97 Cherokee Sport #GoVenture

[Rob GoVenture]

So I figured I'd feature my Cherokee on here that I can gain more feedback, tips, ideas and info from fellow adventurers. Im a bit "proud" of my Cherokee so this thread is a bit picture heavy, lol.

I keep a bit of a picture diary of the progress so ill bring you all up to speed.

Any who, I picked up this 97 Cherokee in November 2013. I found it abandoned in the back garage of a used car shop. It had been basically left for dead. I don't know why I decided to stop at that place but I am glad I did it was the body style, color, interior I wanted.

I paid too much for it ($,000) but like my wife, it was love at first sight.

It had 157,000 miles on it back then. I brought it home and started the build in my head and haven't stopped.

Now note, I'm cheap. Best thing is, so are my best friends who are jeepers as well so they don't make me feel bad. We give/trade parts with each other and always lend a hand while wheeling and wrenching. Love those fellas!

Anyway, here is what the XJ looked like when I brought it home.

About the same time u picked up my rig, I picked up this harbor freight 40"x48" trailer. It's going to be the basis of my camping/adventure trailer build. Not bad for $50

 

[Rob GoVenture]

Jan 2014 or so we took an impromptu overnight trip to Padre Island National Seashore to meet up with a local group called 3rd Coast Jeepers. Great crew.
At this point, the Jeep had trimmed front fenders, a set of used/old 31" Yokohama ATs, new front bumper, roof basket,

Good first adventure. Loved driving the coastline

 

[Rob GoVenture]

Summer time, 2014ish

Picked up a set of Soft 8 wheels (15x8), 1.25" wheel spacers, 2" spacer up front and 2" shackles out back. I was king of the world!

Cleans up pretty good, I'd say.

 

[Rob GoVenture]

Here is how I mounted my spare up on the basket. Pretty happy with it. Sturdy.

 

[Rob GoVenture]

Mar 2015, took the XJ with a few friends to Hidden Falls Offroad Park in Marble Falls, TX.

Had a great time. Don't really have pics but had tons of fun. Despite the carnage.

 

[Rob GoVenture]

While the Jeep was down, I replace the broken u joints, rear pinion yoke, installed new 3" springs, shocks, rear 3.5" leafs, bump stops front and rear, cb, cb antenna and a few other things. Luckily no vibrations and no tc drop

 

[Rob GoVenture]

There is a cross up on a hill in a nearby town. You can make it up the hill in 4hi. It holds a special place in our hearts.

The day we found out my wife was pregnant.



The day we found out we are having a boy!

 

[Rob GoVenture]

Mall Crawling at its finest!

 

[Rob GoVenture]

Our camp set up



Vintage Coleman Stove (Pawns shop find, mid 60s era)

the ole chuck box

fresh water only, please!



most current set up.

 

[Rob GoVenture]

Finally had front extraction tow hooks installed. This is the Iron Rock set up.
Beafy.
Ties the front end together. Love it

 

[Rob GoVenture]

Got bored and decided to paint the wheels black




and then went out and got em dirty!

 

[Rob GoVenture]

Just a few random adventure pics, yes she does get to stretch her legs now and then

 

[Rob GoVenture]

Fast forward to 2016. 165,000 miles and still rolling along

Picked up these JK Moab wheels with Hankook MTs 265/70/17s
Love the new look.
not bad for a set 0f 5 for $175 total!

 

[Rob GoVenture]

We had a beautiful day in South Texas.
Doorless and fishing was in order

 

[Rob GoVenture]

picked up a matching wheel and tire for $9 for the camping trailer. Just need two more.
that will give me 5 for the jeep (with the spare) and 3 for the trailer (with full size spare)

 

[Rob GoVenture]

Remember my cheap friends?
$25 bumper find!

 

[Rob GoVenture]

and that's where she stands as of today.......

more to come

 

[Steve]

Very nice! I love to see the progress, and the use and family fun as the build goes through its phases. Thanks for posting.

 

[Uriel Ramirez]

How are you liking that roof basket? Looking into getting the same one.


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[Rob GoVenture]

How are you liking that roof basket? Looking into getting the same one.


Sent from my iPhone using Overland Bound Talk

It's not bad. Don't pay more than $100 for it. I've seen em for for $95-ish.

It's not huge but does the job fine. I've had zero issues with it. Kind of nice not to have to worry about it.

I don't know the weight rating but when we moved to San Antonio, I overloaded it with a bunch of my "jeep stuff " and the 4 hour drive was uneventful.

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