sm99eagle

Hello, I am interested in buying my first jeep, I know that I want a Cherokee. I don't really want a grand cherokee, just a cherokee. I was looking at the mid 90's. It will be my daily driver, but I want it to be lifted. I have drove several already lifted, but they tend to be "junk" for the price. I have a $4000 or so budget. I am not looking for anything extreme, just with a 3" to 4" or so lift and 31" or 33" tires. My question is would I be better off buying a nice stock cherokee for around $3000 and have a lift installed or would I be better to just keep looking for one lifted? I don't have the knowledge or place to install a kit myself. I don't really even know how much a lift will be installed. I have done alot of research and found that they are anywhere from $600 to well over $1500 for the kits...As you can see, I'm not sure what to do...any guidance would be greatly appreciated. I love jeep and I wanna be part of this great community.

djlarroc

you posted in build section, but oh well.

to be honest - it depends. if you can buy a lifted rig thats been maintained, it will save you a lot of time and money. but be careful, because if you buy a rig that's been wheeled hard, there can be a lot of hidden problems.

if you buy a stock jeep, you can feel good that it's not been abused, but adding a lift and tires, and labor will get expensive fast.

some people say start fresh, i say keep looking for a clean built rig.

where is your location? Maybe we can help you find something.

sm99eagle

Sorry about the wrong posting, I wasn't sure where to post it at. I live in Northeast Ohio, Near Akron. I have drove 2 so far and one wouldn't stay in 4 wheel low and it shimmied alot in the front end, the other went into all 4 wheel drive modes, but made ALOT of cracking and popping and squeaking sounds up front, I was afraid to drive it very far..lol, both jeeps the steering wheel was completely side ways to go straight. I figured finding a good lifted one would save me tons, if it was maintained or lifted for looks..like what I wanted mostly. Thank you for your help and knowledge.

Bustedback

I'm in the "buy a stock one and build it yourself" camp. That way you can learn how everytning functions and choose the lift that will work best for you. There are too many rigs out there with junkyard parts cobbled together to form a lift. I'm always in favor of a well engineered kit, rather than a set of stilts bolted under the rig. 9 times out of 10, the guy that does a junkyard lift will start a post asking how to cure his new found death wobble. A well engineered kit will help with avoiding death wobble.


The junkyard lift guys will start lashing back in 3..2..1..

dar83

i'd buy one lifted and save myself some money. try and find one for like $3000 already with a little lift and decent tread on the tires then you got a $1000 for fixing small problems and more upgrades. buy a suv that is more than 10 years old you can just plan on having issues. luckily this forum has plenty of advice on fixing all kindas of problems. main thing is make sure the motor sounds good and the tranny and tcae shift good.

jeepgirl99

just my opinion, but I would look for a virgin jeep in good shape and have all the work done by someone you trust or yourself so you know what's been done to it and can have it done the way you want it or you just may end up back tracking and fixing someone else's mistakes, it might end up costing more in the long run, but it'll be just the way you want it.

sm99eagle

it seems like the majority is going with a virgin jeep, and I am starting to think that way too. With only $4000 to spend, if it is lifted with descent tires then it is more than likely gonna be either a rust bucket or a junkyard build, or wheeled really hard. I guess I can keep looking for either, but maybe I should just buy a nice stock jeep that has a good body on it. I can always save up and get more ideas on lift kits and stuff. Thank you for every one's input on this. I will keep you updated on what I get, if anyone is from northeast ohio..give me a shout, Thank you all for being so KIND and considerate for newbies...I feel right at home.

djlarroc

Offer $2600
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/2268581650.html

Offer $1600
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/2268294722.html

Offer $2300
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/2267293994.html

Clean zj if you wanted to open your options. $1500
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/ctd/2266816232.html

Another zj $2500
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/2268396059.html

96xj $1500
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/2258749895.html

Should I go on?? lol...

Red82

Just remember if you are driving the xjs on the road they are going to act weird. They aren't meant to be in 4wd when on dry pavement.

Bustedback

A bone stock XJ or ZJ will do very well off road, so there is no need to jump into a lifted one right off the bat. Besides, part of the fun of owning a Jeep is working on it your self.

sm99eagle

I guess I just wanted something to stand out, like a nice lift with mud tires, I don't need it. I don't plan on wheeling it much. I will just stick with stock and maybe someday put a lift on one. I keep looking for a nice one in my area. If anyone knows of one, let me know. I am in northeast Ohio. I am so excited I hate waiting to find what I want...lol. ANyway, thanx every one for the pointers. I am forever a JEEP person and I don't even own one yet!!!

sm99eagle

nice looking xj djlarroc....I love these things...

johnnyd

I just found this, ready to go, for $2500. Real nice guy, did the work right. just had to ride craig's list for a few months. Good luck!

93gc40

IMO, NEVER buy a lifted or modified rig. You just don't know what was really done, or NOT done to it in both maintenance or Upgrades.

I have a Well Engineered Lift. It consists of both New Name brand parts and JY stuff. Whose parts you use and where you got them, really have very ltttle affect on DW or Quality of you lift. DW is caused by lack of proper maintenance and wear, not modifications. Modification only emphesizes problem that already exsited, even if not noticed, yet.

sm99eagle

Wow, johnnyd, it looks like you got yourself a nice jeep for a good price. I have been riding craigslist for a little over a month. I have found a lot, I just need to pick one out and go with it. Thank you for the info 93gc40, and everyone.