CHEEP evolution

Post pics and info of your current projects.
Wrench
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CHEEP evolution

Postby Wrench » Fri Jul 19, 2013 6:31 pm

I know you all have seen the pic I posted of my Cherokee chopped, so here is the story:

It all began two weeks ago when I had the gumption to swap my cracked windshield (the replacement has been sitting around here for around 2 years or so...). I cut the old one out, with this handy tool from Harbor Freight:
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Then I scraped the old sealant off to prep for the new stuff:
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About the time I got the flange prepped, I remembered the case of Kirkland "Energy Shot" sitting in the office. I decided it was going to be a long day, so I cracked one open...

Then things really started happening. I had all these ideas that have been going through my head over the last several months suddenly decide to become a reality, and this happened:
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Then, it led to this:

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So here is the deal:
There are several things I have wanted to change about my 'wheeler. First, I wanted to somehow reduce the weight so I could get several years of good life out of the drivetrain (which is where I have dumped my money). This Cherokee originally came to me for free, so I wasnt too concerned about modifying it. I originally began to look for a good flatty body I could use, but all the ones that had decent bodies were going for quite a chunk of change. So I decided I would just modify what I had to get closer to my goals, which are:
-10" shorter wheelbase. There are places I wheel that the long wheelbase seems to limit me.
-Lighter weight. There is a ton of "stuff" in my Cherokee I dont need. I am stripping everything out that is not "needed".
-More rigidity. I am building a mild cage for better protection and to solidify the flexy body. I want to get a lot of years from this rig.
-Rear suspension redesign. I want to go lighter and more tune-able. Fox 2.0 air shocks are currently on the menu for the rear, along with a new/redesigned 3-link. I have quite a bit of revalving experience, and look forward to the Fox units.
-Due to the massive weight loss in the rear, I will be moving the battery behind the passenger seat and several other items toward the rear. I have already shifted the engine and transmission back about an inch, and the front suspension forward over an inch.
-The front suspension mods will be held off until later. They will include shifting the front suspension forward even more (which will require some front fender-well mods), and installing Fox 2.5 air shocks.
-For the rollover protection, I will be using 1.5"/ .120" hrew and integrating it into the existing body for even more strength. It will be fairly hidden, so the rig will actually look very "stock" (I am totally NOT a fan of exo-cages).
-I will be using the skin from the old rear doors to blend the back of the rig with the front doors, so it will look similar to a Bronco II (as Tim put it).
-The rig will be completely coated in Monsta-Liner when finished.
Paul
'84 XJ, '19JL

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TJDave
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Postby TJDave » Fri Jul 19, 2013 7:09 pm

8) that's going to be so cool.
2018 JLU Rubicon
Tow bar mount
Trailer hitch

Wrench
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Postby Wrench » Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:22 pm

Prepping for reattachment. I am using some scrap flat stock recycled from a defective RV refrigerator and rosette-welding it under the seam on both sides. I'll then weld down the center of the two halves.

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Oh, I forgot to add: I would like to find an extra set of front doors so I can make some half-doors also.
Paul
'84 XJ, '19JL

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Postby mattawajeep » Fri Jul 19, 2013 8:59 pm

Cool.

What's the wheelbase at? It's kinda hard to judge, looks shorter than a wrangler now. If it's a full 10" sounds like it puts you between a CJ-5 and TJ.

You order the monstaliner chips?

Wrench
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Postby Wrench » Sat Jul 20, 2013 5:43 am

Wheelbase should be nearly identical to a TJ/YJ when done, but I am shooting for a ~2500 pound weight.

I ordered two gallons of Monstaliner and three different color dies (white, light gray, and charcoal gray).
Paul
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TJDave
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Postby TJDave » Sat Jul 20, 2013 6:32 am

Wrench wrote:Wheelbase should be nearly identical to a TJ/YJ when done, but I am shooting for a ~2500 pound weight.

I ordered two gallons of Monstaliner and three different color dies (white, light gray, and charcoal gray).


Could be the first Cherokee to run the Little Rattlesnake...well, legally anyway. 8)
2018 JLU Rubicon
Tow bar mount
Trailer hitch

Wrench
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Postby Wrench » Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:54 am

The halves become whole again:

Image

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Junkyard parts to start suspension parts fabrication. These are from a ~2003 Chevy Trailblazer:

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Paul
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Roman
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Postby Roman » Thu Aug 01, 2013 3:53 pm

Paul, instead of patching in the body with the rear doors, why not just cut them down and let them open?

Wrench
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Postby Wrench » Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:12 pm

Out with the old, in with the new:
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A little fender tuck for corner clearance:
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Paul
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Lurch
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Postby Lurch » Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:24 pm

I like the fender tuck.
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Postby OldGreen » Fri Sep 06, 2013 10:26 am

come on man. . .get some more of that Costco energy stuff and get us some pics already. . .

Wrench
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Postby Wrench » Sat Sep 07, 2013 6:26 pm

After two years of resting in pieces, she is alive again! Heart transplant, bigger and better. She will now hit 80+.

Image

Sorry, no progress on the Heep.
Paul
'84 XJ, '19JL

Wrench
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Postby Wrench » Sat Sep 07, 2013 6:38 pm

edit error
Last edited by Wrench on Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:54 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Paul
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Postby 79chevy39.5's » Sat Sep 07, 2013 6:47 pm

Any plans of dirt biking agAin?

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Danny
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Postby Danny » Sun Sep 08, 2013 4:16 pm

Paul, looks like full body armor would be needed to take that thing out.
Forget your age and live your life!

Wrench
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Postby Wrench » Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:46 pm

79chevy39.5's wrote:Any plans of dirt biking agAin?


Yes, after my other projects are completed. It really boils down to what kind of deal I can find.

If money were no object, I would get one of those new KTM 2-strokes wth e-start. :D
Paul
'84 XJ, '19JL

Wrench
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Postby Wrench » Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:48 pm

Danny wrote:Paul, looks like full body armor would be needed to take that thing out.


Yep. The crash protection on the bike and on my leather suit appear to have matching scars. :wink: I have had a little fun on this thing out at the Kart track at Horn Rapids a time or two...
Paul
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Danny
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Postby Danny » Tue Sep 10, 2013 7:54 pm

Kuel....would love to see you put it through it's paces.\
Forget your age and live your life!

Wrench
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Postby Wrench » Fri Nov 22, 2013 8:07 pm

.
Last edited by Wrench on Tue Jan 24, 2017 7:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
Paul
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Postby OldGreen » Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:08 am

This is very motivating. ....love the idea on the rear of the cage.

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Postby OldGreen » Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:11 am

What size tube? 1.5"?

Wrench
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Postby Wrench » Sat Nov 23, 2013 1:57 pm

OldGreen wrote:What size tube? 1.5"?


1.5" diameter, 0.120" wall, HREW
Paul
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Postby OldGreen » Sat Nov 23, 2013 2:14 pm

excellent. . .

Wrench
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Postby Wrench » Thu Nov 28, 2013 12:13 pm

Notes on intended progression:
-body unit being beefed up to be much stronger and integrating roll-over protection built into the existing body unit. Basically, remaining a unit-body, just being beefed up a lot.
-wheel wells being opened to clear 36" Iroks easily.
-waggy Dana 44's front/rear, select-able lockers, 5.13 gears.
-going to contact Jims Customs @ 509-521-3513 to have a custom soft-top made for the back. He does vinyl/upholstery work here in the Tri Cities.
-Seeking a 6.2l LS/6l90E for power. I already have a 1990 GM driver-drop manual-shift NP241 from a 700r4 setup that will mate to the 6l90e
Last edited by Wrench on Tue Jan 24, 2017 7:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
Paul
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Postby OldGreen » Thu Nov 28, 2013 12:58 pm

Snowmobile.....


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