Just introducing myself. I just picked up a stock 98 cherokee sport. Been doing a lot of reading and searching so far (like someone new to a platform should) This is my first 4x4 and it seems I made a good choice. It seems the only downfall is the pathetically small tires that are required for stock height XJ's. But they are so light and for my uses it's not a big deal. Looking and reading into 2-3" lifts so I can do some 30-31's and have it look a little better. I am not doing any serious offroading just the standard basic offroad adventures, camping, trailing snow/dirt to get to the wife's friend's cabins.
This xj is clean inside and out so anything I do is going to be in the nature of keeping this thing nice. No hacking of fenders and such... It's just too nice in my opinion, plus again not doing any hardcore off roading.
Will try to get some pics up...

 

Welcome to the forum. Sound like you got a good plan. Don't forget to do the maintenance stuff first.

 

Thanks for the warm welcome!
I have some modded awd dsm's and we preach maintenance so that is my plan. It's not a DD so it's not going to be racking up the miles.

Outside of the standard vehicle maintenance is their anything jeep specific I should be looking for or do?
I plan on the standard plug/wires. All the drive-train fluids. Radiator flush... you know the usual... That casual non-wrenchers neglect

Still learning this forum but looks like your the jeep of the month

 

Welcome from England.

 

Hey thanks!

 

Awesome great starting plans, good luck and welcome!!

 

I have to tell you that I do not understand the obsession with lifts and Etc because it opens up a whole can of worms leading to an endless stream of other issues and upgrades due to the change in suspension dynamics.


My 97 is bone stock except for the 235/75/15 slightly oversized tires on the stock wheels that gave it about 2 inches more clearance overall. I have had absolutely no problems getting to where I wanted to with it.


The tires fill the wells better and look better, do not rub, yet it still corners on the road like a sports car. It is a good combination of performance in both conditions, on and off road. I firmly believe that at some point going further one way will indeed create a loss from the other.


"For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction"

 

For most folks it's not an obsession, rather it's a means to an end.

The purpose of a lift kit is two-fold.
1.) Increase the available ground clearance.
2.) Improve axle articulation.

Both combine to greatly improve offroad performance and reward the user with more trail options than what a stock vehicle is capable of navigating.

 

Very good point about staying stock. Except one thing.... I'm pretty sure this guy is gonna tinker lol. Which will inevitably lead to more tinkering. Then eventually some full on modifications.

The guy says he's got some "modded" Diamond Stars he messes with. And if you know anything about those little beasts. They're about as addictive to build and toy around with as the XJ's we all love.

Good luck OP lol. Welcome to 4x4 addiction

 

I get the drift But have you noticed that in 95 percent of the posts there is terminology pointed towards "Looking better", "Looking meaner" "Looking like it has a wider track"? Most are focused on aesthetics rather than functional performance and then there is that smoking oxymoron gun included that nulls the previous intentions..."Daily Driver".


Here's the deal, Unless you are going to be climbing Cliffs everyday on purpose then you need a purpose built trail rig. But when you do this you will be giving up on the ride and cornering abilities provided with a Daily Driver. You just can't fool physics and have 100 percent of both worlds.


The idea that you can't get there or do certain feats with a stock rig is a misconception. I have yet to find terrain I could not traverse or here's a concept..."drive around" to get wherever I needed to yet I still have a comfortable daily driver.


Seriously...to start off with the notion you have to install a lift kit and 33's before you can even take it off road is confusing to me. A stock jeep will do very much more than we are giving them credit for.

 

Don't get me wrong I like to tinker too. I have a Bronco II that is spooled in both the front and rear diffs and will probably climb telephone poles at an angle with only one front or rear tire making contact with the ground...but it's not expected to also be a "daily driver".


Thing is, far too many expect the best of both worlds and it just doesn't work out this way. Sounds like the OP is hip to this and trying to do what he can to have as much of both worlds he can get without detracting from each other too much.


A wise rewarding concept I respect and appreciate seeing for a change!

 

I am not obsessed with the lifts, but my stock leafs are looking rather flat, the PO lived on a farm and sure he did a bit of towing or they just wore out naturally and if I'm going to replace something I might as well upgrade a bit. Like SeriousOffRoad stated it opens up some trail options and improves clearance and such. CR-Snow kinda hit the nail on the head. I do like to tinker This isn't going to be a pavement queen (although the wife is loving driving it!) but it's not going to be a hardcore off-roader either, more of a functional vehicle to get up to some nice spots for adventures!
I'm sure I would be more than happy with the performance of the stock height XJ, it already has 235/75/15 on it but sometimes we just crave a little more especially when it improves the functionality of the off-road purposes. I have plenty of cars for the pavement purposes.

"An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force."

 

Semi-intelligent people that mod their rigs do so in an attempt to gain strength in some areas and they understand the there will be trade-offs.

While driving around an obstacle my be okay if there's a bypass available, most are off trail here (Colorado) and will incur the wrath of anyone that happens to be on the trail with you. Taboo.

As far as anyone building a rig just for appearance....SO WHAT!?!?
To each his own. I don't have to like it or agree with their reasoning but I certainly appreciate the time, effort, and sweat that goes into it.

Back to the original intent of the thread....

 

Sounds like the OP is working on restoring functionality as a primary goal I also respect someone doing what they like with a rig but I do have to share that everytime I see a 4X4 with 20 inch low profile tires and wheels just because they "Look cool" all I can say is "What the ???". lol


Then they are in my shop complaining about the conditions of our roads as they are buying a new $300 wheel because they hit one pothole and bent one of those pretty 20" wheels.


"Wait? you are blaming the road because you had to have 20 inch wheels?" This happens much more than one would think.

 

Some men like skinny girls, some like 'em beefy.

It's their choice....no one else's