I'm sure if they've gone bad but
the threads on my front tires only have 1/3'' thread left.
I believe due to heat, they've also started the wrinkle around the threads.

 

Thanks Jerrythejeep. Maybe i will just get the 30.5/9.5/15 and do the lift. I could probably wait a couple weeks.

 

LOL!!!! That's actually kinda helpful, 'cause we all know how he drives!

Not sure why you're limiting that to stock rims, but yes whether you have stock rims or not, you can. I have 235/75r15's on 15x8 American Racing D-windows... the only reason I rub is 'cause I have no bumpstops whatsoever.... I solved this by trimming my fenders. Didn't feel like buying bumpstops.... even though I'm going to have to now.

 

I run the same lift and tires you're asking about.
Perfect balance. I only wish that I had more lift.

 

A SYE doesn't lower the support or the TC. Everything mounts back in the factory location. It just bolts to the output of your TC replacing the slip yoke with a fixed one. You'll need a new drive shaft which you can probably source at the bone yard and some axle shims.

 

Should this question be deemed inappropriate or redundant, please feel free to let me know. I'll look elsewhere.

I recently picked up a 1999 Cherokee SE, 4.0L, 5-spd manual, 4dr, 4WD. Only has 96K miles, it's my weekend truck for getting lost with my dogs or haulin my drums to gigs (or whatever else). It's pretty stock, and overall in good shape.

I have a friend/mechanic that checked it out last week, and we know it will need a new radiator, exhaust, rear leaf springs, and rear driveshaft. I don't really have the time to do these projects myself (or the tools & skill set!).

Ultimately I want to put a mild lift and larger tires, so here comes the questions:

I'm considering 2 to 3" of lift, looking at OME and RE. I'm Ok with the price of OME and like what I see/hear about dpgoffroad. The RE lift comes at the suggestion of my friend, but I see they offer a 3.5" lift, and they tend to raise the Jeep more than advertised. I don't want to go too high for a number of reasons: introducing vibes, sacrificing gas mileage, etc.

I have stock 15" steel wheels, which I can keep, or not, but here's where I'm struggling. I'd love to put BFG A/T KO2's , but it appears they'll not be available in 15". It looks like they ARE available in a 245/75/16, which I believe to be about a 31" tire. Need a 3" lift? I'd get some 16" Moab wheels for that set up.

OR....go a little lower, keep the 15" wheels (maybe some Canyons), and go with a different tire, like a Cooper Discoverer AT3?

Again, I'm NOT going to do serious wheeling with this Cherokee. I will use it for bad weather, a little mild offroad, but it's also not a daily driver ( I have 6 vehicles and 3 drivers in the house).

Thanks in advance!

 

Staying with a lower lift is not a guaranty that you wont get vibrations. I lifted mine with a 3" zone kit and had to do a transfer case drop to clear up a drive line vibration.

 

if the rear driveshaft needs replaced anyway then put on a sye and get a cv shaft then you won't have to worry about vibes... A little more expensive but when replacing why not upgrade.

 

Thanks, but I need a little help: CV shaft? And I've called Tom Woods driveshaft already, but they indicated I needed to take measurements first. Sounds like I have more homework, haha.

 

when you get a sye (slip yoke eliminator) you need to get a cv shaft too. To get an example of a cv shaft look at your front driveshaft.

 

Most people with an AW4 transmission just run another front driveshaft with their SYE, myself included.

 

that's my plan once I get the cash to get a sye....

 

Thanks, gents!
SG Mason, your point is well taken. Not assuming anything, just want to reduce the chances.

It has dried up enough that I'm going to head out to take driveshaft measurements, I'll check out the front driveshaft as suggested. I think I have an AX15 tranny, though. And fortunately Tom Woods website is fairly extensive.

And I agree with the concept of upgrading if you have to replace, but I have to keep in mind this is a vehicle I MAY put 3k to 5K miles per year.

Any other thoughts on the lift and wheel/tire choice?

 

So I've read that a 2" lift fits 30's fine and 3" lift fits 31's fine. I have also read that the rear height of the vehicle limits tire size more because of the smaller wheel wells. My Cherokee has 2" of lift in the front and 3" of lift in the rear. Will I be able to fit 31's without trimming or would it be best to stick with 30's? I plan to use Soft 8's with 4" backspacing. I don't want to trim anything other than the section that is covered by the front bumper end caps (pre-97).

This is how much clearance I have with the stock 215's:
https://i.imgur.com/uNJgfFv.jpg

 

You can probably run 31s fine if you cut-and-fold inside the front fenders. There's an inner pinch seam that the tires will rub on. May need to do the outer edge, too.