Ok so I'm 18 and want to buy a Cherokee. I have a car, however, it's just that: a car . I've been browsing around for some time now and have a few in mind, yadda yadda yadda...

I was just wondering some things... 1) How do you guys know so much about Jeeps/ cars in general? I'm pretty mechanically inclined (my job is a service tech for a pool company, fixing/ rebuilding electric motors, pool pumps, and pool filters) but I feel like every one of you is leagues and leagues above me on that subject. Are some of you mechanics by occupation? 2) I would absolutely love to build the Cherokee I purchase myself, but I fear that the most I'll be able to do is install bumpers, roof racks, etc., rather than do the lift myself. What is a price range I can expect to pay for either a 3" or a 4.5" lift? Any recommendations on a solid lift that's out there? I plan to do some moderate wheelin, but nothing crazy like moab... At least not just yet. Maximum tire size I have in mind is a 33.

The two XJs I have my eyes on are:
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ctd/1842991695.html
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ctd/1842742159.html

Any input? I'm really leaning toward the first one, but your opinions are all appreciated, as you know WAY more than I do about this.

Thanks in advance!

 

it all comes with experience really...once you get an xj youll understand usually its just problem after problem....but when it comes to lifts you you pay for what you get....if your only gonna be doing some mild wheeling i would look at some 3.5 inch kits with full leafs (AALs sag quickly) and some 31 or 32 inch tires thats just my .02...but good luck to you and keep us updated on what you plan to do

 

Thanks. I've been reading tons of random threads on here and it seems like the add-a-leaf kits aren't so great, at least it seems like that's the consensus. Are most of the repairs and upgrades really hard? Is it something that someone with SOME mechanical knowledge, tons of tools, and some repair manuals can do? Or should I just leave it to the professionals and dish out the cash?

 

well its all a matter of personal opinion...alot of guys on here do everything to there rigs themselves...but all in all installing a lift is not that difficult if you have the patience, tools, and space, and the repair manual would help with some of the up-keep of the vehicle!

 

Does most of the stuff bought new come with a set of instructions for install?

 

Umm why is the second cherokee two tone? Something isn't right there. haha. And to your post questions. If you can install a bumper you can install a lift, with the correct tools. It really isn't that hard it just takes time. So far as lifts go what is your budget? Rough Country has cheaper lifts that have decent quality, depending on who you ask. Rubicon express is a great company that has what some consider a full kit, but is more expensive.

 

if your talking about the suspension kits yes they would come with instructions...and everyone on here would help out as much as they can

 

If my 21 year old daughter, who owns no tools and has no mechanical work experience can do ALL the maintenance, repairs and mods to her Mitsubishi Eclipse, YOU can do anything to an XJ. IF it is listed in her Haynes Manual she will fix it , HERSELF.

MY advise is FIT IT, before you LIFT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lifts are easy. It is very difficult to give an cost for a 3-4" lift Kits run $250 to $1000. they vary in the amount of parts provided. I have JUNKYARD 5.5" lift, 3.5" currently installed at a total cost of $300, so far. I will complete the install when I get either Long arms ($500-1000) or CAD ($200) and a SYE ($200-400). I would do some research and as questions about what you need and issues that come from lifting. Before you decide on how to lift and what brand to buy.

 

go get yourself a cherokee service and maintenance book, study it and learn!!!! cherokees are VERY simple... don't be scared about diving in on a project...

 

If you can read and understand instructions, you can install aftermarket mods on your truck. An impact wrench will help, tool-wise.

The rest of the stuff comes with time. I'm a mechanical engineer specializing in failure analysis and maintenance strategy development so analytical troubleshooting is what I get paid to do.

I've also been dorking around with cars since I swapped out the OEM 258 I6 in my 1973 Gremlin for a 350 Chevy round about 1987.

If you have the will and the patience, it will come and this is a good forum to help develop your skills.

 

Dude, that second cherokee is funked out big time. They say 2000 but it has 97-98 flares and grill. Not to mention the two tone business....

The first Listing looks really nice. The price seems very fair.

Like everyone has said, these things are really simple to work on. Before I got mine I did very little work on my own cars. Now I take care of everything myself. You will learn it quickly.

 

That is EXACTLY why I registered on this site. Thanks everyone, you all rule. I'm going to drive down to check it out my next day off. I thought that two-tone one was really weird but I liked the mileage so I figured i'd ask. Hell, 100,000 isn't much on that engine anyway, so I think the second one might be it.

Any advice on what to look out for when I check it out/ test drive?

 

Look for rust. If its rusted up save yourself the trouble and keep looking. Also, listen to the engine very carefully. Listen for knocks or anything that sounds sickly. Look around underneith at the engine and tranny quite a bit and make sure it doesnt look like there are any leaking issues. Make sure you put it in 4 even just for a second to make sure the transfer case works smootly.

 

Ah thank you. Look for me in the "builds" section in the coming weeks. Woot!

 

that '99 is well worth it. very hard to find a '99 with that many miles. and with C8.25. i'd stay away from that 2000. they might say 45k miles, but i think the body says something else. very fishy.