A little personal rant...

SStone

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 26, 2008
Location
Sylva
Alright so I've been into 4x4's since I can remember, and could not wait til the day I could finally get one. I ended up with a 99 Jeep XJ that I really like and has taken me everywhere I've aimed it.

The thing is, when I chose this XJ I forgot all about the whole SYE crap, and then the various overkill of frame strengthening needed and support braces for any kind of semi-serious wheeling on the unibody. Which, in turn makes me wish I could have found a first/second gen 4x4 Yota. I do realize that wheeling takes alot of time and money, but I am very impatient and that's just how it is.

I'm a young wheeler on a budget and really am somewhat overwhelmed as far as just wanting something that is an all around decent dd/weekend warrior. There's some pretty interested terrain up here in the mountains and I love it. But to really give anything a shot, there will be countless things I'll need in case of failure. I need tow hooks (resist towing from any point on an XJ besides the rear receiver and correct tow hooks), skid plates and all that stuff.

I've had my XJ almost two weeks and it's already lifted and some 31" M/Ts are in its near future, which I am very happy about. I just want to be prepared and really have to hold myself and Jeep back when it comes to attempting certain obstacles. I'm not talking about trying anything outrageous and way out of my league either. My Jeep has 191,000 miles on it and I value the thing very much and can't wait to see how it ends up. I have many modifications/upgrades in the works for this Jeep and am proud to be able to come up with things myself. I know a BB is not the correct way to lift it, but it's what I could afford and it made a world of difference. This Jeep is going to be a budget built vehicle, while not skimping on safety. The last thing I would want to do is put others at risk, regardless of on-road or off-road driving.

I'm not just some noob with a random 4x4 bug. Wheeling is in my blood. Not just the things about the vehicles either. I love the scenery, terrain and being away from this crazy world we live in. When I'm riding through a trail way up in these mountains I feel like it's where I should be. I mean, heck, it's almost 11 o'clock at night and I wish I could be wheeling right now, but apparently it's too cold for any of my friends to go. I seem to be the only person in my group of buddies that has a true passion for wheeling. I am 100% believe in function over form to a certain level. I'd much rather see a well used, rock/trail ready 4x4 riding down the road than a show-vehicle that would break into pieces if taken off pavement for more than a second.

Most of the people I wheel with are nowhere near as serious as I am and this is where my real dilemma is... EVERYTHING I am ever into (hobbies, lifestyles, etc.) is always way more serious than any of my friends that also share interest. What do I need to do about this?

I hope none of you see this as whining or any of that crap, because it's not meant to be.

Also... I sometimes feel as if I am bothering people when I post videos and such in this section of the forum. I do not intend to bother anyone and just want to share as much as I can because I would know nothing without learning from other people that were kind enough to share information. Someday I hope to be wheeling up there with all you guys sharing the camaraderie that is gained through wheeling.
 
SStone said:
Alright so I've been into 4x4's since I can remember, and could not wait til the day I could finally get one. I ended up with a 99 Jeep XJ that I really like and has taken me everywhere I've aimed it.

The thing is, when I chose this XJ I forgot all about the whole SYE crap, and then the various overkill of frame strengthening needed and support braces for any kind of semi-serious wheeling on the unibody. Which, in turn makes me wish I could have found a first/second gen 4x4 Yota. I do realize that wheeling takes alot of time and money, but I am very impatient and that's just how it is.

I'm a young wheeler on a budget and really am somewhat overwhelmed as far as just wanting something that is an all around decent dd/weekend warrior. There's some pretty interested terrain up here in the mountains and I love it. But to really give anything a shot, there will be countless things I'll need in case of failure. I need tow hooks (resist towing from any point on an XJ besides the rear receiver and correct tow hooks), skid plates and all that stuff.

I've had my XJ almost two weeks and it's already lifted and some 31" M/Ts are in its near future, which I am very happy about. I just want to be prepared and really have to hold myself and Jeep back when it comes to attempting certain obstacles. I'm not talking about trying anything outrageous and way out of my league either. My Jeep has 191,000 miles on it and I value the thing very much and can't wait to see how it ends up. I have many modifications/upgrades in the works for this Jeep and am proud to be able to come up with things myself. I know a BB is not the correct way to lift it, but it's what I could afford and it made a world of difference. This Jeep is going to be a budget built vehicle, while not skimping on safety. The last thing I would want to do is put others at risk, regardless of on-road or off-road driving.

I'm not just some noob with a random 4x4 bug. Wheeling is in my blood. Not just the things about the vehicles either. I love the scenery, terrain and being away from this crazy world we live in. When I'm riding through a trail way up in these mountains I feel like it's where I should be. I mean, heck, it's almost 11 o'clock at night and I wish I could be wheeling right now, but apparently it's too cold for any of my friends to go. I seem to be the only person in my group of buddies that has a true passion for wheeling. I am 100% believe in function over form to a certain level. I'd much rather see a well used, rock/trail ready 4x4 riding down the road than a show-vehicle that would break into pieces if taken off pavement for more than a second.

Most of the people I wheel with are nowhere near as serious as I am and this is where my real dilemma is... EVERYTHING I am ever into (hobbies, lifestyles, etc.) is always way more serious than any of my friends that also share interest. What do I need to do about this?

I hope none of you see this as whining or any of that crap, because it's not meant to be.

Also... I sometimes feel as if I am bothering people when I post videos and such in this section of the forum. I do not intend to bother anyone and just want to share as much as I can because I would know nothing without learning from other people that were kind enough to share information. Someday I hope to be wheeling up there with all you guys sharing the camaraderie that is gained through wheeling.
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Get used to it, wheelin's an addiction that's hard to kick. Expensive too.
 
EVERYTHING I am ever into (hobbies, lifestyles, etc.) is always way more serious than any of my friends that also share interest. What do I need to do about this?
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You don't need to do a thing - its their loss.

I understand completely where you are coming from, though in a slightly different way.

I've been into the diesel trucks for a while. Its something I take seriously, I work hard to keep my stuff maintained and running well. While it may not be the prettiest thing on the outside, it runs and works good.

While I converted my truck from automatic to manual, one of my good friends has to have me help him change his oil. While I let anything I drive warm up for a second before I take off and use it, my friend instantly starts his car, throws it in reverse, backs out of the park, keeps his foot on the accelerator, slams it into drive, and goes tearing out of the gravel parking lot, and has basically reached the gate by the time his oil pressure builds. I just turned 19, and it looks like you are around my age too - I think many young people our age lack the respect for whats "theirs", and its really too bad.

I am extremely proud of what I have, and will do my best to always make sure that everything I own is in the best condition that I can keep it in. Like you, I don't like to do stuff "half assed" either.

This weekend I will be spending most of my time changing the oil on my tractor, replacing the worn bucket cylinder pin on my skid steer, talking with a family friend about some Bobcat jobs he may be able to help me get so I can get my business started, etc.

At the same time, a lot of my friends will be busy trying to figure out who's gonna pick up the booze, where the nearest party is at, and whos car is in good enough condition to drive them there without breaking down.

Thats all to say - in the long run, you will probably come out ahead of your friends.
 
foreman1063 said:
Get used to it, wheelin's an addiction that's hard to kick. Expensive too.
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Oh yeah I've realized that big time but nothings holding me back.


RenegadeT said:
My advice to you is to start drinking heavily. :beer:
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Take note of the title under my username.



Dieselfuelonly - It seems we are in different boats floating down the same river. I feel where you're coming from. I too have done some modifications to my vehicles before that were way over my friends heads. Most of my friends are too lazy to maintain their vehicle. I'll admit, I've done some silly things with vehicles... such as taking my old 91 Lexus wheeling, but again, nothing broke and I wasn't being an idiot. Cummin's are SICK btw!!!!
 
I'll admit, I've done some silly things with vehicles... such as taking my old 91 Lexus wheeling, but again, nothing broke and I wasn't being an idiot.
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Nothing wrong with having a little fun. I'd be lying if I said I don't do a little :driver:'ing now and then. I really do like my truck, but it sure would be nice if I had something to pull behind it that wouldn't get stuck in wet grass :shaking:. One of these days... :D.

Dennis
 
dont worry...you always screw up your first rig. lol, i never even finished mine and i was wow..i dont even remember the number anymore....$20k something.


boy...if i could go back and have that money again with the knowledge i have now.
 
BigRedB2 said:
dont worry...you always screw up your first rig. lol, i never even finished mine and i was wow..i dont even remember the number anymore....$20k something.
boy...if i could go back and have that money again with the knowledge i have now.
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Yeah, that's why I'm building my Jeep the way I am. Best way to learn is from experience. I research more than enough but that still doesn't mean there won't be any notable screw ups!!!!
 
I think a lot of it is what you are looking to get out of the hobby. Not everyone is into 4 wheeling for the same reasons. I myself grew up around mud and the outdoors on construction sites etc in the family concrete business. My idea of fun was romping around in the mud driving a skid steer loader from a very young age. My first memories of "4 wheeling" I guess you could say were driving a Bobcat 743 (diesel, the 742 was gasoline) sitting on my dads lap at the age of 7. True I couldn't reach the foot pedals to operate the bucket etc, but I could still drive it using the stick "levers".

At the age of 11 or 12 I was driving New Hollands (even though I preferred Bobcats, the old 7753 and 773 to be exact) over the summers, and soaking up as much as I could reading 4x4 magazines. I started wheeling before I was legally of age to drive at 15, and the rest was pretty much the learning process we all go through as young/novice wheelers. But instead of turning into a drunken sport of getting stuck, busting your truck like a moron, and being a general danger and hazard to others on the trail 4 wheeling has been a lot more to me.

A day 4 wheeling out at Uwharrie can be as therapeutic as a weekend vacation at the beach or else where. I usually work 6 days a week, and 4 wheeling is my outlet away from all the daily grind and insanity of my daily life. And the people you find that are as dedicated to 4 wheeling as yourself are far and few in between. Sure there are a lot of people you can run into that will go for a thrill everyone once in a while, or so they can get drunk and go break something but not many that will go 4 wheeling just about no matter what the weather, temperature outside, or what else may be going on just to be able to hit the trails and get out for a while.

And starting to wheel with your daily driver/vehicle you rely on every day is a great way if not the best way to start out. You gain a respect for your truck being able to tackle some of the stuff you never thought it could, and then your still able to drive it the next day back to work. Its a great feeling knowing the truck you drive everyday to and from work is also able to get you over what ever you want it to on the trails. Its a sense of pride that you can't get from a trailer'd rig/trail only rig. Trail only rigs are great when you get the money, tow rig, and all that fun stuff but its just not the same.

Driving your DD also promotes safe and responsible wheeling, considering you know you have to drive the truck home and back to work the next day. You learn how to get your rig with more modest modifications over the harder stuff without beating the crap out of it, and pushing your truck to the point it breaks all the time; so when you do have more modifications and tackle even the harder stuff you all ready know what your doing.

So its not always the easiest route wheeling the truck you drive every day, I still do it myself (and some people do think I am crazy running 34" Bias TSLs everywhere I go). But when you find those few good wheeling friends to share your experiences on the trails with, it makes it all worth while. Because that is what wheeling is really about, the friends we spend time with on the trails and the great memories we make taking our trucks to places most people wouldn't dare take their luxo-suv. :beer:

(End of my own rant/thread hijack that was semi relevant)
 
SStone said:
Most of the people I wheel with are nowhere near as serious as I am and this is where my real dilemma is... EVERYTHING I am ever into (hobbies, lifestyles, etc.) is always way more serious than any of my friends that also share interest. What do I need to do about this?
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Get better friends.... :lol:
 
Rome wasn't built in a day it took several Caesars to finish, but in the end, it wasn't finished, it fell.

So take your time and think through what you do to it. You can't start at the top unless you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth, or you win the lottery.
The XJ is a good trail rig. Like every trail rig it has it's short comings, but time, and money will take care of that. Make you a list of what it needs, and what you want. If you have not figured out by now, it may not be the same list.

First off sounds like you have the do not wheel alone figured out. If it were me, and in your shoes, I think the first thing I would want would be recovery equipment. A hi-lift jack, tow straps, several clevises, tow points front and rear, and a winch. All of these can be had fairly cheap if you shop around, and don't mind cheaper or used. I would rather have a cheap winch, than no winch at all.
After you have these things start thinking about lockers, re-gearing, and stronger axles.
Start building yourself a crash box of parts and fluids.
JB weld, tranny fluid, oil, coolant, u-joints, spare axles, nuts bolts, belts, and so on.
Practice taking stuff apart, so you know how to do it, and you have the right tools to do it with. No need to have the part if you can't install it. If you wheel with similar rigs, you can split up what you bring.

OK so you are serious about wheeling, but your friends not so. You may have to broaden your group of friends. Join a club, or watch when and where folks from here are going, and go tag along. You will find there are different types of wheeling. From your vids you consider splashing Thur a mud hole wheeling, as I consider them a nuisance, but necessary to get to the next "good" spot. To each their own.

As I started with, take your time, it'll come. One of these days you will have a trail rig on a trailer, and a tow rig, all the camping stuff, and a group of friends you like to hang with.

Good luck
 
SStone said:
...The thing is, when I chose this XJ I forgot all about the whole SYE crap, and then the various overkill of frame strengthening needed and support braces for any kind of semi-serious wheeling on the unibody...

I'm a young wheeler on a budget and really am somewhat overwhelmed as far as just wanting something that is an all around decent dd/weekend warrior. There's some pretty interested terrain up here in the mountains and I love it. But to really give anything a shot, there will be countless things I'll need in case of failure. I need tow hooks (resist towing from any point on an XJ besides the rear receiver and correct tow hooks), skid plates and all that stuff.
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I will say this.. you have Plenty of time to build the XJ..

I bought my 1st 4x4 ever in 2000. it is a 1998 XJ.
I had no idea about 4x4's.. I knew I loved to see them on the street lifted, on videos, etc.. but knew nothing about them..

I took a different approach.. I found a good 4x4 club joined them and started hanging out with the members.. ( I was always in the background just watching them work on stuff and learning) it will take time.

1st thing I did was put BB lift, and some 30's on the XJ and wheeled it for about 1 year like that.. while others had 33, and even a few had 35's. Of course I wished I could do the same, but I had no funds and no knowledge to do that.. So I slowly worked on the XJ until where it is today.. I currently have 38TSL's, protection under it, bumpers, exo cage, better axles, etc..

BUT THIS TOOK ME 9 years to build.. so you need to be pateint and step back, read a bunch on the web learn tricks and ideas from others..

I honestly would suggest you take all your energy and go enroll in a Community college welding course.. then save up, buy yourself a welder and that way you can build whatever you can dream up for the XJ. Trust me learning to weld in this hobby was the best move I ever did.

BigRedB2 said:
dont worry...you always screw up your first rig. lol, i never even finished mine and i was wow..i dont even remember the number anymore....$20k something.
boy...if i could go back and have that money again with the knowledge i have now.
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NOt always true my 98 XJ is my 1st 4x4 ever and I stil have it and wheel it.. yes I do still modify it, but it is not going anywhere.
 
Maybe I missed the point of the thread.. need a hug?

I think the first thing you need to do is research... There is a TON of info on building a XJ on the web... look at others and "borrow" their ideas if it suits your needs..

As for the SYE.. there's a ton of cheap ways around this... RE Hack & Tap ($80)... XJ front Driveshaft ($50)... Flange ($25)... wa la....

As for reinforcing the XJ.. I assure you you will never tweak it running 31's..

If you're running a Dana35 rear axle... plan to go ahead and trash it and pick up something else...

Invest in lockers... Lockers and 31" tires will get you more places than open differentials and 35's... It'll also save you from having to use the skinny pedal so much... Deep gearing or Tcase gears are your firend too..

Maybe just sell what you have and buy something already built?
 
upnover said:
From your vids you consider splashing Thur a mud hole wheeling, as I consider them a nuisance, but necessary to get to the next "good" spot. To each their own.
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To be honest, I could go without seeing mud on the trail or my XJ from now on, I'm not a huge fan of mud. I need to get some better pictures of these trails so you guys can see some of the terrain we have available at local spots. Way up in the mountains here, ;)


BRUISER said:
I honestly would suggest you take all your energy and go enroll in a Community college welding course.. then save up, buy yourself a welder and that way you can build whatever you can dream up for the XJ. Trust me learning to weld in this hobby was the best move I ever did.
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I have some experience welding and plan on continuing with it. I'm gonna take the welding course at SCC in the fall. Once I can trust myself to weld things for and onto my XJ, it's going to have alot of homebrew stuff.

uncc civilengineer said:
I think the first thing you need to do is research... There is a TON of info on building a XJ on the web... look at others and "borrow" their ideas if it suits your needs..
As for the SYE.. there's a ton of cheap ways around this... RE Hack & Tap ($80)... XJ front Driveshaft ($50)... Flange ($25)... wa la....
As for reinforcing the XJ.. I assure you you will never tweak it running 31's..
If you're running a Dana35 rear axle... plan to go ahead and trash it and pick up something else...
Invest in lockers... Lockers and 31" tires will get you more places than open differentials and 35's... It'll also save you from having to use the skinny pedal so much... Deep gearing or Tcase gears are your firend too..
Maybe just sell what you have and buy something already built?
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I'll admit, I look way too far ahead into what my XJ will need in the future. I worry about small things that don't even matter right now, guess I need to stop. :lol:

Luckily enough I have the HP30 front and 8.25" rear. I know these are not the best axles but they're better than a LP30 and 35 rear. I plan on lockers in the near future after I get front tow points. My XJ came with a "towing package", not sure if it's factory or not. But sometime soon, my ball-hitch is getting ditched and replaced with a d-ring shackle and receiver.

Even if I could buy something already built, where would the self-gratification and satisfaction be knowing that after I get up something pretty crazy (you never know); that my XJ got up and over that terrain because of my driving, and the way and things I built it with?


I posted this for a reason, and that was to see what everyone had to say so I could relax a little. It's not easy starting on your rig and wishing you could have everything you need all at once... I know, it takes alot of time, but it's better to have an image of how you want the thing to keep motivated.
 
SStone said:
I posted this for a reason, and that was to see what everyone had to say so I could relax a little. It's not easy starting on your rig and wishing you could have everything you need all at once... I know, it takes alot of time, but it's better to have an image of how you want the thing to keep motivated.
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I'm 45 and starting another build to my Jeep that will probably take several months to complete. Just try to enjoy the journey as well as the outcome. Anticipating and doing a long term build is is half the fun.
 
If you are gonna run out the box lifts your good, you want break the unibody, ask me how I know. Now if you start welding around on the unibody, thats a different story.
 
BRUISER said:
I honestly would suggest you take all your energy and go enroll in a Community college welding course.. then save up, buy yourself a welder and that way you can build whatever you can dream up for the XJ. Trust me learning to weld in this hobby was the best move I ever did.
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BRUISER do you know if the course at Alamance is any good? I was considering taking that over the summer, my knowledge about welding is pretty limited and I've heard from a few people that they really enjoyed the course.
 
motorsports are not a poor mans game. your going to spend all your money on this jeep for a while, then your either going to get tired of it or it's going to end up a trail only deal.

you need to figure out what a few people on this board have. they have turned something they like to do it something that can pay for it's self. (ie. gubni, rockcity, broncomania) i wasn't able to figure that out and had to get out of it.
 
dieselfuelonly said:
BRUISER do you know if the course at Alamance is any good? I was considering taking that over the summer, my knowledge about welding is pretty limited and I've heard from a few people that they really enjoyed the course.
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not sure about that location..

but i Know folks that went to Durham and wake and both said they learned a lot and instructors were very knowledgable..

I would just go to the school ask to watch in on a class and meet with instructor, most will say sure.. they want you as a student.. so anyway they can get you enrolled they will help
 
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