In January 2006 I first came to this forum, asking for help to finally get our '97 Cherokee fixed up, since it was having some problems none of the 3 shops my husband took it to had been able to take care of. MJR was so nice and offered to have a look, and it's running great now.
Since then I've been pretty quiet, but have still been reading the forum occasionally. I just didn't have anything to post about, since the 97 is a 2WD and primarily used for my husband's work.
We both got bitten by the Jeep bug though, and actually took it on some trails in Colorado last summer, which was a lot of fun. We fared a lot better than expected, even though it's just a 2WD. In the fall we went back and got to drive my MIL's Rubicon Unlimited, which of course was a totally different experience.
I don't want to bore anyone with a novel, so to make this short, in February I finally got my own Jeep, and it's even the exact one I really wanted but didn't think I'd be able to afford just yet (Some current pics here).
Now we finally have the money available to actually modify it some for offroading (nothing extreme though, it's also my daily driver now), which brings me to my questions:
It's a 2001 Cherokee 4-door 4WD 4.0L with Chrysler 8.25 3" Rear Axle and NP231 Transfer Case (part-time). Currently it has 29" tires on it, but once it's lifted and we have had a bit more use of these relatively new tires, we want to replace them with 31"s.
So basically we figure we need a lift kid, rock rails, and some skid plates. Here is what we've come up with for a list with Mike's help:
JKS SuperNerf Rock Rails
JKS HD X-Member (includes transfer case skid plate)
JKS Quicker Disconnects
Skid Row gas tank skid plate
Rough Country 3" Suspension Lift Kit with Nitro 9000 shocks and replacement rear leaf springs
A few things we're trying to determine - on the JKS web site there's a note with the HD X-Member that states:
"Some 2000-01 models may require rear engine mount assembly from 1999 and earlier models."
How can we tell in advance if this will be needed?
With the lift kit they have an option for a steering stabilizer. Is this something we should order?
Finally, it was suggested that we might need a slip yoke conversion and rear drive shaft with the lift kit. Anyone else with 3" lifts find this necessary?
Other thoughts and suggestions?
Any recommendations on the best places to buy these parts?
Also hi to Robert, whom we met after we last had the Jeeps worked on and Mike took us over to his place to have a look at his Cherokee. Sorry we didn't make the M&G that week, or Big Bear, but I promise we'll show up once my Jeep is fit for adventuring.
Since then I've been pretty quiet, but have still been reading the forum occasionally. I just didn't have anything to post about, since the 97 is a 2WD and primarily used for my husband's work.
We both got bitten by the Jeep bug though, and actually took it on some trails in Colorado last summer, which was a lot of fun. We fared a lot better than expected, even though it's just a 2WD. In the fall we went back and got to drive my MIL's Rubicon Unlimited, which of course was a totally different experience.
I don't want to bore anyone with a novel, so to make this short, in February I finally got my own Jeep, and it's even the exact one I really wanted but didn't think I'd be able to afford just yet (Some current pics here).
Now we finally have the money available to actually modify it some for offroading (nothing extreme though, it's also my daily driver now), which brings me to my questions:
It's a 2001 Cherokee 4-door 4WD 4.0L with Chrysler 8.25 3" Rear Axle and NP231 Transfer Case (part-time). Currently it has 29" tires on it, but once it's lifted and we have had a bit more use of these relatively new tires, we want to replace them with 31"s.
So basically we figure we need a lift kid, rock rails, and some skid plates. Here is what we've come up with for a list with Mike's help:
JKS SuperNerf Rock Rails
JKS HD X-Member (includes transfer case skid plate)
JKS Quicker Disconnects
Skid Row gas tank skid plate
Rough Country 3" Suspension Lift Kit with Nitro 9000 shocks and replacement rear leaf springs
A few things we're trying to determine - on the JKS web site there's a note with the HD X-Member that states:
"Some 2000-01 models may require rear engine mount assembly from 1999 and earlier models."
How can we tell in advance if this will be needed?
With the lift kit they have an option for a steering stabilizer. Is this something we should order?
Finally, it was suggested that we might need a slip yoke conversion and rear drive shaft with the lift kit. Anyone else with 3" lifts find this necessary?
Other thoughts and suggestions?
Any recommendations on the best places to buy these parts?
Also hi to Robert, whom we met after we last had the Jeeps worked on and Mike took us over to his place to have a look at his Cherokee. Sorry we didn't make the M&G that week, or Big Bear, but I promise we'll show up once my Jeep is fit for adventuring.
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