Cherokee Upgrades

[Backwoods Rambler]

I've really wanted an FZJ80 for a long time, but finances appear to be dictating otherwise. So I've chosen an XJ for my next vehicle. I've built an XJ before (here) so I have what I would consider a significant amount of experience, but as I'm pondering all of my options, I thought I'd see what the forum members say about my "plan".

It will be daily driven 22 miles per day and see about 30% off road us in the Colorado Rockies and Utah. The plan is for a mild lift, armor, winch, double-locked and the ability to carry a family of 5 and all of their gear. I may add a trailer to the mix :ylsmoke: Any items I can find used on CL or other forums will be procured that way.

Here's my "build sheet" in the order that I'd like to get things (lockers and gears would be at the same time). Let me know what I'm missing, or what you think I got wrong... :snorkel:

Basic protection and upgrades:

DPG Offraod Aluminum radiator
Hood Vents (style TBD)
TNT Frame Stiffeners
JCR Sliders, or this: http://www.naxja.org/forum/showpost.php?p=245166773&postcount=34
JCR Steering Spacer
JKS Axle Skid Plate (the mini ones that go on the LCA mounts)
JCR Gas Tank Skid
JCR Transfer Case Skid
JKS Lower Front Shock Bar Pin Eliminator
Front Winch Bumper- JCR Offroad- DIY (I will DIY this since it's a "kit")
Rear Bumper- JCR Offroad- DIY (I will DIY this since it's a "kit")

Consider Matt and www.formatfab.com for custom work that may be cheaper​

Advanced protection and upgrades:

Lift 3” (DPG/OME Deluxe w/JKS disco) <- Does this come with leaf spring bushings?
JKS Rear Shackles (through TNT)
Tires 31x10.5 (or 16" equivalent)
Advanced Adapters SYE
JKS Adj Trac Bar
TNT Track Bar Drop Bracket
JCR Bumper Frame Tie-In’s
JCR 1-Ton Steering Upgrade (or anything to get rid of the “dead spot”)
JCR Sway Bar Mount Kit (required for 1-Ton Steering)
JKS Lower Front Control Arms
4:11 gears


Locker options:

Eaton E-Locker / Front – D30
Eaton E-Locker / Rear – D35 (or D44/8.8 swap)- no 8.25
ARB Air Locker for 8.25 – (add $ for compressor)
OX Locker / Rear 8.25 (Cable actuated)
OX Locker Front D30 (Cable actuated)


At this point, or maybe previously, some of you are probably wondering why I'd be buying a lot of these items when I can fabricate my own stuff. The short answer is that I'd rather spend my time with my family and on the trail and not in the garage.

 

[ih8philly]

JCR 1-Ton Steering Upgrade (or anything to get rid of the &#8220;dead spot&#8221

I did a bunch of research for steering upgrades on my TJ recently. It seems that there is a lot of controversy over the JCR 1-ton steering. You can find the arguments on Pirate and JeepForum. The design of the JCR seems inclined to create dead spots rather than reduce them. I ended up with the Currie Correctlynk after doing the research.

 

[eflosd]

id do the 8.8 or d44 like you said, ditch that d35 as fast as you can

 

[Brentc]

I would went with RuffStuff stiffeners a lot more coverage, also added LiquidIronIndustries front stiffeners. For steering i went with ruffstuff 7/8" steering kit. I would shoot for the XJ D44 even if its more expensive to get out of some fab time. If money and time allows I would add Brown Dog MM, i went with the Header Super Kit in poly and its pure "Beef".

 

[Stumpalump]

Those springs don't come with bushings and aren't stiff enough for your family. Check out Nates for bumpers. Front and rear with a carrier for 1000 with free shipping. TNT used to be a bunch of pricks but that may have changed. And another vote for Dan at Ruff Stuff. http://www.nates4x4.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1821

 

[OttawaXJ]

c8.25 out of other Cherokees is a direct bolt in and is arguably as strong as a Dana 44 if it has the 29spline shafts(1997+).

As for steering, get a ZJ steering setup would be my recommendation. IF something goes down on it, which it wont, then any parts store wil have parts for you. If your JCR, Currie, rustys, etc go down you usually need to get their parts. which are more money and not easily available.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

I did a bunch of research for steering upgrades on my TJ recently. It seems that there is a lot of controversy over the JCR 1-ton steering. You can find the arguments on Pirate and JeepForum. The design of the JCR seems inclined to create dead spots rather than reduce them. I ended up with the Currie Correctlynk after doing the research.

Thanks for the feedback on the JCR steering. I'll definitely do some more research on that.

id do the 8.8 or d44 like you said, ditch that d35 as fast as you can

I'm hoping I end up with a C8.25. My last XJ had that and handled my 33's easily with a locker. But yes, if I end up with a C35, I'll be swapping it out. :ylsmoke:

I would went with RuffStuff stiffeners a lot more coverage, also added LiquidIronIndustries front stiffeners. For steering i went with ruffstuff 7/8" steering kit. I would shoot for the XJ D44 even if its more expensive to get out of some fab time. If money and time allows I would add Brown Dog MM, i went with the Header Super Kit in poly and its pure "Beef".

I'd never considered Ruff Stuff and have never heard of Liquid Iron Ind. I'll check 'em out.

Those springs don't come with bushings and aren't stiff enough for your family. Check out Nates for bumpers. Front and rear with a carrier for 1000 with free shipping. TNT used to be a bunch of pricks but that may have changed. And another vote for Dan at Ruff Stuff. http://www.nates4x4.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=1821

Good to know about the rear springs! That's a good deal as far as bumpers go! Thanks :victory:

I'm surprised to hear that about TNT. I've always had positive experiences with them, even before they were TNT. Bob and company have gone WAY out of their way for me on more than one occasion.


Thanks so far everyone! More work to do...

 

[88Xj]

Ruff stuff stiffeners are great...if you crawl and smash the rail constantly. They are 3/16 and like 48lbs. I chose HDoffroad and got the full kit front to rear. They are all 1/8 which is what 95% of jeepspeed guys do, because again they aren't smashing the rails. I love mine and the full kit weighed under 50 lbs..while just middle stiffeners from ruffstuff, TNT or others weigh the same amount.

Everyone's dead on with the zj steering. Sme budget jeepspeed teams run it..it holds up, parts are plentiful and it'll take a beating! The jcr will eat the little poly spacers they give you..probably every 6 months if your daily driving. I had the steering & still do. It's for sale soon. I'm doing the wj swap currently...again. The jcr is cool strength wise, nastier dead spot than stock worn steering, and its been a short few months and I ate a poly spacer already. Ya..it'a gone.

I would look into a 2" lift pack with shackle relocators. I hated the ride of my old 3" omes..not their fault, the ride was harsh because the **** shackle angle. Normal relocators add 1" so youd get 1 less inch on the leafs. Or you could get the no lift version from HDoffroad & 3" leafs. They are nice & give 8 different shackle position options.

I would just say keep it light, keep it simple.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

I would look into a 2" lift pack with shackle relocators. I hated the ride of my old 3" omes..not their fault, the ride was harsh because the **** shackle angle. Normal relocators add 1" so youd get 1 less inch on the leafs. Or you could get the no lift version from HDoffroad & 3" leafs. They are nice & give 8 different shackle position options.

I would just say keep it light, keep it simple.

Thanks for the shackles ideas.

My last XJ had a lot of 1/4' plating/armor I designed for rock crawling, then I got into expedition style wheeling. All that weight really bogged the Jeep down, especially on Colorado's Hwy mtn passes. This time around I'll be keeping things light, but offering significant protection at the same time.

 

[Brentc]

I hear you with the weight im only going with 3/16" armor thats thick enough for me to rock crawl and light enough for expeditions. I also added a GenRight extended range gas tank its expensive but pure awesome.

 

[88Xj]

I hear you with the weight im only going with 3/16" armor thats thick enough for me to rock crawl and light enough for expeditions. I also added a GenRight extended range gas tank its expensive but pure awesome.

I always thought like this..those 3/16+ thick bumpers people run won't crumple in an accident. First thought is cool...battering ram! Now think like this, that force is transferred to your frame, or in our case unibody. Usually tearing or bending the unibody rail past fixing. So your major sick gnar gnar bumper just cost you a jeep possibly lol. While an 1/8 may bend or deflect some. While in some cases it'll still **** up the frame at least there's some piece of mind. Once on a trip we had a convoy going, 8 rigs total. 1 rig rear ended another at 10mph, possibly less. His front bumper was a ordered piece 3/16 I believe and it ovaled his mounting points, I believe 5 bolts per side. I think an 1/8" would of bent some vs pushing all the force to the frame.
A well thought out 1/8" bumper will suffice, same for frame plating. I did HD because his were 1/8" and a complete kit. Mde a giant difference.
Now gas tank, I had a jcr and the stock. The jcr was 3/16 I believe. Returned it before I installed it and kept the stock 1/8" one. I've yet to wish it was thicker..I returned the jcr because the weight and it being behind the rear axle.. I made a 3/16 2x4 custom xmember with tcase skid built in because I tore up the stock one pretty good. Figured I'd hit or beat that more than anything. My rockers are 2x6 3/16 as well vs a slider. I did the 2x6 rocker replacement.

 

[OttawaXJ]

If you hit something hard enough to bend your unibody beyond repair, it would have done the same damage or more with the stock bumper.

Even if I did damage the unibody beyond repair I would prefer to save the engine. Plus I'd rather not have to fix my bumper every time a tree jumps out infront of me on the trail, which has happened numerous times. I hit a tree doing 30km/h once and I got out in a hurry worried I damaged something. Nope, just made the tree my jailhouse *itch. lol

 

[MtnClimber]

Those sliders you posted from NAXJA, are on my buddy Chris's XJ, which he lives bout 5 miles away from me. I know the fella who built those, known as Monkey, who will build to suit. Those sliders are built & installed in his garage. If you were super interested, I could get you his number and maybe he'd ship them, but I doubt it.

 

[Backwoods Rambler]

Those sliders you posted from NAXJA, are on my buddy Chris's XJ, which he lives bout 5 miles away from me. I know the fella who built those, known as Monkey, who will build to suit. Those sliders are built & installed in his garage. If you were super interested, I could get you his number and maybe he'd ship them, but I doubt it.

If I went that route, I'd just fabricate them myself, but thanks anyway. :beer:

 

[MtnClimber]

Yessah, I found out yesterday that he wouldn't ship em anyways. I'm a fab guy myself so I hear ya there on building your own stuff. I have a winch bumper from a Defender Series and made it to fit my 00 XJ along with the front inner & outer frame supports.
I also have a C8.25, 4.56 geared held together by an Aussie spinning 33x10.5 KM2's. Absolutely no issues w/the 8.25. Swap is easy peasy, BUT if you have a choice, I'd recomend a selectable for alotta street driving. The Aussie gets annoying and wear out the tires alot quicker