Mods
- Throttle body fuel injection\r
- Electronic ignition\r
- Edelbrock Performer intake\r
- Dual exhaust\r
- Custom built front Warn Zeon 10-S winch tucked behind stock bumper\r
- Rusty's 4" lift\r
- Factory hub covers that I fabricated onto aftermarket wheels\r
- Off-road oil pan\r
- Aluminum, high flow water pump \r
- Aluminum radiator\r
- Custom Autosounds retro stereo with Polk and JVC speakers
- Electronic ignition\r
- Edelbrock Performer intake\r
- Dual exhaust\r
- Custom built front Warn Zeon 10-S winch tucked behind stock bumper\r
- Rusty's 4" lift\r
- Factory hub covers that I fabricated onto aftermarket wheels\r
- Off-road oil pan\r
- Aluminum, high flow water pump \r
- Aluminum radiator\r
- Custom Autosounds retro stereo with Polk and JVC speakers
Build story
I bought this 1975 Jeep Cherokee Chief sight unseen off eBay in 2005. My intention was to have a fun beater for accessing remote trailheads; for serious snow storms; and that could double as a truck for my other projects.\r
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The day that I bought it, I blew the engine on the drive from Oregon to California. Shortly after, I pulled the engine, had it rebuilt, and got it back on the road a month later. \r
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For the next ten years or so it served it's purpose, though it ran rougher and rougher each year. It's known as "Big Blue" and, more recently, "The Hulk".\r
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About 4 years ago I pulled off the 2 barrel intake, carburetor, stock distributor and coil and switched to a throttle body injection, Edelbrock intake, and electronic distributor. I also switched to a higher volume, aluminum water pump and an aluminum radiator. Since that project, the engine has run reliably and flawlessly. \r
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More recently I built a custom winch mount to slip a Warn Zeon 10-S winch behind the stock bumper.\r
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I've also patched up a bit of typical rust in the rear fenders, rattled can painted patches here and there, installed a headliner, rebuilt the tail gate – twice, refurbished the ceiling, roof, doors and windows, restored the dash that had been Sawzall-ed to fit a larger stereo, and installed a Custom Autosounds retro looking stereo system. \r
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Most recently it had a fire caused by the transmission failing and shooting ATF onto the exhaust. I just got the rebuilt transmission and rebuilt transfer case in. I rebuilt the engine wiring harness along with installing new coil, new spark plug wires, new MAF sensor, new TPS, new IAC, new air cleaner and seals, new transmission cooler lines; and replaced a dozen hoses. I upgraded the transmission oil pan to a B&M deep pan and I added an auxiliary trans cooler and trans temp gauge. Even had to get a new horn.
\r
The day that I bought it, I blew the engine on the drive from Oregon to California. Shortly after, I pulled the engine, had it rebuilt, and got it back on the road a month later. \r
\r
For the next ten years or so it served it's purpose, though it ran rougher and rougher each year. It's known as "Big Blue" and, more recently, "The Hulk".\r
\r
About 4 years ago I pulled off the 2 barrel intake, carburetor, stock distributor and coil and switched to a throttle body injection, Edelbrock intake, and electronic distributor. I also switched to a higher volume, aluminum water pump and an aluminum radiator. Since that project, the engine has run reliably and flawlessly. \r
\r
More recently I built a custom winch mount to slip a Warn Zeon 10-S winch behind the stock bumper.\r
\r
I've also patched up a bit of typical rust in the rear fenders, rattled can painted patches here and there, installed a headliner, rebuilt the tail gate – twice, refurbished the ceiling, roof, doors and windows, restored the dash that had been Sawzall-ed to fit a larger stereo, and installed a Custom Autosounds retro looking stereo system. \r
\r
Most recently it had a fire caused by the transmission failing and shooting ATF onto the exhaust. I just got the rebuilt transmission and rebuilt transfer case in. I rebuilt the engine wiring harness along with installing new coil, new spark plug wires, new MAF sensor, new TPS, new IAC, new air cleaner and seals, new transmission cooler lines; and replaced a dozen hoses. I upgraded the transmission oil pan to a B&M deep pan and I added an auxiliary trans cooler and trans temp gauge. Even had to get a new horn.