Jake01XJ

I've owned my Silverstone Metallic 2001 Cherokee Sport for about 3 years now, and I've done a decent bit of work to it. Most recently, I've begun installing a Rough Country 4.5" lift kit.



Here it is in stock form the day I received it. Basically no rust on the body and 120k-ish miles


First modifications were painting the wheels black and installing some fog lights.


Next up was a Rusty's Offroad 2" Budget Lift.


Granted, both of these were used, I just wanted something to compared the new spacer to.


Also installed a Rusty's steering stabilizer.



Here it is with the 2" lift and 30x9.50r15 BFG ATs. Also installed a throttle body spacer around the time of the lift. Sometime before the lift, I replaced the blinker housings with clear ones.


My idea with this size lift was to get a look of how Cherokee's could/should have been from the factory.


Then it was time for a new Magnaflow muffler! We ended up cutting down that long length of pipe, I just mocked it up for the photo. Sounds much better now!



The old tailpipe began to leak, so we replaced it with a new 2.5" tailpipe!


Looks much better!


Installed a steering box brace about a month and a half ago.


Recently began the install of a Rough County 4.5" lift. 3" leaf-spring pack with 1.5" extended shackles. We had to cut the foward leaf-spring bolt on one side which set us back a bit, but the other side went more smoothly.


Rear is finished! Looks pretty funny. I've got Cragar 15x8 Soft 8s and 32x11.50r15 BFG ATs waiting to go on once the lift is done.


Started on the front. We had to cut one of the bolts to get one of the old lower control arms off and had to drill out a snapped bolt on the upper bracket for the track bar, which set us back a bit. But the new lower control arms are halfway in, new coils are in, and the brake line extensions are in. Still need to get the old pitman arm off to get the new one in. My brother is a mechanic (automotive technician, as they prefer to be called), so he's bringing back the correct size socket to get the pitman arm nut off.

We started the transfer case drop as well, but needed a stud remover, so my brother is also bringing those back. Additionally, we still need to press out the old lower sway-bar end link connections that are on the axle. Then we'll have to get the new shocks on and the new adjustable track bar (I bought one with the HD mount, which we already installed), get the new pitman arm on, finish up the TC drop, and get the sway bar back on with the extended end links, and get all the other little odds and ends back together. I'm pretty excited so I'll keep you all updated!

Future plans include:
-Fender flares
-SYE kit and driveshaft
-JCR Offroad prerunner front bumper
-50" light bar
-Some brand of rear bumper with swing-away rear tire carrier
-Potentially Stronger tie rod or steering setup
-Mill out the throttle body to 63mm
-Possibly re-gear (any suggestions? 3.73, 4.10?) *I have an auto*
-Maybe a snorkel
-Some other engine/power improvements

Jake01XJ

Small update:



Got the transfer case drop installed. Getting the studs out was quite a pain in the butt, but we got them.



We got the control arms bolted in and we got the old end-link attachment bolts off the axle so that we can put in the new ones.

We also got the pitman arm about halfway off, but the tool we rented already had its threads stripped, so we're going to get a heavy duty one tomorrow.

Jake01XJ

Update 2:



Here she is, 4.5" lift completed! Now just need to get the new wheels and tires mounted and balanced, and get an alignment. Looks a little weird in this photo, but some of it is due to not taking the photo from the exact middle of the jeep.

Does anyone know if the little bolt behind the shackle that stops it from traveling backwards really needs to be ground down?

Also still need a name for my Jeep, three years and I still haven't thought of anything. Suggestions?

Jake01XJ

All finished with the lift. Sitting on 32x11.50r15 BFG ATs on 15x8 Cragar Soft 8s.



My Cherokee sitting next to my cousin's Wrangler YJ.






Had some fun in the snow today.


Quite the transformation.

Mudstomper99

Looks good I'm running 32s on my 4.5rc as well and I love it.

Jake01XJ

Thanks! Yeah I love the look and ride height. A very happy medium I would say. Have you re-geared for the 32"s? Still trying to decide if I want to/should.

Mudstomper99

No I think it's ok where it's at now I'm running 15x10 Bart's on mine and only had it on the road so far.

Jake01XJ

Ah ok, what tires are you running? Mines been running pretty good with the stock 3.55 gears, but I live in a hilly area so sometimes it's not the best going up long hills.

Mudstomper99

Wild country mtx cheap mud tire this thing ish beater dd lol ride nice and are cheap

Jake01XJ

Not bad for a beater! Liking the look, and those style mirrors are sweet. I also need to figure out if I want to swap out my speedo gear.

DallasXJ

Any updates to your Jeep??