I want to build a Cherokee and I need some pointers on the intial direction to take. What are the best models, engines, trans, diffs, etc to start with?

I want to build for street and part time Baja desert type use, which is a lot of dirt "roads", two track, higher speeds, sand, whoops, with some rocky sections and the occasional tight spot(s). No intention of racing, being super fast, or being competetive. Reliability and fun are key.

JeepSpeed = http://www.race-dezert.com/home/raci...ed-136092.html

What are the considerations on these issues and are there FAQ's or sample builds that I can refernece?

What models/years? (XJ, ZJ, WJ, ?? For me newer is better but I don't want to spend more than about $5k for a starter Jeep)

What motor? (Inline 6? )

What drive train considerations? (Trans, Xfer, Diffs, generally prefer stick but I'm open)

Since these are unit body, do they require reinforcement for this type of use, or not?

Lift, tire size?

Anything I'm missing?

I know that's a wide open list - thanks in advance for any direction.

 

First thing you should do some research of your own before asking, but I'd say it's up to your personal preference xjs have rear leafs while zj and wj have rear coils, other than that pretty much no major difference other than a lot of other options for transfer case, engine, and maybe Trans, Idk much about transmissions, ideally I'd go with a 99 xj with a hp30 front 29 spline 8.25 rear 4.0 aw4 and np231 this way you won't need axle swaps and you have a solid drivetrain, with zjs and wjs they have some weird transfer cases along with 242 and 231,yes you need to stiffen the uni body for heavy offroading like desert racing

 

Zj and wj typically have transmission issues, the Cherokee is lighter than both and seems to take a beating better.

 

97-01 XJ (99 is ideal)
4.0
AW4
NP231 (or 242)


Lots of unibody plating
Deaver coils and leafs
Fox 2.5 remote resis or even something like a bilstein 9100
Interior cage w harness bar
Nice air bumps or even the poly progressives



If your not up to an axle swap better truss the **** out of your d30

 

^What he said^......and a whole lot of MONEY to build it, suspension/differentials alone could run $4-6k for a good setup.