Where to spend $
10-16-2011, 08:38 PM
#1
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Where to spend $
Ok got back from my first wheeling trip and was pretty pleased with the jeeps performance. I have a couple hundred i can drop into it now, or I could save it for later. I'm currently on a 3 inch kit, stock sway links, stock arms, brake lines. It's driven on road 90% of the time but I still want it to be crazy capable, any ideas?
10-16-2011, 09:09 PM
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6 firepower ignition, cat-back w/ magnaflow muffler, poweraid tb spacer, optima blue top
Probably start with the discos, lower arms, brake lines, and recovery points (tow hooks?). Also just things that make it more comfortable and easier to drive like cup holders and headlights.
10-16-2011, 09:12 PM
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Year: 2001
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Got cup holders. I was considering tow hooks but I'm gonna go new bumper instead...discos would be nice but they seem pricey. I was considering adding 1.5 inches to my lift with a spacer and shackle but idk much about how the spacer will affect the ride, also don't know if the shackle will kill my leafs
10-16-2011, 09:54 PM
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
It was good to meet you today and had a good first wheeling trip too!
Front sway bar disconnects would help you a bunch to keep the tires on the ground. My sway bars are in the scrap pile, but I won't recommend you do the same. The option to disconnect the front sway bar is a good one. They're cheap too.
Recovery points front and rear are good too, but if you are doing different bumpers, you can work that in with those. I want to build some new ones soon if you want mine, maybe we can make a deal!
A locker, either front or rear (or both) will make traction much easier at all times, but complicates other things. they aren't necessarily cheap either. You could always weld the rear end...
As for your lift question, the front spacer will only lift it up, it'll still be sitting on the same springs, and ride the same in that respect. The angle of your arms will be slightly steeper, and will make the ride a bit harsher, but not much. The rear shackles won't affect your springs at all, only lower the rear end down. Everything else stays the same.
Front sway bar disconnects would help you a bunch to keep the tires on the ground. My sway bars are in the scrap pile, but I won't recommend you do the same. The option to disconnect the front sway bar is a good one. They're cheap too.
Recovery points front and rear are good too, but if you are doing different bumpers, you can work that in with those. I want to build some new ones soon if you want mine, maybe we can make a deal!
A locker, either front or rear (or both) will make traction much easier at all times, but complicates other things. they aren't necessarily cheap either. You could always weld the rear end...
As for your lift question, the front spacer will only lift it up, it'll still be sitting on the same springs, and ride the same in that respect. The angle of your arms will be slightly steeper, and will make the ride a bit harsher, but not much. The rear shackles won't affect your springs at all, only lower the rear end down. Everything else stays the same.
10-17-2011, 05:41 AM
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Year: 2001
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Yeah Brian it was a good trip...I'm going with the new rough country bumper but if that falls through I'll have to take you up on your bumpers...im thinking of a ford 8.8 upgrade with a locker In the rear soon. Still wanting to get to 5 inches when I buy new tires
10-17-2011, 08:17 AM
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first things first, get your own recovery strap. don't rely on others.
but in order to hook up your new recovery strap, you need a proper recovery point. don't go wheeling without somewhere to hook up to. so either a rear trailer hitch, or front hook with proper xj bracket.
guys around here won't even let you join their group if you don't have a proper recovery point, or even your own strap for the most part.
then you can focus on other upgrades.
but in order to hook up your new recovery strap, you need a proper recovery point. don't go wheeling without somewhere to hook up to. so either a rear trailer hitch, or front hook with proper xj bracket.
guys around here won't even let you join their group if you don't have a proper recovery point, or even your own strap for the most part.
then you can focus on other upgrades.
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10-17-2011, 10:48 AM
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
Good point, you definitely need your own quality recovery gear in addition to somewhere to hook it up.
It looks like disconnects are a bit more pricey than last time I looked several years ago. You can make some functional ones very cheap, I can help if you like.
It looks like disconnects are a bit more pricey than last time I looked several years ago. You can make some functional ones very cheap, I can help if you like.
10-17-2011, 11:06 AM
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
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Originally Posted by b. lee
Good point, you definitely need your own quality recovery gear in addition to somewhere to hook it up.
It looks like disconnects are a bit more pricey than last time I looked several years ago. You can make some functional ones very cheap, I can help if you like.
It looks like disconnects are a bit more pricey than last time I looked several years ago. You can make some functional ones very cheap, I can help if you like.
10-17-2011, 11:09 AM
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Someone made them for less than $.60 with a nut/washer/cotter pin combo.
Search and you'll find a write up. Lots of people have done home brew quick discos.
Search and you'll find a write up. Lots of people have done home brew quick discos.
10-17-2011, 02:10 PM
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Year: 98 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Sway bar disconnects are probably the best upgrade you can do right now. The front sway bar severely limits your flex, makes off camber sections just that much harder. Totally worth spending the money on a good extended set, and then they'll fit when you put more lift in too. And ditch the rear sway if it's still in there.