[UKJeepThang]

Obviously this forum is predominately accessed by US based XJ owners (which is great for me because of the amount of knowledge given) and I love voting in the Cherokee of the month polls but it's highly unlikely that a non-US Cherokee would ever win it for reasons that the non-US Cherokee lovers do not have access to the vast amount of services/produces that our US friends have.

But us overseas XJ owners do work hard at making our rigs capable and good lookin so how about starting a poll for non-US Cherokees?

There might not be enough of us to do a monthly poll but maybe a quarterly, six-monthly or annual poll

Waddya think??

[mravojed]

Well, if separate poll was made for overseas cherokees, then it could be further divided by EU and non-EU countries for example, as the ability to build up your XJ is in direct proportion with personal income. You can get anything from US here in Europe, just if you have enough money, or insanity to buy parts and pay for shipping, and then have nothing to eat next month

Me for example, I'm just refusing to pay more for shipping and import tax than for actual part. About the only thing that was brought from US is aussie locker. The rest of it is from old jeep, or fabricated locally.

Anyway, I see no real need for separate poll. Lets build our jeeps to be the meanest machines in the field. But lets do that by being creative, not just loaded with money.

Greetings from Serbia, and Happy New Year!

[Yahl]

I think they should fall into the normal category...

[ktmracer419]

he downsized to one rig of the month because of all the work involved with making it happen. now you propose he adds another?

aside from higher shipping costs what makes overseas jeep builds so much different?

[UKJeepThang]

Originally Posted by mravojed

Well, if separate poll was made for overseas cherokees, then it could be further divided by EU and non-EU countries for example, as the ability to build up your XJ is in direct proportion with personal income. You can get anything from US here in Europe, just if you have enough money, or insanity to buy parts and pay for shipping, and then have nothing to eat next month

Me for example, I'm just refusing to pay more for shipping and import tax than for actual part. About the only thing that was brought from US is aussie locker. The rest of it is from old jeep, or fabricated locally.

Anyway, I see no real need for separate poll. Lets build our jeeps to be the meanest machines in the field. But lets do that by being creative, not just loaded with money.

Greetings from Serbia, and Happy New Year!

Maybe I created the wrong impression here but money isn't the issue. You don't need loads of money to build/have the best rig. I'm sure the monthly winner of both Cherokee polls aren't millionaires (or maybe they are ).

Some of my stuff has been sourced from the US but a lot of it has been sourced from breakers in the UK. I'm certainly not "rich". I just wanted to see what other non-US rig builders are out there, what they have done to their XJ's, admire fellow Jeepers ingenuity, give a "well done" pat on the back where appropriate and have a bit of fun at the same time

KTM - Sorry but I didn't realise that Eric had downsized to one rig per month. If I'd known that then I probably wouldn't have asked the question.

I'm not saying that overseas builds are that much different but there are small differences like here in the UK we are restricted regarding vehicle regulations (what is allowed and what isn't ) + the lack of Jeep specialist retailers/specialists in the UK etc. Everything is Land/Range Rover over here!!

Try and find a D44 or a D60 over here! Practically impossible!!

[AdrianD]

Originally Posted by UKJeepThang

Try and find a D44 or a D60 over here! Practically impossible!!

The new Ford Transit's have a rear axle that looks suspiciuosly similar to the D60

[Timo_90xj]

Originally Posted by mravojed

Well, if separate poll was made for overseas cherokees, then it could be further divided by EU and non-EU countries for example, as the ability to build up your XJ is in direct proportion with personal income. You can get anything from US here in Europe, just if you have enough money, or insanity to buy parts and pay for shipping, and then have nothing to eat next month

Me for example, I'm just refusing to pay more for shipping and import tax than for actual part. About the only thing that was brought from US is aussie locker. The rest of it is from old jeep, or fabricated locally.

Anyway, I see no real need for separate poll. Lets build our jeeps to be the meanest machines in the field. But lets do that by being creative, not just loaded with money.

Greetings from Serbia, and Happy New Year!

I agree, I don't think there is a need for a separate vote for non- US XJs


..you don't have to be crazy and order the parts from USA - it's a lot cheaper to find flights at good price, and go pick up the parts yourself Especially so if you're going on a vacation at the same time. I've done that twice now, and saved at least 2000€ doing so..

Just past May, I brought 92kg of luggage from USA (KLM flights, LAX-AMS-HEL) - three baggages, 46kgs of extra weight, I only needed to pay 175$ extra charges (125$ for extra bag of 32kgs, 50$ for 23kg->32kg overweight). Shipping that same 92kgs using airmail from USA to Finland would've cost ~1000€ at the extreme minimum + the import taxes.

[glatt513]

If it is not a too much work or too little money issue, I say go for it! I like reading the profiles of non USA members sometimes because there is funny stuff in there.

[UKJeepThang]

Originally Posted by glatt513

there is funny stuff in there.

Interesting?? Like??

[Timo_90xj]

Originally Posted by ktmracer419

aside from higher shipping costs what makes overseas jeep builds so much different?

Laws considering registration, street-legality, and the hassle of inspecting your vehicle once a year.

I know that many states in USA have somewhat different laws considering lift heights etc., but at least by looking at the pics, comments and having seen the vehicles while visiting USA - no matter which part of the country, I've come to conclusion that not too many cops really care about how the vehicles are modded. Well, not too many cops care that I run 35" tires under my XJ, but I must have a set of 245/75 R16 tires (that's the tallest tire I'm allowed to run by the law) so that I can go inspect my vehicle.


As for example on some of the laws considering vehicle height, lifting it, tires sizes etc. if you want to be able to keep the rig street-legal and pass teh inspection every year:
You are only allowed to lift the vehicle total of 150mm (~6"), but with certain limitations:
* Maximum lift using aftermarket coils/leafs is 77mm (3")
* Maximum allowed body-lift height is 100mm (BOV- vehicles of course)
* Maximum allowed tire-size upgrade from OEM tires is 51mm in height (2"), and 100mm (4") in width (if the vehicle still passes the track width/ total width limitations seen below)
* You are not allowed to modify the wheelbase of the vehicle at all, and you are allowed to widen the track by maximum 100mm (4") - also, total width of the vehicle must be no more than 100mm wider than original
* You are not allowed to use wheel spacers, or adapters that change the lug pattern
* You are allowed to widen the track using rims with different BS by maximum of 30mm (slightly over an inch) - or in other words 15mm per side
* You are not allowed to change from coil-to-leaf-springs or vice-versa


..and that's just the begining of it. I can tell you the laws regarding vehicle modifications in my country are simply horrible. I know a few other EU- countries have even worse situation the we have here. That makes modding the rig a bit difficult. I do understand the idea behind all that crap, but the way the laws are written and the impossibility of "bending" the laws just makes it stupid. Many of the modified XJs seen on this forum that are totally street-legal in USA, would have no chance of passing the inspection here.

[glatt513]

Originally Posted by UKJeepThang

Interesting?? Like??

Like the name of their job, slang words in the write-ups that are different from what we use here in the US. Nothing offensive or against non-US members or anything like that.

[UKJeepThang]

Originally Posted by glatt513

Like the name of their job, slang words in the write-ups that are different from what we use here in the US. Nothing offensive or against non-US members or anything like that.

Hey, don't worry! I knew it wouldn't have been offensive stuff etc. Just interested to know!

[Timo_90xj]

Originally Posted by glatt513

Like the name of their job, slang words in the write-ups that are different from what we use here in the US. Nothing offensive or against non-US members or anything like that.

..and when there are people like me, who had an English teacher in the lower grades that liked British English and then in upper grades one that liked American English. Then when I lived/ studied in Singapore for a year (it was an international school, surprise surprise..), I had one Singaporean, one from Scotland, one from northern England, one from USA, one from down under and one from kiwi-land - and most of my friends back then where natively non-english speaking. You can imagine I got quite an interesting mixture of all those to both my vocabulary and the way I speak

[ktmracer419]

Originally Posted by Timo_90xj

Laws considering registration, street-legality, and the hassle of inspecting your vehicle once a year.

I know that many states in USA have somewhat different laws considering lift heights etc., but at least by looking at the pics, comments and having seen the vehicles while visiting USA - no matter which part of the country, I've come to conclusion that not too many cops really care about how the vehicles are modded. Well, not too many cops care that I run 35" tires under my XJ, but I must have a set of 245/75 R16 tires (that's the tallest tire I'm allowed to run by the law) so that I can go inspect my vehicle.


As for example on some of the laws considering vehicle height, lifting it, tires sizes etc. if you want to be able to keep the rig street-legal and pass teh inspection every year:
You are only allowed to lift the vehicle total of 150mm (~6"), but with certain limitations:
* Maximum lift using aftermarket coils/leafs is 77mm (3")
* Maximum allowed body-lift height is 100mm (BOV- vehicles of course)
* Maximum allowed tire-size upgrade from OEM tires is 51mm in height (2"), and 100mm (4") in width (if the vehicle still passes the track width/ total width limitations seen below)
* You are not allowed to modify the wheelbase of the vehicle at all, and you are allowed to widen the track by maximum 100mm (4") - also, total width of the vehicle must be no more than 100mm wider than original
* You are not allowed to use wheel spacers, or adapters that change the lug pattern
* You are allowed to widen the track using rims with different BS by maximum of 30mm (slightly over an inch) - or in other words 15mm per side
* You are not allowed to change from coil-to-leaf-springs or vice-versa


..and that's just the begining of it. I can tell you the laws regarding vehicle modifications in my country are simply horrible. I know a few other EU- countries have even worse situation the we have here. That makes modding the rig a bit difficult. I do understand the idea behind all that crap, but the way the laws are written and the impossibility of "bending" the laws just makes it stupid. Many of the modified XJs seen on this forum that are totally street-legal in USA, would have no chance of passing the inspection here.

in my state at least you are not allowed to alter vehicle height by more than 3" by use of suspension lifts or tire lifts.
not allowed to have tires 2 sizes larger over stock.
tires must be completely covered by the fenders

we also have an inspection every 2 years.

[SuperStreetJeep]

if anything I'd say a class between stock and modified