War Pig's new Grand Cherokee

[War Pig]

I've been praying for someone to make a Grand Cherokee hardbody. One of my favorite trucks I ever built was a smaller New Bright Grand Cherokee about 8 years ago. I was browsing Facebook and saw a hardbody that JS Scale in France was selling. Had to have it! Contacted him, ordered and received it 5 days after he dropped it at the PO. 5 days from France to Oregon! Amazing. It arrived nicely packaged and looks awesome! 12.3" wheelbase. JS Scale will also be a vendor at the Ultimate Scale Truck Expo in Florida in March. I'm building this as my trail rig for that show. I will also be speaking at the Expo and will be talking about chassis design and metal fabrication. I will be using this rig as an example of my work.



So what's the first thing you do when you get a brand new $160 body? Cut the plastic bumpers off of course!





Something tells me those will be replaced with steel plate style bumpers.


Time to start on the chassis. Going old school and making my own.

[hotwheels000]

Loved the old Cherokee, this one should be even better.

[War Pig]

Thanks Devlin!

For some of you newer people, this was the old Cherokee in various stages of its life.







In TTC trim

[XSRCdesign]

That body looks 100x better without the bumpers

[fr8cture]

Looks forward to it I wanted to grab one of these too. I wish someone made a bigger version of the new bright jeep WK.

[mr.rick]

Even with the bumpers on it it's a really nice looking body. It would be cool for a small class one or even a "class zero" type build. Very Scale!

[War Pig]

Originally Posted by XSRCdesign

That body looks 100x better without the bumpers

It'll look even better with metal ones!

Originally Posted by fr8cture

Looks forward to it I wanted to grab one of these too. I wish someone made a bigger version of the new bright jeep WK.

Yeah, had to do it. Something about Grand Cherokees do it for me.

Originally Posted by mr.rick

Even with the bumpers on it it's a really nice looking body. It would be cool for a small class one or even a "class zero" type build. Very Scale!

It's actually a huge body. The 1.55 Growlers look small on it. Here it is sitting on my upside down Class 2 rig with RB XL's

Originally Posted by doubler

I liked the tiger striped second to last version

It was a beastly looking Class 1 rig back in the day. It did pretty good in it's only TTC.

[War Pig]

More done on the chassis.





Panhard mount

[cherokee95]

Subscribed. This should be good!

[H2Micr0]

Awesome!!!

Looking forward to seeing how you put your stamp on it.

I love my build, and I am sure yours will be worthy as well.

Cheers
H2Micr0

[Oz Bruiser]

In my spare time ive started mine . Im interested to see what you come up with and your tire choice. I have a couple options i would like to try and make work myself.

[BigSki]

Looks good ! Did you ever officially finish the addition to the house?

[War Pig]

Originally Posted by doubler

So what's your tire plan?

Originally Posted by doubler

Oh......This rig is going to debut the 1.5 beast.

I think those will be too small. I plan to use my 1.55 Growlers, with the capability of running my old 1.9 Rock Beasts on trail runs.

Originally Posted by H2Micr0

Awesome!!!
Looking forward to seeing how you put your stamp on it.
I love my build, and I am sure yours will be worthy as well.
Cheers
H2Micr0

Still not sure exactly what I'm doing. Trying to figure out body mounts right now.

Originally Posted by Oz Bruiser

In my spare time ive started mine . Im interested to see what you come up with and your tire choice. I have a couple options i would like to try and make work myself.

See above 😀

Originally Posted by BigSki

Looks good ! Did you ever officially finish the addition to the house?

Thanks, and yes. All done and using it daily!

[baconbits]

I am definitely liking the frame. Great start!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

[Oz Bruiser]

Thanks i did read it. I suppose personally i ment once you develop it further. I know myself i start out with a plan but can often change as the build progresses. Still look forward to how it develops.

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[War Pig]

Time for shock hoops.



This is going to be a 60 point SORRCA Class 1 rig so it need metal everything. I also like to have a few holes to play around with shock poisitions.



A little tip. If you want a couple parts with identical holes, cut one out and drill the holes. Lay that one on a piece of sheet and mark with a fine point sharpie. Cut out and set on the first one. Clamp together with a pair of small vice grips. Use the vise grips to hold the parts and drill in the drill press.



I built this table to silver solder on. Works good because it elevates the heat off the wood bench and gives me something to clamp to. I can also pick it up and spin it 120 degrees with out disturbing whatever I'm silver soldering.



It's a roller!

[bmuzz1]

Looking good Tim...I'm sure it will only get better with time.

[imthatguy]

Done yet?

[War Pig]

Originally Posted by imthatguy

Done yet?

That last picture is where I'm at 😳

[imthatguy]

Originally Posted by War Pig

That last picture is where I'm at 😳

Just playing with you Tim. Great work so far. 60 point C1's make me happy. Very happy.