About four years ago, I thought I had killed my Cherokee. I'd made a very poor decision while I was depressed, killed my neighbor's mailbox, and spent the night in the drunk tank. Well, I've learned my lesson, and after letting the poor thing sit in my yard for the last few years, I'm trying to resurrect the beast.

So here's the basics; the Jeep ran hot and blew the radiator(replaced), luckily the engine, water pump, seals and gaskets are all fine, no damage or leaks outside of the norm. Water and oil aren't mixing and coolant isn't leaking, so I consider myself lucky. It does need a new battery, shocks, and a few electrical bugs worked out. The headliner has been drooping for years, so that needs to be replaced, and one or two of the factory speakers has blown out.

I bought it already lifted with a 2" body lift, had bigger tires on it, and Ford 15" rims in place of the originals. I was a kid when I originally got it, so I've beaten the crap out of it, ran it through mud and water, and just neglected the thing. However, luckily, it's still in one piece and runs like a top, no tapping or other nasty engine noises(just can't kill those inline 6's, I swear...).

So now, I need to get it to where I can drive it as a daily driver and weekend toy. I have some ideas for the aesthetics, new tail lights, headlights, LED light bar, roof rack, Rhino Lining the interior and exterior, winches on the front and back, etc. However, I'm not in any kind of situation to dump a bunch of cash into it now, so that will take some time.

As it stands, if I can slap a new battery and shocks in it, it's drivable. Hell, the AC may even work if I can charge it and get a new relay.

So, does anybody have any ideas or suggestions for me? I'm looking at some Rancho shocks to replace the stock shocks that I put in to get me by years ago and over extended. Also, the tires that are on it will do for the time being, just an off brand AT tire, but I'll have to replace those within a few thousand miles.

 

Tell me more about this 2" body lift...

In all seriousness, plain old white body shocks would get you by just fine, and is inexpensive.

The tires? I would seriously consider getting a new set if it sat for many years. Rubber dries out and cracks/rots, and you may have belt separation...shelf life on tires is around 6 years.

 

2" blocks in the coil springs in the front, 2" extenders on the springs in the back. At least, that's what was explained to me when I bought it. I think the XJ coils may have been changed out for a grand Cherokee's coils? At least, that's what I've picked up from other wheelers. All I really know about the lift is that it allowed for 32" tires to comfortably fit, and it has a decent bit of ground clearance.

As for the tires, I really want to get a new set, I know they're probably dry rotted and have broken belts, but I just don't have the money to get another set, used or new. I'm just in dire need of another vehicle to use to get back and forth to work. Due to our current living situation, my wife and I both need a separate mode of transportation, and this will get me by until I can afford some new tires...

I have one picture in my gallery from several years ago, that should give you an idea of where my Jeep is sitting, and as soon as I can get back out to my Jeep(it's currently sitting at my grandpa's house), I'll take some more pictures of the exterior, interior, suspension, engine, etc.

 

Eh, sorry, not the gallery, but my profile picture... At least, I can see it when I'm viewing my profile...

 

What you described here is a "budget boost" suspension lift...not a body lift. Our rigs are uni-frame, and therefore cannot have a body lift. Just wanted you to know.

You can probably get away with the tires, for a short bit. Get it running right, then you can get new tires later, as you said.

 

I appreciate any info you can provide. As you can probably tell, I'm not the most knowledgeable person in the world about my Cherokee. I figured that it was a 'budget' lift, the guy I bought it from is a shade tree mechanic and tried to wheel and deal with anything he could make a dollar off of.

So, would it be worthwhile for me to try and persue an actual lift kit in the future? I would like to get a little more clearance and flex out of her, maybe stick some 34" s on it one day. I am concerned about the drive line, however. Wouldn't extra lift put more strain on the universal joints?

Thanks again, BTW!

 

We all started somewhere.

What I suggest is to first buy a factory service manual here:

http://www.pacificcoastmanuals.com/

Best $8 you'll ever spend on your Jeep.

Second, start reading up here on the forum. There is a wealth of knowledge here.

Third, BEFORE going hog wild on lift, etc, get it in prime running and driving condition first. Always better to have a solid base to work from.

That should keep you plenty busy for a while, LOL...

As always, if you have a question, search here first, if you don't see anything, post up, we're always happy to help out.

 

On that year model it is a good idea to change out the water pump, fan clutch, thermostat before doing those do a full clean/flush of the cooling system including the heater core several times till nothing but clear water runs from it. How long has this "New Radiator" been installed?


Roni is correct before spending money on anything change all fluids oil, trans, transfer case, both differentials. Do a full tune up as shown in the FSM.


Check the front end for wear and damage if you abused as bad as you say you did. There may be many things there that require replacement also.


Welcome back to the fold and enjoy the Jeep life again!

 

I did buy a Haynes manual from the local Advance years ago, still got it somewhere... I've looked at those .PDF downloads before, I just wasn't sure about them. I've got a little electrical knowledge, some blueprint reading experience, but pretty much no auto mechanic experience outside of basic stuff. I understand how things work, but I have no idea what individual components/parts are called, or whether I should change or upgrade for whatever reason outside of 'it'll look really awesome'.

I'm constantly browsing the site now, since finding out that my Jeep still runs, trying to gather ideas and learn how to accomplish them. But, I figured I would ask for help because as I start to dig into this thing, I'm sure there will be some yet unseen pitfalls and obstacles in my way, and some saged advice may keep me from future headaches. For instance, when I climbed into the cab and drove it around the yard the other day, I noticed that the plastic on the shifter was sticky and tacky. Is that something that I can fix with Armorall? Or do I need to consider changing it out?

 

There is no comparison between those two manuals the PCM's in PDF. is by far the best, I had both gave the other to my son.

 

Changing the water pump sounds like an expensive ordeal... I've changed the thermostat once before, no qualms about changing it again, but I've heard that I could drill a few small holes in it to increase water flow? And I changed the radiator within a week of my wreck, so it's about four years old.

My mechanic buddy that looked at it the other day didn't seem too worried about the radiator, despite a little rust coming out of the fill cap. We refilled it and let it run for about 30 minutes, didn't see any leaks, and the temp stayed right at 210 after it warmed up.

I currently work at an Express Lube in a neighboring town, so I was going to take advantage of that and change all of the fluids after hours. I just read a thread about changing the transmission fluid through the dipstick tube, can't remember who wrote it. I'm not sure about changing the trans fluid in my automatic though, I've heard nasty rumors about gears slipping and whatnot...

As for the front end, you would all laugh at me if you could see the state of the front suspension. The driver side shock has separated completely, and I didn't bother taking it off out of fear that the coil spring may come off... I'll end up taking it to the local realignment shop and getting a four wheel alignment after I get some new tires.

While I'm under the hood, should I change the coil pack rail(if that's what it's called)? I ask because some years ago during a pretty hard rain, I drove through the flooded streets of my town and the engine started to skip. I called the original owner and asked him what it could be, and he said that the coil pack got wet. I've wanted to find a way to waterproof it, but everyone just says to spray foam around it...

 

Reckon I'll have to pick it up, then! Is the Haynes manual good enough to get me by in the meantime? I'll be doing most of the work myself, or at least have a hand in helping my mechanic buddy with the four hand work. When I go to install aftermarket lights, I'll be on my own.