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Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: Thehowler on August 07, 2019, 08:01:31 PM


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Title: XJ Cherokee
Post by: Thehowler on August 07, 2019, 08:01:31 PM
Anyone ever lifted and built a XJ Cherokee for a go anywhere type, hunting rig?
I picked one up a couple years ago that was owned by a die hard golfer, no off-roading and in very nice shape.
1994, 4.0 liter, ax15 5 speed, 4 door.
I have already swapped out the stock Dana 35, for a Dana 44 out of a 1987 Cherokee.
Regeared it to 3:54 and a limited slip diff, figuring 31” tires for the near future.
Just picked up a set of used Old Man Emu 4” front coil springs from someone I know.
I am going to order up a set of Old Man Emu leaf springs for the rear, and also there shocks hoping for a nicer on street ride.
Been checking out 4x4 Jeep sites for all the additional parts and pieces that would be needed including a SYE kit and Tom Woods drive shaft.
Anyone else ever lifted one of these and have any suggestions?
Title: Re: XJ Cherokee
Post by: Special T on August 07, 2019, 08:12:04 PM
I went total budge and went 2"pucks in the front, s10  home made pack in the rear and cut out fender flairs clearing 33x10.5R15.

Purchased a JCR front bumper weld yourself kit and frame stiffener, and made a read 4x4 air tank rear bumper.

Jeepforum.com has all kinds of cool dyi hacks that are awesome

I monster lined the interior floor and made a custom roof rack. Great vintage rig to build and the run for nearly ever.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Title: Re: XJ Cherokee
Post by: 92xj on August 07, 2019, 08:57:47 PM
I've built a few...
I wished I could find pictures, but can't at the moment.  This is a screen shot from a video in college.  I bought this 4 door 92xj bone stock and built it...4 different times.
May only advice is to save up and build it to whatever your max desire build is the first time. 
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48485411367_49480c5b8a_b.jpg)
Title: Re: XJ Cherokee
Post by: Thehowler on August 08, 2019, 06:52:42 AM
I've built a few...
I wished I could find pictures, but can't at the moment.  This is a screen shot from a video in college.  I bought this 4 door 92xj bone stock and built it...4 different times.
May only advice is to save up and build it to whatever your max desire build is the first time. 
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48485411367_49480c5b8a_b.jpg)

Nice go anywhere hunting Rig!  :tup:
Title: Re: XJ Cherokee
Post by: Matth on August 08, 2019, 08:47:43 AM
I've built a few...
I wished I could find pictures, but can't at the moment.  This is a screen shot from a video in college.  I bought this 4 door 92xj bone stock and built it...4 different times.
May only advice is to save up and build it to whatever your max desire build is the first time. 
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48485411367_49480c5b8a_b.jpg)

Nice go anywhere hunting Rig!  :tup:

Exactly, i have built a few. they all started out budget but didn't end up that way. figure out the maximum that you will ever expect from the rig, and shoot for that or you will be working on it for years.
Title: Re: XJ Cherokee
Post by: Alchase on August 08, 2019, 11:00:29 AM
A ton of information available from this Forum
https://www.naxja.org/forum/

All mine were daily driver/Offroad vehicles. All three made the trip to Moab and back with only offroad pin stripping.

I built a 87 Comanche MJ, 2.5l, Dana 44s, 3 in. lift 31 in tires, ARBs front and back.
88 Cheroke XJ, 4.0L 5 in. lift 33 in tires (lots of fender well cutting) ARBs front and back.
92 Cheroke XJ, 4.0L 5 in. lift 33 in tires ARBs front and back.
All with custom lifts from https://www.rustysoffroad.com/, he use to be only Jeep XJ/MJ.

When you go over 4" on an XJ, lots of geometry re-alignment needs to be done up front or you can open a huge can of worms of rubbing here, death wobble there, LOL.

Title: Re: XJ Cherokee
Post by: Thehowler on August 09, 2019, 08:45:19 AM
A ton of information available from this Forum
https://www.naxja.org/forum/

All mine were daily driver/Offroad vehicles. All three made the trip to Moab and back with only offroad pin stripping.



I built a 87 Comanche MJ, 2.5l, Dana 44s, 3 in. lift 31 in tires, ARBs front and back.
88 Cheroke XJ, 4.0L 5 in. lift 33 in tires (lots of fender well cutting) ARBs front and back.
92 Cheroke XJ, 4.0L 5 in. lift 33 in tires ARBs front and back.
All with custom lifts from https://www.rustysoffroad.com/, he use to be only Jeep XJ/MJ.

When you go over 4" on an XJ, lots of geometry re-alignment needs to be done up front or you can open a huge can of worms of rubbing here, death wobble there, LOL.

So if I stay with a 4” or under lift, will I be able to stay with the short arms, or adjustable short arms?
Title: Re: XJ Cherokee
Post by: huntandjeep on August 09, 2019, 01:57:32 PM
A ton of information available from this Forum
https://www.naxja.org/forum/

All mine were daily driver/Offroad vehicles. All three made the trip to Moab and back with only offroad pin stripping.



I built a 87 Comanche MJ, 2.5l, Dana 44s, 3 in. lift 31 in tires, ARBs front and back.
88 Cheroke XJ, 4.0L 5 in. lift 33 in tires (lots of fender well cutting) ARBs front and back.
92 Cheroke XJ, 4.0L 5 in. lift 33 in tires ARBs front and back.
All with custom lifts from https://www.rustysoffroad.com/, he use to be only Jeep XJ/MJ.

When you go over 4" on an XJ, lots of geometry re-alignment needs to be done up front or you can open a huge can of worms of rubbing here, death wobble there, LOL.

So if I stay with a 4” or under lift, will I be able to stay with the short arms, or adjustable short arms?
I'm a TJ guy but the front suspension is the same between the two. At 4" and under you will be fine with short arms.  I personally only run adjustable arms ( Savvy Offroad) . They give you endless opportunities to dial in everything , like your caster and driveline angle.  I will also never use an off the shelf long arm kit . They sacrifice proper geometry for ease of using existing mounting locations.
Title: Re: XJ Cherokee
Post by: Alchase on August 09, 2019, 05:08:15 PM
You will probably see an adjustable track bar as well for 4” and up.
And depending on tire size; some inner fending trimming, LOL

92XJ, that thing looks like a beast!
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