Long Term Project Plans

Yay!Gurrr

Yay!Gurrr

Better Faster Stronger
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Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Location
N. N. Raleigh, NC
So the wife asked what it is exactly I'm doing and what my plans are....

Long Term Plans = No Perfect Scenario at this time.
Commuting Distance makes DD jeep unfeasible even 4cyl jeep = 15-17 mpg at best.
This would in essence add an additional toy, which isn't reasonable IMHO.

My general goal would be to downsize to the 33"-36" tire size. This is more manageable and cost effective long term. But I have larger parts already.... sooo....

Goal would be easy to work on and repair.
No exotic primary components.
Make use of readily available components.
Be street-able for DD/Beach trip use.

Buggy - I've been sorta turned off from the buggy idea in that even quick URE trips are a hassle from not being technically legal down there. I know many just hang a tag and that's fine, but this also applies for the 3 mile trip at home to get ice cream or potential beach or DD stuff.

I have a good collection or parts and can more/less going in several directions at this point.... Keep in mind I need to fix my D300 output and the auto needs a rebuild. I'd like to get away from the slushbox anyway. With this there are a few possible scenarios I came up with. I'm sure there are more... Some ideas I don't really like only listing possible options

for consideration.

*) Do nothing, fix broken parts, keep wheeling.

*) Keep current rig/1tons/38s, swap engine 4.3-V6/trans?? shorten/rework front, add links, hydro steering, rework front end

area (180hp 307 about same as 4.3)
PROs cheep, fairly quick/dirty, strong axles, 4000#, reuse existing exhaust/fuel system, TBI,
CONs - leafs, no DD improvement.

*) Keep existing Jeep and 1ton axles & 38s, swap 4cyl/toy t-case components, rework front end area
Pros - Cheep, Fairly Quick, Fast Dirty, jeep already bare/trim, beater, strong axles, 3800#
Cons - Leafs, Rough, not really DD drivable/long trips, need better steering
- Add links later on

*) Keep existing Jeep, swap in 4cyl+toy drivetrain, swap in TOY axles w/ links, 36" tires, rework front end area
Pros - Lighter ~3000#, more ground clearance, smaller tires reuse J20 steering, better ride, possibly DD-able
- Possibly narrow tub/skin, for jeep 'look'
Cons - Cost of building toy axles,
- Resell 1tons

*) 4cyl TJ 33"-35" Tires
PROs - Low Lift, Flat Belly, New start, DDable, more road trips normal use.
CONs - Cost of starting over, not as capable
- Possibly find TJ frame to build on w/ current TUB.

*) Build Toy P/U 33-35" tires - use toy axles, 4cyl on P/U platform
PROs - Simple, low effort build, most common mods been done, relitivly cheep,
CONS - Cost of starting over.

*) Build small buggy (have several parts now)
Pros - Capable off road, run/hang with bigger crowd, harder/challenging stuff.
Cons - Full build, Without lots of planning - may not DD. (think Dune Buggy type appearance)

*) Put toy cab on jeep frame, run 1tons/38s, 4cly+toy trans, sorta cab truck-ish
PRO - Enclosed cab, strong, pretty quick swap. Reuse skids, fuel cell etc.. Open deck/back
CON - Not as DD-able

*) Other Options ??


So what say ye web wheelers...... (and real wheelers too)
 
Recession Wheeling

Not having to do a lot of work which may result in having a "rougher" vehicle that is useable will probably give you the most motivation to rework and get the CJ to where it is decently streetable. Not wheeling just sucks. Even if you have a rough form, at least you can wheel in the shortest amount of time.

I'm happy to be wheeling my K5 again, after not having anything that could wheel for a year and a half. It's not the best by any stretch of imagination, but it was inexpensive and I can wheel hard enough with it to be happy.

I vote for option #3, with some thought put into streeting it. Look at a lot of the west coast guys that DD TJs on tons and 40s... their vehicles are set up to work as a "system", rather than independent modifications that enhance a certain performance aspect. I'm sure you can find examples of more streetable rigs with one tons.

My K5 is on one tons and 38.5" xterrains, and minus it being welded in the rear (which really only makes a difference on 90 degree turns on city streets), its actually quite nice to drive down the road (and it was a fairly cheap build). I'm currently parting out my YJ... it just wasn't going to be streetable enough with air shocks in the front and I can use some cash. In my opinion, unless you're wheeling a flat out buggy, it definitely helps to have your rig streetable so that you can drive even short distances on the road (example: eldorado outpost to URE). I wouldn't drive it on a long wheeling trip, just because it's old... but for around town and DPG and URE, it's nice not having to use a trailer every time. The only time I've trailered it was it was too broken to drive back, before I swapped to one tons.
 
Truggy's are great when the weather turns sour or cold, which is great for your passenger, since I know you don't care much, so it may be moot.

I wouldn't downsize. Why downsize? a stock output on a D300 can be broken with smaller tires too. You've got a good tow combo, and it still drives well enough to run down for an ice cream.

*--Link the rear with coilovers & a swaybar if you want (this keeps streetability in mind). Add hydro assist up front. This will add wheeling capability.
*--Engine swap - your call. I won't be without a V8. There's other ways to get the hood line down.
*--What about swapping the "street" Radial TSL's for a true All-terrain in a 37? That, the hydro assist, and some good shocks up front (no more cheap shit, spend a few bucks on some monotubes or better) will do wonders for street manners.
 
how much DD usage are you talkin about? You have a ford taurus, are you getting rid of it?

I like Rich's suggestion and i'll add why not have a 4-runner or xj on at most 33's for your lite duty wheelin or beach trips. hell in the case of the toy, it doesnt have to be a solid axle, ifs fronts are not bad as long as you dont lock them.
 
yager said:
So the wife asked what it is exactly I'm doing and what my plans are....
Click to expand...

We've been asking you that for years. But when SHE says it, it's like some kinda last straw or something? WTH. :flipoff2:

The problem I see.... and IMHO, the problem you've had all along, is that you spent 4x as many words explaining all the different things you might could do than explaining exactly what is wrong with your current setup, and what you're hoping to achieve by changing anything. You can't make any decisions if you don't have any priorities.

Your current rig should do 95% of stuff passably well as it sits, right? Yeah, it's fatter than a buggy. But you didn't want a buggy. You wanted a full-bodied rig that would be cheap, comfortable and all-purpose. At least, that's what you said at the time. What has changed that causes you to think this rig is now unacceptable?

If you're just restless and need something to do, come on over. I'll put you to work.
 
I was lookin fwd to seeing how the buggy ended up, but.... (and you may have heard this from your wife already) ...you do have a perfectly good jeep outside that you just need to get off ur a$$ and fix. :p
...on the other hand, I get tired of working on the same vehicle all the time too
Steve
 
yager said:
So what say ye web wheelers...... (and real wheelers too)
Click to expand...

Be satisfied with what you have, it looks and works good! Work on the rig you now have to make it as capable on or off road as needed. Saves money in the long run, saves time in the long run, gives you more time and money to wheel or enjoy other activities. JC's plan for life, liberty and the persuit of happiness :)
 
JC said:
Be satisfied with what you have, it looks and works good! Work on the rig you now have to make it as capable on or off road as needed. Saves money in the long run, saves time in the long run, gives you more time and money to wheel or enjoy other activities. JC's plan for life, liberty and the persuit of happiness :)
Click to expand...


X2
 
Dang my dad is on the internet now but I didn't think he found his way to NC4x4...

I'm listening, your .02 was received :)

I don't post up and not expect guff from everyone...
 
my opinion is simple..

You like to build stuff. PERIOD

I have been around you long enough to know that building stuff and coming up with new ideas, etc really turns you on..

I say sell it all and start a new build.
 
BRUISER said:
my opinion is simple..

You like to build stuff. PERIOD
Click to expand...

Good point. Very good point. Now the goal should be to have one that's ready to go AND have the perpetual project. That way you can actually go wheel.
 
if....

I think you have a fundamental conflict between economical DD and trail rig requirements. For the trails you want to run no rig is going to be good as a daily driver.

If I were going to get back into 4x4 I'd stop at 32/33s. But you'd have to be willing to stay off the "big dawg" trails. I was super happy with my TJ on 32s but I kept adding and building and next thing you know I was sick of the whole sport. But that's just me.

Like Ken said, you like building things. Might as well start building your new "ultimate" rig.
 
When I say DD, im just saying drive it 60miles to work (and back) 1 day a week and make a few beach trips per year. Its more an issue with having windshield, looking sorta legal and keep it on the road and under control (steering) etc.. Some tire shake/top speed not to big a deal.

Anyway, I ordered a 32spline output and some parts from High Angle. Jessie is gonna swap out some of my 26 spline flange and brake parts with their updated 32 spine stuff, I need to send my shaft back for a fix up on the CV flange I guess hes modified/changed how he does it now and wanted to update mine.

I also ordered the 32 spline front. Figured I might as well take care of that too. He even took my 1year old gift certificate, Jessie definitely rocks.

SO....... I think I'm gonna just rework the things that I need to on the heep and keep plugging away on it. I'm gonna shelf my buggy project for a while and tarp up my parts.

I can still rework my hood line and lower the radiator and other stuff with out a major redo. That should help a good bit...

Thinking about links but I hate to do just 1 end and not the other... where do you draw the line ??????
 
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