1989 Jeep Cherokee, what would you do?
- Thread starter Longrange
- Start date
computeruser
Explorer
What are you trying to do with the vehicle? Regardless, big tires would be relatively low on my initial to-do list for a 21 year old vehicle for a kid.
What are your current gear ratios? With the stock 5-speed (~3.8:1 first gear, right?), I'd be very cautious about over-tiring the vehicle without correcting the gearing...unless you like to replace clutches all the time.
What would I suggest? Here's the plan:
First $1000 - fix what's wrong or questionable. Fluids, all u-joints, front wheel unitbearings, brakes, steering joints, ball joints, motor/trans mounts, axle seals, etc. No AutoZone crap, only good Spicer/FederalMogul/Moog parts. Upgrade headlamps (Hella e-Code lamps have been good to me). Not exciting or flashy, I know, but essential. Teach the kid how to lube and inspect steering and driveline.
Next, make sure springs and shocks are right - Cherokee springs like to sag, particularly the rear leaves, which always appear to be saggy. Freshen up or replace as necessary. A rear add-a-leaf might solve things. A front swaybar disconnect might be worthwhile.
Then, a set of good 30x9.50 tires (A/T or M/T based on intended use) + a full-size spare. I think these will clear without too much trimming or lifting. Throw in a good recovery kit, first aid kit, and emergency gear.
Let the kid drive and explore, without worrying that the flashy stuff detracted from the essential preventative maintenance. Big tires and a flexy lift won't seem very exciting while waiting in the rain for a tow on the side of the road. If bona fide needs evolve and additional modifications are necessary, they can be addressed as necessary.
What are your current gear ratios? With the stock 5-speed (~3.8:1 first gear, right?), I'd be very cautious about over-tiring the vehicle without correcting the gearing...unless you like to replace clutches all the time.
What would I suggest? Here's the plan:
First $1000 - fix what's wrong or questionable. Fluids, all u-joints, front wheel unitbearings, brakes, steering joints, ball joints, motor/trans mounts, axle seals, etc. No AutoZone crap, only good Spicer/FederalMogul/Moog parts. Upgrade headlamps (Hella e-Code lamps have been good to me). Not exciting or flashy, I know, but essential. Teach the kid how to lube and inspect steering and driveline.
Next, make sure springs and shocks are right - Cherokee springs like to sag, particularly the rear leaves, which always appear to be saggy. Freshen up or replace as necessary. A rear add-a-leaf might solve things. A front swaybar disconnect might be worthwhile.
Then, a set of good 30x9.50 tires (A/T or M/T based on intended use) + a full-size spare. I think these will clear without too much trimming or lifting. Throw in a good recovery kit, first aid kit, and emergency gear.
Let the kid drive and explore, without worrying that the flashy stuff detracted from the essential preventative maintenance. Big tires and a flexy lift won't seem very exciting while waiting in the rain for a tow on the side of the road. If bona fide needs evolve and additional modifications are necessary, they can be addressed as necessary.
alexfm
Explorer
I agree. When I first got my XJ I had all these crazy Ideas of 5" lifts and 33's. Now, I'd be very suprised If I lift it more than 2 inches. Mostly because my dad said, "If you wanna lift, you pay for it." That slowed me down a whole lot.
Lifts are expensive. All the money I've put into it so far has gone to make it driveable. Fluids, New Distributor, Gas, some decent craigslist tires. Just let him run it stock for a while, see what he says.Well, yea. I guess the previous comments are correct. But you gotta keep up some interest with fun things too.
Maybe a fake lift as a temp measure, shackles and spacers.
Recovery points, yes. (reciever hitch)
Assuming the running gear is OK (previous comments on lube, bearings, joints etc.) I would look toward known deficiencies/safety issues with the vehicle. E-code lights, definately. Brakes, dual-diaphram booster, better front calipers, rear disks if you wanna feel good and throw money at it. Radiator, I like open system. Motor mounts if needed. Shocks (lift dependent). Upgrade rear leafs (probably wet noodles by now). Frame stiffeners (T&J performance). Bumper/spare tyre carrier.
Maybe a fake lift as a temp measure, shackles and spacers.
Recovery points, yes. (reciever hitch)
Assuming the running gear is OK (previous comments on lube, bearings, joints etc.) I would look toward known deficiencies/safety issues with the vehicle. E-code lights, definately. Brakes, dual-diaphram booster, better front calipers, rear disks if you wanna feel good and throw money at it. Radiator, I like open system. Motor mounts if needed. Shocks (lift dependent). Upgrade rear leafs (probably wet noodles by now). Frame stiffeners (T&J performance). Bumper/spare tyre carrier.
Amauri
Explorer
I agree %100000 But it's better to do it once and do it right. That's where research and some field testing comes in to figure out what you want.
I have the opposite problem that alexfm has. I went with a small lift and 31's because I figured that would be "good enough" but shortly there after I found out that it wasn't. Plus lets face it functionality is the number one priority but we all want our rigs to look good, specially a kid.
As I said before, let him wheel it do some research and save up more money. Jeeps empty our pockets but they fill our hearts.
What axle does it have in the rear? Gears?
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
I'm going to go against the grain a bit here. You gotta have some fun with this stuff.
I say get a budget spacer lift / shackles and some 30" tires. Spend the balance of the money on some underside armour.
Why?
Budget lift and 30" tires gives the Jeep a bit of stance and is more or less the same as the later OEM XJ "Up Country" package with respect to height (ok, a touch taller for the pedantic).
The Jeep unibody doesn't put up with being hauled across rocks very well. Consider some unirail stiffeners/protection and some sliders.
With 30" tires you can get by without regearing depending on how the Jeep will be used. If you guys are just getting into Jeeping it'll be fine initially. Consider looking for some TJ Rubicon tires/wheel take offs for some good bang for the buck. I think that technically GY 245/75R16 from a Rubi is a 31" tire but being P-metric from a good manufacturer it will likely be lighter than a 31" tire.
HTH
$0.02
I say get a budget spacer lift / shackles and some 30" tires. Spend the balance of the money on some underside armour.
Why?
Budget lift and 30" tires gives the Jeep a bit of stance and is more or less the same as the later OEM XJ "Up Country" package with respect to height (ok, a touch taller for the pedantic).
The Jeep unibody doesn't put up with being hauled across rocks very well. Consider some unirail stiffeners/protection and some sliders.
With 30" tires you can get by without regearing depending on how the Jeep will be used. If you guys are just getting into Jeeping it'll be fine initially. Consider looking for some TJ Rubicon tires/wheel take offs for some good bang for the buck. I think that technically GY 245/75R16 from a Rubi is a 31" tire but being P-metric from a good manufacturer it will likely be lighter than a 31" tire.
HTH
$0.02
jh504
Explorer
I say 3" lift with full coils, add a leafs, shocks, and swaybar disconnects. That is still a budget lift because you can get that for $255 which is just slightely more than the spacers. Go ahead and do it right. Then throw some 31x10.50 all terrains on it. It will go anywhere he will ever need to take it. Re-gearing isnt a must with 31s, the 4.0 has plenty of torque.
If this is a father-son project have fun building it. Make it interesting for both of you.
If this is a father-son project have fun building it. Make it interesting for both of you.