by Sven Schlögl
Photos Sven Schlögl and Damian Smith

Jeep or Hummer? That's what a lot of people ask…
It's not a picture modified in Photoshop - it's a modified real-size Cherokee. The grill feature three more slots and that's pretty much fourteen inches (35,5 Centimeter).

Everything started with a dream. Damian wanted a one-of-a-kind vehicle. So one sunny California day the New Zealand-native decided to close his shop for two months and build a unique Jeep. Since 1986 he has been living in the Los Angeles area where road regulations are not so tough and technical inspections are none-existend.

The concept was simple: frame, suspension, engine and driveline including axles are maintained in it's original form and the new truck was supposed to roll on extra-wide tires. Damian had 33" 12.50R15 BFGoodridge ATs mounted on American Racing Blade wheels. The front rims measure ten inches while the rear ones are twelve inches.
This tire width determined the final width of the rig: the rim-tire combo was put on the truck and the rubber would stick seven inches over the body on each side. Therefore Damian had to widen the XJ fourteen inches.

He went to the scrap-yard (there are plenty in LA) and purchased an old Cherokee including an additional tail gate, bonnet, grill, windshield and rear bumper. At a motor supplier he got an all new rebuilt 4.0l HO engine and transplanted the powerplant. To keep the big tires rolling he installed 4.10 gears in the diffs and added a limited slip in the back.

After this he started the "destructive" phase: he cut the vehicle right through the middle. The New Zealander kept the floor between the frame rails to use it as a reference axis. He moved the two halfs seven inches appart and used sheet metal panels to weld the gaps closed. Damian removed the rear wheel wells and replaced them with Drag Racing wheel houses. The front inner fenders were adjusted with straight panels. Of course he also had to trim all fenders to allow for the massive tires. He dumped the front bumper and manufactured a custom piece. Damian joined the frame ends with a steel channel, added shakels and a winch and to round off the front he welded a modified Landrunner bar to the channel.
To achieve a tail gate with sufficient width, the Kiwi cut two gates seven inches over the center line. Then the two pieces were joined and a tinted plexiglass was installed instead of the rear window.
The bonnet and rear bumper followed the same principle which created a nice touch for the bonnet. The centered recess is doubled.
The bigger issue was the windshield. The principle was again the same but the hardened glass didn't want to cooperate and cracked. The auto glass specialist needed five windshields to get two good pieces to use in the rig.

To top off the new creation he mounted a modified Conferr roof rack with lights and built a custom snorkel. Below the rear bumper Damian manufactured two additional trailer hitches. While the existing centered one is reserved for trailers, the left one carries a spare fuel can and the right one a spare tire.

After the exterior had been finished he cut in a sun roof and concentrated on the interior. He installed a new carpet and built the rear seat between the new wide fender wells. The front seats moved outward as well as the left and right part of the dash board . Next to the drivers part of the dash the Kiwi filled the fourteen inch gap with a piece to match. The center console stayed as is. To finish the interior Damian used black flexible board which is screwed to the body.

After two months of sometimes frustrating work, the effort was well worth it. The result is an absolute head turner. It definitely sticks out in a supermarket parking lot. And because Damian left the Jeep-signage off on purpose, it happens often that he has to explain what vehicle it actually is. This way he can proudly cruise the streets. But at intersections it's time to be aware - don't poke your nose - people are watching…