CHEAP JEEP XJ CHEROKEE BUILD TIPS

I have a '00 Jeep XJ Cherokee Sport that's pretty much bone stock. I want to build it up on the cheap to fit 32-inch tires and hit some trails in southwestern Colorado. I know these Jeeps have been built 1,000 different ways but wondered if you have any tips or tricks that will help me keep the budget down while improving the off-road abilities of the Jeep without ruining its on-road manners too much. I also found and scooped up an XJ Dana 44 rear axle for this build from a junkyard and will have it re-geared to work with the slightly larger tires.

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Welcome to the addictive world of one of the most used and modified Jeeps. XJs were built for a long time and many folks have changed them to suit their needs, from mild to wild. I've owned at least three XJs, and you have a good one in one of the last model years built. It will have the venerable AMC 4.0L 1-6, a torquey and reliable engine that lots of enthusiast's love. Behind it is most likely an AW4 four-speed automatic (although a few XJs had the 4.0L and an NV3550 five-speed manual). From there you either have the NP242 or more likely an NP231, both of which are great transfer cases for a mild build. Your front axle will be a low-pinion Dana 30, the same axle that came from the factory in the TJ Wrangler. Your rear axle is either a 29-spline Chrysler 8.25 or a Dana 35. The Dana 44 you found is a mild upgrade over the Chrysler axle (which is pretty strong but is unfortunately a C-clip-style axle) and a definite upgrade over a Dana 35 ... it makes a better boat anchor than an axle.