Cherokee 2001 Mods Question

[Jay]

Hi All

I know I should't be here since I own a Rover but I really love Jeeps.
A cousin of mine has a nice 2001 Cherokee
It is still all stock other than it sits on a nice of BFG AT(245/75/16 I think)

The truck is to remain a daily driver but he is looking into equipping it for better off-road performance.
I have in mind the following:

1-Rear ARB locker(Are the cherokke rear axle strong enough to handle an ARB and 30 maybe 32" tyres)
2-2" Lift ( Is the OME lift the best recommended ? How about Skyjacker ProComp or Rancho?
IT needs to be comfy with articulation.

Appreciate your help
Jay

[andy_noble]

hey Jay, venture over to Ausjeepoffroad.com and there are a few guys with big XJ's on there. Maybe Budda or someone will answer your questions here.

Cheers
Andy..

[Jay]

hey Jay, venture over to Ausjeepoffroad.com and there are a few guys with big XJ's on there. Maybe Budda or someone will answer your questions here.

Cheers
Andy..

Andy

thanks for your reply.
Do you own a Cherokee as well?

Thanks
Jay

[Steve F]

Hi All

I know I should't be here since I own a Rover but I really love Jeeps.
A cousin of mine has a nice 2001 Cherokee
It is still all stock other than it sits on a nice of BFG AT(245/75/16 I think)

The truck is to remain a daily driver but he is looking into equipping it for better off-road performance.
I have in mind the following:

1-Rear ARB locker(Are the cherokke rear axle strong enough to handle an ARB and 30 maybe 32" tyres)
2-2" Lift ( Is the OME lift the best recommended ? How about Skyjacker ProComp or Rancho?
IT needs to be comfy with articulation.

Appreciate your help
Jay

Stock it'll fit a 30" tyre but it'll take 4-5" lift to fit a 32" tyre without trimming. 3" will fit a 31" tyre just. Plenty of locked XJ's out there and the D35C will cope locked with a 30" or 31" without too much drama.

Cant add much about lifts, I have 4" of lift with Lovells coils + spacer at the front and a mix'n'match leaf pack for the rear, cost of that was about $15 for the rear and $200 for the front

Rubicon Express do good Jeep kits, ask Wooders for details. OME is well respected as well for a smaller lift like the 2"-2.5". The others are not as popluar but there's a few guys on Ausjeep running the ProComp gear (I have their lower control arms but haven't been overly impressed with them, they chew out the bushings)

Hope that helps a bit.

Cheers
Steve

[Wooders]

IMHO:
1. Before considering the ARB, consider the MAXIMUM trye size they are ever likely to want - this can deteine what ratios (if any) to get and which locker model you get. And it means paying labour only once.
If going over 33" tyres I would get the rear diff braced to reduce axle housing flex.....or swap in a set of TJ axles (but they will also need regearing unless already done).

2. There are SO many brands of XJ lift that its not funny:
OME, ProComp, SkyJacker, Rancho, FullTraction, BlackDiamond, RubiconExpress, Rusty's, Superlift, Tomken, Teraflex, RoughCountry, Fabtech, etc (yes there ARE more brands).....and TEHN most have different lift heighst available......so seriously an XJ owner is pretty spoilt for choice
Personally I'd look at kits that use a full leaf replacement, not addaleaf, nor shackles nor blocks (although they are ok to fine tune it).
Kits range from 1.75" to 6"+ kits... IMHO once you start looking at 3.5-4" (& beyond) then you really want to consider adjustable control arms, and SlipYoke Eliminators.
Anyhow about half the listed brands above I'd say are good, and about half I'd say are hohum.... OME, RE and Full traction are probably the better products.....I also like the look of the Tomken kits (but haven't handles one personally).
Anyhow I hope my ramblings give you sme ideas........any questions???

[Jay]

IMHO:
1. Before considering the ARB, consider the MAXIMUM trye size they are ever likely to want - this can deteine what ratios (if any) to get and which locker model you get. And it means paying labour only once.
If going over 33" tyres I would get the rear diff braced to reduce axle housing flex.....or swap in a set of TJ axles (but they will also need regearing unless already done).

2. There are SO many brands of XJ lift that its not funny:
OME, ProComp, SkyJacker, Rancho, FullTraction, BlackDiamond, RubiconExpress, Rusty's, Superlift, Tomken, Teraflex, RoughCountry, Fabtech, etc (yes there ARE more brands).....and TEHN most have different lift heighst available......so seriously an XJ owner is pretty spoilt for choice
Personally I'd look at kits that use a full leaf replacement, not addaleaf,
or shackles nor blocks (although they are ok to fine tune it).
Kits range from 1.75" to 6"+ kits... IMHO once you start looking at 3.5-4" (& beyond) then you really want to consider adjustable control arms, and SlipYoke Eliminators.
Anyhow about half the listed brands above I'd say are good, and about half I'd say are hohum.... OME, RE and Full traction are probably the better products.....I also like the look of the Tomken kits (but haven't handles one personally).
Anyhow I hope my ramblings give you sme ideas........any questions???

Wooders

Thanks a lot for your reply.
However the Jeep Cherokee is to remain a comfortable daily driver and do not want to have to go through ring and pinion ratio adjustment.

I am consideringn a 32" tyre probably an MTR Good year or Trxus What's the amount of lift required?
What ARB locker will fit? Am I better off with a Detroit which is a cheaper or will it constantly stress the axle?

So what lift would you recommend would like to have some articualtion while preserving a medium level of comfort and road stability.
Thanks
Jay

[Steve F]

IMHO:
1. Before considering the ARB, consider the MAXIMUM trye size they are ever likely to want - this can deteine what ratios (if any) to get and which locker model you get. And it means paying labour only once.
If going over 33" tyres I would get the rear diff braced to reduce axle housing flex.....or swap in a set of TJ axles (but they will also need regearing unless already done).

2. There are SO many brands of XJ lift that its not funny:
OME, ProComp, SkyJacker, Rancho, FullTraction, BlackDiamond, RubiconExpress, Rusty's, Superlift, Tomken, Teraflex, RoughCountry, Fabtech, etc (yes there ARE more brands).....and TEHN most have different lift heighst available......so seriously an XJ owner is pretty spoilt for choice
Personally I'd look at kits that use a full leaf replacement, not addaleaf,
or shackles nor blocks (although they are ok to fine tune it).
Kits range from 1.75" to 6"+ kits... IMHO once you start looking at 3.5-4" (& beyond) then you really want to consider adjustable control arms, and SlipYoke Eliminators.
Anyhow about half the listed brands above I'd say are good, and about half I'd say are hohum.... OME, RE and Full traction are probably the better products.....I also like the look of the Tomken kits (but haven't handles one personally).
Anyhow I hope my ramblings give you sme ideas........any questions???

Wooders

Thanks a lot for your reply.
However the Jeep Cherokee is to remain a comfortable daily driver and do not want to have to go through ring and pinion ratio adjustment.

I am consideringn a 32" tyre probably an MTR Good year or Trxus What's the amount of lift required?
What ARB locker will fit? Am I better off with a Detroit which is a cheaper or will it constantly stress the axle?

So what lift would you recommend would like to have some articualtion while preserving a medium level of comfort and road stability.
Thanks
Jay

As I said in my reply 32" will need at least 4-4.5" of lift. Once you start going to this sort of height think long arms or drop brackets for the lower control arms to keep the ride comfortable, mine thumps at 4" at will soon be relegated from daily driver. Also with 32"s it will be pretty sluggish and hunting through the gears up hill without a ratio change.

Cheers
Steve