What did you do to your Cherokee today?
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Spokane WA
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: ERH 4.0L Power Tech I-6 (HO)
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Finished my rear leaf project; the XJ has a new-and-improved rear suspension. Yaay.
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The driver side was a lot easier to do (the passenger side was the "learner" side). The OEM shock bolts came right out (nope, I didn't break any of the four upper bolts, so no horror story thank gawd); I did replace the factory grade 5 bolts with grade 8's on reassembly as a precautionary measure though (for "next time"). Actually, I didn't have any issues with anything, really; even putting the leaf on was tons easier (knowing what you have to do helps lol). Pretty much anti-seized everything, and greased bushings, etc., to beat the band. And yeah, I'm a bit **** with cleaning stuff I have to work on: the rear didn't start out looking like that ....
I did use the polyurethane front & rear spring bushings; I'd paid for 'em months ago, and the ease of install was too much to resist. I greased the crap out of them ...might help long term, and certainly can't hurt. If I hate 'em, well, the factory ones are still in great shape: I can press them out and re-use 'em. In the meantime, it's the poly's.
The driver side center axle-to-flare distance is 19 inches ...which is 2 3/4 inches more than the 16 1/4 inches I started from, and 1 1/2 inches over stock. Yeah. Strange, that. I'm wondering if I'm going to have to use a 3/4 or 1 inch spacer in the front now, to bring things level (the new coils are supposed to provide 1 inch or so of lift: we'll see).
With the 1 1/2 inch lift, the JK Rubi's are a decent fit, at least.
A short drive around town proved two things: driving butt-high is very ...disturbing ...in the Cherokee. And with the rear suspension actually working now (the old leafs & shocks were totally worn out), it's obvious the front is totally worn out too (that's next weekend's project).
...can't really judge on ride "quality" yet. It's better than it was though (even with those JK shocks lol). I'll post before-and-after pix when I get the front done (the hot-rod slant looks like crap to my eyes).
![Name: IMG_20130303_165110_zpsd8c65fc6.jpg
Views: 34
Size: 113.3 KB](https://www.cherokeeforum.com/attachments/f59/348546d1501305579-what-did-you-do-your-cherokee-today-img_20130303_165110_zpsd8c65fc6.jpg)
The driver side was a lot easier to do (the passenger side was the "learner" side). The OEM shock bolts came right out (nope, I didn't break any of the four upper bolts, so no horror story thank gawd); I did replace the factory grade 5 bolts with grade 8's on reassembly as a precautionary measure though (for "next time"). Actually, I didn't have any issues with anything, really; even putting the leaf on was tons easier (knowing what you have to do helps lol). Pretty much anti-seized everything, and greased bushings, etc., to beat the band. And yeah, I'm a bit **** with cleaning stuff I have to work on: the rear didn't start out looking like that ....
I did use the polyurethane front & rear spring bushings; I'd paid for 'em months ago, and the ease of install was too much to resist. I greased the crap out of them ...might help long term, and certainly can't hurt. If I hate 'em, well, the factory ones are still in great shape: I can press them out and re-use 'em. In the meantime, it's the poly's.
The driver side center axle-to-flare distance is 19 inches ...which is 2 3/4 inches more than the 16 1/4 inches I started from, and 1 1/2 inches over stock. Yeah. Strange, that. I'm wondering if I'm going to have to use a 3/4 or 1 inch spacer in the front now, to bring things level (the new coils are supposed to provide 1 inch or so of lift: we'll see).
With the 1 1/2 inch lift, the JK Rubi's are a decent fit, at least.
A short drive around town proved two things: driving butt-high is very ...disturbing ...in the Cherokee. And with the rear suspension actually working now (the old leafs & shocks were totally worn out), it's obvious the front is totally worn out too (that's next weekend's project).
...can't really judge on ride "quality" yet. It's better than it was though (even with those JK shocks lol). I'll post before-and-after pix when I get the front done (the hot-rod slant looks like crap to my eyes).
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Ew. Don't buy a Dodge.
I was raised on Chevy, but I love the newer Fords. Good options, great motors, American made, and not unreasonably expensive.
I drove a 2012 Charger for several weeks last year after rolling the XJ. It was alright, but I wouldn't even consider buying one.
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
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Was American made almost everything foreign most trannys are jap imports sierras are made in Mexico and "assembled" in the us same for camaros but in Canada according to my neighbor retired marine and mechanic of 40 years gm started outsourcing in the 80s to Mexico he bought a brand new Chevy cranked it up 2 weeks later engine was smoking like mad the valve guides/seals were no good come to find out his motor was completely Mexican most companies have foreign trannys etc its a damn shame
No, I don't lick fish.
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Join Date: Jan 2013
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Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Stock Straight 6
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Did a lot this weekend. Sanded sande
d and sanded. Pulled off my bumper and straightened it out some. Removed a bracket for what i assume was for a front tow package. Removed the plastic trim on the bottom Put it all back together. Taped up and primed. Didn't get a pic with it all primed due to phone dying.
Before any work.
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After
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Primed up
d and sanded. Pulled off my bumper and straightened it out some. Removed a bracket for what i assume was for a front tow package. Removed the plastic trim on the bottom Put it all back together. Taped up and primed. Didn't get a pic with it all primed due to phone dying.
Before any work.
![Name: 20130102_163707_zps5543c315.jpg
Views: 13
Size: 136.5 KB](https://www.cherokeeforum.com/attachments/f59/348533d1501305579-what-did-you-do-your-cherokee-today-20130102_163707_zps5543c315.jpg)
After
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Primed up
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Senior Member
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston Texas
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
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Did a lot this weekend. Sanded sande
d and sanded. Pulled off my bumper and straightened it out some. Removed a bracket for what i assume was for a front tow package. Removed the plastic trim on the bottom Put it all back together. Taped up and primed. Didn't get a pic with it all primed due to phone dying.
d and sanded. Pulled off my bumper and straightened it out some. Removed a bracket for what i assume was for a front tow package. Removed the plastic trim on the bottom Put it all back together. Taped up and primed. Didn't get a pic with it all primed due to phone dying.
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: 02038 MA
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Inline 6
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6 HO