Project: #becauseracejeep
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: Snowville, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 torque monster w/ a supercharger
Racejeep still has full interior, a/c, and heat. I haven't removed a single thing. Lol
Air shocks didn't work out, leaks, intermittant pump, poor dampening, etc. They were quick and easy and a stepping stone to a more tuned setup. Searched Bilstein calalog and found some shocks that are about 1.5-2" shorter than the stockers. They are off of chevy 1500 front and F150 rear. Who would have thought.
Riding on cut bump stops sucked. Bone jarring and would knock your fillings out. Raised front with 1" TerraFlex spring spacers (cut a little too much off the 3" lift springs plus settling) and rear with 1" lift blocks. We are still using the Composite springs and just added just added plastic sliders between the 2 composite leafs. Still are 'Spring Over'.
Finally installed the custom bent ADDCO rear sway bar. It mounts under the axle and arms point forward and uses Volvo drop links. Really tightened up the rear.
WOW, what a difference. Quiet, smooth, stable, handles like a tuned sports car and definately not like a Cherokee. This is the setup. It is as low as possible without axle and frame cutting.
Still have to add-
-quicker ratio steering box
-passenger 4 point harness
-rear traction/anti-wrap/torque arm
-weld on and bolt-on frame stiffners
3 different autocross's are in July. Hope to be at all of then. Fun upcoming month.
Riding on cut bump stops sucked. Bone jarring and would knock your fillings out. Raised front with 1" TerraFlex spring spacers (cut a little too much off the 3" lift springs plus settling) and rear with 1" lift blocks. We are still using the Composite springs and just added just added plastic sliders between the 2 composite leafs. Still are 'Spring Over'.
Finally installed the custom bent ADDCO rear sway bar. It mounts under the axle and arms point forward and uses Volvo drop links. Really tightened up the rear.
WOW, what a difference. Quiet, smooth, stable, handles like a tuned sports car and definately not like a Cherokee. This is the setup. It is as low as possible without axle and frame cutting.
Still have to add-
-quicker ratio steering box
-passenger 4 point harness
-rear traction/anti-wrap/torque arm
-weld on and bolt-on frame stiffners
3 different autocross's are in July. Hope to be at all of then. Fun upcoming month.
Last edited by CobraMarty; Jun 29, 2014 at 05:29 AM.
Ended up with both.
HD Offroad weld on's and tubular bolt-on's I think from Barnett Racing. Gonna try 'em both. Don't know which are better until I try 'em.
Would like to make an underbody 'X' with the tubular to tie it all together. Weld on frame stiffners only strengther the unibody frame rail and keep from folding in half like a taco.
The tubular and 'X' brace will keep it from twisting like a gymnist. Probably need more twisting prevention, especially for autocrossing.
IDK, tomatos tomatoes.
HD Offroad weld on's and tubular bolt-on's I think from Barnett Racing. Gonna try 'em both. Don't know which are better until I try 'em.
Would like to make an underbody 'X' with the tubular to tie it all together. Weld on frame stiffners only strengther the unibody frame rail and keep from folding in half like a taco.
The tubular and 'X' brace will keep it from twisting like a gymnist. Probably need more twisting prevention, especially for autocrossing.
IDK, tomatos tomatoes.
I would love to do a shock tower but the drivers side is nearly impossible to get to with the brake booster, master cylinder and the supercharger. In the end it would probably look like a prezel and not have much effect. Maybe just the weld on front reinforcment plates like from HD offroad and call it a day.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 99
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From: Hanover, MA
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Turbo
Any issues picking up a rear tire in hard corners with the new rear swaybar? Also how much upward travel do you have with the F150 shocks before they bottom out?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: Snowville, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 torque monster w/ a supercharger
Haven't autocrossed it with the new suspension setup yet. About 1" ish uptravel. Rides surprisingly nicely.
Autocrossed last week at Atlantic City SJ-SCCA and again tororrow at Wells Fargo Ctr Philly SCCA. Handles so much better with bilstein shocks and rear sway bar. Front springs are a little soft. Ordered some stiffer ones to cut and try. More mods to come. Handles and powers way better than a Jeep should per instructor who took it on the course.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: Snowville, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 torque monster w/ a supercharger
I've been lazy updating this thread.... Haven't even begun to upload any of the videos I have... -.-
But I did make the front end look a bit better IMHO. Got rid of the amber blinkers and replaced them with smoked ones and amber bulbs.



But I did make the front end look a bit better IMHO. Got rid of the amber blinkers and replaced them with smoked ones and amber bulbs.



Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: Snowville, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 torque monster w/ a supercharger
Soon it'll be packing more thunder under the hood though.. Just waiting on a few more parts.
This is racejeep. It is what's it is. Take it or leave it. Lol. The mods are 100% reversible (could go from 3-4" drop to 3-4" lift with just springs) if that makes you feel any better.


