History Maker

Hello I have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee sport. It has the 4.0. I am trying to find out what I can do for more power and really to make it unstoppable. My friend had done a ls swap and I was thinking about that but I have also heard to look at 505 performance and get a stroked 4.0. I want to put a long arm kit with a bigger lift with a better rear end I want to customize the whole thing any comments would be great. Thanks

SirCyber

Tbh, the 4.0 I6 is darn near bullet proof as is. Most people I know around here leave the motor stock, with exception of maybe motor mounts. Have only had one jeep out of three fail an engine, and that's cuz it had a rod knock before I got it, and I drove it increasingly louder for almost 3k miles before it crapped itself. I would lean more to getting gearing before a motor upgrade.

It's got a great low end torque, and unless you are racing it, then it's more than capable in 4 low 3rd gear (90% of my Jeeping is done in 3rd gear in 4low)

History Maker

Thank you so much for replying I love my jeep but I was just wanting more I like to go wherever I want to go and not get stuck or have any problem getting through. What would you recommend me do with my jeep

SirCyber

Drive train and suspension. I will point you to the suspension, tires, and low COG stickies here. My personal goal is to build as low as possible with as big a tire as I can with as much suspension droop as I can. But that's me, here in Washington state. Your wheeling may differ where you are at. Towards the bottom of the main page is different regional wheeling areas.
As a general rule, 2-4"" and 33's will get you addicted. After you wheel a bit on that your needs will start taking shape. Also, definitely, make sure your coolant system is in good shape. Been through to many radiators myself, it's a hard lesson learned.

History Maker

Ya I am in North Carolina what would you recommend I do with the suspension and tranny and what can I do with the motor just to get the full power or to gain any power I can out of it and I am running 32 with 300 Chrysler rims. I personally want to change the rims because they are so heavy and what do you mean with your suspension do you mean losing the jeep or what

Rogue4x4

Motor swaps/strokers are not for everyone. It is costly, and can be finicky, especially a swap. If not done to the letter, it can be a ***** to get it right, plus, a swap like that means new trans, TC, or some serious money in adapters, depending on the setup being run. Strokers are friendlier as same platform, but can also get pricey...especially after install, you need to run premium fuel, so factor that in as well, and lifespan will be shortened...Cyber has some good advice above...start reading. You need to educate yourself on what's sounding like a large amount of heavy mods. None of which are cheap.

Here's a link to a website with some good reading on strokers...

https://www.jeepstrokers.com/forum/

What's your budget?

Also, my suggestion to you is to go wheel your jeep as is. You'll be shocked how capable it is. Take it on the kind of terrain you will be wheeling on mainly. After that, determine what needs to change to get over the obstacles you had trouble with, and formulate a plan. Start with armor and recovery before anything else.

You stated you want to "go wherever I want to go and not get stuck or have any problem getting through"....sorry, but no amount of mods or money thrown at a vehicle will do this. Offroad, all bets are off. Modified setups help with things, but nothing beats knowing how to drive and having a good spotter...long story short, everyone gets stuck, even the pros...and they have top-notch race rigs and superior driving skills.

My final suggestion is to be patient. Do your research. Take your time. None of this comes cheap or easy, it costs money and takes time.

Jeepin'_Aint_EZ

Sounds to me like the best thing would be to learn the hobby and start reading up on other builds. I have to also agree with Roni and that is that nothing beats seat-time. It's a great feeling when you have much less money into your rig versus these guys who drop their JK's off to be "built" and you wheel right on past their stuck asses because they can't buy driver skill.

Rogue4x4

....and no amount of money or skill can prevent getting in a pinch on trail. It happens to the best of them, everyone gets stuck eventually haha

SirCyber

Or pulling lifted race rigs, or big lifted full sized trucks, Hummers, etc out of deep mud holes

History Maker

Thank you guys on the comments it helps a lot. I don’t do a lot of rock crawling but I do like to flex my jeep out a lot and take it through the woods we’re normal vehicles can’t go. What would you guys recommend I do even if I just put a comp cam kit in and striker kit. Or should I leave it stock? The only reason I ask is because I went 4 wheelin the other day and got the jeep stuck while my buddy in his built and lifted f150 passed me with no problems. And I thought that would never happen again. Any help would be appreciated

00t444e

Throw some good mud tires on and a front and rear locker, then you will be passing that f150.

History Maker

How bad is it to install lockers

SirCyber

Agreed. The issue isn't the motor, it's suspension, drive train, and tires

History Maker

Ok so what can I do for the drivetrain and I just wanted to upgrade the motor so it was stronger it sounds like it Boggs down when under a load

History Maker

Because it has 33s