My love of jeeps comes from an early age. When I was a baby my dad had a cj-7 that my car seat was strapped in the back since there was no rear seat. I was 5 when I went with my dad to pick up his new 89 Cherokee and still remember climbing into the rear seat. That XJ was also the first car I drove and had big plans for it until my sister totaled it right after I got my permit. It's been 10 years since then and I'm finally back in a jeep. A black 97 Cherokee 4x4 manual 4 door. I bought it so my wife could have a car while I was on leave from Okinawa Japan 10 months ago. Now that I'm out of the navy and back home my build can finally start. So far I had a new head unit and speakers installed for my wife and a 3" iron rock lift installed for me while I was overseas. I have been buying parts preparing for my homecoming so hopefully It will come together quickly and smooth. This is how she sat last Sunday.


I went for a mild build since it's my daily driver. I'll also be setting it up for my wife, dog, and I to sleep comfortably while camping in state land and national forests in all 4 seasons.

 

Looking good! What are your other plans for it??

I love camping so I'll be watching this one!!

 

The exterior is basically done. just have to take some better pics of her.

It was rusted pretty bad but luckily I had already planned on doing the cut n fold quarters

 

Cut and fold front, rear, and quarters completed.


I ended up cutting out the rockers because the rust was so bad behind the one since it was hit on that side. I also pounded the dent out that I noticed after I pulled the trim off.

 

used a 2x6 with 45 degree angles and welded caps on with my buddies cheap tractor supply flux core mig.


Ripped out the carpet because it was stained and waterlogged from a leak in the windshield or cowl.


I was very afraid of what I would find under there but I got really lucky especially since shes from Illinois.


Picked up 5 JK tires for 600 with only 3000mi on 4 of them.

 

I Got the bumpers and roof rack custom made while I was in Japan at Jay-Fab-Offroad. I threw them on and bed lined from the second body line down. It's hard to see the liner since its still drying but the monstaliner has a very good texture and thickness for a DIY liner.


Picked up 5 JK wheels for 150 and painted them gunmetal. Then I used the spidertrax adapters to mount them. The Font sits a little low but I'll be making a rear tire carrier which should help.


Hella 500s and and Rampage H4 conversion.


Rear bumper has tieins about as long as the side protection.

 

Awesome XJ. JK Rims look good on it. I really like that rear bumper.

 

Just checked out your build. It's like my XJ's big brother! I see you need some carpet too. You're welcome to come get mine

 

What'd you do to fix those rockers? I see you cut the original ones out, but how'd you replace them?

 

Those bumpers look good. Jeep looks good too.

 

What do you plan on doing next?

 

Your Jeep looks fantastic!

 

Thanks guys. Ill have to Post some pics of how I did my rocker replacement/sliders . I still need to tie them into the unibody with the old rock sliders I had for it.

Plans for the near future are
Bed line interior
Simple sleep platform over rear footwell- Done
Build 10 inch cubby sub box and finish system- Done
Build bumper tire carrier- Done

 

Haha thanks man. I actually have a carpet I got off someone but I haven't installed it yet. Soon after I clean the floors.

 

Drove to Baltimore to check out the campus and hated the area. Defiantly not where I want to live. Ended up driving to The university of Virginia in Charlottesville and we both really liked the area. Much better for outdoor recreation too. Snapped these photos when we walked back to her during the trip.


This shows the texture of the monstaliner a little. Not the best photo because it's still with my phone.


Really need to get that tire off the rack. My wife and I can feel gusts of wind pulling on it on the highway. Doesn't help that my tires are almost the diameter of a 33 and I'm on stock gearing either.