utfan

instead of getting a new car, what could i do with a little under $2000 spent on my cherokee? i ask because i have found out mow much fun i can still have with 2wd driving fast on dirt roads and getting sideways, and it has reminded me why i once had crazy dreams about my XJ, so instead of getting a newer car for graduation what could i do to make a mild prerunner out of my Cherokee, and still keep it a daily driver?

i haven't really looking into this on a Cherokee, but i did a bunch of research for a ford ranger (don't hate me) and i realized how damn expensive it is to get some good travel out of IFS, soooo yea i want to see what it would cost to make a somewhat capable Cherokee. i got a 96 with 2wd and 5 spd, and $2000 to spend.

im sure ill need a locker, and of course tires, so i guess its more like $1000 for the suspension, steering, and whatever else will need to be improved on.

AeroSynch

naxja.org

The JeepSpeed section there is pretty good. Basically truss the axles, improve your steering and reinforce the unibody. Possibly get fiberglass fenders to complete the look? Haha.

My Jeep is currently being considered for that JeepSpeed change.

utfan

ya i just looked over at naxja after i posted this, im just trying to find out how much reinforcement is needed cause i cant have a full cage in my DD , and where can i find glass for a Cherokee?

zkeifer

Theirs a guy on Naxja that sells turbo manifolds haha you wanna go fast on dirt it's the next best thing to an awd and also boost is like crack once you get a little taste you want more. I believe his name is boostwerks. Haha I was just talking to a buddy of mine of doing a 2dr 5spd turbo and rallying it

nukinfuts29

if you cant have a full roll cage in your dd you shouldnt be prerunning your dd. not that you should anyway but going fast off road means good restraints and a rull cage.

BRUNER247

Jeepspeed cage=700$ tires & wheels=1000$ fuel cell= 200$. Or maybe just cage & lift? 2K not gonna get ya very far.

utfan

meh thats not what i wanted to hear. maybe im shooting to high, i don't plan on hitting any big jumps, i just want to feel confident that im not gonna bottom out when i come to a little dip/bump at speed, like i do right now. so i guess you can think more like bumpy rally driving than prerunning (hope that makes sense), because where i drive i dont really get much air, but its enough to make me uncomfortable with stock everything. oh and i want room for 33's so i can do a little mudding here and there :P (i know i gotta do trimming and stuff for that though).

AeroSynch

Rally Cherokee? I like the sound of a Rally Raid/Dakar Cherokee. Hmmm...

Fiberglass fenders might give room for 33's.

utfan

it does roll of the tongue nicely

AeroSynch

I like those fenders or these:

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2865...44518644UAhUlH

evilxj85

google search

tommyxj2000

rustys has a nice set of prerunner fenders

sandaddik2

dont need a fuel cell to go play on dirt roads. im sure he wants to keep the rear cargo section of his jeep also

i say long arms, cage, and learn how to do a little fab work yourself. doing things yourself if you have the resources will make your build go a lot further for the money.

utfan

that's exactly why i didn't want a cage, or shocks going through my rear floor (that's for my subz), and my dad is wayyyy to cheap to pay for anyone else touching my car so im used to doing stuff myself

on a side note what is the optimal gearing for 33's with an automatic tranny for a good combination of off and on road driving (or to run at around 24-2500 rpm going 65)? and how much does re gearing usually cost per axle?

evilxj85

http://naxja.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=230