Big rig desision to make, need opinions.

csudman

csudman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Location
Statesville
So, I've been wheeling for many years, honestly most of the time I'm building something.

Current project - 87 Wrangler.
Specs -
94 4.0 FI - Still have to rewire entire vehicle (Will have to pay someone to do that)
AX15 now that I am seriously thinking about ditching and going aw4
231/231 double (Still have to assemble)
Waggy 44 - ARB/Supierors/Longs/Gears/High Steer
Izusu 12 bolt rear.
Custom Front Frame and Custom Rear Frame
waggys frenched for 1-2" lift soa in the front
4-link rear that I haven't really started on yet(I have everything already)

Without going into a ton of more detial, anyone who has built a rig knows, brakes, fuel, cage etc.etc etc...

I can part it out for around 5k

I can finish it myself, I'm just really burned out with building. It will take forever.

Should I sell it all and by a jeep with 35's and a rear locker and have a good time? It seems that I never really acomplish anything and I'm allways sitting on the sidelines waiting to finish building this thing.

Thoughts?
 
I could sit here all night and type on this but, I won't. I've been in this for awhile myself. I've had multiple vehicles that have gone in multiple directions. However, I've done alot of half stepping due to finances and being a student. They have ALL come back to bite me in the ass. I get one mod. done and I think it will "solve all my problems" then something else goes and the snowball effect takes place. After my last build I've pretty much said enough. Jeep is staying how it is, and I'm going to actually try and enjoy it for what it is, not what it could be.

With all that said, I would sell it all and get something wheelable. Years have gone by and my junk sits around eating all my $. Its stupid. There's been multiple stages where I should have probably left it and just driven/wheeled it. My friends have heard me say 100x that I'd rather be wheeling x, then staring at y. So what if you have all this cool stuff collecting dust in your garage. The guy in a jeep bombing around at URE is probably have more fun than you are staring at your project wishing it was done. Its just a fact. Another thing is DECIDE on what you want. If you want aw4, and finances allow it, make it happen now, instead of saying you'll do it later. That's something I've truly learned over the years. Your going to have to spend your $, you may as well spend it by getting what you want. However, I'd get into something that allows you to be wheeling if there is an opportunity. It will probably be cheaper/less stressful to sell out and buy something already assembled that is ready to go.
 
SPOA87YJ said:
I could sit here all night and type on this but, I won't. I've been in this for awhile myself. I've had multiple vehicles that have gone in multiple directions. However, I've done alot of half stepping due to finances and being a student. They have ALL come back to bite me in the ass. I get one mod. done and I think it will "solve all my problems" then something else goes and the snowball effect takes place. After my last build I've pretty much said enough. Jeep is staying how it is, and I'm going to actually try and enjoy it for what it is, not what it could be.

With all that said, I would sell it all and get something wheelable. Years have gone by and my junk sits around eating all my $. Its stupid. There's been multiple stages where I should have probably left it and just driven/wheeled it. My friends have heard me say 100x that I'd rather be wheeling x, then staring at y. So what if you have all this cool stuff collecting dust in your garage. The guy in a jeep bombing around at URE is probably have more fun than you are staring at your project wishing it was done. Its just a fact. Another thing is DECIDE on what you want. If you want aw4, and finances allow it, make it happen now, instead of saying you'll do it later. That's something I've truly learned over the years. Your going to have to spend your $, you may as well spend it by getting what you want. However, I'd get into something that allows you to be wheeling if there is an opportunity. It will probably be cheaper/less stressful to sell out and buy something already assembled that is ready to go.
Click to expand...

You've summed up my current dilemma. I guess we've all been there. My biggest issue is that this was gonna be the one that I built "right". I've cut compromised alot in the past due to budgets, time etc... Budget isn't a huge deal at this point. 1. I pretty much already have everything to finish. 2. I can afford a to spend some money on this. Its the time thing, and getting burned out. I traded a prefectly capable toy truggy for this jeep because I now have an 18 month old that I want to start taking with me. (Hell, he was like 3 months when I got this thing).

Argh...
 
csudman said:
1. I pretty much already have everything to finish. 2. I can afford a to spend some money on this. Its the time thing, and getting burned out
Click to expand...

Burned out? On what bro? You worked on it strong for a few months, but since then, what's have you done that's got you cooked?

For me, there have been several long mods that were aggravated by my tiny wrenching space (appears you have ample room), budget (doesn't seem to be your case), and "motivation"... hmmm! Back when MBA & whttrsh lived near by, we always got together to work on each others rigs. This was great as the "work" was divided amongst 3 different rigs, always different so there was no "burn out" and went 5x faster cause we always had a good time. Now that they've both moved (+ for all intents&purposes out of the Jeepin' biz), it's just me left to push myself. I miss hanging out & BSing while working most of all, & find myself putting things off unless I stay on it.

If you have someone close by that would simply hang out for the price of a few brews (even if they have zero abilities to help), if they're "waiting on you", that generally gets you moving.

Here's what I try to do now:
- Set a goal (put a date on it) to have it done
- Draw up a plan/list of what needs to be done. I usually make a large/easy to see list and hang it on the beer fridge... can see what needs to be done & too stay focused, when it needs to happen.
- Break the list into smaller/quicker tasks that can be done in a reasonable amount of time, putting a date on each sub-task.
- Work towards that goal(s)/date(s) systematically...

Once you accomplish each task, mark it from your list! That will show you that you ARE making headway. If you hit a task(s) that requires some help, mark them "on hold" and go to the next task that's doable by you lonesome. Recruit some help and hit each held item.

Lastly, post up the progress/pics HERE! I think most of us like feedback and there's nothing like an "attaboy" to move you along.

:beer:
 
Caver Dave said:
Here's what I try to do now:
- Set a goal (put a date on it) to have it done
- Draw up a plan/list of what needs to be done. I usually make a large/easy to see list and hang it on the beer fridge... can see what needs to be done & too stay focused, when it needs to happen.
- Break the list into smaller/quicker tasks that can be done in a reasonable amount of time, putting a date on each sub-task.
- Work towards that goal(s)/date(s) systematically...
Once you accomplish each task, mark it from your list! That will show you that you ARE making headway. If you hit a task(s) that requires some help, mark them "on hold" and go to the next task that's doable by you lonesome. Recruit some help and hit each held item.
Lastly, post up the progress/pics HERE! I think most of us like feedback and there's nothing like an "attaboy" to move you along.
:beer:
Click to expand...

Def agree on these! I've found that in the cases where I have had hard, specific deadlines (e.g., being ready for May 4x4Cross, then a run at RC, now the ECORS Fall Brawl, etc) I find myself working liek a champ during the last few weeks leading up to it. Back in May, I pulled off like a months worth of work in about a week, just 'cause I HAD to to make it. yep it was a lot of sweat, but BOY the happiness when I finally hit the road!
Now I do exactly liek Caver said, I have an Excel spreadsheet w/ the list of things... 2 columns... WANT to and MUST do. Once I have a goal/deadline, I re-arrange them by priority, and then set a tentative date for each bit. And, yes, after ifnishing each one... I highlight it red and leave it there so later I can look at the list a see what I DID.
Def x2 on finding buds...
 
What has helped me in the past during build phases of my projects is to make a list of every job/project/detail on the rig that needs to be completed. Write down every item that needs to be done. Then go out in the garage when you have some time and pick something you want to do that day. Having said that, you can probably buy a ready to wheel rig pretty cheap right now due to the bad economy. You may just end up buying someone's elses problems though and end up redoing a lot of it. Another option if the finances allow is to buy a 2nd cheaper wheeling rig. I bought a stock Samurai to wheel when my main rig is down. Over the years I have slowly built it up too, and now enjoy wheeling it more than my big truck. I did screw up though about 2 yrs ago and ended up with both of them apart for several months at the same time which really sucked. I'll never do that again. Always keep one of them ready to wheel so you can go when your buddies call.
 
x2 on the 2 rigs. My Waggy is my moderate rig and did not require much to get it wheelable, Just basic SOA and high steer and I am able to wheel it while I work on my bigger project.
 
Thanks for the suggestitions. I'm scared to even put a list together:) I may do it to get a deeper look at the situation.
 
So this is my "Big" project list. It leaves out tons of small stuff.

So what say ye NC4x4. I've got 6 months ahead of me I'm sure.

Frame Mounts for rear links
Rear Axle Truss
Build Links
Weld Rear Diff
Reassemble rear diff
Rear Brake Lines
High Steer Linkages
Build and Mount PS box
Finish Front Spring French
Build New Front Bumper to house winch
Wire winch
Driveshafts
Skid Plates
Sink Fuel Cell into Rear Cargo area
Fuel Lines and Fuel Pump
Install aw4
Wire aw4 computer and control box
Crossmembers x2 For Tranny
Assemble 231 doubler
Build Cage
Build Sliders
Modify Existing Rear Bumper to work
Remove existing wireing harness
Install 94 fi wiring harness
Install all bracketry for engine
Install OBA
Mount Seats and crap
Build Steel rear 1/4 panels
Build Tube Fenders
etc., etc., etc...
 
Sell all your junk and buy something you and the youngun can have fun in now or in the near future. He won't be needing a doubler and all that tube stuff for quite awhile and in the mean time you can spend more time with him instead of thrashing to get your rig built!
 
Just finish what you need to get on the rocks. you can always do upgrades later.
I bought something to wheel until I got my yj built. got it home and found it was almost as much of a project as the yj. I have ended up replacing most of the driveline and now working on the susp. so now I have 2 projects and still nothing to wheel.
 
I think you made the right decision CJ. Part out what you've got and get something you can wheel NOW. I need people I can go to Uwharrie with this fall. Best of luck with the part-out.

If you can wait till early 2010, my girlfriend's sister is going to sell her 99 XJ Sport (by Feb at the latest).
 
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