Jeep Cherokee From The Beginning

I bought my 2000 Jeep Cherokee in 2004 about a semester before I graduated college. It had about 45,000 miles at the time I bought it.

It was a Classic model (it went SE, Sport, Classic, then Limited in the lineup). It had the 231 transfer case (part time), a Dana 35 in the rear and a low pinion Dana 30 in the front. It did not have the up country package (I looked really hard to find one). That would have given it tow hooks front and rear (unless it had a hitch), gas tank, transfer case and front suspension skid plates, limited slip rear end and about an inch extra ride height.

It didn't take long for me to get it muddy.

Right away, I put on front and rear tow hooks and a factory transfer case skid plate. And then my friend and I took it on a 3,000 mile road trip to visit some friends in Florida.

Near Tampa

Near Gatlinburg Tn.

Soon after I got home from that trip, I lifted it 2" with a budget boost kit (spacers up front and longer shackles on the back). Then I installed 30" Bridgestone Dueler Revo

Before

After (ignore the rock rails for now)

Went back to school for one more semester (Southern Illinois Carbondale). Beautiful area. Had some decent trails.

2 inches of lift and 30s should have been stock. Looked good and performed real well.

Time for more though. I bought a project Jeep that I guy didn't finish. It had a 4.5" lift, rock rails, high pinion 30, hack and tap slip yoke eliminator and drive shaft and a bigger transfer case skid plate.

I put the rock rails on right away but put the lift to the side.

Took it to the local offroad park for the first time.

It was a lot of fun as is but more is always better.....