Add one more Cherokee...

[XJxplorer]

Have you looked at AJ's rails versus the JKS rails?? They are considerably less in price but the same(if not better) quality..

 

[Purple People Eater]

Might I highly recommmend these headlights!!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/200mm-H6054-H4-EURO-CONVERSION-HEADLIGHTS-KIT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742Q2em153Q2el1262QQcategoryZ33710QQihZ014QQitemZ330262020362QQtcZphoto

$42 shipped to you, made in the same factory as the Hella Euro beam, replacable H4 bulb and look just like Hella's (or any Euro beam light) as far as light output. Myself and my buddy both have them and I do have Hella's in other vehicles, before I found out about these. Don't waste $100 on the Delta's. Also, highly recommend upgrading your headlight wiring harness. There are a few aftermarket ones or build one yourself, as I did. Pulls power directly from the battery and keeps the main amp load out of the headlight switch. Biggest advantage to these is, full voltage to the headlights (you lose some from the headlight switch) and your headlight switch will last forever since only a few milliamps are going through it.

Hmm... interesting. I'll have to keep those in mind. As far as the wiring goes, it looks like a pretty nice setup, but I think I want to keep as much wiring as possible OEM and stock. Just to keep it simple and reliable.

Have you looked at AJ's rails versus the JKS rails?? They are considerably less in price but the same(if not better) quality..

I did look at AJ's, but I couldn't find on the site whether they came powder coated or not. And the few products I have previously ordered from JKS have been stout pieces of equipment. JKS has really won me over as far as quality goes.

 

[Ranger Steve]

very clean...looks good :smiley_drive:

 

[ExpoMike]

Hmm... interesting. I'll have to keep those in mind. As far as the wiring goes, it looks like a pretty nice setup, but I think I want to keep as much wiring as possible OEM and stock. Just to keep it simple and reliable.

That's the cool thing about the upgraded wiring harnesses, they plug into the stock headlight plug (the one that you plug into the back of a stock headlight). You then run the new power wire to the battery and two new plug for the headlights. If you ever want to go back to stock, you just remove this new harness and plug the factory plugs into the headlights. Cake. The improvement even with stock lights but with an upgraded harness is amazing. Take a digital volt meter and check the voltage at the headlights. Then check the voltage at the battery. Typically you will see a 1-2 volt difference, which doesn't seem like much but when you are dealing with the 12 volt world, it's a big amount.

Good luck with yours but seriously recommend the AutoPal lights. Cool thing about E code lights, they ALL must meet the Euro standards and they are very strict (unlike the US). Beam pattern, brightness, cutoff, material are almost 100% identical on all E code lights. Why pay more for the exact same thing? No affiliation to the seller, just hate seeing people spend unneeded money for an identical item. :beer:

 

[Maximus Ram]

Nice score.....

Why only a 3" lift.....why not 4.5" ?
I was going to go with a 3 on mine, but learned from going with a 3 on my Dodge that for the $, I should have went for 5 ...thus getting 4.5 for the XJ.
I think one generally always wishes for a bit more after installing them.

 

[Fergie]

If I may, for your suspension, I suggest the following:

Front:
OME Heavy, with 1.75" spacer
JKS discos
Adj LCAs, RE preferred, trim lower shock mount for more articulation
JKS BPEs
YJ brakelines
Kevins Offroad Trackbar conversion
OME shocks(no need for the "L" version if you go for BPEs)
ZJ V8 Tierod(inexpensive HD upgrade for the stock XJ version)
JKS weld on LCA skids

Rear:
RE extended shackle
OME HD spring packs with JCXL AAL(specifically designed for XJ, creates a 30% stiffer pack for better towing a gear hauling without compromising ride)
YJ brake lines, including e-brake cable
*might need 2 or 3 degree shims if you are waiting on the SYE. Your year XJs have a longer slip yoke on the 231 version, but I don't know on the 242 version.
OME shocks(regular version)
JKS BPES
Relocate lower shock mounts to sit flush with axle tube(no boat anchors)

Again, not sure for the 242 so check you lengths, but with the AW-4, you might be able to use a front driveshaft for you rear CV shaft once you get the SYE.

For the sliders, I ran AJs on mine, and would do so in a heart beat again. Send him and email to see if he can do powder coating, he is worth it.

For your front skid, you can make spacers to drop it down and still have it cover your steering.

 

[jh504]

Nice score.....

Why only a 3" lift.....why not 4.5" ?
I was going to go with a 3 on mine, but learned from going with a 3 on my Dodge that for the $, I should have went for 5 ...thus getting 4.5 for the XJ.
I think one generally always wishes for a bit more after installing them.

Why stop at a 4.5"? Why not go 6.5" and you will never have height envy?unk03:
Really though just do what works for you. I have a 6.5" lift on my XJ and I love it. I connect my swaybars and I can cruise at 70 mph comfortably and safely, then pull off, disconnect, and there is nothing that stands in my way. I think a lot of people are scared to go too big on an "expedition rig" but if done right you can really make any setup work for you.
My buddy only has a 3.5" lift and his Jeep does not handle anywhere near as well as mine on the road. Then again, he is also locked all the way around and can outrun me on the trail as long as he doesnt get bottomed out. What ever size you go with, make sure you do it right.

 

[calamaridog]

Nice. I like that color too.

 

[Purple People Eater]

Nice score.....

Thanks!

Why only a 3" lift.....why not 4.5" ?
I was going to go with a 3 on mine, but learned from going with a 3 on my Dodge that for the $, I should have went for 5 ...thus getting 4.5 for the XJ.
I think one generally always wishes for a bit more after installing them.

My last Cherokee had a 3" suspension, and it was perfect for what I needed it for. I don't have a desire for rock krawling (even though an XJ with 31" tires and lockers will crawl). I had a budget lift on at first, and it so happened that that was the height I wanted to keep it. I had that budget boost crap on for about 2 years before I went over to Old Man Emu. My last Cherokee's height was exactly right for me, so that's what I'm going to do again.

The accident took away my project, which was getting damn near perfect. But now I've had time to sit back and think about what to do, and doing it right.

Why stop at a 4.5"? Why not go 6.5" and you will never have height envy?unk03:
Really though just do what works for you. I have a 6.5" lift on my XJ and I love it. I connect my swaybars and I can cruise at 70 mph comfortably and safely, then pull off, disconnect, and there is nothing that stands in my way. I think a lot of people are scared to go too big on an "expedition rig" but if done right you can really make any setup work for you.
My buddy only has a 3.5" lift and his Jeep does not handle anywhere near as well as mine on the road. Then again, he is also locked all the way around and can outrun me on the trail as long as he doesnt get bottomed out. What ever size you go with, make sure you do it right.

Wurd up. But yeah, I'm sticking with 3 inches. It's just my fancy.

And Fergie, thanks for the input. I'll probably take your advice on trimming the lower control arms, relocating the shock mounts, and the shims. Oh, and that's two votes for AJ's sliders...

*edit* Sorry if I seem a little stubborn. I have a vision in my head. Please keep the suggestions flowing, though.

 

[cshontz]

Good for you for stickin' to your guns on lift height. If I may chime in, I recommend the Warn rock sliders for the best-looking rock rails that would surely perform adequately. I like how snug they are to the body.

As a side note, I run the light duty OME leaf springs, and they offer both a generous height increase and ample payload support. I don't subscribe to the need for heavy duty. The front 930 coils are different story, however. I've got 1.75" spacer on top of my 930's, and its still not as tall as my back end on plain light duty OME leaves without a shackle.

You don't have to defend your interest in a snorkel. There is no harm in being prepared for where you might go.

I like your Jeep, and sorry your last one got wtfpwn'd.

 

[IH8RDS]

Glad to see you have another Cherokee now.

I bought JCR super sliders. The weld qualty is good and have taken allot of abuse. The come bare metal though, but the price is good.

 

[ExpoMike]

Oh, and that's two votes for AJ's sliders...

Let me add another one. That's what I got as well.

BTW, I agree with your choice of a 3" lift and 31" tires. Unless you want to do more hardcore crawling, this setup has gotten me everywhere I have wanted to go.

 

[jh504]

Let me add another one. That's what I got as well.

BTW, I agree with your choice of a 3" lift and 31" tires. Unless you want to do more hardcore crawling, this setup has gotten me everywhere I have wanted to go.

Even though I was trying to "pressure":violent-smiley-031: you into a bigger lift. I agree with the fact that an XJ with a 3" lift and 31s will go most anywhere you want to take it. Definitley if you throw in a locker or posi. Just disconnect those swaybars and show those IFS guys whose boss!

 

[troy]

I like your setup.

Something you might want to consider is the BFG 255/70/16 size. I have the OME lift and was running 245/75/16, but they were load range E. Alsmost all 245/75/16s come in load range E, and it is not necessary for a cherokee.

On my next set of tires I went with 255/70/16, which is load range D and they ride much better. I think the 265/70/16 would require a small spacer to aid in clearance. The 245s rubbed occasionally, the 255s don't rub at all. I'm running these on a Jeep Rubicon Moab wheels.

Hope that helps.

 

[Purple People Eater]

From BF Goodrich's website:

31X10.50R15/C W=10.5 D=30.7 <-Some rubbing on my last Jeep.

LT265/70R16/D W=10.6 D=30.7

LT245/75R16/E* W=9.8 D=30.5

LT255/70R16/D W=10.2 D=30.2

*=Good call, troy.