Richard Gauthier's 1988 Cherokee	Short Cuts
Richard on Pritchett Canyon in Moab, Utah	Navigation Menu JeepWire JeepWire Tech JeepWire Reader's Rigs JeepWire Feature Rigs 4x4Wire 4x4 Parts 4x4 Tech 4x4 Trails OutdoorWire ORN Site Index Links Index Off-Road Gallery Destinations Gallery Main Expo Center

Owner : Richard Gauthier

Equipment and Modifications:

Vehicle:1988 Jeep Cherokee Vehicle name: Not yet Location: Bakersfield, California Most recent outing: NAXJA Moab run, then Arizona Jamboree Panamint, Surprise Canyon Looking good Moab, Utah Pritchett Moab, Utah

Motor--Stock 4.0 with K&N filter Tranny--Stock automatic T-case--NP231, Tera Low, JB 2wd low kit, Currie SYE Gears--4.56 Front Axle--Dana 30, EZ locker, Warn 5 on 5.5" Premium hub conversion with Rocky Road Outfitters diff guard Rear Axle--Dana 44, Detroit Softlocker, Rocky Road Outfitters diff guard Axle Shafts--Warn alloy front, Dutchman alloy rear Drive Shafts--Custom rear with CV Tires--33x12.5x15 Super Swamper SSRs Wheels--15"x8" chrome steel wheels Suspension--7.5" of lift Front--RE 4.5" ZJ coils, 2" spacer, RE upper arms, Currie lower arms, relocated custom control arm mounts (both upper and lower) Rear--Homebrew 9 leaf spring packs, Tomken blocks, Rocky Road Outfitters 6" shackles Shocks--29" ES 3000 front, Rancho 9000s rear, plus Rancho kicker shocks (in front of rear axle Winch--Warn XD9000i Bumpers--Custom front winch bumper with integral air tanks, Tomken rear bumper with tire/gas can carrier and hi lift jack mounts Rocker Skids--Custom rock rails Other Accessories Custom steering raised 3", RE tie rod, custom drag link, both on custom mounts 1" over knuckle with heim joints Hella 550 driving lights Custom track bar and mounts Custom sway bar links and mounts Rusty's Offroad steering box brace w/ bolt through bumper mount Diamond plate on lower body panels and rear quarter panels Surco Safari rack w/ steel rock skids on the sides Quick AIR2 compressor Custom equipment storage drawer in rear cargo area Uniden CB with Wilson 1000 roof mount antenna Alpine stereo with CD changer Future plans rear traction bar Hi Lift jack mount on front bumper

Notes from Richard

I live in Bakersfield, CA, and am currently president of the Bakersfield Trailblazers and vice-president of the North American XJ Association

Moab, Utah

My goal for this buildup is a true multi-purpose rig, which is one reason I've chosen to stick with the XJ. I want to drive it to the trail, and on the trail with comfort and reliability. I want it capable enough to regularly run hard-core trails like the Hammers, Axle Alley and Surprise Canyon. I also want to take it on the overnight camping trails that I like in the Sierras, and I still want it to look good. This project has been going on for nearly six years, and I think I have reached my goal.

My favorite places are the Rubicon, Swamp Lake, Dusy-Ershim, Surprise Canyon, Johnson Valley, and Moab, but my favorite trails to run are the Johnson Valley trails.......Sledgehammer, Outer Limits, and Wreaking Ball.

Richard