Just got my first 98 Cherokee for the purpose of hunting/fishing/camping. Mostly Hunting. I've always used trucks but after totaling the last frontier i had for 18 years I decided to go this route. It's bone stock, 190k miles. looking for suggestions and revive this old post. so after i go through most of the mechanical stuff to see what needs fixing, shouldn't be much. I was thinking roof rack, a hitch in the rear, an aluminum hitch hauler. and want to do something with spare tire that in the cargo area. I'm thinking i will need to do a slight lift on it, probably do that when I need new tires. any suggestions to shorten my learning curve and come up with must do's would be appreciated.

 

we have used jeeps and recently a honda crv for hunting, while the awd of the honda was nice, the ground clearance was an issue, especially since they were designed with the exhaust going under the driveshaft...the exhaust spent more time on the roof rack than under the vehicle.

now were back to a 1998 xj. 30x9.50 tires and it's been great...

 

I got my first XJ specifically for hunting (still have that 88, and now have a 96 too)....cuz I could drive it to and from the property, as well as keep out of the weather while doing so....and it was easily 1/3 the cost of an ATV or UTV like others use, which can't be driven on the road, and most don't keep you out of the weather (much less warm & toasty).

I did 31" mud tires, 4.5" lift, CAD brackets, WJ lower control arms, longer brake lines, SYE, and a locked rear, 1 ton steering & boostwerks steering brace & shift linkage came later.

Also removed the lower half to the rear seat and used some turnbuckles to hold the upper half down, and mounted my gun racks to that. Put a mesh barrier where the seat back would normally be, and that's 'bout it.

Suits my needs well.

 

No hunting but I do camp with my XJ. I'm more into kayaking and fishing. I use my LJ for the same reasons and haven't modified either Jeep that much. They basically just haul my "stuff"

 

dt750 did you have to put a lift on it to fit those tires? I'm a little worried about the the exhaust on the xj. It's the lowest point. I tore one off myself on frontier and banged up the replacement a lot.

 

nice looking rig. I was thinking about the same thing when I purchased mine. I've got an $8500 ATV and rarely take it anywhere. Too much trouble hauling it. And if I get bad weather it doesn't do me much good. I hunt mostly in Appalachia mtns. Public land which requires a tagged and inspected road legal vehicle. Also the foot hills on private property which is where I use the ATV mostly but the jeep should work fine. . I do trips out west but use the big truck for that. I've got $1,000 budget for mods this first year.

 

With my setup, I literally drive to the downed game, across cut over and logged out areas....no more walking & dragging for me.....even been called by several members to get there game too.

Rarely actually use/need 4wd if ya know where your wheels are....and don't get stupid/overconfident.

 

Mine at big bend getting ready to for sleeping. 96 xj with 3.5" RE lift 31 10.50r15 Toyo AT2.

 

after many years of street/hunt usage, my 92 XJ is all hunt now. heater still works fine!