 Todd Hoffman's '88 Jeep C...  Todd Hoffman's '88 Jeep Cherokee. |
 Todd started to toy with this...  Todd started to toy with this XJ in the early 90s before there was much of an aftermarket following for the Cherokee, so many parts were homemade or adapted to fit from CJ and YJ parts. |
 Two Cibie lights and a MileMarker...  Two Cibie lights and a MileMarker 9000-pound winch call the custom front bumper home. |
 Dynatrac also helped out the...  Dynatrac also helped out the rear of the XJ with a Dana 60 sporting a Detroit Locker. The rear axle is held in place by National Springs and Rancho 9000 shocks. |
 The XJs lift is a combination...  The XJs lift is a combination of Rubicon Express and Rancho parts, fender trimming, and Grand Cherokee front coils, which add a bit more lift to clear the 35-inch BFGs on American Racing rims. |
 The factory T-cases...  The factory T-cases hardware was upgraded with TeraLow gears, a JB Conversions shortshaft kit and 2WD low. A plethora of undercarriage protection was also home-fabbed to protect the rockers, the motor, T-case, transmission, and gas tank. |
 A custom-built Dana 44 from...  A custom-built Dana 44 from Dynatrac turns the front tires with the help of an ARB Air Locker and 4.56:1 gears, while an AGR Super Pump helps Todd turn the XJ towards any line he wants. |
 Two air compressors and a...  Two air compressors and a whole lot of tools are mounted in the back of the Cherokee to make trailside repairs quick and easy. |
 The factory T-cases...  The factory T-cases hardware was upgraded with TeraLow gears, a JB Conversions shortshaft kit and 2WD low. A plethora of undercarriage protection was also home-fabbed to protect the rockers, the motor, T-case, transmission, and gas tank. |
 The interior of the Cherokee...  The interior of the Cherokee was kept fairly stock, although Todd modified the tunes with the help of an Alpine deck and CD player. |
Sunday drives were not like this when we were kids. We usually jumped in to our 76 Dodge Dart to tool around the countryside. The closest we came to four-wheelin was a muddy gravel road, which may have caused the Dart a few problems, but nothing the 318 and two-wheel drive couldnt handle.
As for Todd Hoffmans kids they get to see a bit more wheelin from the back seat of his metallic-grey 88 XJ Cherokee. This Cherokee is not your average grocery getter/soccer practice vehicle, but an extremely solid well-built sleeper of a trail rig. We caught up with Todd on Axle Alley at last years Arizona Jamboree near his home town of Flagstaff, and were fairly impressed with its ability to follow CJs, flatties, and TJs up difficult trails. A combination of solid drivetrain, fender trimming, and a little backyard fabrication helped this XJ find its present form even before there were many aftermarket parts available for Cherokees.