My Jeep Cherokee build: 1997 Cherokee Sport

I recently purchased my first Jeep. Bought a 1997 Jeep Cherokee Sport with 86000 on the odometer for $3000. After getting home with it and crawling under it again I noticed the engine appeared to be one out of a different Jeep (96 Jeep was wrote on the bottom of engine). Body is in pretty good shape with a couple minor dents. When purchased it I knew it needed new windshield and a ujoint in the near future. I drove it home 250, it started idling a little weird at a couple stop signs but not too bad. Once home I replaced the passengers side Ujoint which seemed to get way worse on the drive home (going to do the drivers eventually).

After about two days of driving it started getting worse and had soot coming out of the tailpipe . After searching lots of threads on here I decided to change plugs, wires and distributor cap. The plugs were covered in soot and looked pretty old. After replacing those it did not help at all in the idling issue. After more searching I decided to take off the throttle body and clean it and the IAC and TPS. This also did not fix the problem and it continued to get worse. I purchased a new TPS and IAC to try but neither seemed to fix the issue. I returned the IAC but kept the TPS because it looked pretty rough.

I decided to take it to a mechanic in town who did free diagnostic checks. His computer was not advance enough to read it fully but he said it was losing connection around the crankshaft position sensor. I decided to just try that ( since i read they are known to go out) as well as the 02 sensor. For about 2 minutes of driving it ran better but not perfect. It started getting worse and would barely run, it was acting like it did not get fuel when giving it gas it would sputter and almost die. I once again took it in to get checked out since I had changed the CPS. They said it was showing high voltage around the MAP and rear 02 sensor but once again the system the used was not good enough to tell for sure. I finally decided to take it to a mechanic they recommended with a better system. They came to the conclusion that it was the MAP after they did an override and it ran perfect. So MAP was replaced and now it runs good!

It still has a few minor things that need fixed, plan on replacing front brake pads and other ujoint this weekend as well as change the oil. Checked the antifreeze and its looking pretty dirty so plan on draining that and replacing in the next week or two and plan on changing transmission and diff fluid in the near future. I have noticed that when in drive there is a vibration on the floor board that sounds like metal to metal. It mainly does this when accelerating and when at a stop in gear. Of course I try to get it to do it when I am actually at home so I can crawl under and figure it out but it won't do it then.

Other future things to do is remove seats and clean the carpet (its a little dirty), need to check CEL light because it is not working, replace headliner that is sagging and tint windows with tint i already purchased. I also am in search of a lift kit in the next few months to purchase. I have 5 crager wheels on BFG Mud Terrain KM2's 31 10.5 15's I bought for $225 from a family member, 3 tires are almost brand new so have to purchase 2 new ones. Also plan on purchasing a Tcase skid plate soon to do some off road parks around here while its stock to see how it does.

It is a work in progress and will probably be done a little at a time. I am really excited to finally be part of the Jeep community though!
Thanks for looking at my thread and sorry its so long!

"Flexing" the stock suspension
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The day i purchased it before the drive home
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The wheels and tires that will go on after lift
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So I haven't updated for awhile. Haven't done too much just maintenance so far. Started having some noises in the front end have ball joints I plan on replacing this week or next. Finally got alot of the bugs worked out and had a chance to do some highway driving. Went about 100 miles round trip and it has started randomly down shifting. Doesn't matter how much gas or anything it would just downshift for a second or two then go back. Sometimes does it 3 or 4 times in a couple minutes and sometimes won't for 10 minutes and does it once. Changed 5 he transmission fluid and filter. The fluid was black.... Changed that hoping it would help but hasn't yet. I plan on changing it again this week and maybe again until the fluid is the correct color.
In the near future I also plan on draining the coolant and replacing before winter. I also have some hella 500s I plan on putting on the pumper soon.
I am pushing back my lift to after winter to see if any bugs need worked out before. A few of us are planning a trip to Colorado for a few days to camp and wheel. Want to make sure it's reliable enough to make it. I also cleaned the carpets but plan on some day replacing them and the sagging headliner. A friend and I also tinted the windows last week. Makes a world of difference in how it looks.
Here are a few picture.


Tinted windows


Found a little mud hole, realized mud isn't as fun as I remember when I have to clean it after




Very dirty transmission fluid

So after changing the transmission fluid three times the random downshifting has almost completely stopped. Every once in awhile it will do it but I plan on changing the fluid again after a few months. Over the last week I have drove it about 300 miles, it did great but towards the end of the week is started randomly having a high idle after driving a little and has been starting to cut out some. I haven't had a chance to look into it much yet. My plans of this weekend are to replace the valve cover gasket that is leaking like crazy and hopefully in the next couple weeks get the drive lights installed.

Check your tps

Nice XJ! I second Talyn on checking the TPS. Often shifting problems are related to the TPS going bad or starting to go bad. The AW4 is a very stout transmission. It might be worth putting a Magnefine inline filter and transmission cooler on that transmission just to keep the fluid clean and cool.

Looks good!

Little update on the Jeep build. I haven't done too much but had the weird downshifting come back and then a couple months ago began having a issue with the jeep cutting out too. I did a lot of test on things and on a whim decided to just warranty the TPS that i had replaced back in july. Upgraded to the better one just becuase it was only $7 difference. Put it in and the jeep ran good as new!
I also had the muffler blow out and replaced it with dynomax super turbo muffler. It is pretty quiet inside the jeep and has a deeper sounds outside.

My recent plans are to buy a 3" lift once i get tax return back. I am leaning towards possibly the ZONE 3" full leaf kit.
I have been considering the RE 3.5 inch lift in the $600 price range. The reason i have kind of decided against that as of now is because i read it actually gives you closer to 4.5" lift (which I wouldn't mind) but that means more money on SYE and other stuff that i can't really afford right now. Also i have heard the ride on it can be kind of rough.

I am also considering the RC 3" lift. It has pretty good reviews and i hear the customer service is one of the best.

I have been doing a lot of research on what to get and would like to stay under $700 on a full lift. If anyone knows of any other good lifts in the 500$700 range let me know.

I say save up and have money for the SYE and other parts because the RE lift is probably the best one you have listed

You can do a 1" crossmember drop and run 4.5 lift without the need for a SYE. Ran my 94 like that for 2 years no issues at all. Just an option. What ever you do get a full leaf kit no add a leaf stuff.