Black Bear REBUILD!
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
From: Durango, CO
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: rebuilt straight 6
Father & Son rebuild...
So before i get started, this is going to be a very long and slow going build, being that i and work and go to school full time, but...
I bought an 87 cherokee about 4 years ago for 2500. It came with:
brand new 31X10.50 tires and an old 3.5inch lift,
custom front and rear bumpers as well as sliders,
After market stereo and speakers, (deck didn't work)
and a million other little things.

first time wheeling with new jeep.
since i bought it i have:
gotten new stereo deck,
new suspension,
removed doors,
got cb radio,
filled the back with recovery gear and tools,
modified bumper to hold 10 gal of extra gas,
custom wood roof interior, (totally sounds proof and looks sick!)
and fixed a million little problems, (some related to previous work)

Jeep currently
So shortly ago my jeep died on me and started to have lots of problems, to the point where i couldn't fix them all 1 by 1 anymore. Hence the "REBUILD." So me and my dad decided we want to go over the entire jeep from bumper to bumper and rebuild it how we want.
some plans:
copper radiator,
swap 4 spd auto for 5 spd manual,
rebuild engine,
long arms,
better steering,
4.5 to 6 inch lift,
biggest tires i can fit under there,
lock it, not sure how yet,
and much more.
So, wish me luck, and feel free to recommend or comment as you please.
So before i get started, this is going to be a very long and slow going build, being that i and work and go to school full time, but...
I bought an 87 cherokee about 4 years ago for 2500. It came with:
brand new 31X10.50 tires and an old 3.5inch lift,
custom front and rear bumpers as well as sliders,
After market stereo and speakers, (deck didn't work)
and a million other little things.

first time wheeling with new jeep.
since i bought it i have:
gotten new stereo deck,
new suspension,
removed doors,
got cb radio,
filled the back with recovery gear and tools,
modified bumper to hold 10 gal of extra gas,
custom wood roof interior, (totally sounds proof and looks sick!)
and fixed a million little problems, (some related to previous work)

Jeep currently
So shortly ago my jeep died on me and started to have lots of problems, to the point where i couldn't fix them all 1 by 1 anymore. Hence the "REBUILD." So me and my dad decided we want to go over the entire jeep from bumper to bumper and rebuild it how we want.
some plans:
copper radiator,
swap 4 spd auto for 5 spd manual,
rebuild engine,
long arms,
better steering,
4.5 to 6 inch lift,
biggest tires i can fit under there,
lock it, not sure how yet,
and much more.
So, wish me luck, and feel free to recommend or comment as you please.
Last edited by Coraphix; Aug 26, 2011 at 11:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
From: Durango, CO
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: rebuilt straight 6
Got home from church today and saw my jeep sitting in the driveway waiting to be torn apart, and thought to myself, "if i dont start this now im not ganna get to it for at least another week." so i got my tools out and started pulling my radiator. about 30 minutes later my dad comes home and sees me working, doesn't even go inside to for a drink or nothing. grabs a wrench and helps me out.
we just starting pulling every thing out of the engine compartment making room. talking about what we want to do with this thing. different ideas and such. made a good size dent before it started raining. now we are off to go get some of the little things we found out we should but didnt have.
Cant wait to get back on it.
we just starting pulling every thing out of the engine compartment making room. talking about what we want to do with this thing. different ideas and such. made a good size dent before it started raining. now we are off to go get some of the little things we found out we should but didnt have.
Cant wait to get back on it.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
From: Durango, CO
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: rebuilt straight 6
i need help, the link is a new thread on a OEM chat about stock wiring.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/new...2/#post1181132
on another note, we got exhaust manifold off and current exhaust system. we have decided to: get some nice headers and a new manifold, swap FIS for carb, and possibly new head if we can find a nice one for cheap.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/new...2/#post1181132
on another note, we got exhaust manifold off and current exhaust system. we have decided to: get some nice headers and a new manifold, swap FIS for carb, and possibly new head if we can find a nice one for cheap.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
From: Durango, CO
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: rebuilt straight 6
our custom splash guard to keep water out of the head. worked pretty well.

this is my mess of wires, (just a little under the hood) we plan on replacing all of this and much more.

now this i have a question about...

this is my gear shift linkage, just one of the pieces bolted in. it doesnt look to be damaged. but neither me nor my dad know if it is supposed to sit at that much of an angle. we were thinking that it should be more level or parallel to the ground. any ideas? or should we just let it go as is?

this is my mess of wires, (just a little under the hood) we plan on replacing all of this and much more.

now this i have a question about...

this is my gear shift linkage, just one of the pieces bolted in. it doesnt look to be damaged. but neither me nor my dad know if it is supposed to sit at that much of an angle. we were thinking that it should be more level or parallel to the ground. any ideas? or should we just let it go as is?
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
From: Durango, CO
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: rebuilt straight 6
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
From: Durango, CO
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: rebuilt straight 6
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/tr...0/#post1187590
Trying to find the best way to swap my auto for a manual transmission. Here is a site i found with my dad that we've been looking at.
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/amc_i6.htm
Any opinions?
Trying to find the best way to swap my auto for a manual transmission. Here is a site i found with my dad that we've been looking at.
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/amc_i6.htm
Any opinions?
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Interior of Alaska
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Holy Floor pans Batman. There's some work ahead there.
What happened to the harness under the hood? It looks like the FSM has set up shop under there.
Keep it coming!
Dutch
What happened to the harness under the hood? It looks like the FSM has set up shop under there.
Keep it coming!
Dutch
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
From: Durango, CO
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: rebuilt straight 6
glad my build is interesting. the floors shouldnt be too bad. we are ganna sand blast cut and weld some sheet metal everywhere we think we need it. as for the wiring. the previous owner liked to ad lots of little things, and do all his own wiring. although he new what he was doing, he took way to many short cuts. which is what gave me all my problems and the big mess under the hood. (hence my search for OEM wiring so i can start over) but it should definitely be a fun project.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
From: Durango, CO
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: rebuilt straight 6
Pulling engine and tranny out today. rented a cherry picker, borrowed some old tires from big o, and we're pulling it out. after we get that out we will be left with body, wiring, and suspension still to work on. Moving along a lot faster than i thought we would.
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 437
Likes: 4
From: Durango, CO
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: rebuilt straight 6
GOT IT OUT! We got the engine tranny and transfer all pulled out together. taken them to school tomorrow so me and my class can rebuild.


Next to work on is cancer, wiring, and suspension. All in all, very well spent day.


Next to work on is cancer, wiring, and suspension. All in all, very well spent day.
Last edited by Coraphix; Sep 11, 2011 at 06:01 PM.





hahah. I'll be watchin this one for sure.