Grayguy's 89' Cherokee aka [Archive] - Subaru Legacy International

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grayguy

07-18-2012, 11:32 PM

A few years ago, I came to the stark realization that the thing I loved most about cars/truck was the fabrication side. Quite frankly, I was getting a little bored of easily bolting subaru parts together so I decided I needed to get back into offroading. I used to run a few different 80's toyota's but around here any toyota that isn't rusted out with a solid axle is goign to be a $3-4k truck usually. That was too rich for my blood, so I went to the Darkside and bought some Cherokees. I picked up a stock 89' 4dr and a 90' 2dr that was lifted but had major rust issues and mechanical issues for $800 for the pair... And so the saga begins...

As I bought them
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/photo23-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/photo32-1.jpg

Tear down and first few mods of the 4dr

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/JeepTeardown4-1.jpg

Fender trimming, I can't imagine trying to do this on something that you cared about

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/cb4a8872-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/2d07c226-1.jpg

I drove it a few days and quickly discovered a rotted out gas tank, so I picked up a grand Cherokee tank and relocated the tank about 8" through the floor. I gained A TON of ground clearance doing this, and I think it's one of the best things I did. It also provides many laughs while I fill my gas tank through the window haha

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/a5091330-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/08448934-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/4814ba4e-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/c84b8a47-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/093cb964-1.jpg
Stock filler delete and quarter panel chop
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/8dd1418d-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/e88803d1-1.jpg

Next i had to rebuild the spring hanger areas of the rear, gotta love rust!

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/31c5c998-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/41a6afb9-1.jpg

moved rear shock mounts for more clearance
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/d4a83dc9-1.jpg

Built a front bumper
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/20120324_141408-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/20120402_153329-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/20120402_183040-1.jpg

grayguy

07-18-2012, 11:50 PM

It really is unimpressive and doesn't look like much, but HOLY SHIT this thing is capable. I've dumb founded plenty of people with the places this thing goes. Wheeling pictures from the first summer I had it up and running:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/DSC00028Large-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/IMG_0224Medium-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/DSCN2502-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/DSCN2503-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/cd2e3c82-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/IMG_3372-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/IMG_3379-1.jpg

Some where along the line I built frame stiffeners and a T-case skid.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/20120409_130556-1.jpg
And then after smashing out 3-4 sets of tail lights I built these
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/20120411_132315-1.jpg
More protection
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/20120704_124726-1.jpg

grayguy

07-18-2012, 11:59 PM

And these are some of this years pictures so far
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/DSC_7557-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/DSC_7585-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/DSC_7615-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/G9-1.jpg

All these next pictures are from the Mesabi Mountain trail, the first Grant-in-Aid OHv trail in the state of MN, it's been in the works for 15 years and just opened last month. Pictures really don't do it justice, but I am told by a few of the club members who built it I'm the smallest jeep to make it all the way through the trail (3 miles in 3 miles out), sp I think that is pretty sweet

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/3046_4326953533638_1269680182_n-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/292375_4326929453036_657525502_n-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/382427_4326927292982_1565459415_n-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/559145_4326940493312_1194615202_n-1.jpghttps://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/580779_4326941773344_1228841464_n-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/575939_4326958133753_217367085_n-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/599897_4326937253231_1442239821_n-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/179540_4326964973924_429049009_n-1.jpg
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2012/07/558234_4326965573939_1207369390_n-1.jpg

So that gets us to this past weekend. I've realized that wheeling pictures of this jeep really don't do it justice, because yes, there are a lot better built rigs out there, but the places this thing goes with it's baby 31'' tires, and no lockers always amazes me and everyone I'm with, and I've followed jeeps with 37's and lockers all day long and kept up. This thing is beginning to go through another transformation soon, and will be getting a new rear axle, custom 3-link front suspension, 35's and a cage. I am REALLY excited to see what kind of trouble I can get into with the new setup

greenspeed

07-19-2012, 07:54 PM

It's very strange seeing my old legacy in your avitar...just saying...

How's recovery after the flood?

And who's white wrangler?

grayguy

07-19-2012, 11:06 PM

It's very strange seeing my old legacy in your avitar...just saying...

How's recovery after the flood?

And who's white wrangler?

Yeah, I was just thinking the other night on the way home from work that your Leggy was finally starting to feel like mine haha.

The flood recovery is going decently, there is still a lot of messed up stuff tho, I think it'll take years to get everything fixed completely. On the up side, all this FIMA money is making me busy as hell at work and making my rich haha.

The white wrangler is my buddy randy's, you never met him.

nikolaus.conrad

07-20-2012, 12:37 PM

Nice Jeeps! I still want a boxy Cherokee like these! haha

greenspeed

07-20-2012, 02:06 PM

Muse

07-22-2012, 09:16 PM

I look at the driver's side pictures from this year, and all I can think is, "Bah! doors are overrated!"

grayguy

07-23-2012, 12:15 AM

Haha, yeah, the quick release door is one of the most fun mods haha

grayguy

08-25-2012, 03:14 AM

I finally got a set of 33's but I've been too busy to take it out and have any fun with them yet :(