Hey guys, been a while since I have been around and I have been up to alot. I joined up with a Mountain Search and Rescue unit and I am now training a air scent search dog. Driving to trainings with a big crate and all my gear every week in my honda was getting old. I have been hunting for something that will stow all my gear and pooch and still get good mileage and I finally found it.

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I snagged this 86 2 door cherokee with the 2.1 Diesel and a 5 speed. Now I know it isn't a power house but I have been getting 28-30mpg on 31's in town so far so who needs speed :thumb: . So plans for it are to keep it as cheap, simple and light weight as possible. List of mods planned are as follows

BRAKES (they are pretty shot at the moment)

Fix drivers headlight which only works on high beams atm

Glow plugs also need replacing (If anyone has a idea where I can get some that would be great)

As light weight a tube winch bumper as possivle (was thinking OR Fab or maybe someone can recomend a local fab guy who could build something simpler for cheaper?)

8000lb Winch w/ synthetic line

Matching sized spare (rig is running 21's and has the factory spare atm)

Light weight aluminum wheels if I can find some for cheap (once again shedding weight where I can)

3 inch lift (back springs are pretty shot at the moment and it needs new shocks all around)

Removing the rear seat and building in a floor box for a second battery and storage

Swapping in a 97+ XJ center console

Replace passenger door

97+ XJ Front grill swap

Paint

Front and rear lockers


I am currently hunting for parts and a whole cherokee interior I can swap in so pm me if you have anything that would go on the list.

 

Just got back from a body recovery, here are a few pics of the Jeep after a mission with my current setup.



Swapped in a 97 cherokee Console (yay for cupholders) Still need to install the new e brake lever. Also need a shifter boot and Bezel for a 97+ console, having a hard time tracking one down. If anyone has a spare pm me.




I pulled the rear seat and build a box to go up 8 inches off the back area giving me a nice smooth area to store (or just randomly chuck) gear into with a box underneath. I have speaker carpeting and glue coming in the next few days to reduce the chance of splinters and quiet everything down.




Rear View, the lower compartments are sized to perfectly fit my snow shoes.


Next up is to put some new brakes on, get the new suspension under it, install the true track up front, install a second battery, get some more agressive Mud terrain tires and swap a 8.8 into the rear.

 

A 2.1l diesel? Which motor and trans is it?

 

Factory Renault and AX 5 with a NP 231 and 4.10 gears

 

That's a rare bird. Nice.

 

Rustys makes a decent tube bumper that supports a winch. Fairly cheap too

 

Good find. I've always wanted a factory diesel

 

Never seen one of those before haha. Cool