and I have great tires for it, both winter and summer separate sets. A Westin big guard on the front and a couple of KC Daylighters. A good hitch on the back. Replaced the rusted rockers with the 2x6 tube I saw here. AND everything works but the gas gauge. The suspension is stock as well as the wheels. At about 160,000 miles right now and the paint(silver) is still good and there is no body damage.

I was looking for a vehicle to take to the woods and beat up because I DO live in the north woods. I always figured the Cherokee is too nice to scrape up with brush etc. BUT... I realize if I put the money I was going to spend on a beater I could really do some good things to the Cherokee to really make it a go anywhere ride. For a winch I have a Ramsey REP 8000 on a hitch cradle.

SO

Looking for suggestions as to what I could do with it if I dropped about $1500 into working it to be a better go anywhere ride. Figure I can do some of the simple stuff but suspension lift etc would require jobbing out to someone.

web sites to go with suggested equipment would be appreciated.

thanks

 

Replacement of the 0331 head.

 

If ya wanna go play in the woods, I'd suggest recovery points, winch, a decent tool kit, some spare parts and fluids, first aid kit, and emergency rations.

 

Transmission cooler

 

If youre worried about scratching the paint look into bedlining the lower half. Scrapes and scratches no more

 

DID it when I replaced the rockers with the tubes.

 

If you must keep the stock tire size, at least get Spartan lockers front and rear.

 

$1500 will get you another cherokee to use and beat on

 

Those items are of a major concern and at the top of the list along with a fire extinguisher and straps and recovery ropes "Not Cables). Another item is a Hi-Lift jack IMHO a must have item for many different uses.

Recovery points are "NOT" anything hooked to the bumper mounts or even the stock hook mount but ones that go back to the steering box bolts on the drivers side and use D-Rings not hooks to attach them. On the rear you can use the hitch mount if a Class III bolt setup is used and then a D-Ring in the receiver.

For a $1500 budget lockers will give you the most bang for the buck but its a shame to buy them for stock gears if you ever plan on a lift and larger tires.

For about your budget you could get a 3" full leaf/spring lift kit (complete) from Rustys Off Road $430 and a set of wheels steel Cragar Soft Eight look like's from Jegs or Summit Racing for about $80@ with a 3 3/4 or 4" BS. I bought tires locally 33x12:50x15"'s for $128@ off brand but have worked very well so far.

 

Deffinately a hi lift jack, bigger tires, rear locker... stock Cherokees are very capable as long as you have good tires and a rear locker. You'll be glad you did put a locker in it too.

 

Fix that fuel gauge and/or carry some extra fuel. Being out on the trail is not the best time to play the guessing game with how much is left in the tank.

 

Id start with under armor for the t case and gas tank.Next step would be a small lift bigger tires regear for the tires.

 

$1500 isn't a lot of money when it comes to mods. It goes quick. Do research and plan your move from there. Guys on here can tell you how to spend your money but in the end its your money and your jeep so do what you want to it and don't look back.