JeepsterXJ89

Hello from Iraq, friends...

Let me preface this by saying I have owned this 1989 Cherokee for all of about 2 weeks before my deployment to Iraq with the US Army. I sold my old truck (Dodge Ram) and ZJ in preparation for leaving, but I saw this XJ on craigslist, non-running, for $500. After the deal was said and done, I showed up with a car dolly and $200 and took it home. (I told my wife it was $300, and bought her a present for being nice and letting me drag another Jeep home)

Previous owner said he bought the Jeep as it sits, with a rebuilt motor and lift, rocking 31x10.5 Muds. He thought it was a bad fuel pump. Started poking around, and with some advice found here on CF and a multimeter found a bad FP resistor (on driver side fender) to be the issue. Now starts and run and drives with no problems! Cost to date- 458.00 including dolly rental and a new battery.

Upon my re-deployment to the states, I know it will need new fluids all around and brakes up front. (already have new rotors)

Plans include removing flares/trimming fenders for larger wheel/tire setup, lined interior and complete black-out (in flat black, of course!) Plan on running aggressive A/T or possibly a mild M/T

Will be the work truck, as an Army photographer/journalist I frequent the tank trails (sand, mud, gravel) of Fort Benning, so I am building for this. If all goes well, looking to Co for the next duty station, then the XJ would become the trail rig...

I am hoping to use this thread to ask questions/advice from CF users, update on purchases as they are made, and post pics when I get back state-side. If this is in the wrong place, please excuse my error, and move as appropriate. Thanks!

And now, I need some help - THE LIFT? Prev owner knew nothing about it, I see full coils up front, AAL out back. Any guesstimates on actual lift?

Jmalone9

hey nice looking rig, and thanks for your service. As far as lift goes, you said it has 31" tires, and it looks like you still have plenty of room in the wheel wells... so i'm thinking you have a 4" lift .... possibly 4-1/2". Seems like everyone on here knows ALOT more than I do though, so maybe wait for some more input.


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01' XJ 3" RC Lift 30" BFG A/T's JCR Rear Bumper
Rock Ratz Roof Tire Carrier Cragar Black Soft 8's
Rusty's Tow Hooks 2 10" subs

RENIXBEAST

X2, THANK YOU for your service to our country. It looks to me like a 3". Best of luck with your Jeep and God Bless the U.S.A.

JeepsterXJ89

Thanks for the support and opinions... eyeballing something in the 32x11.5 range, so I'm thinking, should be good to go minus the flares and some minor trimming...

PolarXJ

To me it looks like 3". My XJ had a 3" lift on it when I got it and looked very similar with respect to wheel well spacing with 31" tires.
x3 Thanks for Serving

tweaks

its sits about the same as mine with a 3.5

DCM

Thanks for the service, and for the lift problem, its stock flares so get a tape measure and check it out, i think stock it was 17 from the center of wheel to front flare, im not sure though

bigbadcherokee

def a 3"

JeepsterXJ89

ok great, so we are settled on a 3-3.5ish lift... now onto tires? two of the M/T's on it are about dead, so they need to go... stay 31's, go 32s or 33s? i like the look of no flares and some trim, so i am cool with that... thoughts??

bigbadcherokee

id stick with 31's, here, is my jeep with 3.5" of lift 31's and trimmed fenders and my sway bar gone

jeeptilldeath

it depends on how much wheelin ya wanna do and what you do when your wheelin. in my opinion bigger is better but that is just me... thank you for serving sir and what is your mos my dads was mechanic. he worked on bradleys.... and my brother in law is a combat engineer... and i am still thinking about being a ranger... im just curious as to how you served. but thank you and god bless you. say thanks for me to everyone you know.

94Heep

Them wheels look awsome on that

warrpath4x4

Tires depends on what gears you have/plan on running. I've been on some of tank trails, I would suggest some lockers lol.

JeepsterXJ89

Found a great deal on an Optima RedTop, so that is the second part waiting to go on the UAJ. Have been thinking about the interior gut, any suggestions on the best liner to use? Rhino, Herc, Dupli? Thanks all for your support!

truckntractorhick

rhino or line-x!