Cherokee Build

1998 Jeep Cherokee 2WD

Brick started out life as a 2WD Cherokee Sport grocery getter and bingo runner.  It was purchased last year with only 53000 miles on the clock making it worth the 4x4 conversion.  Over the past year it has evolved in to a quite capable overlanding rig and is nowhere near the end of its life.  This build was done on a budget as I am currently a college student with very little money to spare no naturally when a an offer for a $500 Cherokee appeared i jumped on it. 

Stage 1:

Stage one was dominated with the typical beginner Cherokee mods with a 4x4 conversion thrown in there.

  • 4x4 Conversion
  • Dana 30 Front/8.25 Rear
  • 4.0L Engine
  • Asin AW4 Transmission
  • NP 231 Transfer Case
  • Rough Country SYE and Rear Driveshaft
  • Rubicon Express 3.5" Super Ride Lift
  • Pro Comp Series 7031 15x8 Wheels
  • 32x11.5" BfGoodrich KO2
  • Bosch 703 4 Hole Injectors
  • ARB Air Compressor
  • 1000W Inverter
  • 20in "Chinesium" Light Bar from Amazon
  • DYI Rear Storage System

Stage 2: 

For stage 2 I bought my new favorite tool and learned how to use it.  I bought myself a Hobart Handler 140 and went to town teaching myself to weld.  I have always like the looks and practicalities of dual swing bumpers but after months of scouring the internet for any dual swing Cherokee bumpers, both for sale or even DIY jobs, I came up empty handed and decided "screw it, i'm going to learn how to weld and build my own."  Check the bumper build blog post for more info in the build.

 

Chris Neeld