This 1994 Jeep Cherokee started the first five years of its life as a stock family vehicle. According to the previous owner, it had seen a few dirt roads before, but none of them posed a major challenge.
This would change as soon as I got my hands on the rig. I wanted a truck which would perform well off-road and offer fairly comfortable space inside. Secondly, our Wrangler just would not cut it (talk about lack of storage space in a Wrangler…). Hence the Cherokee's longer wheel base and hard top were a good choice.

When we travel, we barely stay at the same spot for a long time. Usually, we spend a night at one place, then move on the next day. Putting up a tent in the evening and taking it down in the morning is a lot of effort and waste of time. Our Cherokee had to be modified to offer sleeping and storage space! I removed the back seat and built two wooden compartments to store clothes, food, etc. On top of this platform we place a mattress for a comfortable bed. To create additional leg space we push the front seats all the way forward.

All rear windows are limo-tinted for more privacy. The windows in the rear doors are also equipped with insect screens to keep out annoying bugs; air visors allow us to leave the rear windows open about 5 inches even when it is raining.

In the front part of the cabin, the modifications include: a ceiling mounted CB radio with under-dash mounted microphone, a GPS, additional switches for lights, and extra cigarette lighters and 110 Volt outlets for various equipment (laptop, refrigerator, etc).

For better off-road use the truck underwent some changes until it came to this point! A 3-inch ProComp Lift makes room for 31-inch Pro Comp Mud Terrain tires. A Dana 44 differential with Detroit Truetrac provides traction in the rear while the front axle remains stock. Skid plates offer protection underneath.

Under the hood, most components are stock except for an upgraded radiator (a must for runs through the desert, as most Cherokee owners know), a relocated washer bottle to provide room for a second battery, and a number of relays to serve the four Pro Comp Lights in the front and two Rally Lights in the back. The rig is topped with a Con-Ferr Roof Rack which carries the above mentioned lights, a spare tire on a custom-built mount and some additional cargo.

To increase storage space, both the roof rack and the hood have been equipped with lockable boxes which are home-built.

A Durango 4x4 Rear Bumper with spare tire carrier is mounted on the back of the vehicle. A custom jerry can holder was added. The Hi-Lift jack was mounted across the spare tire and can holder.