It seems like everyone I know either has a Toyota Truck/Forerunner or a Cherokee. I have both, but the Yota is in dire need of a new frame, and the Cherokee is becoming a bit cliche for a builder. My problem I guess is I like to be unique, I know a Cherokee is a good platform, but I haven't seen much in these past years that hasn't been done. Basically I don't care much about streetability, and ideally I would like to build a trail buggy and compete with my buds in Legends class at Rockport IL.
I've considered a lot of options on this XJ, but they all either seem cliche, already been tried and failed, or just too damn expensive. Mine is a 91 with the 4.0, 4 door and the rear has been chopped. I've considered 1 ton axles but thought "too much weight, a million of them out there", I have considered 2 1/2 ton Rockwells but thought "too heavy, and it would never fit in my garage". Then I thought, well let me take the good stuff of the Yota and maybe combine the two, but the Yota front axle has the wrong side drop, and I would kind of like a full width axle under there. I guess my ideal Cherokee for competition and trail running would be light weight, strong axles, low lift, and the biggest tires I could squeeze on there. BUT, I don't want to build something everyone else has.
I'm kind of a cynic I'll admit but I really don't want to go out and find some obscure 4x4 and try to build it for the sake of being different, but what do you do when no possible building technique is going to make it stand out? Am I being too critical in wanting to be different? I really need some help here, and not just the kind a therapist can give me. I've been sitting on my hands and chewing on my bottom lip for about 2 1/2 years and am having serious 4x4 withdrawals.
I need your thoughts.
I've considered a lot of options on this XJ, but they all either seem cliche, already been tried and failed, or just too damn expensive. Mine is a 91 with the 4.0, 4 door and the rear has been chopped. I've considered 1 ton axles but thought "too much weight, a million of them out there", I have considered 2 1/2 ton Rockwells but thought "too heavy, and it would never fit in my garage". Then I thought, well let me take the good stuff of the Yota and maybe combine the two, but the Yota front axle has the wrong side drop, and I would kind of like a full width axle under there. I guess my ideal Cherokee for competition and trail running would be light weight, strong axles, low lift, and the biggest tires I could squeeze on there. BUT, I don't want to build something everyone else has.
I'm kind of a cynic I'll admit but I really don't want to go out and find some obscure 4x4 and try to build it for the sake of being different, but what do you do when no possible building technique is going to make it stand out? Am I being too critical in wanting to be different? I really need some help here, and not just the kind a therapist can give me. I've been sitting on my hands and chewing on my bottom lip for about 2 1/2 years and am having serious 4x4 withdrawals.
I need your thoughts.