Need advice on setting up a Jeep Cherokee for off road trips

[BNB]

Definitely wouldn't trust being in the middle of nowhere with a chrystler

F☆☆☆ing
Old
Rebuilt
Dodge
aint no better...

 

[HVACGuy]

I put on a set of Napier hood louvers. Jeeps are notorious for overheating, and these keep the engine compartment super cool!!!

This is the Jeep I bought off of the ODT here in Jan 2016- 5 speed 4x4.

View attachment 1169522

Hmm, I'll have to look into that. Thanks!

 

[HVACGuy]

Search in some sites for jeeps and Cherokees

Those are great vehicles
Inexpensive , and the straight six is a great engine .
Not a lot of horsepower for high speed but they are torque monsters , and with the automatic transmission , are great on non paved roads



You need the largest tire that will fit without any lift
I owned one years ago , a 90 model , but I don't remember the tire size
I think you can squeeze 31s on there if you do t mind them rubbing a little when the wheels are turned and you hit a bump

Mine had the transfer case that could select between 2hi , full time all wheel drive ,
4 hi, and 4 low
The full time all wheel drive was great in the rain and even on dry paved mountain roads , but we had problems with the transfer case wearing out.
And I don't think they used it too many years

A small lift is ok but I wouldn't go more than 2"

Depending on your budget you might want to consider a locking rear differential , that makes a world of difference , but I don't like the automatic lockers , I much prefer the selectable ones you can turn on or off,
A Locking diff and new tires will probably cost as much as you paid for the car

Might want to consider aftermarket bumpers that are not tin foil like the factory ones
And maybe a rear bumper with a swing out carrier for a full size spare and high lift jack


Maybe some decent tow hooks bolted to the frame
And I'd reccomend a couple 50 foot lengths of synthetic winch extension cable
It's as strong as metal cable but lighter than ski rope
And some short straps and clevis connectors


Unless you know it's been done recently
I'd look into replacing the radiator with a high quality aftermarket one
And the water pump with a high quality new , not rebuilt , pump , and replace the upper and lower hoses and all the heater hoses and the fan clutch with a high quality (not made in China and not in Mexico either if you can find a USA made one ) fan clutch

The cooling systems in all the jeeps is marginal when it's new and when it gets old they are not adequate




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I was thinking about 31's and a 2-3" lift. Probably AT'sbecause I still need to drive it to where I'll be camping/hiking. I'll definitely look into the cooling system upgrade. It has a new radiator, but not sure what one they put on...

 

[chewokee]

The new radiators they make for cherokees are plastic and hardly fit. The most common cooling problem on them is when rust scale builds up and creates blockages ,I believe in 2000 they had the biggest problem because of the 0331 head castings that would crack when overheated. I added an inline coolant filter and have yet to have any problems


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[roundhouse]

I was thinking about 31's and a 2-3" lift. Probably AT'sbecause I still need to drive it to where I'll be camping/hiking. I'll definitely look into the cooling system upgrade. It has a new radiator, but not sure what one they put on...

The BFG ATs are a nice tire

 

[HVACGuy]

Getting a start...
Rubicon Express 3.5" lift, 31" KO2's, Unique 15x8 soft 8's w/3.5 back spacing...
One pic is my 31" AT next to my buddy's 35" MT

 

[Bagman]

You said you'll be crossing some streams. Check the rear diff breather element. I'm not familiar with Jeep's, but on my truck I had to raise it up off the diff housing so I wouldn't be sucking in water every time I crossed a stream.

 

[HVACGuy]

I believe it is routed to air box or into engine compartment via a hose

 

[HVACGuy]

Front on the ground. Maybe I won't need the body lift after all, lol.

 

[HVACGuy]