The Homebrew Jeep Mod Thread
Member
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 227
Likes: 10
From: New Mexico
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L I6
This is how I put a full size spare where the donut normally goes. There is a long bolt welded to the body and a nut with two rods welded to it holding the tire on. The ratchet strap stops it from rattling while offroad. There is space behind it between the window where I put tow cables and jumper cables.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 81
Likes: 2
From: Long Island
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 41
From: Newport News, VA
Year: 96 & 88 4 dr Cherokees
The initial build used a 1 1/4 hitch insert, which cracked on me, so I stepped up to the 2" and gusseted it mainly to avoid having just a butt weld at that joint.
The bottom is where the impact has the most force, as by the time it is moving, so is the rest of the rack.
Plus, the Z-bar slides out of the rack section so you can put it inside the jeep if you want. My plan was to make 4 legs for it to use as a second level inside the jeep, just never got around to it.
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Last edited by TRCM; Feb 19, 2018 at 02:41 AM.
Senior Member


Joined: May 2010
Posts: 544
Likes: 252
From: Newmarket, Ontario
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 L
Highly technical task
... I made a coffee cup holder.
Here it is unpainted so you can better see what it is. Basically 14g metal that I bent and cut to fit on to the right side of the console next to the brake handle. I later painted it black satin.

This is the back side. It's held firmly in place by Velcro and is removable. The cup holders (which are actually ash trays) are screwed in to a piece of 0.25" x 1.5" oak.
... I made a coffee cup holder. Here it is unpainted so you can better see what it is. Basically 14g metal that I bent and cut to fit on to the right side of the console next to the brake handle. I later painted it black satin.
This is the back side. It's held firmly in place by Velcro and is removable. The cup holders (which are actually ash trays) are screwed in to a piece of 0.25" x 1.5" oak.
CF Veteran

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 60
From: Pasquotank, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Simple and effective. My favorite kind of mod. I was able to swap in a 97+ console in just a couple hours. Still need to sort out the fit up at the dash, there is a gap. Other than that, was an easy mod.
No, I don't lick fish.



Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,169
Likes: 26
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Yeah I did that too. I'm planning on fabbing up a bracket for a 3-port 12v / 2 port USB power source and maybe switch panel to fill that gap though.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 81
Likes: 2
From: Long Island
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran

Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,820
Likes: 60
From: Pasquotank, NC
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Interesting. You should start a separate thread in the Fab section for that bumper. This thread is more for showing off the final product. Will get more traffic in it's own thread.
No, I don't lick fish.



Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 11,169
Likes: 26
From: Northern Kentucky
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
Likes: 495
From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
Been working on a Dana 44 front. Changed it from right hand drop 0° castor and pinion angle to left hand drop 13° pinion and 5° castor angle
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
Likes: 495
From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
Grind out the spot welds, put it in a press using the jig in the first pic and use the tube to reach down through the tubes and push them out. Takes about 30 tons. Reverse the process to get them back in


