I am very new to jeeps and Cherokees I have an 84 xj 2 door with a 4cyl auto trans what are some good upgrades I should start with to make my jeep trail ready

 

What kind of trails do you plan on doing? For me, I would go in this order.

Good all inclusive tuneup. Check out Cruisers Remix tips to assist you and get it purring cheaply. Lift(SYE if needed), Tires, Gears/lockers/axles, Armor/recovery (bumpers/sliders).

After that, I personally would be looking to swap a 6cylinder in. Thats just me though, Plenty of guys wheel their 4cylinders.

By then you'll have the fever and be looking at lights, winches, roll cages, fender flares, CB antennas etc.

 

Lots of mud and rocks in the pnw I want to do a engine swap

 

Already got that fever and I just got it running and a tune up I got it for free from my dad so I am pretty stoked

 

In that case, I would recommend getting between 4.5-6.5" of lift with longarms and shooting for a 35" tire. You will need an Slip Yoke Eliminator at that height and extended brake lines (Most kits will come with the brake lines). If a 6cyl is on the near horizon, I would gear for that instead of your 4. The motors can be found for cheaper than regearing an axle costs. Welcome to the forum and the fever! What axles do you have?

 

I wouldn't throw any money at getting a bigger engine. It's gonna cost waay more than the Jeep is worth. A 4.0L will NOT fit in an '84 unless you do major mods to the firewall and radiator support.

Drive the XJ, keep it clean and sell it later for a 1991 or later 4.0L one. I couldn't stand the 2.5L 4 banger in my '84. Was OK in 4low, but any major mud and it just couldn't keep the tires spinning fast enough to keep em cleaned out. I cleaned it up extremely well, modified it some and sold it to buy my '92. Actually, I bought a weak 1986 with the V6 in there somewhere with the cash from the '84 also.

Just drive it and enjoy it. Keep your eyes peeled for a later straight six model.

 

This.

 

So no 4.0 conversion

 

No. You would be money ahead to clean the 84 up and sell it, then look for a 91 or newer that has the 4.0 already. But if you're really wanting to keep the one you have you can always swap in a 4.3V6 out of a Chevy. It will cost you time and money, but will fit without carving up the firewall.

 

I think I will just keep the motor in it make nice and drive it for a bit and wheel it and figure out what I am going to do with the motor maybe it will have the power I need for the trails

 

I have seen four cylinder rigs go further than rigs with bigger and more powerful engines. Power means nothing if you don't have traction. The 4 banger might not like mud and sand, but for trail riding you will have no problems.

 

Ok great I plan on going to like 31 inch tire and three inch lift

 

If you go with that high of lift and those tires your going to want to regear. My 4cyl was a dog in mud and on the highway with a 30" tire and no lift.

 

If your going to engine swap look in to a ls v8 for it.Its not the cheapest swap to do but will give you the best bang for your buck power wise.

 

My dream engine swap for an 84-86 XJ has always been the Buick 3800. If I ever got my hands on an early XJ, I wouldn't hesitated to more forward with this swap.