Jeep Cherokee Forum - Benz, the 95’ Cherokee, with a diesel.

Here is my build thread of Benz, my 95’ Cherokee Sport. This is an Overlander build, and everyday driver.
I was blessed to find my rust free (Texas) Jeep Cherokee. The OP. did a great job on the engine swap. I have a 85’ Mercedes Benz 617, 5 cylinder turbo diesel, under the hood. I also was glad to find an XJ with manual transmission, as I still enjoy the control over my rig and going through the gears! The XJ had stock size tires and wheels, and stock 3.07 gears. It was diveable but under powered. The XJ also came with off road front and rear bumpers, with a winch up front. The rack on top already was a nice touch too. In the before picture, you see what looks like a snorkel? That is my exhaust pipe! Up out of the way, so you don't start a fire going through dry grass and the like.

Now for some of the upgrades I have done and had done. I bought some nice Black leather seats out of a 99' Grand Cherokee. Also, a Ford 8.8 rear axle with disk brakes, out of a 96' Ford Explorer. I paid $350. for these parts. The next day I took and installed the Leather seats. What a big difference in looks and comfort! I had some trucks that I had been saving parts to build up something some day. Sold them and used the money for some more upgrades to the XJ. A local shop in Wenatchee, WA. did some great work for me. They (the shop) took the Ford 8.8 rear axle and completely rebuilt it with new 4.10 gears, Yukon chromoly 4340 axle shaft with the c-clip illuminator kit, and an Ox air locker differential, new forged spicer yoke, to hook up the drive shaft, like new JK Jeep shocks, new brake lines, brake rotors, pads and more. Then the shop moved to the front axle and did more upgrades. 4.10 gears, Yukon chromoly 4340 axles shafts with spicer circle clip u-joints, Ox air locker, gusseted the inner Cs on the front also. and most of the brackets. While setting up both axles, he made them 1-1/2” wider, so I don’t have to run wheel spacers to use the stock 98’ factory aluminum, 15 x 8” wheels that I have. The shop did other miscellaneous work too, but that is most of it. Was not cheap! But in the end, turned out nice.

Now I need to finish running air lines, hook up the air compressor, install a new winch, CB, fog lights and more. Always more to keep doing. Jeep; just, empty, every, pocket!

After having all the upgrades done, got ready to drive my XJ home and the clutch slave and master cylinder went out! Had to borrow a trailer from my friend and haul it home the next day. Well replaced the master cylinder and clutch Slave. That was not the problem. The Cherokee sat all winter with nothing done to it. Finally, switched out the Badlands winch with a Warn 10s. winch. Also, hooked up the air lines to the ARB twin air compressor, and took apart a sears 110 v. air compressor and used the 2-1/2 gal. Tank and regulator for my onboard setup. Bought a Centerforce high inertia flywheel, 40 lbs. and a heavy duty Luk clutch kit with the heavier springs in the pressure plate. That is going in this week. Last, bought some used 32” x 10.5 x 15 tires for $300. Will see how they work with my gearing before I buy new tires. Don’t think I said before, the Cherokee has a 3” Pro Comp lift on it.

Will try to add pictures and updates as I can. Please feel free to ask any questions about my build. Benz.