Daniel Starc: '89 Jeep Cherokee

A few years ago I bought a bone stock 1989 Cherokee Pioneer. It was a good base rig; 4.0 straight six, automatic, the stronger NP242 transfer case, tow package, Dana 30/35 axle combo, and cloth seats. My intentions were lofty; make it an everyday driver that could take me hard-core fourwheeling, my dogs to the beach, me to work, tow a decent load, and keep us and our gear dry and comfortable. From that day on it has been an on-going project, constantly "under construction".

I also wanted it to be unique. I think I am getting close. As I write this, I am looking at a "to do" list with almost 60 items.

I had help getting the Cherokee to where it is today: Road Armor in Mukilteo, Washington, helped me by designing and building the custom protection, including front guard, siderails, skidplates, rack and rear guard. I wanted a tailgate, so we built one. We added 6 anchor points all around the rig (see shackles in pictures) and a custom roof rack with the siderails canted inwards to protect it from rock walls or trees when the rig is at an angle. It also doubles as a grab rail for when I need "outside help" getting the rig tipped one way or the other in a tight trail. The rack and tailgate are fitted with military-style cargo "E"-tracks with multiple anchor points for straps.

Owner, Danny La Fleur and right-hand man, Steve Reynolds from Northwest Differential in Kirkland, Washington, helped in the buildup of the drivetrain, installing Dana-Spicer 4.56 gears, ARB lockers at both ends, a Warn Locking Hub conversion kit up front with Dana 44 u-joints, chrome-moly shafts and outers and Stainless Steel Brake Corp. Rear Disc Brake Conversion. They also installed a set of Tom Wood-built Six States Distributors custom driveshafts.

The nice folks at Tera Manufacturing (thanks Jeff!) custom-machined the front half of another 242 transfer case for me to fit their 4:1 gear reduction kit. The case was also fitted with a Currie transfer case tailshaft conversion kit (normally available for the 231 t-case, but custom for the 242-thanks Troy!) and a C/V at the output end. The transfer case was assembled at Jerry Johnson's Kirkland Transmission, under the supervision of Tony Woods.

When it was time to get major flex, lift and travel (while avoiding lift blocks and the like), I called National Spring in El Cajon, California with some specs and they built a set of custom 11 thin-leaf spring packs with Teflon inserts and double military wraps (thanks, Jason!).

JKS provided extra long swaybar disconnects and Metal Made Rite's owner Curt Hildebrand built me a set of custom extended super-flexy, greasable Revolver shackles.

Rubicon Express provided a set of custom "tall" springs as well as their upper and lower Superflex adjustable and rebuildable heim-jointed control arms, chrome-moly adjustable trackbar and tie-rod.

Once I got the flex and droop, dozens of details had to be taken care of to allow for full travel. Brake lines, breathers and air lines and other miscellaneous items had to be either extended or relocated. Several hours of machine work were also needed, as well as lots of cutting, welding and grinding.

I did some minor mods to the body at Autobody by Foote in Bothell, Washington, including cutting the rear quarter panel "up" about 4.5 inches.

Was it all worth it, you ask? Well, the Cherokee now ramps over 1100 forward and over 850 in reverse, and it goes just about anywhere safely, reliably.

The engine has a relocated K&N, header, and many cooling (including power steering cooler), waterproofing and reliability mods. Inside there's a Cobra 75WXST CB, CD, and all the regular goodies, including a 12V cooler, cellphone, and even a solar battery panel that trickles into my Optima battery. The truck also runs Rancho 9012 shocks with an in-cab controller.

I also have to mention either custom or modified skidplates protecting front suspension, steering, oil pan, transmission, transfer case, gas tank, differentials, even the fuel filter!

I carry enough tools, spares, fluids and recovery gear to start my own 4x4 shop! Not that I would need to. I want to thank manager Bill VanTuyl and Scott Cohen at Central 4 Wheel Drive in Kent, Washington for all their advice and help throughout the never-ending buildup of my rig.

Why did I build a Cherokee like this? I have some friends that wheel HARD. Really hard. They like to make new trails, go on 4+ trails at night (some are not even rated!), things like that. And I like to go with them.

The Cherokee has seen the Rubicon, all of Moab, and countless marked and unmarked trails throughout the Western US, all the while towing a 6,000 lb., 22-foot long Fleetwood Prowler travel trailer to the trailhead.

But, I'm not done, remember?

Wait until I start modifying it again… STAY TUNED!

Find out more about Daniel's Cherokee here