New Wheeler

[1988 Cherokee]

Today I became the proud owner of a 1988 Jeep Cherokee, 4 door, NP242 Selec-Trac, AW4 Automatic, 4.0L I-6 !

The problem I have is the one front square headlight is dim
The screws are rusted and head stripped on front side running light plastic.
I'm sure a new headlight and clean connector will solve the problem.
Should I just break the plastic cover and buy a new one at pick n pull just to replace the bulb.

I phoned Petro Canada Certigard they said $70 for a safety inspection, is that about average price for native alberta vehicle.

[Pookapotamus]

hello and welcome to the forum, yes pick and pull is a very good option for parts, although their stock of jeeps is very low. if it is the front marker lights that you need to replace i have a set from a 92 cherokee that you can have if they will fit. and if you can wait a week i have a set of headlights as well but they will only fit if you have the 2 head light system. as for the safety contact lemond aid jay here on the forum he looks after us jeep guys, his work is great and his prices are really fair.

[LEMON-AID JAY]

I phoned Petro Canada Certigard they said $70 for a safety inspection, is that about average price for native alberta vehicle.

I can do better then that give me a call and I will help you out 403-287-3350 ask for Jay


PS thanks pookapotamus

[Pookapotamus]

 

[1988 Cherokee]

I will give ya a call jay. I need it to sit there after its done for a few days, is that alright?
McKenzie Canadian Tire said $220 for inspection, but I think he assumed out of province which this rig is not thankfully.
I hope the insurer gives me a few weeks lee way for the safety inspection.

its the front side marker running light, even pnp's screws are rusted and heads stripped
headlight is the common square, same as the YJ and other models

Like this rigs picture I got off the net, mine is no where near this good looking




For my budget coil lift, do I look for only 5.8L Grand Cherokee's or are the 5.2L Grand Cherokee front coils good as well?
I will throw in some spacers to get even more lift then see what I need for rear leafs to make the stance look good.
What is a safe spacer width to have on that setup?

[Pookapotamus]

i am running v8 zj coils not sure what engine size, with a 2" spacer in the front the setup works good and no issues. in the back i am running 2" over factory leafs from rancho, they were cheaper than stock replace ments. the rear of the xj tends to sag with the factory leafs after a couple of years so if you can replace them i would totaly go for it. this also gives you a cheep option to go higher later with shackles. if you want to come by and talk shop see my rig i am in the sw and in my garage most weekends working on it.

[1988 Cherokee]

Sounds good
I am living down in the shaw/evergreen SW area and just getting everything lined up truck wise to get it driving on the road so I can get to work in the patch.
Is there a good no-work to minimum work swap in for a lifted rear xj leafs? Seems I am at the pnp place everyday now. 
I seriously don't want to throw cash at it if I don't have to. anywhere I can save cash the better.

[Pookapotamus]

not really an easy way in the back end except for swaping the leafs, and if you do, make sure to get new ubolts as well. and the bolts on the front of the leafs are a big pain in the but, make sure to lube them with wd-40 about a week before so that you can get them off without wrecking something.

[cLAY]

Never heard of 5.8L Grand Cherokee. Just 4.0L, 5.2L and 5.9L.  Both V8s use the same coils. There is a factory "upcountry" suspension system that is one inch over stock. So theoretically it "could" give 2" on an XJ.

For the cost and work involved I would look at buying some aftermarket 3" coils or do a 2" spacer.

I would tend to avoid Rancho lifts. Any Rancho lift I've seen in a Jeep rides like crap(way too stiff). Including my Dad's 1990 XJ with a 3" Rancho kit.

[LEMON-AID JAY]

I will give ya a call jay. I need it to sit there after its done for a few days, is that alright?

sure sounds good I will wait for your call

[1988 Cherokee]

for sure jay

theres a bunch of stuff in the back I will sort out and put up on here. I saw some glass and air box.
I will be needing rear door shocks, pass side power mirror, blower dash control, cheap audio deck

[jpthing]

There is a cheaper way to lift the rear about 2" from stock (or lift about 3-4" from saggy) it is called a bastard pack, which is basically a new leaf pack comprised of your main leaf (the one with the eyes) combined with some stock lower leaves and with 1, 2 or 3 leaves from another vehicle with a more arched spring pack (usually a s-10 or dakota) added in. One big advantage is that you do not need to remove the rear leaf which can be quite difficult if the bolts are seized into the leafs, which they usually are. The main leaf is kept installed, the leaf pack is dissasembeled and modified in situ, the leafs you pick up from the donor do not need to be removed properly, they can actually be cut off of the donor which greatly reduces the time spent fighting with rusty bolts.

For a great resourse on cheap lift options check out naxja.org for this idea search for `$11 bastard pack`, also I have heard that those zj coils only net around 3/4 inch lift. how high do you wanna go?
these could be combined with some spacers (check out using stacked stock isolators if $$ is tight) for a 2" lift but if you wanna do 4" some lift springs would be in order, real ones or I have heard the coils off a early 90's t-bird front end are good.

I've done a few budget lifts for me and my buddies, using 4x4 shop parts where neceesary and scrapyard parts where you can. If you would like to come by for a brew and take a peek at my xj's setup pm me
welcome to the forum, see you on the trail!!

[Pookapotamus]

jpthing is kinda right the zj coils dont really give you much of a lift but what they do for you is give you that lift with the added weight of a winch and bumper. my stock coils sagged with the added weight and had a very spongy ride.