A Jeep Cherokee XJ built for off-road use, reworked for more extreme terrain, and eventually returned for another major upgrade: a ZF 8-speed transmission conversion.
Built by Lamban Garage and Maxx Factory for Pak Nanda, this Cherokee is a project that evolved through several stages. What began as an off-road-oriented build gradually developed into a much more extensive combination of chassis modification, an engine swap, and a modern transmission setup.
It Started with an Off-Road Foundation
This Cherokee was not entirely stock when it entered the story. It had already been fitted with Jeep JK axles and was intended for off-road use, although the original direction was not yet focused on extreme off-roading.
After Pak Nanda acquired the vehicle, the brief changed. He wanted to take the Cherokee further and build it for a more demanding kind of off-road use.
That change in direction became the starting point for a much more extensive build.
From Off-Road to Extreme Off-Road
To suit the new direction, the rear section of the body was cut, changing the vehicle's overall configuration. The build also moved to a Toyota 1KD engine swap, paired initially with an A750 automatic transmission.
These were not isolated upgrades. The body modification, engine installation, and drivetrain configuration formed part of a broader effort to turn the Cherokee into a more purpose-built extreme off-road vehicle.
At this stage, the project already involved substantial changes from its earlier setup. But the build was not finished evolving.
The Return: From A750 to ZF 8-Speed
During the build process, the Cherokee returned to its owner while the project was still in progress.
Around that period, Lamban Garage and Maxx Factory were developing their own ZF 8-speed conversion work. As Pak Nanda became interested in that setup, the Cherokee came back to the workshop for another major change: replacing the A750 transmission with a ZF 8-speed unit.
This decision added another layer to the project. The team now had to integrate the transmission into an existing combination that already included the Cherokee XJ platform, Jeep JK axles, and Toyota 1KD engine.
A conversion like this involves more than installing a gearbox. Adapter compatibility, transmission mounting, transfer-case connection, shifter integration, electronic control, and cooling all need to be addressed as part of the overall installation.
The exact solutions used on this Cherokee—and how the team approached the conversion—are what make the technical details of the build worth examining.
A Build That Kept Developing
The Cherokee's final direction was not defined in a single step. It developed as the owner's requirements changed and new possibilities became part of the project.
From its earlier off-road configuration to the rear-body modification, 1KD engine swap, A750 transmission, and eventual ZF 8-speed conversion, each stage changed the scope of the build.
Today, the Cherokee stands as a collaboration between Lamban Garage and Maxx Factory, bringing together off-road preparation, custom fabrication, engine conversion, and transmission integration in one vehicle.
The next question is how all those elements work together in the finished build.
In this review, we take a closer look at the Cherokee's specifications, the modifications behind its current configuration, and the technical work involved in taking the project from an off-road Cherokee to an extreme off-road build with a ZF 8-speed transmission.
DREAMMISSION — Build Review