Start to an off-road build on a 1988 Cherokee Chief

[CamperSpecial67]

Well after successfully making some stock 4x4s look done with my 67' F-250 with only a posi-trac and a Dana 60 in the back this past weekend at Creekside, i knew it was time to dive into the 4x4 world. After negotiating a great price on a 1988 Cherokee Chief it's time to take something on the trails that's actually built for it. 500 bucks later and I'm starting out with my first jeep. Runs rough, but a good tune up should solve most issues. By the way for those who don't know me my name is Riley Greiner, this will be my second year in the club! Class of 2018. Here's my two projects!
1967 Ford F-250 Ranger Camper Special after the first run for the club this year, had a blast! (And still cleaning the mud off )

And the jeep! 1988 Cherokee Cheif that my brother and I purchased together this past Sunday.

[DangerRanger15]

Cant wait to tear up the chief

[mudtoy67]

Cherokees everywhere!

[Sharpe]

Your $500 was better spent than mine.

[KrazyKarl02]

Cherokees are good low buck wheelers. Check out tommy Matheas old Cherokee, I think it was called the Easter egg. I think in the end he had under 1000 in it and did pretty well until it thru a rod.

[CamperSpecial67]

What all did he have done to his Cherokee that was a build on a budget? Sounds kinda what I'm goin for ����

[bcolman]

If you can get ahold of Junior and pick his brain he will would be able to school you on these and how to do it on the cheap while making it work well. He may also have some parts that would help.

[tommy53002]

Sweet. Do you have any plans for the Cherokee yet?

[KrazyKarl02]

Here's Tommy's thread,

http://www.tamor.org/forums/showthre...nother-damn-XJ

Basic story was free Cherokee, that he put a 3" lift on, welded the real, put a drop in locker in the front, 33" tires and rocked out. It was not the most extreme vehicle in the world, but it let him wheel.

[TMatheaus]

Close Karl,

Started life as 2wd and standard, converted to 4wd and auto. Put 3" of lift and 32" tires and welded the rear. Wheeled for a while, and did some more upgrades over time. Added 2" more of lift and put 33" tires. Once I went to 33's that seemed to be the limitation on stock cherokee parts. Things started breaking more often. Broke rear several times, exploded tcase, broke transmission (torque converter). Got it back together and then threw a rod.

[tommy53002]

Close Karl,

Started life as 2wd and standard, converted to 4wd and auto. Put 3" of lift and 32" tires and welded the rear. Wheeled for a while, and did some more upgrades over time. Added 2" more of lift and put 33" tires. Once I went to 33's that seemed to be the limitation on stock cherokee parts. Things started breaking more often. Broke rear several times, exploded tcase, broke transmission (torque converter). Got it back together and then threw a rod.

Yeah, I think the main weak point for a Cherokee on 33's is going to be the rear axle. I say try and find an 8.8 rear axle to swap in that has matching gears and your front... cheap lift, 33's, weld/lock axles... wheel the heck out of it..

[CamperSpecial67]

Thanks for the input, i want to lift it but how big can you go without having to mess with brake lines/driveshaft. Liked to make it as simple as possible. What's optimal tire size for the stock axles? I'd like to swap them out eventually but keeping it cheap for now. Want to run some bigger tires, and fount a deal on front and rear bumpers with light tabs, d rings and receiver for yhe front and d ringers and recover on rear for 500 all together. Also lookin around for sliders, they're expensive and I don't have a means of building them myself

[JB]

Keep it on 32-33s. Cheap lockers, winch, wheel it.

[CamperSpecial67]

I'm wanting a short arm lift because of price, is that okay for wheeling?

[JB]

Yes, just keep it low. 3-4" and cut some fenders.