1999 Jeep Cherokee Classic.
"The Frog"
As a huge fan of the venerable Cherokee, I purchased this beautiful '99 XJ in March 2009 as a new project vehicle. My first mod was the essential NAXJA sticker. Visit www.naxja.org for membership.
Frog's previous owner added a 2" Old Man Emu lift and shocks, along with some very nice upgrades. My plans include a 5.5" long arm lift, 33" MTs, 4.56 gears, SYE, lockers, JCR Offroad bumpers, winch, AJ's Super Rails, performance headers and cat back exhaust, and all the off road gear to make this an above average trail-worthy rig while attempting to stick to a $6,000 budget.
Frog will supplement Old Blue, my beloved and moderately equipped 1999 Cherokee Sport (pictured in front of The Frog). Blue is riding on a 3.5" RE lift and 31" BFGs on Soft 8's, with a JCR Offroad Stage IV bumper, AJ's Super Rails, Warn skids, Conn Ferr rack, and an assortment of oddities. If all goes well, Frog will dwarf Old Blue. I have been consistently impressed with Blue's off road performance and it has tackled some very difficult trails over the past two years.
Here are some pictures from the day I took Frog home to meet it's brother.
The Frog was named shortly after seeing this tavern in Colfax, California. We passed it a few miles after buying the XJ in Grass Valley and we were discussing appropriate names on the way home. We saw the neon sign, and the name sort of stuck. Frogs like dirt, mud, and rocks, right?
Kyle, my rebellious and strong-willed 5-year old, chooses to call it Toad. Cute kid.
Stay tuned for some serious mods...
Mod History:
OK, Frog's budget is on a slight hold due to an impromptu landcaping project ($4,000 to date) and a trip to Alaska in May (unknown cost). I was hoping to add the lift, tires, gears, and SYE all at the same time, then slowly add protection and bumpers over the next coupld of months, but you know how budgets go....Here is what I have done so far since buying the Jeep:
- NAXJA, Cal 4WDC, and USA flag stickers (essential items)
- Front rotors ($100)
- Electric brakes and 7-pin trailer harness (removed from previous tow vehicle)
- Replaced before/after cat O2 sensors ($150)
- Fire extinguisher ($20)
