Brambles

So I'm going to go sign the papers tonight on a dedicated little huntin rig. I'm absolutly sick and tired of dragging the bumpers on my 2012 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman and rubbing the paint on alder and stuff, need something that has good ground clearance and better hold back on downhill decents.

I wanted a cherokee because of the 4 doors i can take the kids and I can fold down the rear seat and hopefully sleep in the back if needed.

Its a 1993 Cherokee Country, AX15, Dana 30/35, 3.07

Rockers are GONE, one rear quarter panel behind the drivers tire is GONE, 2" rust zit at drivers door handle and one small zit starting around drivers side rear window. Floors look good, all mounting hardware, frame, etc etc look good.

Odd that a vehicle can have such serious rust in the rockers but the rest of the body actually looks pretty good.

Doesn't have any leaks, just a hair over 150,000 miles (243,000 kms) seem to run quite well.

Stay tuned for criteria...

jeep19xj91

Well one of the first things you will hear is to swap the 35 out. Find a 8.25 from the junkyard, i personally would get one from an auto with the 3.55 gears and get a front to match, 3.55s and the 5 speed are great, should have been factory imo.

Brambles

I live in the Rocky mountains of British Columbia, do A LOT of hunting in conditions varying from scorching hot to freezing cold. Bare dry gravel to 2 feet of snow. Roads are usually deactivated (cross ditched, some small, some HUGE) and steep. Not uncommon to go from 1000 ft in elevation to over 6000 ft in eleveation in about 5 miles, for water run off its not uncommon to have them sloped to the outside which means if you slide sideways in the snow too far your gonna roll your **** down the mountain. Not uncommon to run tirechains on vehicles that allow it.

I am undecided on what is practical on these vehicles as far as tire and lifts go. God I love the 8" and 35" tires but not sure if its practical for me. One for the expense and two for the mileage, still gotta drive this thing all fall.

Still want to maintain some sort of budget but will spend the money if it makes sense.

I have some ideas of what I would need but would like to hear from guys who are use to wheeling in these vehicles and know what they like and don't like.

Done lots of reading on here and looking at photo's, great looking rigs guys. Lots of good tips and ideas, now lets build mine

Brambles

I did go to the wrecker and find an explorer 8.8 with 4.10 LSD, they had one, but had HORDES of the 8.8 3.73 LSD differentials.

Can't find a front D30 to match yet though.....

jeep19xj91

4 cylinder cherokees had 4.10 gears, thats your best bet for the front. For your build i would recommend around a 3 inch lift and a good set of 31x10.50 all terrains. 8.8 swap kits are fairly cheap through iron rock offroad. If you plan on alot of snow i would definately recommend the lsd rear. Be sure you cooling system is all functioning properly, clean radiator, be sure auxilary fan is working, if the water pump is old i would replace it, do the thermostat while your in there. Dont forget about the fan clutch that gets overlooked alot. I would lean away from a front lunchbox locker since you will have trouble steering in snow when in 4x4

Brambles

I have had no luck finding a 4cy XJ in any of the local auto wreckers. Gonna start expanding my search tomorrow

The water pump was replaced recently but will check out the other things you mentioned.

I agree on the LSD rear, I didn't buy a 4x4 to have 2 wheels do all the work, I need everyone to help out. Might break down and get a selectable locker for the front when $$$ permits.

I'm thinking duratrac's for tires, seem to get good all weather ratings and look half decent.

jeep19xj91

I have heard great reviews about the duratracs. A selectable locker up front would be the way to go, eaton makes a really nice electric locker so you wont need a compressor and stuff. If you dont have recovery points i would look into that, brackets for the front run about 80 bucks and if you have a hitch then the rear is taken care of