The best way to keep it looking like a cherokee is to leave the cargo area alone and chop the top down low then rip the hood and side panels off. Slam it to the ground with the rear wheel wells cut so they tuck in nicely. Then use your fab skills to shrink in the grill and keep it straight xj body then of course put a mean *** motor in it.

 

this is a good GOOD idea. if you wont some ideas here,
-keep it 4 wheel drive use the stock dana 30 axial so the tires are in the body line ish
- just let the rubber hang out in the back. like use a 9" axial, no cutting the axial or the fenders. make the inside of the tier next to the window and the top of the axial touch the top of the fender well when dropped.
-split wind shelled
its allot of work sorry, ALLOT OF WORK! but this, in my mined is cool. im a little sick sorry

 

Do it. I love rat rods.

One of these days, I'm going to build one myself. Only mine will be a 67-71 Chevy pickup, slammed, flatblack, with wide whitewalls on red steelies with moon half-hubcaps, and an LS1. I can see it in my head.

A rat-okee would be bangin'.

 

So has there been any headway or progress ?? I've knocked the idea around for awhile also...

Curt