Concealer404's Jack of All Trades '00 Sport
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 179
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Model: Cherokee
Alright, change of plans. Need to go through the suspension and steering and make sure everything is good before i bother with tires.
So, assuming that everything on the truck has 180k miles on it, and that i already have a complete lift kit.... what do i need?
Ball joints
Tie rods
Bushings where applicable
Endlinks
What else? Any cost-effective upgrades i should be doing while i'm in there?
So, assuming that everything on the truck has 180k miles on it, and that i already have a complete lift kit.... what do i need?
Ball joints
Tie rods
Bushings where applicable
Endlinks
What else? Any cost-effective upgrades i should be doing while i'm in there?
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Model: Cherokee
Ok i think i got it all. I added all 5 u-joints after this screen capture.
... There's a lot more parts in the front end of one of these than the cars i'm used to. o_O
Only one more question: Can i REALLY use stock length endlinks with a 2.5"-3" lift? Seems to be one of those hotly discussed subjects on this forum.
If not, anyone have a source for extended ones that don't cost a friggin' arm and a leg? All i'm seeing on Quadtratec is pairs for $160, and i'm not really down with that.
... There's a lot more parts in the front end of one of these than the cars i'm used to. o_O
Only one more question: Can i REALLY use stock length endlinks with a 2.5"-3" lift? Seems to be one of those hotly discussed subjects on this forum.
If not, anyone have a source for extended ones that don't cost a friggin' arm and a leg? All i'm seeing on Quadtratec is pairs for $160, and i'm not really down with that.
Last edited by concealer404; Oct 30, 2012 at 11:14 PM.
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Model: Cherokee
Well, this has gone nowhere fast. Winter snuck up on me and we had to continue daily driving the Jeep instead of fixing it. It's been fine so far besides a stuck IACV that wouldn't let the truck keep running. Cleaned it up, runs great.
Catalytic converter was stolen off the truck by some meth heads. Insurance funded a replacement cat and Magnaflow cat-back from Performance Curve.
Picked the Jeep up from the shop last night after replacing the downstream o2 sensor in their parking lot in the freezing rain because i refused to pay them $135 for the replacement.
Well.... the Magnaflow is certainly...... LOUD.
Little disappointed, as i didn't want anything near that loud, and everyone said the Magnaflow setup was the quietest of what's offered by them. I shudder to think what the louder Flowmasters sound like.
Probably going to chop the exhaust back off in Spring and get something quiet on there. This is way too much to deal with on a daily driver.
As for the suspension question above, i think i'm just going to get the swaybar spacer/bracket things and run stock length endlinks for now. Buddy just got a lift so we'll knock the job out early Spring once the Miata gets re-tuned so my fiancee can drive it while i work on the Cherokee.
Got a coolant leak i can smell in the driver's front end of the engine bay. Hoping it's just the lower radiator hose.
Heat still doesn't work worth a damn.
Catalytic converter was stolen off the truck by some meth heads. Insurance funded a replacement cat and Magnaflow cat-back from Performance Curve.
Picked the Jeep up from the shop last night after replacing the downstream o2 sensor in their parking lot in the freezing rain because i refused to pay them $135 for the replacement.
Well.... the Magnaflow is certainly...... LOUD.
Little disappointed, as i didn't want anything near that loud, and everyone said the Magnaflow setup was the quietest of what's offered by them. I shudder to think what the louder Flowmasters sound like.
Probably going to chop the exhaust back off in Spring and get something quiet on there. This is way too much to deal with on a daily driver.
As for the suspension question above, i think i'm just going to get the swaybar spacer/bracket things and run stock length endlinks for now. Buddy just got a lift so we'll knock the job out early Spring once the Miata gets re-tuned so my fiancee can drive it while i work on the Cherokee.
Got a coolant leak i can smell in the driver's front end of the engine bay. Hoping it's just the lower radiator hose.
Heat still doesn't work worth a damn.
gotta get that thang lifted!!
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Model: Cherokee
Daily driving update:
The Magnaflow exhaust is still obnoxiously loud and i ****ing hate it. This is the Performance Curve setup. I have no complaints with the quality, price, or anything but the noise, but holy hell this is awful.
Also: Gas mileage seems to have decreased in a BIG way since the exhaust was put on. I also installed a new downstream o2 sensor at the same time since the old one pulled the threads off during removal.
Do i need to re-set the ECU or something? Where we were getting just about 15mpg out of the Jeep city driving, now we're getting in the 11.8-12.2mpg range.
There are no CELs, no codes, no nothing. Jeep seems to be running great, but gas mileage has suffered since the exhaust was put on.
It's not from "oh man loud exhaust let's romp on it!" syndrome either. We both hate how loud it is so we're making a conscious effort to baby it around.
The Magnaflow exhaust is still obnoxiously loud and i ****ing hate it. This is the Performance Curve setup. I have no complaints with the quality, price, or anything but the noise, but holy hell this is awful.
Also: Gas mileage seems to have decreased in a BIG way since the exhaust was put on. I also installed a new downstream o2 sensor at the same time since the old one pulled the threads off during removal.
Do i need to re-set the ECU or something? Where we were getting just about 15mpg out of the Jeep city driving, now we're getting in the 11.8-12.2mpg range.
There are no CELs, no codes, no nothing. Jeep seems to be running great, but gas mileage has suffered since the exhaust was put on.
It's not from "oh man loud exhaust let's romp on it!" syndrome either. We both hate how loud it is so we're making a conscious effort to baby it around.
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Model: Cherokee
Update... FINALLY DOING THINGS. Factory stuff degraded to the point that i didn't feel comfortable with SWMBO driving it anymore.
Gonna take care of a few other things besides the lift while i'm in there. New oil cap, radiator cap, valve cover gasket, PCV and vent, lower radiator hose, all new lights/bulbs, wipers, rear hatch struts, and finally replacing the dying OEM stereo while i'm at it.
Ordered tires, they should be here on Wednesday. Went with Yokohama Geolander AT-S in 30x9.5 r15s. Turns out they're only just over an inch bigger than the 235/75-15 Wranglers that are on it right now, but i didn't want to mess around with spacers or trimming at the moment. Will probably move to 31x10.5s or bigger next summer.
Stereo is just starting pretty basic. Alpine CDA-9886 head unit, Alpine KTP-445 power pack, two sets of slim mount 6.5" Polk DB651s, and the appropriate Metra install kit/bezel and harness.
Cherokee Kit!
Got to work. Little light on pictures, but here's progress to now.
Throw it up!
Because the goal here is to make everything under the truck brand new for another decade or two of service, everything has to be replaced. Including THIS thing. Every bushing on the truck was shot, which i imagine was attributing to death wobble as much as the destroyed and awful tires, and the ruined tie rods.
This bushing was completely hateful. Front upper arm bushing, diff side. AAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH. Getting the new one in wasn't fun either, but i did it.
After all 4 new arms were installed, put the shocks and springs on. I like the lower arm design that Rancho provides with the lift. Nice poly bushings, nice and beefy design, and already pre-tapped for zerk fittings. A project down the road will be to replace the upper arms with something similar.
The old shocks were surprisingly not blown, but definitely weren't operating at 100%. New Rancho stuff fit in like a glove. (RS9000XL shocks, pretty impressed with the heft and perceived quality, can't wait to drive it.)
The old steering stuff was completely shot. I could push the stabilizer in with one finger in less than 2 seconds, and it didn't come back at all.
Seems i have an oil leak. (Valve cover gasket is the bulk of it i suspect.)
I did get the front wrapped up yesterday, then immediately broke a rear upper shock bolt, and decided i didn't want to get sucked into THAT project that late a night, so i'll be doing the rear tomorrow.
Don't have pictures of the front, but it's SUBSTANTIALLY higher than my old worn out crap was, and even with the shocks on full soft, it's easily 5-10x stiffer. I like.
Other Problems
The factory track bar isn't going to work well enough for my requirements, which makes me angry that i went ahead about a whole new one. Anyways, i need an adjustable track bar, and would like to avoid one that requires a drop bracket.
Looking at the Rubicon Express RE1600.
Found reference on here from a few people that said it works with a baby lift like this. If i was feeling rich and silly, i'd go with the IRO double shear (if they make one that will fit this small of a lift, still) and a drop pitman arm, but i feel that this isn't really necessary for this particular setup.
Input?
Gonna take care of a few other things besides the lift while i'm in there. New oil cap, radiator cap, valve cover gasket, PCV and vent, lower radiator hose, all new lights/bulbs, wipers, rear hatch struts, and finally replacing the dying OEM stereo while i'm at it.
Ordered tires, they should be here on Wednesday. Went with Yokohama Geolander AT-S in 30x9.5 r15s. Turns out they're only just over an inch bigger than the 235/75-15 Wranglers that are on it right now, but i didn't want to mess around with spacers or trimming at the moment. Will probably move to 31x10.5s or bigger next summer.
Stereo is just starting pretty basic. Alpine CDA-9886 head unit, Alpine KTP-445 power pack, two sets of slim mount 6.5" Polk DB651s, and the appropriate Metra install kit/bezel and harness.
Cherokee Kit!
Got to work. Little light on pictures, but here's progress to now.
Throw it up!
Because the goal here is to make everything under the truck brand new for another decade or two of service, everything has to be replaced. Including THIS thing. Every bushing on the truck was shot, which i imagine was attributing to death wobble as much as the destroyed and awful tires, and the ruined tie rods.
This bushing was completely hateful. Front upper arm bushing, diff side. AAAAAAGGGGHHHHHH. Getting the new one in wasn't fun either, but i did it.
After all 4 new arms were installed, put the shocks and springs on. I like the lower arm design that Rancho provides with the lift. Nice poly bushings, nice and beefy design, and already pre-tapped for zerk fittings. A project down the road will be to replace the upper arms with something similar.
The old shocks were surprisingly not blown, but definitely weren't operating at 100%. New Rancho stuff fit in like a glove. (RS9000XL shocks, pretty impressed with the heft and perceived quality, can't wait to drive it.)
The old steering stuff was completely shot. I could push the stabilizer in with one finger in less than 2 seconds, and it didn't come back at all.
Seems i have an oil leak. (Valve cover gasket is the bulk of it i suspect.)
I did get the front wrapped up yesterday, then immediately broke a rear upper shock bolt, and decided i didn't want to get sucked into THAT project that late a night, so i'll be doing the rear tomorrow.
Don't have pictures of the front, but it's SUBSTANTIALLY higher than my old worn out crap was, and even with the shocks on full soft, it's easily 5-10x stiffer. I like.
Other Problems
The factory track bar isn't going to work well enough for my requirements, which makes me angry that i went ahead about a whole new one. Anyways, i need an adjustable track bar, and would like to avoid one that requires a drop bracket.
Looking at the Rubicon Express RE1600.
Found reference on here from a few people that said it works with a baby lift like this. If i was feeling rich and silly, i'd go with the IRO double shear (if they make one that will fit this small of a lift, still) and a drop pitman arm, but i feel that this isn't really necessary for this particular setup.
Input?
Last edited by concealer404; Aug 19, 2013 at 11:04 AM.
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Model: Cherokee
Like.... the lift for the Jeep? Or the lift the Jeep is on?
Jeep lift:
Rancho RS66000/660001, usually around $500, does not come with shocks: http://www.gorancho.com/suspension.p...erokee_xj#lift
Rancho RS9000XL shocks, RS999239 front, RS999129 rear. Typically in the $100 range, each.
Rancho leaf springs (i'm not a fan of AALs). Rancho RS44148. Around $130 each. These do NOT come with new bushings.
Rear bushing kit for Chrysler 8.25 rear end: Rancho RS746, around $60.
Actual lift lift:
Atlas EM06. http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/At...e-Scissor-Lift
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Model: Cherokee
Heh, i kinda figured, so i posted a link to that anyways. It's not actually my garage nor my lift, it's my buddy's place. My shop doesn't have a lift, and it's currently filled with motors, transmissions, and other cars that i'm working on. The Jeep is a daily driver, and i'm unwilling to go as far on this thing as it am on some of our other cars.
As for my opinions on the lift, i like it well enough. It's certainly making this job easier so far, and it's great for wheel/tire/brake changes and oil changes. That said, it's not really my cup of tea for real involved stuff. I wouldn't bother putting one in my shop, but it's great for general maintenance and well worth the money.
As for my opinions on the lift, i like it well enough. It's certainly making this job easier so far, and it's great for wheel/tire/brake changes and oil changes. That said, it's not really my cup of tea for real involved stuff. I wouldn't bother putting one in my shop, but it's great for general maintenance and well worth the money.
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Joined: Jun 2012
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Model: Cherokee
Working on the rear:
Completed front. (ended up swapping out track bar for a Rubicon Express RE1600, not pictured.)
Old dead parts.
Maiden voyage for gas. Drives like crap. Needs alignment quite badly.
Got a set of Yokohama Geolandar AT-S 30x9.5r15s while i was at it. Not my end game wheel/tire setup, but it'll do for now.
Not pictured, installed entire new stereo, Alpine CDA-9886, Alpine KTP-445, two pairs of Polk DB651s.
Overall, kindof an ugly job, not because of rust, just because all the crap on this thing has been on it for SO LONG. Also had issues with the rear upper shock mount bolts. (SURPRISE!) Had to buy all new hardware for the back from the dealership.
At least now literally every suspension and steering part under this thing except for the box is brand new. Very happy i did it. Even with the alignment being way out of whack, it's a HUGE improvement from what it was before.
The Rancho kit seems to be great so far. Rides well, much stiffer, but doesn't beat you up. Quality of parts in terms of install seems spot on, well designed. I'd recommend the kit to anyone interested in a "Baby lift."
Truck is pretty much "done" for the next season or two. Have to have the windshield replaced again (sign fell on it), need to replace vc gasket and PCV/vent fittings, and replace lower radiator hose. I'll knock all that out this week.
After that will be bumpers and getting an early start on some very mild rust that's starting to show up. Probably in Spring.
Completed front. (ended up swapping out track bar for a Rubicon Express RE1600, not pictured.)
Old dead parts.
Maiden voyage for gas. Drives like crap. Needs alignment quite badly.
Got a set of Yokohama Geolandar AT-S 30x9.5r15s while i was at it. Not my end game wheel/tire setup, but it'll do for now.
Not pictured, installed entire new stereo, Alpine CDA-9886, Alpine KTP-445, two pairs of Polk DB651s.
Overall, kindof an ugly job, not because of rust, just because all the crap on this thing has been on it for SO LONG. Also had issues with the rear upper shock mount bolts. (SURPRISE!) Had to buy all new hardware for the back from the dealership.
At least now literally every suspension and steering part under this thing except for the box is brand new. Very happy i did it. Even with the alignment being way out of whack, it's a HUGE improvement from what it was before.
The Rancho kit seems to be great so far. Rides well, much stiffer, but doesn't beat you up. Quality of parts in terms of install seems spot on, well designed. I'd recommend the kit to anyone interested in a "Baby lift."
Truck is pretty much "done" for the next season or two. Have to have the windshield replaced again (sign fell on it), need to replace vc gasket and PCV/vent fittings, and replace lower radiator hose. I'll knock all that out this week.
After that will be bumpers and getting an early start on some very mild rust that's starting to show up. Probably in Spring.
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Model: Cherokee
Installed a Speed Daddy aluminum radiator because it was really only about $60 more than the cheapest piece of crap parts store replacements i could find, and i've had awful luck with the parts store replacements in the past.
Mistake. Fitment is/was downright awful.
Ended up installing a nice transmission cooler at the same time because the radiator provisions for trans cooling weren't going to work.
Mistake. Fitment is/was downright awful.
Ended up installing a nice transmission cooler at the same time because the radiator provisions for trans cooling weren't going to work.
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,314
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From: Canton, GA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Do you happen to have measurements between stock and lifted? I ask because your stock height looked pretty high compared to everyone else's I've seen, specifically in this picture:
Nice build though, I like it! Mild and clean.
Nice build though, I like it! Mild and clean.
