This may be the first build thread that starts without a Jeep. Welcome to Project Gorgo. I've been lerking for a few months, reading a ton of build threads, lift/tire combo threads, and how-to's. I've nearly made up my mind on what each individual component should be. Despite checking craigslist, this forum, and several others daily, I've yet to find the 1999 black cherokee I'm looking for. So, I though it might be useful to post my component list before starting so that you guys can advise me where I've made a poor choice, or point me to a better source for a component. So here it is:

Thoughts?

 

So now that you've seen the componets, let me explain my goal. This is not a daily driver. Its my deer hunting / weekend truck. It needs to be able to reliably make the 9 hour drive up I-75 to the U.P. of Michigan. This often involves icy and snow covered roads at 45 miles per hour once in the U.P. Once at the cabin, Gorgo will be used to drive the 20 minutes on the county (asphalt - snow covered) road to get to the truck trail. From there, its 4 miles of muddy trails through cedar swamps. At best, the truck trail has a 10 yard long, 18" deep mud hole every 50 yards. At times these freeze over just enough so that your $30k avalanche makes it half way across before falling through and doing 2k worth of damage to the body panels. Ask me how I know. At worst, 2 feet of snow will fall overnight and I need to be able to make it through.

 

Sorry for making you read so much - this is the last until you guys start offering some advice.

Here are some reasons why I chose certain components and concerns I have with them. Please offer your input.

1999: high pinion, no head problems, fewer emission/exhaust issues, no injector heat issues. Tell me why I should consider a 2000-01?

242 SelectTrac: they are impossible to find around here, but I really want one do to the frequent changes from dry pavement to snow blown roads.

Wrangler MT/R Kevlars: I would love to have Duratrac's for all the icy roads, but they don't make them in 32". Is there a better ice/snow/mud tire out there that is reasonable to drive 9 hours at 70 mph and comes in 32"? (I've settled on 32" because 31 looks too small and 33" is strating to look a little too big and pretty much kills the stock flares)

TrueTrac limited slips: Lots of pavement people. I really think I should have front and rears. Is this overkill?

Control Arm Drop brackets: It has to ride nice during the long trips. I don't rock crawl, just deep mud and snow. Rocky Road's look like the best value / design

IRO Track Bar - not a double shear, but I don't rock crawl - just mud and snow

Extended sway bar end links: no quick discos - but I don't need to flex through the mud holes, and I don't feel like jumping out of the jeep at 5 am when it's zero degrees when I get to the trail head after driving the 20 minutes from the cabin.

3" Coils: Here is where I can use some advise. I want to net 4.5 inches total. I figure its easier to add spacers up to that height then to buy 4.5 coils that are actually taller. The ideal coil would be 175 lb/in and of good quality steel, pre-compressed/ set. Most springs seem too stiff since I don't plan on a heavy custom bumper and winch. Someone point me to a good brand.

Shocks: Just noticed that my spreadsheet still shows old man emu. I've since decided to go with the Bilstein 5100 for 5-6 inch lifts. I guess for no other reason than they have more compelling promotional material. Anyone disagree?

3.5" OME leaf pack. Is there a better choice for something that rides nice, delivers advertised height, and holds its height? I plan to net 4.5 lift, so I'll use a longer shackle

JKS 1" shackle: They actually lift 1.25 which seems like a good idea to have a tiny bit of rake since the backend will be loaded at times. I figure the shims will add another .25 to .5 inch. Back to the shackle: I want greasable, well designed, built, and good bushings. For the small price difference between all the choices out there, seems like JKS is a safe bet.

Rear Sway Bar Drop Bracket by R.E. It looks like these will work on the rear. Can someone confirm? I want to keep the rear sway bar even though I know everyone on this forum says they aren't needed. Keep in mind, I'll be doing a lot of road driving and I don't need the flex. The only reason I'm lifting 4.5 on 32's is to clear the water holes, snow and mud.

SYE/Driveshaft. Looks like a hack&tap is the only option for the 242. IRO seems to have a well priced package. Any complaints?

Ok - I'm all done for now. Let's hear your thoughts. Thanks!

 

Every build thread needs pictures. So here is the look I'm going for.