whole nine yards. It was just a bit too much for me as a daily driver.

This one I want a bit milder, and clean looking. I do go wheeling once in a while, but nothing too extreme.

Future plans I have right now for this one:
-detroit LSD for the front axle
-exhaust

New 31x10.50 Cooper STT's and 15x8 American Racing AR23 wheels!

Well, I'm a fan. I'm building a '95 2dr/ 3.5"/ 31's. I think if I get the itch to go bigger, I'd start on a different XJ.

Looks good, nice and clean. Tires look mean for 31's!

Looks great my friend has them tires on a wj and it does excellent on hills that are washed out and on the rocks hes played on, also 31s.

Great looking build. Don't see too many 97+ 2dr 5 speeds out there. When you removed your body trim did you save it and or willing to sell it. I have bee looking far and wide for a piece I am missing

It all went into the garbage, sorry man!