Sandy's 1985 Cherokee (downsized)

This Cherokee was a escapee from the salvage yard in 1998. I stripped everything inside and out and started with rust removal and prevention on the body and frame. It was originally a v-6 Wagoner, but this year had the standard grill. knowing the need for extra room, the grill header was removed and replaced with a later year that had  a inline 6 motor and four headlight grill.

Both the front and rear bumpers were built to hide 8000# Ramsey electric winches. Front bumper has small tool box built into each side. Side rails were built from 1" x 2" 12 gauge tubing. The rails and bumpers were powder coated to match the red fade on bottom of body paint. Custom paint was by Arthur's in Colorado Springs and powder coating done in another shop, all other work and fabrication except exhaust system was done in my home garage.

Several lift combinations were tried, and currently I am using front coils from Tompkins Machine, with a supposed lift of 6". Rear springs were re-worked to match the lift. Due to the weight, 4200#, the actual lift is only about 4". This allows 31x10.50 to swing with  very little rub and allows chains to be used on both ends. Rancho 9000 series shocks with air control inside on console.

The hood was louvered to help cooling of the Chevy ZZ4, 355 HP, engine. This engine has Edelbrock aluminum heads and intake manifold, roller cam and rockers. Edelbrock high volume water pump. Custom built four core radiator, running a 19" 7 blade fan, fully shrouded, extra water capacity with green object on left side. It will still heat up if idled very long in 95% temps. and running the air conditioning. Otherwise no heating problems. Exhaust is stock manifolds, to meet emissions, into 3" system all the way back.

Drive train is using a 700R4 transmission and 241 modified transfer case. Rear differential is a 9" ford with warn full floating kit with lock out hubs for towing. Rear disc brakes were added. Gear ratio is 4.56::1 and running a ARB locker in rear. Rear disc brakes were used on the 9" rear differential.Front differential is currently stock, thinking of 44, but modified the *#% vacuum shifter to operate with air from the on board ARB air pump.  It now works OK. Dual batteries are used for the winches and the on board welder

Interior was completely re-done with concentration on dash and console. All gauges are VDO. mounted in black plastic panel that I built. Steering wheel in a Grant Mahogany. Center console is built out of stainless steel and around a B&M shifter. All of the switches are used for control of the lights, extra fan, inverter, air pressure gauge and controls for air to the shocks. Air condition vents are on both sides.