I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Chrokee that I want to get a lift on, but I don't know what to get.  Here's the deal.  I live in Alaska, I live on a road that is always blocked by rock and boulders of every size.  I want to build up my Jeep so that it can handle the crazness of Alaska.   What is a good size lift?  What are good tries to buy?? And do I have to change the shocks??  

A good 4" or 6" long arm kit such as the ones offered by Skyjacker are what you need! A 4" lift should allow for around a 31" tall tire and a 6" kit would allow for at least 33" tires and both kits should include longer shocks. If you can't afford the long arm kits, there are cheaper kits that use shorter control arms. If you swap tires bigger tham 31's you'll probably need to change ring and pinion gears front and rear to match the bigger tires. It sounds like you go fourwheelin' everyday!

What is a good brand name of tires to buy?? I already have 30'' Apatchees.  There allright but they blow out really easy. 

Thanks for the help

What's the difference between a long arm lift kit and a short arm lift kit? The advantages that is. I have a 2000 jeep cherokee and would like to get that rock ready kit from skyjacker. The 6" kit rock ready one.  

I wish i was still in AK, where are u i was at Ft Wainwright. any how id go with BFG AT's there good in snow and ice. and  I drove all the way to WA then to NY on a set and they were still like new when i got here (I did it in dec.) I didnt have a problem at all with traction. I love swampers, dont get me wrong but they aint good in the ice. trust me, at least not 38 bias plys and no siping lol  

I'm form Seward, and if you have ever been here you know that every peice of pavement has potholes the size of freaking craters.  And the road i live on is 3 miles of dirt road hell.  Unstable Cliff on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other.  Half the damn time I have to get out of my Jeep to move rocks because I can't dirve over them.  And after about 6 months of living on this road I have blown out 2 tires, busted my CV joints, and my shocks are toast.  I need to get my baby beefed up bad.  What do sky jacker kits normaly run??  I was think along the lines of a 3" lift since I am short and going with something like 31'' or 32'' tires, prefuralbly M/T of some brand.  Since you've lived in AK what do you think?  

Ya ive been there. i dont know how much a lift would be but theres lots of places to look on line. A 2-3 in lilft would be good, i know woth jeeps like that the wheel wells size is the problem with big tires. but a 31 or 32 should be ok with a 2-3 in lift. I know BFG makes good M/T and A/T tires.  

Justa  quick question.  Where is Ft. Wainwright?  Is that in the interor??  

Yep, right beside Fairbanks, smack in the middle of the state prety much.

Long arm kits give you more suspension travel and ride better. Think of how far your arm moves if it moves from the shoulder, rather than the elbow or wrist. They also usually include a some kind of subframe to mount the longer control arms to which also stiffens and strengthens the body since Cherokee's are unibody design and do not have a traditional frame. 

The disadvantage is the long arm kits cost more.  For light duty wheelin' a short arm kit would work fine, but if your spending the money, get the most lift kit you can afford.

BFG makes some tough tires, (more Baja 1000 winners ride on BFGs) and should stand up to your Alaskan potholes! I would suggest the BFG All Terrains, they work really well on and off road, in snow and ice and will last a long time, and aren't really that expensive for the size you are looking for. Check your AAFES auto, that's where I got the tires for my wife's Liberty.

I really don't knowwhat to get except Eibach adjustable coilovers so can raise or lower it at any time.