Author Archives: Stephane Daury

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About Stephane Daury

Enjoyer of life; software developer. See https://stephdau.me and https://tekartist.org

Jeep XJ build update: wanted a Comanche, had a Cherokee, making a Cheromanche!

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Last time I posted about my ongoing Jeep project, I was about to install some armor plating to protect both my gas tank and the back of the car’s undercarriage. This is now done. Went with 6″ 1/2″ bolts through 1/4″ plate and the whole unibody frame rail, provided the state the job the previous owner had done with the hitch had left the bottom of it. Better safe and solid than sorry.

Once done with that, I reinstalled my back doors, then proceeded to take the windows and trims apart in the back in preparation for one crazy next step.

Building an off-road vehicle is fun, but it’s hardly unheard of. I really want this project to end up in a truly unique vehicle, one that I’m going to keep, enjoy, and abuse for years to come.

Besides fixes, bolt-on upgrades, and reinforcements, I want it to be unequivocally me/mine, as everything I undertake. So… I went a little crazy (in the best of ways), and chopped my XJ “into” an MJ, with a never-done-before twist: an extended cab cut.

So far, the feedback I got on the Cherokee Forum’s FB page has been nothing but amazing. Guess I’m on the right track.

Can’t wait to get started again, this weekend. Already bought the stock I need! :D

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Jeep XJ build update

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Things are moving along pretty well with my Cherokee project, considering I can only work on it on the occasional weekend.

After the last installment, I started by marking and cutting the rusted-out driver-side rocker, along with part of the  door step. Next was test fitting a 2×3 x 3/16th” rectangular tubing and 1.5×2 x 3/16th” angle to replace part of what I’d just taken out.

Once done, I moved on to what is my first foray into metal fabrication, by cutting and welding together my first rock slider, then installing it. Once satisfied with the driver-side, I proceeded to bring symmetry against it to the passenger side, with the matching fenders/rocker trimming, and rock slider. Lots of fun was had, as I’m really enjoying working with metal.

Last thing I did was starting to tackle installing some armour for the gas tank. Easier said than done, since the existing Hidden Hitch was (very poorly) welded to the frame, coupled with some extra-rusty 1/2″ bolts and 3/4″ nuts. But I got it in the end, and will be finding a way to bolt on the armour next weekend.