Project Big Ugly
 

Ok I sold my old cherokee to get another and build it up bigger,
I picked this 89 Cherokee four door up for $500 sitting in a field filled with trash, it had the receipt in the center for a complete engine and tranny overhaul about 30k miles ago, the guy said sometimes it wouldnt start and it overheated so they just parked it.

I got in it and turned the key it fired right up, tightened the lower radiator hose clamp and refilled it and that fixed the overheating problem. Here is how it sat before any mods. Oh also came with 2x2 in front bumper for flat towing (it was towed behind an rv its whole life) that made it easy to get home http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_0904.jpg
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_0908.jpg
It came with some pretty good bfg mts so I threw those on and they didnt rub surprisingly

http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_1035.jpg

Next I took off the fender flares to and cut the fenders for more flex and prepare for bigger tires. http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_1040.jpg

OK, so hit the salvage yard next, nearly walked past an xj with a lift kit on it, pretty new Superlift lift (we measured 8.5" of lift once installed) with Teraflex Shackles, quick disconnect front swaybar, steel braided brake lines, went ahead and took both axles with the lift it had a straight axle front (no crappy vacuum thing), and the rear had a locker in it, got that for free and took it to my work and installed the lift and new axles in a few hours also removed rear sway bar http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_1053.jpg
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_1058.jpg
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_1067.jpg
looks a little stupid on 235's
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_1073.jpg

Got some bigger tires (35x12.5x15 bfg mts) and gas tank skid put on and had to trim the fenders a lot more
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_1175.jpg
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_1287.jpg
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_1280.jpg

Made rock sliders and rear bumper out of rectangle 1/4 steel, rear is also an air tank for the on board air (a/c powered). added a cb and new stereo, (cb antennae broke off in carwash day after I put it on, you can see only the stub left :furious:)
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...0412101744.jpg
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...2/100_1261.jpg

Next I was thinking
-Upgrade axles to bronco axles and chevy 350 tbi
-Chop the top or add a beefy roof rack
-Maybe paint it OD green like my old Jeep (See below)
-Build a very heavy duty front bumper ARB style
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/a...1/100_0851.jpg

Pretty sick! What gearing are you running?

Looks really good! Cant believe you only paid 500 bucks for it. Thats a hella good deal! Hows it running?

you know, I'm not even sure what gearing is in it since I changed it to those junkyard axles and have never looked, but I would guess they are stock 3.54 (or 3.55?) but I've been out wheeling a few times and it works great offroad (could use a front locker after it rains) but cruises on the highway great,

and it seems to be running great bad gas mileage though but thats typical, does anyone know a higher clearance muffler or how to keep rocks from taking your muffler off? I know I could put a skid covering the bottom but idk if that would cause too much heat build up ???