383HEMI

Hello,

It being my first post on this forum thought I'd kick it off with a build.

Picked up a 1989 Cherokee Limited 4X4 with 108k miles for $700 today. Its been over 12 years since I owned a Cherokee (1989 Laredo 4x4). When I was in high school, 16 years ago, I drove a 84' Cherokee. Its so nice to be back in a Cherokee after all this time. Oh what a Nostalgic feeling!

At the moment I plan to restore her the best I can with a mild 2"-3" lift and 31" tires. I will also be adding a roof rack of some sort. This will be our family beach cruiser/camping vehicle. Something that I don't have to worry about getting dirty.

Here is the initial "To-Do" list:

1. Replace drivers side window regulator. Regulator is stripped but motor works. (temporary fix)
2. Replace valve cover gasket ✓
3. Replace oil pan gasket and rear seal
4. Change engine oil/filter ✓
5. Change oil in rear differential ✓
6. Change transmission oil/filter
7. Re-gule headliner
8. Prep for paint shop

After all engine maintenance and suspension work is complete I'm considering painting Black again with the OEM Gold Jeep and Cherokee Emblems.

Here are a few pictures as she sits today:










Now, time to fix that drivers side window........

1ABrian

well she looks like a clean buggy to start with. Are you going to lift it after you take care of the basic mait?

383HEMI

Yeah, I'm thinking 2"-3" lift and 31" tires since my wife is 5' tall and we have a 9 month old that she needs to be able to get in and out of a car seat. Also getting a roof rack to throw camping great up top and still want to be able to fit in parking structures around Honolulu.

1ABrian

cool. Looking forward to seeing your progress

Neener

Looks pretty darn good for seven bills. Love those rims!

383HEMI

Upon further inspection I noticed that the front passenger side seat belt buckle is missing.

Does anyone know if driver and passenger side buckles are interchangeable?

Thanks

rmoore1031

Congrats on a good buy. Looks like its in good condition.

383HEMI

eBay front passenger seat belt is in. Took the wife for a ride and she loves the new project.

Decided to go with a "Burly Stocker" look. Picked up a set of stock limited wheels for $20 a wheel locally on M/T MTZ's 31x10.5. Could only afford 1 tire this weekend. Saving up for the other 4. Strongly considering a 2" lift for now. Something to help clear the tires of this daily driver. Eventually, when the budget allows, I will go higher and bigger.






Cleaned 1/4" worth of dust and caked up oil on the inside of this skid plate. Also found some rust so I decided to grind it out and repaint.






Found where most of the oil was coming from. A loose tranny hose clamp.




Cleaned up the suspension a little to see what I have to work with. Looks like a few bushings are falling apart. The to-do list gets longer




Cleaned up one wheel well, still have to do the other. I see Rancho 5000s all the way around

383HEMI

Not sure how to go about a 2" lift which retains most of the stock hardware. I will probably riding around that way for a year or so while I work on other areas of the build.

Coil Spacers/Shackles, Coil Spacers/Add-a-Leaf, Longer Coils/Lifting Blocks, ect....

Any suggestions?

caged

for a 2", just go with spacers and shackles.
this way you already have aftermarket shackles for when you want to go with full leaf packs later.

simple, yet effective...

383HEMI

Yeah, that makes sense.

Rusty's XJ Cherokee Budget Boost Spacer - Shackle
RK-BB40-XJ
$99.00



Simple yet effective, I like it

383HEMI

Any suggestions on quality shocks for a shackle/coil spacer 2" lift?

Am I correct in saying that I can just keep the stock ones (or stock replacement Rancho 5000s in this case) if staying on the street?

Thanks,

caged

you can keep your stock shocks if you leave the sway bars connected, but longer ones are suggested.

maybe bilstein or old man emu for a nice smooth ride.

383HEMI

Sway Bar Bushings replaced.

Rusty's Budget Boost Spacer & Shackle came in yesterday.

Looks like I have to replace the blown steering stabilizer now.

383HEMI

1 wheel at the local 4x4 shop receiving a 31x10.5 M/T MTZ. Dana 35 (which is leaking) oil change and headliner work scheduled for this weekend. Go, Go OEM Wheels

Valve cover, rear seal, and oil pan gaskets on stand by.