Hemenechi's Jeep Cherokee

Hemenechi · Dec 3, 2012

My name is Jay, I bought my Jeep on 8/21/11 for $115.95 and for NH and this year it is in pretty good shape. and here's some info on it when I first bought it.

1987 Jeep Cherokee Laredo
4.0L RENIX, AW4, NP242
Dana 30 (Non-Vacuum Disconnect), 3:55, Open
Dana 35, 3:55, Open
235/75/15 Remington Rimfire A/T, Jeep Turbine
Stock Suspension
113,178 Miles

Now:
1987 Jeep Cherokee Laredo
4.0L RENIX, AW4, NP242
Dana 30 (Non-Vacuum Disconnect), 3:55, Open
Ford 8.8, 3:55 Open
33x10.5x15 BFGoodrich KM2, Pro Comp Series 52 Matte Black
4.75" Suspension Lift

Extra's

Home Made Front Bumper
Hella Fog Lights
AX15 Crossmember (3/4" Drop)
Nate's 4x4 Rear Bumper
OEM Gas Tank Skid
RCX Sliders

Rotted Exhaust

New Exhaust

Home Made Bumper Cost Me About $20

whitexj98 · Dec 4, 2012

I would have ran those bumper plates a bit furthur back and did you cut up two hitches for those shackle mounts?

Hemenechi · Dec 4, 2012

Ford 8.8 Swap Cost About $100 (Including Axle)

gas tank was rotted :/

Lift, TJ Flares & 33x10.5x15 KM2
Lift is Front is 3.5" coils with 2" Coil spacers Rear is Ford Explorer Springs

33x10.5x15 BFG A/T as the spare. As you can see it fits.

Just need to unlatch the rear seat on the drivers side

That was just to get up to speed of what I have got done sofar.

Hemenechi · Dec 4, 2012

Yea I cut up 2 hitch's for it. Like I said tho its $20 in making it. I was thinking of running the mounts further back.... but you know what. its not a winch bumper and it was just a cheap thing to make for now. works well so far

NW-ZJ-SCOTT · Dec 4, 2012

Looks like your having fun! I love home fab stuff, The bumper looks like it could easily take a good tug or two, except WhiteXJ98 Is right, with the factory 3 bolt connection on each side, I've personally seen those bolts shear off and the bumper go flying.. Just an FYI.. It looks great! but to really be stout and usable, I advise going back and getting strength out of more connections

By the way.. Welcome to the Hobart club! what model did you go with?

98stocker · Dec 4, 2012

That's great! Now I know what to use all those spare hitches I have laying around. Seems like every truck I have ever bought came with one.

Hemenechi · Dec 4, 2012

The front 2 main bolts are 1/2" and i reinforced them with the angle iron.

if i were ever to keep this bumper other then light tugs or street use. i would make a template that bolts over the existing holes and ties in with the rest of the unibody.

its good to know the 6 bolts that hold on my toyota front winch bumper is way stronger then a cherokee lol

i work at a parts store so i was messing around with the idea so i just bought the hitches for cheap.

Tacedaddy · Dec 4, 2012

You are running the exact same lift setup as me, it took my explorer springs about 5 months and a few wheeling trips to finally not ride like crap tho

cdrake261 · Dec 6, 2012

Nice! What's total investment if you don't mind...

Hemenechi · Dec 7, 2012

Total investment is about $1,800-$2,000 but the tires and wheels alone were about $1,100

NW-ZJ-SCOTT · Dec 7, 2012

Hemenechi said:
its good to know the 6 bolts that hold on my toyota front winch bumper is way stronger then a cherokee lol

Your toyota likely has a 3/16" thick frame..

Your XJ, does not..

EDIT: Nominated!

rockclimber · Dec 7, 2012

its not the bolts that are the problem... its the unibody.

cracker · Dec 7, 2012

Hemenechi said:
The front 2 main bolts are 1/2" and i reinforced them with the angle iron.

if i were ever to keep this bumper other then light tugs or street use. i would make a template that bolts over the existing holes and ties in with the rest of the unibody.

its good to know the 6 bolts that hold on my toyota front winch bumper is way stronger then a cherokee lol

i work at a parts store so i was messing around with the idea so i just bought the hitches for cheap.

Take a look at the OEM front tow point option from Jeep and you'll see what it takes to properly set up a safe recovery point on a cherokee unibody. Another good thing to look at is the JKS front reinforcement plates and they are designed to take front recovery forces.

I would hate to see yours rip off and hurt someone should you use it.

ethanhasxj · Dec 7, 2012

HAHAHA I JUST WANT TO SAY I THINK IT IS FUNNY WHEN PEOPLE SAY UNIBODY IT IS A UNIT-BODY. KEEP CALLING IT A UNIBODY IF YOU WANT, BUT THE REAL NAME IS UNIT-BODY.

DrMoab · Dec 7, 2012

WHY ARE YOU YELLING!!!!!!

Fwiw. It's called a uni-body. Even in jeep literature they call it a uni-body.

Also nominated.

Sardog1 · Dec 7, 2012

Looks great Hemenechi!

So what is next on the agenda?

cdrake261 · Dec 7, 2012

DrMoab said:
WHY ARE YOU YELLING!!!!!!

Fwiw. It's called a uni-body. Even in jeep literature they call it a uni-body.

Also nominated.

Ouch! Truth hurts.... :dunce:

FlexdXJ · Dec 7, 2012

I would not pull on that front bumper if you were stuck, just saying....

jeepme · Dec 7, 2012

ethanhasxj said:
HAHAHA I JUST WANT TO SAY I THINK IT IS FUNNY WHEN PEOPLE SAY UNIBODY IT IS A UNIT-BODY. KEEP CALLING IT A UNIBODY IF YOU WANT, BUT THE REAL NAME IS UNIT-BODY.

This is your first post!!!

srmitchell · Dec 7, 2012

ethanhasxj- Nominated

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