My Jeep Build 'Serenity'
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1998 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
A lot has changed with our jeeps. The newest addition (1990) will be sold to my brother and my parents are still letting me drive the 98 one. The 1990 is having power issues and my dad is trying to fix it without going into the motor but he isn't having good feelings about it. Got 2 new tires for the 98 and gonna replace all of the shocks since all are pretty much shot. Still looking for a Comanche at the moment.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1998 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
Sorry for lack of pictures, my good phone broke and I don't wanna do the long transfer from cameras. But visually nothing has changed.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1998 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
Now I am going to focus on Serenity which will still be mine. My plans for winter are to fix up the interior completely, get the bumpers, winch, and roof rack done. Then if I can get a lightly used 4.5 in lift off somebody ill raise her up. I plan on making rock sliders/ steps to get in and out bc of my stature ( just under 5 ft 5in ). Should I be armoring up the unibody or fabbing skid plate. This is my daily and will probably be so for quite a few more years. The most offroading I do is to get to a shooting spot or a campsite. No hard wheeling bc of risk of breakage of parts and my low income, plus NC has most stuff shut down.
Last edited by NC98Limited; Nov 10, 2016 at 08:35 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1998 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
I just do not know if it would be cost effective to armor it up now and possibly kill the already iffy fuel mileage for what is the most part a mall crawler. Also if I want to regear what better gear options are for the Chrysler 8.25 rear end, if I plan on maxing tire size to 33s. Im not a fan of big lifts and tires, i try to think more practical for my applications. They are good for some but I dont see myself going past 4.5 in lift with 33s
CF Veteran

Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,528
Likes: 2
From: North Carolina
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If think you are geting too far ahead of yourself. Just go one step at a time, somethings you may decide on now, in a year, you'll think completely different about. Start it with doing maintenance and getting everything tip top. Then start working towards your lift and tires. Skids is the last thing I'd worry about. Not really needed unless your doing hardcore rock crawling.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1998 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
I try to not get ahead of myself but sometimes I do. I'm trying to have something else in the works but I wont post unless something comes of it. Maintenance wise Serenity is pretty good. Just got new shocks and everything is running fine. Mainly wanna get these things done bc it will be my parents vehicle at some point down the road. I already have a set of 31s just waiting and hoping to change it up at some point. Reason being is she hasn't changed much and I like new things.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1998 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
My 98 XJ alternator just decided to crap out on me so had to borrow my brothers 90. Ill admit I miss driving the lifted one. Despite this I still plan on working on it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1998 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
More updates, my brother bought a Comanche. So ive been preoccupied being mad about it. I have decide to leave my XJ as a stocker so I can get a Comanche to invest time and money into. Kinda saddens me but once i rode in that truck and hopped in the bed I knew a Comanche was for me. Serenity will be a fun project once the motor goes bad down the road and I have a lot more time and money. I just cant get the satisfaction from it than I would an MJ
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1998 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
Sorry I have been dormant, nothing much has changed same old same old just caught up with college and work. I am very indecisive so that plays a role in me jumping around with ideas and no progress, plus hard to work on a daily. I realized my thread is mostly just talk with no progression. All i have done since last is having a go bag in my jeep along with a jump box and that is about all.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1998 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
Bought a Comanche for a project hopefully done by June or July. 5 spd 4.0 2wd. Doing full swap motor, interior, 4wd all of it. getting parts for 5 inch lift and 31s
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: North Carolina
Year: 1998 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre
Sadly the official goal now with the XJ once my MJ is done. Is my father to drive it till it dies. Trying to convince him on a motor swap to keep her going but idk if he will do that.
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