Project Dark Knight
 

Well it's about time i made a build thread. Unfortunately, i don't know if i can retrieve photos from the early days of my jeep. But anyway I was 16 when i bought a used 2000 Cherokee Sport with 180k, 4.0, np231, d35 and d30, 3.55 gears, aw4 tranny, and bone stock. I picked her up for $2400 in good condition. Back then i hardly worked so income was small and the build was slow due to my lack of automotive knowledge :oops: but this forum has helped tremendously and i thank everyone who's answered my questions. The first upgrade was a dynomax cat back exhaust for $125. the muffler doesnt really provide a loud tone but its better than the stock. Then i got a new sony xplod head unit and 2 5.25" kicker door speakers all for $120, not bad. Wayyyy better sound in the music now.


Then came the inevitable, a 3in Rough Country lift with full leaf packs and the nitro shocks. Also ordered their steering stabilizer (saved my *** from the death wobble big time). I started the lift in the rear. Which was a pita getting the old rusted leafs off...surprisingly after reading so much about borken shock bolts i was expecting to run into the same trouble but all my old shocks came off with ease and no breakage...on top of that i didnt even spray them down before taking them off. :thumbup1: The new leafs went in really easily along with the new u-bolts. Altogether the rear took about 4 days. The front took 2 hours. Then one day i ran over a bg pothole and bent my tie rod, ordered a new zj v8 one with new tre's, helped a ton! Also, i ordered a Rough Country adjustable track bar which installed in 20 minutes. really helped with my offroad handling.


Now i needed some new shoes for my knight, i opted for the 32x11.5 Goodyear Wrangler MTR's w/kevlar sidewalls. Also got a set of polished black Mickey Thompson Sidebiter 15x8 wheels. The wheels look great on my black jeep and the tires have truly proven themselves offroad. They're also not that bad on the pavement. And along the way i trimmed my fenders and blacked out my tailights and turn signals.

This is where the project stands as of now, but future plans include:
-upgrade to 4.5 in of lift with spacers and shackles
-sye and cv driveshaft
-new lca
-extended brake lines
-drop pitman arm
-quick discos
-784 fuel injector upgrade
-homemade cowl snorkel (if anyone has a link to a good write-up on one of these that would be great)
-new front and rear bumpers


pics to come soon!

Sounds cool! Let's see some pics!

That's how she sits now

nice rig man! love the tires keep the thread updated as u build

Thanks man, will do!

I know I've heard of RC representatives on this forum and I'm looking to put a package of items together to upgrade to 4.5 in of lift, anyone know one of the reps that can help?

Picked up some supplies from lowes to do a cowl snorkel. Also getting ready to order an extra 1.5in of lift

Well I just did the 784 fuel injector swap, went pretty smoothly with little issues. I took t out for a test drive and it was great. But now it won't turn over and I can't determine the problem. Any advice or tips would be great

Old vs new

Not exactly sure what this is but it's loose and able to rotate. Doesnt seem like it should be able to, could this be contributing to it not starting?

Well the jeep has been down for a month but I got it running today!!!!! And flexed just because I can

i like the sidebitters.

this is definitely something i should already know but how do you black out the rear lights?

VHT Nightshade.. About 12 bucks at your local parts house..

thanks