had2287

I have an '87 Jeep Cherokee with +260000 miles and a busted head gasket. I'm not using it as a daily driver anymore, so my dad and I are interested in performing some light modifications to make it a little more off-road worthy.

Aside from changing out the gasket and making sure the engine is still in running order, I was thinking about getting some stiffer shocks and bigger tires, maybe even cutting out the fenders to fit the tires in.

I'm adverse to a lift kit because:
a: I've hardly wrenched on cars at all, much less lifted a truck and
b: I'm worried about all the little things; making minor hose extensions, putting new mounts on, drilling into the frame etc etc

Basically I'm wondering if anybody has any suggestions for us as far as kind or type of shocks, cutting out the wheel wells, or any other "easy" modifications that you feel are a must-have for a puddle-jumper.

Thanks.