Cherokee Chat General non-tech Cherokee chat
XJ/MJ/ZJ/WJ
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DashLynx

First modification?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-06-2012, 10:30 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Griff735's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Lehi, Ut
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default First modification?

Hat would be the best first step to turning my 97 xj into a real off road machine?
Old 02-06-2012, 10:31 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
mithuth's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Warren, PA 16365
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by Griff735
Hat would be the best first step to turning my 97 xj into a real off road machine?
Grow a pair.

OK, that came out kinda harsh.
The biggest and best mod for ANY offroader, no matter what you drive, is the ***** to get out there and do it. You're going to scratch it, you're going to break, you're going to have a few scary moments. But you're also going to have a LOT of fun, meet some great new people (and a few not so great), and you're going to take away a lot of random knowledge about a lot of topics.

You can take a stock vehicle out and go a lot of places and over time you'll learn where you can and cannot go and what you can and cannot do in it. THEN look to fill the gap between what you want to do and what you're capable of.

Last edited by mithuth; 02-06-2012 at 10:33 PM.
Old 02-06-2012, 10:35 PM
  #3  
CF Veteran
 
Greenfishinkayak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Posts: 2,523
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Full gas tank
Make sure your lugnuts are torqued down
Find a place to go
Old 02-06-2012, 10:35 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Griff735's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Lehi, Ut
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Haha alright I appreciate the advice.
Old 02-06-2012, 10:40 PM
  #5  
CF Veteran
 
Greenfishinkayak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Posts: 2,523
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

No prob buddy lol
Old 02-06-2012, 10:41 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
xjbeadlocks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 535
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by Griff735
Hat would be the best first step to turning my 97 xj into a real off road machine?
Old 02-06-2012, 10:41 PM
  #7  
CF Veteran
 
LongArmXJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Dayton Ohio
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998 classic
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0!!
Default

ditch the 4wd for a 2wd swap
Old 02-06-2012, 10:43 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
1plunk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Apple Valley, MN
Posts: 2,763
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by Griff735
Hat would be the best first step to turning my 97 xj into a real off road machine?
Probably some tow hooks if you don't have them. Recovery first.
Old 02-07-2012, 08:33 PM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
OOdynamite's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: York PA/State College PA
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Default

Originally Posted by 1plunk
Recovery first.
Then tires
Old 02-07-2012, 08:39 PM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
helmut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Frankfort IL
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Sawzall and a bunch of blades to the fenders and quarter panels, rear swaybar in the garbage (keep the brackets to use later for something else). Fender lining in the garbage, bumper end caps in the garbage. All that is free. If you got $70 get front swaybar disconects.
Old 02-07-2012, 08:41 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
XJeep98Classic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: OKC
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Straight 6
Default

I would go for mud if you don't want to scratch it.
Old 02-07-2012, 08:42 PM
  #12  
CF Veteran
 
Greenfishinkayak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Posts: 2,523
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Fenderliner is a good thing though. Protects from rocks and rust
Old 02-07-2012, 08:46 PM
  #13  
Seasoned Member
 
xjchris's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 374
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Originally Posted by mithuth
Grow a pair.

OK, that came out kinda harsh.
The biggest and best mod for ANY offroader, no matter what you drive, is the ***** to get out there and do it. You're going to scratch it, you're going to break, you're going to have a few scary moments. But you're also going to have a LOT of fun, meet some great new people (and a few not so great), and you're going to take away a lot of random knowledge about a lot of topics.

You can take a stock vehicle out and go a lot of places and over time you'll learn where you can and cannot go and what you can and cannot do in it. THEN look to fill the gap between what you want to do and what you're capable of.
This is the best advise your going to get.
Old 02-07-2012, 08:47 PM
  #14  
CF Veteran
 
helmut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Frankfort IL
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Fuel tank skid from an XJ or ZJ at a junkyard is $20. If you dont have one yet , that is super neccesary.
Old 02-07-2012, 08:56 PM
  #15  
CF Veteran
 
xj_maniac_newb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Summerville, Ga
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 4 cyl.
Default

First step?? LIFT KIT! TIRES! then recovery gear and whatever else looks cool to you, then the stuff that you REALLY end up needing.. Just start where you want, i'd start with a lift kit honestly


Quick Reply: First modification?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:30 PM.