Jeep Cherokee Forum - Project wishful thinking

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Project bloody knuckles

I wanted to start a build thread, it will be an ongoing project.

Vehicle: 1998 Jeep Cherokee Limited

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...front-left.jpg

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...-rear-left.jpg

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...rear-right.jpg

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...ront-right.jpg

Goal: Have a daily driving Cherokee that can do mild wheeling, towing and light duty support/recovery.

Breakdown of goals

Daily driving aspect is a must to the point that a sacrifice of off road capability would be considered first.

Mild wheeling includes trails, some obstacles, mud, snow and loose/wet road conditions.

Towing includes an 8X10 trailer (which can be done now). This aspect must be kept.

Light support/recovery is mainly a rolling garage (kind of)... tool hauler and power tool capability (air/electric/charging). Aux lights, spare parts, fire control and winching capabilities. Most support is for motocross and field repairs on rigs, quads, bikes, tractors, and other equipment.

The jeep is pretty much all stock right now so it is a pretty clean slate. Current non stock parts include

Aftermarket CD head unit
K&N drop in filter

Things I would like to do will be separated into categories as follows....

Engine

Improvements in efficiency (power would be considered a bonus)

Drive line (excluding brakes and tires)

Traction improvements such as differentials
Axle swaps
gearing

Brakes and tires

Brake upgrades such as better calipers, disk brake swaps and slotted rotors.
31"-33" tires and rims if need be

Electrical (excluding aux lighting)

Upgrade alternator
Duel battery
Inverter installation

Aux lighting, tool support and switch panels

Off road lamps
Air compressor
Merging all kits, harnesses and wires into a panel that doesn't look like a rat nest.

Suspension

Install very mild lift 1"-3", enough to clear tire selection but not much more. (having second thoughts about this one. Looks like I will need to go higher for tires I want)
Replace rear leaf springs.
Replace shocks

That is what I though of thus far. Since typing I know I have forgotten several things...which is why I am starting this thread :wacko:

Any and all suggestions, comments and criticism welcome!

EDIT:
Added photos
Changed project name to Project bloody knuckles... As project name implies this jeep will fulfill a support role that will have the knuckles bleeding long after the project is complete.

good luck with the build..looking forward to seeing progress

What will you be towing? the brakes of the XJ are garbage while towing

Good news everyone!

I thought I had a D35 in the back.... well I don't. I have the 8.25"! I was talking to my buddy at the Jeep dealership and he told me he doubted I had the D35 because I had the limited with tow package and told me to take some pics and send to him. He was right! He text back it was the Chrysler 8.25" rear with probably 29 spline axles. He said it was a pretty good axle and should be fine for my build. He said it was no D44 but the d35 is a far cry from this axle which makes me feel a whole lot better.

here are the pics I sent him.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...f-before-2.jpg

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...f-before-1.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by xjoffroad (Post 571004)

What will you be towing? the brakes of the XJ are garbage while towing

I have an open trailer for quads and bikes. The factory tow package already does this job well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by razor02097 (Post 571071)

I have an open trailer for quads and bikes. The factory tow package already does this job well.

I was just asking to make sure if wasnt something extremely heavy. good fine on the 8.25! :thumbsup:

New shocks

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1276784171

New leaf springs

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1276784225

And new hardware to install it.

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1276784199

Still waiting for my add a leaf kit and will have to figure out the front lift.

Sounds like you have thought out alot of things to improve on in your jeep..We need some pics of said jeep,,,,post some up :thumbsup:

Added photos to OP :thumbsup:

Adding a note... things I need to think about.....

Trans cooler to help when towing...
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/60382...ductId=1032941

Power inverters... do I get several small ones or one big one? Maybe a few small and a medium?

http://www.dcacpowerinverters.com/cu...kc=PW2300-2AWG
http://www.dcacpowerinverters.com/cu...kc=PW3500-0AWG

Batteries
http://www.optimabatteries.com/optim...wtop/specs.php

lights for front
KC HiLiTES 630 Daylighter - 6 In Chrome 130w Long Range Off Road Light System

KC HiLiTES 633 Daylighter - 6 In Chrome 130w Driving Beam Off Road Light System

bumpers.....

????????????????? build or settle with something I don't want... ?????????????????? *sigh*

Wondering about suspension... The Rusty's 4.5" lift kit is under $700 and it looks almost complete.

KIT INCLUDES:
• Front 4.5" coil springs
• Rear 4.5" leaf springs
• Fixed front lower control arms
• Front hydro performance shocks
• Rear hydro performance shocks
• Adjustable trac bar
• Front Sway Bar Drop Kit
• Transfer case drop kit
• Brake line extension kit
• Grade 8 U-Bolts
• 6 degree shims

What else would I need for this kit?

Did a few minor things after work today...

Cleaned the gunk off the roof. Something I have been meaning to do.

before

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1276783941

after

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1276783942

Also thought about something I... well more like my dog needs... grip tape on the bumper. Cheap and easy.

before

http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n...g?t=1276783945

after

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...tape-added.jpg

Also wanted to show members what I use the little cubby space in the back for. Something IMO we all should have...

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...tinguisher.jpg

I know not much of an update but at least I'm not losing interest :nerd:

Something else I have been thinking of.... Sequence or things I have to do in order. Related items that if I install it would make more sense to install together such as...

Differentials and gears

lift and tires

However I would think gears would come before tires if I am to do the sequence.... so.......

diffs + gears ---> lift ---> tires

As of this moment I have new OEM suspension so I can collect and horde parts for each. I figure I could do diffs and gears whenever but can't do them separate or waste a bunch of money setting up gears twice.

Right now I think I am set on a Detroit locker in the rear, Detroit Trutrac in the front, 4.11 gears front and back.

suspension either 3" or 4.5" lift depending if I am going to go with 30's or 32's. Leaning on the larger lift though as it isn't that much more.

The other modifications such as support tools, bumpers and recovery gear sequence isn't as critical. Other then electrical which I plan on alternator upgrade first then optima duel battery then inverters.

Did more today...

Picked up a salvage e brake assembly to replace the damaged one I had. During removal I ended up snapping one of the dang bolts....crap..... I was careful removing the other two... in the process of drilling the bolt the dang bit snapped... AAAAAAH WTF! Anyhow after fiddling around with it I finally had it drilled out but the damage was done so I had to tap one size bigger. I got it all in I just have to hook up the cable.

Pulled off those hideous petal covers... lucky the rubber is still present.

Found my exhaust rotted out so.... I removed from cat on back. Stuck a turn down on there till I can get something this weekend..... l.o.u.d!

4 hours later there she sits.... oh and the check engine light came on..... grrrr.... probably from the change in the exhaust system. Will be getting that checked out to see what the code is.