Three friends were sitting around after
they just torched their CRX (Topping out a
turbo'd honda motor for 30 minutes isn't a
good practice to pick up) and said hey,
what else can we do that won't get us into
trouble with the law? A neighbors lifted
Yota provided some inspiration and the
quest was on. Originally they searched
high and low for an 85/86 Toyota pickup.
Craving solid front axles and massive
articulation they came across a humble
cherokee. Not one to overlook potential,
the first of us took the leap and bought
it. He immediately tested the stock Jeep
out on the Crown King trail and we
realized that we would need to modify it
some to realize it's true power. The other
two also realized they'd need a toy of
their own. A second cherokee was purchased
along with a decked out 96 tacoma. The AZ
Nightcrawlers were formed. Drawing their
name from their nocturnal wheeling habits,
they began to bring friends into their
fold. It wouldn't be long before I was
invited, and was bitten by the Jeep bug.
The rest they say is history, but I'll
indulge you. I bought my first cherokee a
few months later. A 96 4 dr SE. Bone
stock. No ammenities, just pure Jeep. I
immediately put a 2 inch lift on it,
ditched the sway bars and installed
lockers in the front and rear. It was
truly a sleeper 4x4. After a year had
passed I had amassed the parts for a
3.5" lift. The weekend before I
installed it however, she was taken from
me in a front end collision. She did her
part to protect me, but was road worthy no
longer. Even in death she did her part
though. The insurance check paid for a new
Jeep 96 Classic XJ. Power Everything.
Center Console. Automatic. A thing of
beauty. Yet again, Bone Stock. I'd be
starting over. It's been two years since
then and thanks to parts from the first
Jeep and other club members, a good job
and a ever changing list of girlfriends,
my Jeep is now Friggin Sick. The End.