Hi all, I am new here and to the Jeep world. I have always been more into fast cars and such but as I have gotten older have realized that wheelin is a lot of fun and you aren't gonna get arrested for doing it.

Anyway, I picked up this 1988 Cherokee Limited (with sunroof) today for $800. It also came with a safari style roofrack and a full size spare. Looking for some advice. The front end has the death wobble going on, looks like the front control arms need to be changed to adjustables or something as you can see the spring is curling back toward the cab. I falso can not tell or do not know how to tell is the drag link and such are the larger better one.

I would like to swap the rear axle assembly out for a large unit but looking for something that is a direct bolt in or as close as possible. I do not have access to a welder so I need to be able to build it with parts.

Any other advice would be great.

Thanks,
Brian

Overall it is in really good shape, everything works except the a/c. It even has the sunroof.

The wobble is REALLY bad and starts around 35 mph, I think it needs adjustable control arms. I can't wait to get it road ready and start driving it.

I am gonna go ahead and upgrade the brake booster, master cylinder, calipers, rotors and pads to the new GC stuff.

 

looks like your control arms are at a pretty steep angle. Your caster might be off causeing it to drive rough. how much lift is on it? Looks like your maxing out the stock arms.

800$ is a good deal! I cant find a 2dr around here that isnt rusted to hell,...

 

yeah a set of adjustables would help... long arms would be better...

you are pulling the axle backward... look at the coils

you need a front swat bar for road use

 

Not sure how much lift it has, the guy that had it bought it with the intention to fix it up but never did. He said the lift was already on it when he got it. I am pretty sure it is between a 4-6".

This thing is solid, no rust anywhere and everything but the a/c works.

I am thinking about ordering a set of the Ironman adjustable lower arms.

Thoughts?
http://www.ironman4x4fab.com/Jeep_XJ...s/XJ_FLCA.html

What are some decent long arms?

Recommendations on a sway bar kit?

 

I think it really depends on what your use is with it. the adjustable upper AND lower is the way to go if you stay short arm. but i would only spend money on short adjustable arms if i didn't care to go long arm later. as most adjustable short arms are just over half the price of a full long arm upgrade kit. but adjustable short arms look like they would work.

here is some good long arm info to read. lets-talk-about-long-arms

I choose to go with the RC (rough country) long arm upgrade based on price really. 650& for a transfer cross member and TC skid, long Y arm kit and pitman arm ect. not bad for the price. but read up on the different types of setups before spending money.... Rough-country-long-arm-upgrade

there are a lot of good setups...

 

get some disco. sway bar links. you will want em unless your sticking to the trails. it is nice to have all that extra flex at all times, except when you have to make a quick maneuver... then its trouble.

 

start with control arms yours are stock...... when you install the control arms if you set up your caster at around 11 degrees your wobble should go away don't go buying any other stuff it looks to have a brand new high end trackbars so that isn't it ( make sure its tight)

 

btw your jeep is up there at least 6"

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I am now trying to decide between adjustable arms or long arms. I am thinking adjustable would fit my bill, I am not a serious wheelers and do not plan to get crazy with this thing.

I do plan (maybe a while) to swap the F&R axles for some 8.25 4.10s, upgrade the brake booster, master cyclinder and rotors, pads, calipers.

Other than that just clean it up and enjoy.

 

Even adjustable Control arms will be too short for you lift. If you don't go to Long-arms at least look at doing LCA Drop brackets. On road ride and control will be greatly improved, even better than with Long arms, and you get almost long arms off road flex.

For the DW I would NOT limit my upgrades and repairs to the Control arms. Look at ALL the bushings and joints in the front end. This would include steering, suspension and drivetrain, all can cause and contribute to DW. Also check tires, brakes, shock and alignment. Death Wobble can be caused by almost any worn part of any component betwwen the road surface and the body of the rig.

 

So what about these drop brackets \/ with the ironman adjustable arms?

http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_xj_..._arm_drop.html