Unnecessary '96 Build Thread
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: Canton, GA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks! It's still gonna be a while before I lift it. I'm also debating whether or not to 4wd swap before or after the lift. I also need to look in to fixing the driver side fender.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: Canton, GA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
That's what I'm thinking as well... but if I lift it first then it'll be a little easier to wrench under. Plus, I'm still not 100% sure I trust myself to be able to swap a transmission and tcase by myself.
No, I don't lick fish.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,169
Likes: 26
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Why on earth would you have to do it yourself? Get a friend to help you. Get someone off the forum to help you... get on the GA thread and rally the troops man!
Yes, I already thought about wrenching under it. Get 4 ramps and you should have enough to be able to lie under it without issue. I weigh 270 lbs and have 235/75r15's on my jeep and I was able to slide my fat belly under the front axle blank to change out the RMS without jack the front axle off the ground.
Yes, I already thought about wrenching under it. Get 4 ramps and you should have enough to be able to lie under it without issue. I weigh 270 lbs and have 235/75r15's on my jeep and I was able to slide my fat belly under the front axle blank to change out the RMS without jack the front axle off the ground.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 6
From: York, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
lol at you 2wd guys 
Get yer swaps done and then worry about everything else!
Anywho, I highly recommend 6-ton jackstands from Harbor Freight. Maybe one of my best tool investments so far. makes working underneath way easier. I was able to do my new exhaust in about 2 hours last night thanks to those! That reminds me, my build is overdue for an update!
Get yer swaps done and then worry about everything else!
Anywho, I highly recommend 6-ton jackstands from Harbor Freight. Maybe one of my best tool investments so far. makes working underneath way easier. I was able to do my new exhaust in about 2 hours last night thanks to those! That reminds me, my build is overdue for an update!
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 5
From: Albuquerque, NM
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Kinda got the itch to do SOMETHING to the Jeep today... so I figured I'd clean out the interior and check fluids.
While I was cleaning I found a brand new rotor still in the box!
Decided to check the air filter... Could use a new one. Brand suggestion or are they all the same?
I wanted to throw on this new lid that I picked up at the GY... it's much cleaner, as you can see. But I'm guessing it's for a 97+? I found it in the back seat of a 93... There's a spot for a sensor or something on the part that goes to the TB. Lesson learned, haha.
So, I think I may have found the source of the water in my floorboards... I need a new windshield anyway.
That's a bottle of Mr. Pibb under the front tire.... Then we ran it over with my brother's 2500 and it still wouldn't go. Crazy.
Decided to remove the rear swaybar. I wish I had more than one jack-stand... Had to keep taking off and putting the tires back on because I made it way more complicated than I needed it to. So here's my brother being forced to do my work for me.
The rear stuffs noticeably better.
Also, I told my brother to pry the links out of the axle-side mount..
He somehow managed to break my screwdriver ??? Not sure WHAT he was prying on because as soon as he broke it I got under there myself and pulled the link out with my hands...
In case anyone is wondering how I over-complicated the swaybar junk... Like I said, only 1 jack-stand, so I could only do one side at a time... at first, I didn't think I had a socket that would fit the nut/bolt that holds the link on to the axle. So, I simply pried open the piece of metal that holds the bushing in to the link open and removed it like that. I did that on both sides, then realized that I DID have the socket, so I (one side at a time) went back in and removed the links. That means I had to remove and put each tire back on twice...
Also! The stock lug wrench makes a decent breaker-bar. Just hammer the tab that usually covers the end out of the way.
While I was cleaning I found a brand new rotor still in the box!
Decided to check the air filter... Could use a new one. Brand suggestion or are they all the same?
I wanted to throw on this new lid that I picked up at the GY... it's much cleaner, as you can see. But I'm guessing it's for a 97+? I found it in the back seat of a 93... There's a spot for a sensor or something on the part that goes to the TB. Lesson learned, haha.
So, I think I may have found the source of the water in my floorboards... I need a new windshield anyway.
That's a bottle of Mr. Pibb under the front tire.... Then we ran it over with my brother's 2500 and it still wouldn't go. Crazy.
Decided to remove the rear swaybar. I wish I had more than one jack-stand... Had to keep taking off and putting the tires back on because I made it way more complicated than I needed it to. So here's my brother being forced to do my work for me.
The rear stuffs noticeably better.
Also, I told my brother to pry the links out of the axle-side mount..
He somehow managed to break my screwdriver ??? Not sure WHAT he was prying on because as soon as he broke it I got under there myself and pulled the link out with my hands...
In case anyone is wondering how I over-complicated the swaybar junk... Like I said, only 1 jack-stand, so I could only do one side at a time... at first, I didn't think I had a socket that would fit the nut/bolt that holds the link on to the axle. So, I simply pried open the piece of metal that holds the bushing in to the link open and removed it like that. I did that on both sides, then realized that I DID have the socket, so I (one side at a time) went back in and removed the links. That means I had to remove and put each tire back on twice...
Also! The stock lug wrench makes a decent breaker-bar. Just hammer the tab that usually covers the end out of the way.
I was going to pick up some of those harbor freight jack stands but dont want them to be to short. Especially when I go to 6" I dont think Ill get my tires off the ground without a hi lift or a big *** jack
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: Canton, GA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Its looking good man, do the 4wd swap first so you can know exactly how much you want to lift(the first time)Haha I removed my rear sway bar without taking off any tires, and at like 8pm in the dark. But I am at 3.5" and 31's. I did have to make a releif cut to bend it because getting it out with tires is a whole different story.
I was going to pick up some of those harbor freight jack stands but dont want them to be to short. Especially when I go to 6" I dont think Ill get my tires off the ground without a hi lift or a big *** jack
I was going to pick up some of those harbor freight jack stands but dont want them to be to short. Especially when I go to 6" I dont think Ill get my tires off the ground without a hi lift or a big *** jack
Yeah, so, plans might be changing... I opened up a new savings account and I'm going to save up $1500 or $2000 then get rid of this Jeep. Then, I'm going to buy a 97-99 4x4 4 door.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,104
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
The swaps not really hard if you have the right tools and the space to do it tho.
Its not for everyone
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: Canton, GA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yeah, it's not an easy decision to make, but the reason I'm not doing the 4wd swap is this: I wouldn't be happy with it even if I did. Ultimately, I want the newer interior, as well as the nicer looking exterior that the 97+ XJs offer. I also HATE having a 2 door, so yeah. This is definitely a good platform, for somebody who doesn't mind it being a 2 door and a pre 97... just not for me.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 4,104
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, TX
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Yeah, it's not an easy decision to make, but the reason I'm not doing the 4wd swap is this: I wouldn't be happy with it even if I did. Ultimately, I want the newer interior, as well as the nicer looking exterior that the 97+ XJs offer. I also HATE having a 2 door, so yeah. This is definitely a good platform, for somebody who doesn't mind it being a 2 door and a pre 97... just not for me.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: Canton, GA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The grass is always greener on the other side, as they say.
Last edited by tssguy123; Dec 25, 2013 at 12:41 AM.
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,314
Likes: 3
From: Canton, GA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I probably will end up missing the 2 door, but I definitely won't miss hearing people complain about getting in the back
No, I don't lick fish.
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,169
Likes: 26
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
lol at you 2wd guys
Get yer swaps done and then worry about everything else!
Anywho, I highly recommend 6-ton jackstands from Harbor Freight. Maybe one of my best tool investments so far. makes working underneath way easier. I was able to do my new exhaust in about 2 hours last night thanks to those! That reminds me, my build is overdue for an update!
Get yer swaps done and then worry about everything else!
Anywho, I highly recommend 6-ton jackstands from Harbor Freight. Maybe one of my best tool investments so far. makes working underneath way easier. I was able to do my new exhaust in about 2 hours last night thanks to those! That reminds me, my build is overdue for an update!
But since your sellin' out... I mean sellin' it
Yeah go fo exactly what you want.