which one gets a new suspension? help needed!

[trcooperone]

I currently have an 89' grand wagoneer with a Bj's 6" lift. I like it but I need more more flex.

I was going to change out the suspension to a SOA and 63" chevy's in the rear as well and an axles swap with 3/4 ton chevy axles. I also was going to switch to a pass drop np208 to match the new front axle.

Then a friend of mine sold be a late 70's cherokee with a 401. That got me thinking that maybe I should put the new suspension on the cherokee. If I were to do that I would swap out the th400 with a 727 and still use the np208.

The reason for the difficult decision is that I will be moving back to California in a few years and don't want to have to deal with emissions but if I need to I will.

What I am looking for is what you would do. Any and all suggestions will be much appreciated.

[Stuka]

If the chero is a WT, go SOA on it.

[trcooperone]

why if it is a W/T, I am going to swap out axles? what makes the W/T better

[Dmntxn77]

Flares.. You can fit up to 36"s on a W/T Cherokee with an SOA without having to hack up the fenders.. I assume that is why he said that..

Eitherway, if it were me, would SOA the Cherokee. Why??
1) It will have better power with the 401 to turn big meats
2) Its a bit shorter (better for trails)
3) Its a bit lighter (better for trails)
4) The Waggy already has a lift, so if you SOA'd it, you would double the work since you will probably be swapping the 6" lift over to the Cherokee
5) Its older, so it will let you skip the emissions tests sooner..

[trcooperone]

I want to run 38's so bigger wheel wells would be nice

[Stuka]

Cherokees are not shorter than wagoneers. They use the exact same frame with the exact same wheelbase.

And yes I ment that because of the much larger wheel wells. On a waggy you run into issues with the doors if you want to cut much.

[Dmntxn77]

Hmmm, I thought that the 2 door cherokees had less rear overhang.. Never measured it though.. Probably just looks that way do to the W/T flares...