GoldeneyeXJ

Alright Guys I'm new to the forum and I just got my first jeep its a 99 Cherokee sport that's a champagne gold color and she's bone stock but anyways I'd love to know what's a good place to start with my build and don't say tires and lift cuz my budget is low I'm still in high school.

OP_Rover

I'm in high school too, get a job man jeep = just empty every pocket, I've spent more in parts since spring break last year when I bought it then I did for the jeep. I also bought mine bone stock, what kind of wheeling are you going to do? That way we can suggest what to do first, besides lift... you should also go get brake/carb cleaner or engine degreaser and spend two or three hours cleaning the engine. Yes the Cherokee's famous for how long the motor will last you, but that's only if you do the regular maintenance and take care of it! And welcome to the forum!

kgm

1. Oil change, plus new oil filter. (Most oils will work well, 5W40 Rotella T6 is great, as is 15W40 Rotella T6 & Purolator/Wix/Mobil filters. Avoid the FRAM)
2. Tune-up (spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, air filter).
3. Brake fluid flush (shops can do this on the cheap)
4. Transmission drain & fill (Dexiii/Merc fluid in AW4 auto trans) take note of the fluid that comes out. Should be red, may be brown.
5. Drain & Fill transfer case (Dexiii/Merc [atf+4 works in the trans case as well, but I like to keep it simple])
6. Drain & fill differentials (75W90 gear oil, your rear may need an additive if it is a limited slip)
7. Checks all bulbs, interior and exterior
8. Inspect brakes, discs obviously easier to check than drums.
9. Clean throttle body
10. Check tire wear and pressure, rotate or inflate/deflate as necessary.
11. Serpentine Belt replacement
12. Fresh O2 sensor(s). Not necessary but helps in the long run.
13. Suspension and steering bushings. Check for too much play, seizing or dry rotting on: drag link, tie rod, track bar, anti-sway bars, control arms, leaf packs and shackles.
14. Check torque on lug nuts and suspension bolts
15. Disconnect battery & refresh grounds & terminals
16. Check u-joints in driveshaft & axles for play
17. Take it for a drive


From the FSM:
DESCRIPTION ..............................TORQUE
Shock Absorber Upper Bolt . . . . . 23 N·m (17 ft. lbs.)
Lower Nut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 N·m (46 ft. lbs.)
Stabilizer Bar Clamp Bolt . . . . 54 N·m (40 ft. lbs.)
Link Upper Bolt . . . . . . . . . . . 12 N·m (9 ft. lbs.)
Link Lower Nut . . . . . . . . . . . 74 N·m (55 ft. lbs.)
Spring U-Bolt Nut . . . . . . . . . 70 N·m (52 ft. lbs.)
Front Pivot Bolt . . . . . . . . . 156 N·m (115 ft. lbs.)
Upper Shackle Bolt . . . . . . 156 N·m (115 ft. lbs.)
Lower Shackle Bolt . . . . . . . 108 N·m (80 ft. lbs.)

I brought mine to a shop and had them take a look at it, most will give you a quick once over for cheap or if you are having them do something else they will do it for free. I had them swap some tranny fluid & give it an inspection. They caught a few things I wouldn't have thought about. Those are in no particular order and aren't everything. Just things I could think of, and I poached some of that list!

If you search google & the forums, you can find step by step tutorials for pretty much everything on these trucks. It's pretty amazing.

GoldeneyeXJ

Well my idea for wheeling use is a daily driver for the commute everday and then a weekend warrior with my friends when i can so in the long run i want to get a 3 inch lift with 31" godyear duratracs and then all down hill from there i suppose haha

OP_Rover

While your waiting on saving for the lift you can bed liner all the trim, front and rear end caps, the grill and bezels, and pain the stock rims, there's a good two days of stuff to do that will make it look better! After I got through all my cleaning and basic maintenance that's where I started went from this, to this. There's more pics in my build thread

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/zav-169766/

GoldeneyeXJ

Thanks a bunch OP i was planning on rhinolining the wheel wells and repainting the bezels when i went to paint the wheels black so that would have been one of my first mods and you just made up my mind! Thanks! I was hoping to put KC HiLites on the front bumper pretty soon as well

OP_Rover

Yeah man, I'll subscribe, sounds like we started in exactly the same place. Good luck, make it your own

GoldeneyeXJ

Haha thats too funny make it your own is one of my bands songs :P but thanks for all the help man! Ill be sure to get the ball rolling soon!