Tomorow starts a whole new day. I am picking up a 2000 Jeep Cherokee! It is mostly for my wife, but she is interested in lifting it and making it offroad capable. So it probably will not be a rediculous build, and she will probably want to keep the "clean" look. This will be my 2nd XJ, i had one while i was in high school. I have a feeling this build will be tricky... currently we are stationed in Kodiak Alaska and getting parts shipped up here is not very cost effecient. So i will tackle that problem as it comes. Well tomorow i should be able to post some pics of the new jeep, and hopefully start adding to this build thread soon!

 

Here's a picture of her! I'm ready to pick it up and take some pictures myself.

 

Here's my old xj from back in high school. Learned a lot from it but going to do this next build differently (nicer/cleaner)

 

Also.. Here is my Mazda b3000 that I have. Bought it here in kodiak bone stock, I lifted it 5 inches and threw some 35s on it.

 

Picked it up today!! Very satisfied. Few things to fix, nothing terrible though. Here's the list; rear hatch hydraulic lifters, headliner (sagging), oil pressure sending unit (i think it's the problem, gauge reads no oil pressure), and figure out why the door windows won't work (only the driver can control them). If anyone has any input on the last two problems then feel free to send knowledge my way!
We took it for a little test drive. The wife loves it so far, and she did a little off-roading, few little streams and puddles.

 

Windows only working from the driver seat is common. The window lock failed just put a jumper between 2 wires unless you have kids.

 

After you mentioned that I searched it and I did find a thread illustrating how to do it. I will probably do that tomorrow after work. And then eventually try to replace the switch itself. Might have to change out the whole driver side switch console. Hopefully I'll be able to find one when I make a trip to the junkyard. Sadly there's only one junkyard in kodiak, slim pickings. Also going to look for an extended idle switch. But I'm not going to get my hopes up

 

Ive never looked for one myself, but if theyre like the 4 switch bezel that came in the police package. Think hens teeth. I feel your pain, we only have a couple self serve places around here the rest you can in and request what you want and pray thats in better shape then what your replacing.

 

Yep. I'm also trying to find the 4 switch bezel. Looks like I'm outta luck on that one, unless I want to fork over 100$ for a piece of plastic. Well I just ordered some new headliner on eBay, going with a gray, didn't really like the tan that's in it now (plus its sagging), also ordered my oil pressure sender. Hopefully it gets here soon so I can put that in!

 

Fixed the window lock issue. Instead of using a paperclip like some people do I just used a jumper wire. And of course I put electrical tape on after

 

Alright, ive been thinking about going ahead and buying a SYE and driveshaft to have on hand before the lift. I really dont want to do a hack n tap, id rather get the SYE from rugged ridge or another brand like that. if i do end up going this route and i am still able to use a stock XJ front driveshaft? I always thought i could, but for some reason a friend is convinced that the front DS will only fit on the hack n tap sye. could anyone clear this up for me?

 

Looks like you have your work cut out for you already. How much lift are you going that you need to do a sye?

 

Probably 4.5 or 3.5, but the 96+ need a sye after 2"

 

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/o...l-read-426483/
There's a good post on sye. Also, you can use a front driveshaft depending on what rear end you have and how much lift. The higher you go, the longer driveshaft you will need

 

Yepp, i have the 8.25 rear end, so its a long pinion housing. Plus i just found out i have the Low pinion Dana30 front. Im hoping i can find an older dana30 HP and swap that out. Man this list keeps adding up... haha