Ultimate camping and expedition xj
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,023
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From: salem, OR
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Main rig xj:
4.5" lift
33" tires
CLEAN WORKING INTERIOR
aw4 auto
4.0L(60mm tb/cai/full exhaust)
231 with wider chain(1" to 1.25")
Gusset and sleeve/truss d30
8.25 rear
Both axles will have 4:56
4 doors
And cargo area converted to tool storage air tank storage etc.
10k lbs warn synth rope winch permanently mounted on front custom bumper
1500-2000 watt inverter hooked up
Mj trailer:
Matching lift/tires/paint to the xj
Shell/topper color matched
Dual batteries with a tendor for running lights, heater, etc
Small 2k watt generator to power misc and battery tendor
10-15 gallon fresh water tank for shower use and misc
Use the factory mj tank as a reserve tank for jeep, generator, dirt bikes , etc
Trailer tounge box to hold batteries, tools, jeep parts, etc
Comfortable sleeping arrangements inside the bed!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Plaza, ND ..... Unfortunately
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
Hey guys I Apreciate the input and the coments. I think ill go with 33s on 4:56s cuz I need to drive freeway to and dont wanna spin 3k at 70mph lol. Ill prolly go with a 4.5" lift justvcuz I need some clearance. And I want a 93+ xj for the newer r134a a/c but im probably going with a 97-01 xj cuzni like the newer interior and full front windows as well as heated mirrors
Hey guys I Apreciate the input and the coments. I think ill go with 33s on 4:56s cuz I need to drive freeway to and dont wanna spin 3k at 70mph lol. Ill prolly go with a 4.5" lift justvcuz I need some clearance. And I want a 93+ xj for the newer r134a a/c but im probably going with a 97-01 xj cuzni like the newer interior and full front windows as well as heated mirrors
Lift does not necessarily give you more clearance.
But it does give you a higher center of gravity. With an expedition rig you are usually pretty loaded with gear.
In my opinion you would be much better off with good suspension that sits low.
2 or 3in would work great. And set up properly you would have the droop clearance of a jeep with 8" of lift.
By putting a flat belly on the jeep you gain 2.5in of belly clearance without increasing your center of gravity. Basically like lifting your jeep 2.5 more inches without the top heavyness.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,603
Likes: 3
From: SLC, Utah
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
A couple of things to note. Lift does not necessarily give you more clearance. But it does give you a higher center of gravity. With an expedition rig you are usually pretty loaded with gear. In my opinion you would be much better off with good suspension that sits low. 2 or 3in would work great. And set up properly you would have the droop clearance of a jeep with 8" of lift. By putting a flat belly on the jeep you gain 2.5in of belly clearance without increasing your center of gravity. Basically like lifting your jeep 2.5 more inches without the top heavyness.
3.5" 33's. I need to tummy tuck mine but I have plenty of clearance and travel in a couple pics my shocks are fully extended with 10" travel And I am not easy on my rig as you can tell from the size is the one boulder and the rock waterfall I've climbed the photo does it no justice btw
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Plaza, ND ..... Unfortunately
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
You guys make some good points. I think ill still go with a 4.5 lift because I need to completly drive over fallen logs up to a foot in diameter. I will build a custom cross member and a skidplate that goes from the tranny pan to the rear shaft output of the tcase and I will build them so they dont stick below the unibody rails. Going to probably build mynown custom control arms for max clearance,ride, and flex. Another reason I want to put a 4.5 lift on it is so I can articulate the suspensions quite a bit and clear the 33s without doing any crazy cutting to the fenders. Ill do the classic cut and fold on the rears and then trim the fronts up to the top body line (midway up the fender) and build some "h.o.r.e. offroad" style front tube fenders and some orfab style rear armor. Do you guys have any input on were to buy a clocking ring and flip kit for a dana300 tcase to an aw4 transmission?
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: salem, OR
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
You guys make some good points. I think ill still go with a 4.5 lift because I need to completly drive over fallen logs up to a foot in diameter. I will build a custom cross member and a skidplate that goes from the tranny pan to the rear shaft output of the tcase and I will build them so they dont stick below the unibody rails. Going to probably build mynown custom control arms for max clearance,ride, and flex. Another reason I want to put a 4.5 lift on it is so I can articulate the suspensions quite a bit and clear the 33s without doing any crazy cutting to the fenders. Ill do the classic cut and fold on the rears and then trim the fronts up to the top body line (midway up the fender) and build some "h.o.r.e. offroad" style front tube fenders and some orfab style rear armor. Do you guys have any input on were to buy a clocking ring and flip kit for a dana300 tcase to an aw4 transmission?
I haven't read many good reviews on the teraflex 4 to 1 kit for the 231.The 300 is a better case its cast iron gear driven,You can get a 4 to 1 lomax gear seat for it.If you wanna go nuts and skip the flip kit for a brand new alum case its a option http://www.stak4x4.com/Dana_300/replace-a-case.htm
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: salem, OR
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I haven't read many good reviews on the teraflex 4 to 1 kit for the 231.The 300 is a better case its cast iron gear driven,You can get a 4 to 1 lomax gear seat for it.If you wanna go nuts and skip the flip kit for a brand new alum case its a option http://www.stak4x4.com/Dana_300/replace-a-case.htm
Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 22
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
At 5" lift and 31"s my tires still rub the fenders. Coils with a 170 lb rate are like marshmallows when it comes to going fast or with a loaded rig.
Demomoid369 https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/te...ow-kit-172734/ http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/te...-here-1163696/ mixed reviews http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/jeep-non-hardcore/979121-teraflex-4-1-reduction-np241.html
Last edited by andrewmp6; Dec 27, 2013 at 06:23 AM.
Check out this Expedition XJ: http://offroadpassport.com/forum/showthread.php?t=402 I saw this a few months ago and just recalled it. Thought it could be useful for you.
Last edited by RubberSideUp; Dec 27, 2013 at 07:08 AM. Reason: link fixed wrong link removed lol
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 6
From: York, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
For 2-3 days? I think you could skip most of that fancy stuff and just pack a cooler of beer. 
97+ with stock flares? Ya really have to cut the fenders & bumpstop on the Cherokees to make sense with larger tires...they are just too small from the factory IMO.

97+ with stock flares? Ya really have to cut the fenders & bumpstop on the Cherokees to make sense with larger tires...they are just too small from the factory IMO.
Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 22
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Swaybar knocked a hole in fender well also.
Beach Bum
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,123
Likes: 22
From: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
Year: 2000 WJ
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I set up a semi-expedition rig for joyriding, surfing and being on the beach all day and for camping.
Carries 5 gallon water/shower. 2 burner stove and pans. Bumper Table. Full set of tools. Recovery gear, sand ladders, air compressor with split hose for 2 tires at once, and built in bottle opener.
Carries 5 gallon water/shower. 2 burner stove and pans. Bumper Table. Full set of tools. Recovery gear, sand ladders, air compressor with split hose for 2 tires at once, and built in bottle opener.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 0
From: salem, OR
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
If you read the second link and the third(not just the first post) it seems that speed is the problem, looks like people are pushing 4lo on the high rpm for extended amount of time which I can see will cause issues(like driving down the road extended) but it does look like they were both back in 2011' so that could have been fixed by now, if that worries a person enough to not by, I'd imagine just find a 241 out of a rubicon wrangler and hooking it up.


