Rumors are circulating forums that a suspension lift on the 2014 Jeep Cherokee is not possible, but I've spoken with the shop currently developing one and they have "no intention of giving up" on the project.
Utah-based off-road product purveyor Rocky Mountain Outfitters got their hands on an owner's 2014 Jeep Cherokee (KL) and offered to give them free parts in exchange for letting their Jeep be used for R&D.
The word around JeepForums.com is that Rocky Mountain made this unofficial statement to a customer:
"The front end does not have alignment adjustability. The only way to align the front is to loosen and slightly shift the "cradle" which doesn't provide enough adjustment to lift the vehicle. In case you might think, "Just build a new lower control arm". You could, but to change the lower control arm, you would have to remove the front 'clip'.
This is an aluminum sub-frame which supports the front of the engine, radiator, and everything in front of the front axles. So to remove that control arm would probably be a thousand $ mechanic job and beyond the skills of most DIY'ers.
Therefore, we had to admit defeat and will not be producing a suspension lift for this Jeep. Really sucks. We're disappointed."
However, I just got off the phone with those guys, and they cried bullshit. "We're working on the Cherokee suspension as we speak," was the response. The rep added; "We've already made rock rails and a front bumper for it."
He said there were no plans to "give up" on the project, and that we should expect its completion "in a few weeks."
The rep would not let me speak with one of the mechanics, but I won't hold that against him too much... he probably didn't want me encroaching on his guy's paid hours and might have thought I was trying to squeeze trade secrets out of them. Guess he hadn't heard of Truck Yeah!
Some forums are still saying the independent suspension and short axle-shafts of the KL Cherokee will dramatically limit lifting potential, and there's obviously some truth to that statement, but I'm inclined to wait and see finished lifts from Rocky Mountain and other tuners before passing judgment.
I have yet to hear back from Jeep's engineers, but I'll update you as soon as I do.
Don't Believe Rumors That The 2014 Jeep Cherokee Is 'Unliftable' Yet