a little background info: I live in PR. Most of the trails here are for mud boggers but there are several river trails that people love. Its common to see cherokees with snorkels because they usually include river crossings and all that on the trail runs. Ive seen Hardcore trails with HUGE holes that could fit a cj5 in it but since we don't have deserts or canyons there isn't any hardcore rock crawling over here at least that i know of.

so i want to build a mild rig that can make the route but that costs me as little as possible. i bet the first response will be do it right the first time:flipoff2: but im not made of money and i think i can build it for less than the $400 lift kits ive seen. There are a lot of junkyards in my area so i know i can get cheap parts.

what Ive been thinking is mounting a leaf pack in the front, ive seen decent flex from this maybe build a custom leaf. there's a jeep junkyard close by and several that carry all brand cars. so a longer shackle, like 1-1.5 inch, mounting the axle under the leaf should provide some clearance(if its not that way already), maybe a small block between the leafs and the axles like a 1inch or something. Point is i want to fit 30-33s with NO TRIMMING. maybe i can get a 3-4 inch lift.

so i bet i can find leaf packs dirt cheap, i can build the shackles and the blocks if needed, i bet ill need new shocks and i bet im missing something or oversimplifying all this. I can also build a custom leaf pack for more clearance. or buy longer springs for the front...


Also im on the market checking rigs out. What should i look for in the truck im buying beside 4x4 and inline6? What should i check on the 4x4, what will turn me off, tranny and what are the common problems of this trucks?

im thinking about an 80s rokee but saw a crashed from behind 95 that looked good. but the guy said he put over $700 on the back axle, that makes me think the crash is pretty bad. Doesn't look like it though.

Sorry if this have been asked a million times.

if im not mistaken 33"s with no trimming is gonna need about 6" of lift. now by the time you buy leaves and material to plate the frame and make brackets and steering and everything else. its gonna amount to the same money. or close to it.
but ive never tried so maybe im wrong

if i do the SOA conversion that should give me around 2 inches, a 1 inch gain in the shackles and a 2 inch block and im pretty much there right?

maybe an add a leaf would net me the total lift needed.

so the cost would be something absurd like

SOA conversion = $10 in screws and shit
Shackles and block = $20 for steel and the electricity for the welder:D
Add a leaf = 90 x 2 leaf packs
OR
Custom leaf= 50+/- for 2 used leafpacks

so between 100-150$$, sounds pretty damn good to me.

well cherokees are already SOA from the factory, so thats out.

as far as wanting to run tires with no trimming, i would rethink that. you can trim and still keep it looking clean, and factory IMO. just take your time, and do it right.

but if you insist on no trimming, you need atleast 4-5 inches to easily clear 33s. if you take off your skirt, and put some jeans on though you can easily clear 35-36s with that same amount of lift.

sounds like you want to do this as cheap as possible. but by the time you get to around 4 inches of lift you need to do SYE, driveshafts, etc, which starts getting expensive. and if 150 is your budget then just the SYE alone costs more then that

no my budget is not 150. but i want to do it as cheap and simple as possible and i dont want to damage the image of the truck. Why you would ask, well i want to wheel it on the weekends but it may also do some mall crawling as i will use it to go to college while i work on my DD. ive seen those sexy black mudflaps and i know that if i go as far as cutting some fenders i will want those and i think those are expensive. Not sure though.

im sorry for the ignorance whats SYE? steering yolk whatever?

i know i forgot to add shocks to the cost and steering if thats what you where talking about.

so far the best option to get that lift would be either custom leaf packs or a s10 pack(some people claim 3 to 4 inches!!!) combined with what ive mentioned above.

driveshafts arent a worry for me right now and will not be on the build.

SYE=slip yoke eliminator.

stock jeeps have a slip yoke in the t-case. which is a real shit can after lifting them. they dont operate well at steeper angles, and cause vibes, worn out u-joints, and sometime t-case damage

the reason i said driveshafts with that, is after you install a SYE you change your output shaft on your t-case to one which supports CV type shafts. so you need a different driveshaft

when i said mudflaps i meant fender flares like these:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v144/1badxj/pgon31.jpg

i love the look on that cherokee.

it seems like the SYE costs around 170 plus the shipping and the driveshaft. Either way the cost of the lift doesnt seem that steep. Just some steel and the s10 leaf packs, so ill be pleased with that until i have the money to upgrade. I could run the truck without the SYE for a while right?


thanks a lot for the help!!!!

are there any springs that can be bolted on the front?? there must be a longer similar spring out there on a truck. i guess this call for some junkyard research.

Does anyone has the specs of the stock front springs on cherokees? lets see what i can find or is this a stupid idea?

I know there are a lot of talented folks out there building their own kits and whatnot...but sounds like, to me anyway...in your situation you would be best trying to find a used kit or saving up some dough.
I say this because, it doesnt sound like you have all the resources to fabricate the parts needed to accomplish a safe, and reliable lift setup...I could be wrong, but you didnt mention if you had the tools to complete the kit, other than having a welder (according to your info) but if your welding in your living room (according to your info) I kinda doubt you have all the tools you are going to need.

from what I can tell your going to need a 5-6" kit, which would require an SYE, longer brake lines, steering setup, track bar, shocks, driveshafts etc...even to fab these parts alone, its gonna get costly buying the CORRECT heims, or bushings, rod ends, and misc parts, if you want this thing to drive nicely down the road anyway...

Not trying to put you down, but very seldom has the words "Cheap" and "lift kit" been in the same sentance. (unless its a budget boost or something)

Your best bet would be a smaller lift, and cutting the fenders.




'

i know what you mean, to you it may sound like im not mechanical savvy and i dont have the tools or space. I think i have most of the tools necesarry to do this, i have air comp, air tools, saws, grinders, most automotive mech. tools used, jackstands, i have a big garage to do this on.

About the mechanical experience on 4x4s and modifing suspensions i dont have it. What i do have is a huge drive and a ability to learn fast and learn by reading stuff. I learned about auto bodywork by reading and watching people do it on tv and i painted my car and two others and im in the way of painting another one. Ive done all my cars mech for the past 6 years(im 26) and i did motors rebuild when i had only see it on tv(with excellent results). Sure its harder and may take more time, maybe i have to read and research a lot compared to other folks that have done it already but i bet you ill get it done.

Ive done a lot of research and i know theres lots more read. Ive read a lot about the SYE and other lifting upgrades needed. maybe if i want to wheel as cheap as possible i will have to be happy with 28-30 tires maybe less :( some trimming and a smaller lift. simplify it a little until i got more funds for the project. The big constraint here is money, nothing else.


Dont think im getting defensive or anything i know where you are coming from.

Thank you for taking the time to answer and being worried for my safety.


EDIT: i may get flamed for this, but what about fixing temporarily the yoke problem by droping the Tcase a little? Seems like a common way to fix it as most of the lift kits offer it even some of the most expensive ones.

sure..no problem with a 1 inch t-case drop.

most people wont admit to it, but the majority has run 1 at some point or another.

30s fit pretty easily on a non trimmed cherokee.

id hit up Jeepforum if i were you. the cherokee section had a great thread about junkyard upgrades. f-150/bronco coils net some lift, you can get some coil spacers, AAL for the rear, and have fun on 32s.

if you want to keep the body in good shape, and run small tires, AND still keep up with some of the bigger guys the only way your going to accomplish this is lockers. ive seen guys on 31 inch ATs locked f/r embarrase people on open 35s

so went out and did a lot of youtubing. saw many trails, most are mud, dirt with little rocks. I way people have a blast on some stock trucks in the easy trails. There are hardcore trails too, again mostly dirt. There are from my area, im living in the west right now, most of the trails i saw are like that.

In the town i grew up, where my parents still live and i intend to do a lot of offroading there are some pretty hardcore trails and i know of guys with heavily modded tube buggies, toys and samurais that have trouble making the route. I know i will either be pulled in those or i will have to put much more into my truck. i will have fun where i live right now with a simpler cheaper setup.

I'm definitely staying with 30s, main reason being those will be much more easier to fit under there and will cost less. Also a smaller lift i think 3 inches should fit those 30s, some minor trimming if needed, the tcase drop and obviously ill build a protective plate for it, new shocks, tires, header and exhaust if money allows, and a lincoln locker :flipoff2:

so im looking at around $600-$800s including tires, not too bad.

thanks for the responses.

I have been told to take jeep grand cherokee coils and dodge dakota leafs will give you a budget lift and from a junk yard will be dirt cheap for the trails :D
although i have not tried this myself yet on my 86 xj but i hope it could help.

f-150 coils and spacers on the front will get you 3 inches or so, S-10 leafs on the back and your lift is good. its worth it to trim the fenders though. you can get alot more clearance that way.