1983 Jeep Cherokee street fighter project
 

Unconventional vehicle, I know. I have a soft spot for full size Jeeps, have been drag racing 4 door Wagoneers for years. This project was originally intended to be a drag car but I changed plans midway through and it's going to be more of a streetfighter build.

Clearly they did not build a 2wd Cherokee, so the body is now on a '71 C10 chassis. I went through various iterations of AMC engines but have finally decided on a 5.7 hemi and TR6060 trans.

Here is a quickie rendering of how I want it to look like, although color and wheels/tires can change.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pse875d2d0.jpg

Here's the donor body as purchased. Very clean and rust-free and a wide trac already. The factory fender flares will be great.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps717963f9.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psd23540bf.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps4192281e.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psfe821b46.jpg

And the chassis, from a 1971 C10 long bed. I started with a long bed because of the longer rear overhang. It's actually better than it looks, it had been left outside after the body was removed and surface rusted. No major pitting or structural rust.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psda1343d5.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pse4c7bff1.jpg


Cut 15" out of the middle to bring it down to 110" wheelbase. The factory Jeep wheelbase was 109" but the front wheels weren't centered in the openings.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps6192f971.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psa8963589.jpg

Body ready to be liberated from the 4x4 stuff.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psc0e96bf2.jpg


And it's free!
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps461cb97e.jpg


The 4x4 frame (ironically converted to 2wd and used on another project).
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps16353279.jpg


First trial fit on the C10 chassis.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psc8d3c71b.jpg


Fits pretty well, body needs a little clearancing to sit correctly on the frame.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps346083f7.jpg


But it's TALL. For now.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psb9038e7e.jpg

The floor needed clearancing in one spot on each side.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pscb12cbc7.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps280205ff.jpg


Frame lines up just right in the back, like it was made for it.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps4f3e871d.jpg


Example of body mounts that I made.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps28a1e490.jpg

Body back off the frame again.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps3221e564.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps327137d6.jpg


Sandblasted and painted.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps6691cefc.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps10facd95.jpg


Plated trailing arms
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psd8edae4a.jpg

Rolling chassis.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psf7b148f6.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psb9b00a34.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psd3df6956.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psb60e5181.jpg


Body back on and ride height (at the time) set. It will be much lower and obviously a different wheel/tire combo.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps8f3b2fa6.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps811f4eae.jpg

And off to the chassis shop for the roll cage. It's a full chrome moly 8.50 cage (remember, it was going to be a drag car).
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps7b85cbe3.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps8cd8c377.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps5f70872c.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psd33bf7ba.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps96107d86.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps202ea31a.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...pse11809b3.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps7cfb0ad4.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psca8a8103.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps0f2cb83d.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps579f45bc.jpg

Got some fiberglass parts and made a lift off style front end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX3RpiTf1N8

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps71767cd4.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps647c9db1.jpg


And a shot of the engine plan (at the time). AMC 401 based engine with an 83mm turbo. It's now all in my '77 4 door Wagoneer.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psa5c1e32b.jpg


After the engine/turbo got donated to my Wagoneer, I threw this one in there for the time being. 712 hp all motor 401 stroker (454").
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...psc94903d6.jpg

Around this point is when plans changed from drag racing to autoX and street fun. No more spooled Ford 8.8, bought a floater 9".
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps0ff496a8.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps1429f4bf.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps062a1c94.jpg


Converted the rear to coilovers and made adjustable panhard bar mounts.
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps9c09a9bd.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps67a77730.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...ps9a84bd3f.jpg