It seems like everyone has childhood memories of early Cherokee/Wagoneers, cool to hear yours too. I'm no exception either, my neighbor had a broke down '79 J10 that sat beside the barn and we always played in it. This Cherokee has a unique story as to why it never rusted. It was apparently purchased in Florida and shipped to Italy and used as a Department of Defense vehicle. From there it came back to the US and was parted out. I bought the shell for (I think) $600. Not a bad deal. The rendering has the "S" graphics that everyone calls "Chief" graphics. A chief would have the black "Cherokee Chief" billboards and not the Indian stripe. I'm still on the fence, at this point I'm thinking of just trying to match the new panels to the patina'ed paint and leaving it as-is. We'll see...



I can't blame you at all, lol. Jeep stuff kind of has a reputation for being redneck-ish (not that I'm not, ha). The build isn't for everyone but as long as it turns out how I envision, I'll have a smile plastered across my face the whole time and that's what matters. Thanks for the kind words!



I was all geared up to do the MS3x route and then I ended up getting roped into buying the Holley HP unit. I happen to have a really good Holley resource local to me and the support is what swayed my decision. Since I'm going cable driven tb, I don't need the Dominator and the cost is pretty competitive with the MS3x.

Yep, the plan is to run the turbo on a more or less stock engine. I only want 500 whp and the cheapest way is 8ish psi from a turbo. I was planning on upgrading the cam but it's $750 for the cam alone, then springs, etc. The ridiculous engines can stay in the other Jeep, I don't want to goof with this one. Stock with a little extra will be fine. The other plus side is if something ever goes wrong, any 09+ truck motor will replace it for cheap and I can be back on the road in a couple days.

So, the other Jeep has been stealing all my time. Finally got it running and have been racing and driving it a bit for the past few weeks so now I get to start on the Cherokee again. Used the 700ish whp Jeep to drag the Cherokee outside for pictures and to move it over to the next stall. Kind of interesting to see how much different they are, considering they're basically the same body and used to sit at the same height.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps3ioruyne.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psbatzz4ze.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psearcuzd1.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psndyeka94.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psoqfuem05.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psshywkpgy.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psqz3hadvz.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psxtknamrl.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psenximibc.jpg

Man - I had no idea those things cam in 2 doors!

Chevy frame - Dodge drivetrain - Jeep body - the Mustang TB makes sense!

Love the way it looks - keep on it!

Thanks! I'd like to think I'm being rather impartial about where the parts come from, although it pains me not to have an AMC motor. Need to find some import stuff to put on it next. lol

Yeah, the 2 doors are a rare bird. Wagoneers and Grand Wagoneers are 4-doors (aside from a few 2-doors made prior to 1968ish) and they made a slug of those. Cherokees were offered in three styles, narrow trac with 2 or 4 doors, and wide trac as a 2 door only. It took a lot of hunting for me to find a 2 door wide trac body but it just wouldn't be right without the wide fenders. This one is a 1983 Laredo, the highest trim level and last year of production. Not that it matters anymore since I "ruined" it. :D

Man that thing looks great sitting low to the ground. It's so dang cool!

Nice Jeep! 2 as a matter of fact.

I swear I was just thinking the other day that I need to look this thread up to see if I have missed any updates on it. It looks great with that stance...can't wait to see it finished.

Thanks! I saw your build on BangShift a month or two ago, and I was really impressed. I never really followed up on finding a build thread so I'm glad to see one here. When I was looking for a new body to replace the '47 Chevy truck I briefly considered a 66-72 Jeepster Commando before I ended up with the Scout. I'd be happy to answer any questions I can about my Scout or offer advice. Keep up the good work, and I hope to see it at an event someday.

If you're interested, here is the build thread for my original '47 Chevy truck based on a modified S-10 chassis:

http://www.killbillet.com/showthread...vy-AutoX-Truck

My thread on Pro-Touring for the Scout is less of a build thread, and more of an attempt to improve the front suspension. Lately I just haven't had the time or money to get that aspect of the project going again, but I hope that will change soon:

http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/1...light=Scout+II

Tyler

Thanks for the links! I've spent quite a bit of time sifting through some of it, lots of great info there.

It's funny too because I had been considering a Commando very seriously as well. But I ended up with the Cherokee because of how many parts I already had for that body style. In retrospect, the Commando would probably be a better platform from a performance standpoint but I have no regrets going with the Cherokee.

Hope you're able to get back on your project soon, cant' wait to see updates.

Downpipe and exhaust.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psuamc4nff.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psqdpetitp.jpg


Got the floor mount pedals figured out. Had to cut out a lot of floor and firewall. Made it sandwich the new firewall between the pedals and masters. Makes it easier to work on. Sorry the pictures are kind of crummy.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psuxx84ykf.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pspoob1ysk.jpg


Got the rear bumper mounted. It's aluminum and pretty light.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps5csjywdm.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psgnxbtsmw.jpg


Front bumper mounted too. I built the mounts with sliding tubes so that it comes off quick and easy to access the front clip mounting bolts. The whole deal probably weighs under 10 pounds.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psmsbobtn9.jpg


And the intercooler is mounted and piping done. Also had to modify the fuel rail mounting hardware to accept the taller Ford injectors.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psqberopz6.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps0qn43ucr.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pskkd7e3kp.jpg