Opinions needed: Seriously considering selling my rig and getting out of wheeling

johnski

johnski

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Location
Concord, NC
Before you read and reply, please offer an opinion based on experience with a situation like mine. I know this is an off-road site which leads to an overwhelming majority of "don't sell it!" posts. That's why there's no poll so people can arbitrarily vote for me to keep my bronco. What I really need is to hear from people who sold their rig, or came damn close. That said, here's where I'm at....

Since my daughter was born last June, the life-changing experience which I do not and never will regret, I have had next to zero time to dedicate to the hobby of off-roading. In the last 16 months, I have been able to use my bronco for it's intended use (wheeling like a sonafabitch) all of 2 times. As I look into the future, I just don't see that number increasing any time soon. I realized that if I actually had time to wheel often, that's a serious amount of time away from my family, considering my trips take at least a full day or a weekend. It seems my priorities have changed.

If I sell, I know I need another hobby to get back into. I know myself pretty well, and I know I have to have something. And, no, I don't have the time or money for 2 serious hobbies. I've been desperately wanting to get back to mountain biking and eventually racing again as I did a decade or so ago. It still gets me outdoors and covered in dirt, I know it doesn't take nearly the time, and it was so goddam fun. I can easily get rides in during the week after school and still pick up my little girl from daycare. There's literally miles and miles of trails within minutes and a Saturday trail ride can be accomplished in a morning, not an entire day. Other than the initial cost of the right equipment, it's not nearly as expensive as wheeling, too. I've already found a few bikes I'd want.

Here's the basic pros/cons that I've been kicking around so far as I weigh out my options:

Keep the Bronco
1) I will regret not having it. Not gut-wrenching, suicidal depression type regret, but I know there will be a level of regret that I will feel.

2) I really enjoy wheeling...when I can.

3) I love my bronco. It's sort of become part of who I am. Hell, on my bio for my classroom webpage, I have a picture of it posted...after my wife, daughter and the dog. A lot of people in my community know me/recognize me because of it.

4) I need the utility of it or something like it. I've used it countless times to haul furniture, mulch, rocks, lumber, etc...

5) To me, it's just plain cool. I do enjoy rolling up the top, having the dog jump in the passenger seat, and cruising around.

6) I've put a lot of time, effort, and money in to it. It can seem like a waste to let it go.

Sell the Bronco
1) Almost no time to wheel and I don't see that changing in the foreseeable future. There have been countless events/opportunities I've had to wheel this year alone that have been squashed.

2) Time away from family. I know you'll say that I can take my family with, but my daughter won't be ready for that for years and my wife has no real interest in it.

3) This hobby is effin expensive. The time, effort, and money to build it has been significant, and we all know that it never ends. With my priority shift, I'm having trouble justifying throwing money at it. Also Uwharrie is an hour away and just getting there, wheeling, and getting back is $100 in gas. Any longer trips just get pricier, and I'm not even talking about breakage and repairs if needed. Hell, a new set of tires is $400 more than the bikes I'm looking at.

4) I can sell the bronco and my DD and easily buy a compact extended cab 4x4 pickup that can provide all the utility that my bronco does, still commute with it and take it out on the beach on Ocracoke Island for our yearly trip.

5) As much as I identify with it and am associated with it, my bronco is not who I am. I'm confident in my self-concept that I don't need a big truck to ride around in as I say "look at me!" (No offense intended to others, I'm talking about me and only me, here)

6) Mountain biking can provide virtually the same rush and get me out in to the same wilderness in a fraction of the time and cost, as well as the fitness benefits which have always been important to me. Plus, I miss it so much. I've been itching to get back on the single-track for years.

7) It's not really a waste to let it go. I've put it to good use, as the sheetmetal can attest. It seems a waste to let my bronco sit.

8) Down the road, I can always get back into wheeling if money and time allow. It's not like the hobby goes away, I just step away from it.

9) Biking is something I know my wife would be into (as she has expressed) and would become a family activity as my daughter grows older. Again, priorities have shifted.

**By the way, this is all me, my wife has nothing to do with this thought process. She was very suprised when I brought it up and said she's fine with whatever avenue I choose and our relationshop is strong enough that I know she's telling the truth. She wanted me to make sure that was clear when I told her I was consulting the NC4x4 peeps about it because she figured some blame would go her way. Again, this all me.**

So that's where I stand currently. No, I haven't made a decision yet, but you can see where I'm leaning. Your informed opinions are greatly appreciated.
 
you have lots of valid points for/against, having mountain biked 2-3x per week and being identified by my Jeep before kids, I can relate to most of your points. About all I can say is that babies take up a lot of time, once they get around 2-3 years old, you will have some time for yourself. Not as much as before kids, but definitley more than with a baby. How you spend that time is up to you. If you can financially afford to keep the Bronco, just use it less, I say go ahead and keep it. It will be cool and nostalgic, and every so often you'll get to take a big wheeling trip, or simply a topless mallcrawl around town.
 
Ive been in your shoes I sold my bronco last fall. I took it out with Doc and we were on the trail all of 30 min and most of that was heading back to th trailer after some breakage. Well I got it home and it sat on the trailer for 6 months so I thought why not just well it and I did. Well I have regreted it ever since that day and have tried to track it down and have had no luck. You maybe different and not think twice about it after its gone but a lot of time went into making my bronco what I wanted and was almost to the point of what I wanted really dreamed it to be and I sold it. So just think long and hard before you let it go if you decide too.
 
If you ever think you would get back into wheelin, then keep the bronco. Its probably cheaper to keep it and wheel it when your youngun(s) get old enough than to find something else and start over in 2 or 3 years. Plus the cheap bastard and pack rat inside me says if the the broncos paid for then it wont hurt anything to park it under the shelter and drive on those sunny days and wheel it once or twice a year.

Duane
 
I was in the same boat. Did most of my build up while I was laid off and back in school and being stay at home dad. Once I went back to work and got it mostly finished I sold it and never looked back. I did however pick up another TJ with 33 and 2" lift to satisfy the remnants. Like you I always have to be doing something. I coached baseball, am an officer in an archery club, hunt, fish, shoot, mountain bike, and now have an ironhead sportster that I work on and sometimes get to ride. I've never regretted getting out.
 
Way I read your letter, you have bout made up your mind to sell.I tend to go with the "hold on to it"s. I wheeled for over 30 years, & seldom thought of totaly getting out! No child experience, but you know, lots of dads bring their kids. Not too many wives care for it. Speaking for the Commander of the CTB; he is a third generation member. His dad rode both kids, boy & girl, as soon as they were able to leave Moms arms. And todays Commander is carrying his son, on most rides. Another 18+ years, might be another Mozeley Commander.:bounce2:
 
I sold a cj7 that I had for several years when my son was born. It was kinda the same reason 8 or 9 months had went by and I hadn't even started so I decided to let it go( I really needed cash too by the way). After that I started by and selling 4X4 on the side just so I would have something to wheel if the urge hit me.

When my kids were 4 & 2 I had traded for a 77 bronco with about 7 inches of lift. Well one afternoon while my wife was at work I buckled the car seats down and decide to take the kids around my uncles farm and some logging roads just to see how scared they were. Now Im not going to lie I was different( almost a pansy because my kids were in the rig with me) but they loved it and enjoyed the climbs and the woods and the mud as much(maybe more) than I did. Both my kids are teenagers now but we had alot of fun and built some really good memories at an early age. The funny part is they both remember the Bronco and love wheelin to this day.


I guess I would say if you don't have to sell it then use it when you can but We(meaning me)have all had to sell things for other things. Thats apart of being a DAD. . . Looking back I wished I had kept my cj7 but I have had 10 different ones since that one and my kids have learned about all kinds of stuff helping me work on them and wheel them. Good luck on your decision :beer:
 
I was in your spot (hell...still am). I used to go wheeling several times a year, and then we had 3 kids in about 3.5 years, and things changed quick especially since we weren't married at the time. My oldest is 3 now.

I haven't been wheeling as much as before, maybe down from every chance I got to 5 or 6 times a year. This has decreased even more since my junk broke and I've been "fixing it". which leads me to...

it is DEFINITELY expensive. so don't try to break stuff is my advice if you keep it.

I've thought about selling my YJ several times, but I just can't do it. I'm sure I will be there one day, but I think I would just get another Jeep of some kind to wheel--although maybe a little closer to stock perhaps.
I will have to get something before long that all of my kids can fit in--4 dr JK maybe?

some thoughts:
  • my jeep does a lot of sitting (on jackstands, but it IS paid for)
  • It's a hard decision, and it can make sense to sell it and get back in later--but would you get back in later?
  • selling and getting a truck or something isn't a bad idea either. I would do that if gas wasn't ridiculous.
  • mountain biking is definitely a lot cheaper, if you can do that and enjoy it then I don't think it would be a bad call. you can always ride along to go wheeling with friends if you get the urge.
 
If you enjoy the hobby why not get your family involved .
I have sold my toys and tried new / old hobby's but I was still missing something in my life . I also enjoy building my toys as well .
My vote is if it makes you happy keep it .I personally would not sell it You will regret it in the long run
 
Clean it up and put a for sale sign on it and then see how you feel!:lol:
Just take a break, the time will come when you want to wheel it again. What you won't have time or money for down the road is to build another one.
Why not just get a cheaper mountain bike and do that in the mean time?
 
Family takes priority, especially w/ the addition of a little one....

You could build another, equally cool, ride later (that said, you have the sweetest late model bronco I've ever seen!).....

You love mountain biking, give it another try......

When I took my '79 to URE w/ the wheelin-dixie guys - there was a bone-stock Tracker riding 80% of the trails w/ us. You could still have fun w/ a mild wheeler/DD type truck as well @ URE, etc.

I've been a spectator to most of the events & have been lucky enough to score a ride in other rigs - always a good way to get your "dirt fix".

Good luck!
 
DON'T sell it. If for no other reason, I'd like to wheel w/you the couple of times you do go out :D

But seriously, think you could go either way. I'm sure that if you did sell it, you'd probably get another in a few years. It wouldn't cost you much to keep it around. I know you have done quite a bit to it, but I don't think the money generated by the sale would warrant it.

As for the MTB goes, if you wanna catch up here at Sherman Branch, lemme know. Can give you the guided tour, if you haven't already been. I try to get out somewhere about 3 times a week. Honestly, if you get into cycling, MTB takes up A LOT of time in comparison to wheeling. For just family/recreation is one thing, but most trails around here aren't really geared for that. You've got a few greenways to choose from for that, but now most of them are paved...
 
These guys are all giving you good advice. I will only add: don't be in a hurry to sell, don't sell cheap because you think you have to, and keep in mind that baby will not be a baby for long. If your wife enjoys going wheeling with you, the little one will too.

Now a question:

johnski said:
There's literally miles and miles of trails within minutes and a Saturday trail ride can be accomplished in a morning, not an entire day.
Click to expand...

I live just outside of Concord, and I would like to know more about all these trails, and where they are
 
i can see both sides and have considered selling myself. but love the sport soo much that i got my family involved and take them with me. we actually went to URE last yr with a 8mth old and spent all day riding trails. he loves it. my suggestion is keep it and do more family friendly rides/events. dont do all weekend trips to URE/Harlan/Moab etc(not saying that you do) but like a couple others i know including myself and Burrelsjeep we take the family every time......


my .02 keep it and :driver: the :poop: out of it:beer:
but props for a man who puts family before anything else:beer:
 
I got out of wheelin when my kids were really small. When I separated with my ex, the kids were 1 1/2, 3 and 5. I bought my old Jeep. We went on some mild rides and picnics. The kids loved it. As they got older, I did even more, including camping. One of them still enjoys this, and I get to wheel with him.
I say keep it, as posted ^ there, they won't be little for long. I wheel with several friends who bring their little ones. Some of my best friends are barely out of diapers!
 
I was in the similar situation as you two years ago. I had a TJ and loved trail riding, but I also had a family and my two kids were very young and they hated going out on the trail. For that reason and also the fact at the time there was some money issues I sold the TJ, it didn't take 6 months and I was missing it.

It wasn't just the trail rides I missed, I also missed having a excuse to hang in the garage with friends drinking beer and bull:poop:. Which of course was sold to my wife as having to be out there working on it to get it ready for the next weekend.

I went all last year without a rig I still went to URE camping and had to watch everyone else going out and having fun. I couldn't take it so last fall I purchased another TJ. I have been out twice already this year and now my kids love it. My daughter brings her video camera and films the rides (which usually just consist of the back of my seat and hearing her giggle). I let my son get out and spot for me, which surprising enough for a 11 year he is pretty good at. To keep my wife interested I let he drive any time she wants, again surprisingly she has driven up every trail at URE except the first two ledges of Denial.

I do not know your financial situation, so if money is your reason for wanting selling then I say sell because this sport is not worth making a family go without. But if it is just family time that is causing you to sell I’d say keep it and get the family involved and make it fun for them. Find what they enjoy about it and encourage it.

I was just thinking about the expense issue of this sport and thought of another thing I am doing different this time around. With my old jeep I would try to climb just about anything and if I couldn't make it I would use the skinny pedal to try and make it go over the obstacle. This usually resulted in something that wasn't very cheap getting broken. With my new jeep I still try to get over everything thing I can, however if I don't make by the 3 or 4 try I am not too proud to back away and say I can't make it. This theory has allowed me to bring my jeep home in one piece with no repairs needed both weekends this year.
 
I agree with both sides and they bring up good points. I HAD to get rid of a rig I had for 16years. Back surgery forced the sell. I sold it to a friend of mine and the trailer to another friend. I still stay connected to the 4x4 crowd and could still bum a ride if I wanted to. Just because you sell your rig doesn't mean you have to delete the phone #s out of your phone or drop off this forum. If you have friends that wheel I believe you also could tag along. This is a decision only you can make. As for the money, I believe everybody is feeling that also. Do I miss having a 4x4, every day.
 
CLRracer said:
If you ever think you would get back into wheelin, then keep the bronco. Its probably cheaper to keep it and wheel it when your youngun(s) get old enough than to find something else and start over in 2 or 3 years. Plus the cheap bastard and pack rat inside me says if the the broncos paid for then it wont hurt anything to park it under the shelter and drive on those sunny days and wheel it once or twice a year.
Duane
Click to expand...


^^^This is where I'm at as well. I don't see the harm in just letting it sit. When you get the urge to work on it or wheel it, it's still possible. It can still haul and tow for you. If you ever thought about getting back in to serious wheeling, no way in hell could you build another for what you sell it for. Unless it's gonna cause an undo financial strain, I see no reason as to why you can't keep it. In the grand scheme of things, the way I try and look at these scenarios is...will the 4k be worth it, will it fix any problems, will it be a load off your mind, will it relieve any stress, what do you truly stand to gain and lose from selling it? If it comes down to your wife and kid eating (which I know it doesn't)...by all means sell it. If you've lost all passion for wheeling...sell it without a second thought. I just don't see the upside to selling besides a little seed money to get into biking.
 
It sounds like you have lost interest in wheeling. I'm in a similar situation as you are. We had a little boy last November. I've still been going wheeling, and have gone twice so far this year and went right up until about 6 weeks before my boy's expected date. My goal the past couple of years or so has been to go wheeling once a month, and I usually achieve that. There are many other activities that I like to do, and that my wife likes to do. I think you should keep the Bronco and buy a less expensive mountain bike if you were planning on using the proceeds from the Bronco to buy a mtn bike. Not only will you lose money if you sell it, but it will also probably take you 5-10 times longer to build another one later now that you have a kid. Before you know it, your daughter will be old enough to go, and she might just love it! Even if you wife doesn't care to go, it could be a great time for just you and your daughter to go and spend time together. You can take her camping at URE. As your daughter grows, her and your wife are going to have their activities that they like to do where you will likely be excluded. Wheeling can be something you and your daughter share. My wife doesn't really care much for wheeling either. She enjoys being out in the woods, but it would be all the same to her if she was hiking or on a mtn bike. She has gone in the past, but has bad neck problems, and probably will never go again or if she does it will be very infrequent due to how much the bouncing around bothers her neck.
 
I'm in a some what similar situation my fiancee and I are expecting our first child together end of July, I have a 7yo stepdaughter. I sold my truck last year cuz I needed the $$ & couldn't afford to fix it. Well she realized how much I missed just having a 4wd vehicle so we made a deal I bought all the baby stuff with my tax return & she would buy me a cheap rig. I have my Cherokee now & I'm slowly picking up parts to have myself a DD weekend wheeler that won't break the bank. My fiancee has given me the go ahead to go wheeling a couple weekends a year & I'm 100% happy with that I don't have to wheel every weekend to be happy. As some one who rode mountain bikes for 8 years its a hobby that gets expensive real quick especially as you progress your skills & you will end up wanting to do longer rides.
 
i TRIED to sell my YJ a few months back, and was unsuccessful..... now i plan on keeping it. i have a 21 month old little girl who loves anything outside and the wife absolutely loves wheeling and wrenching..... that said.... if i get to go 2 times a year, great. better than not at all. like i tell my wife, the jeep is paid for, doesn't cost me a dime to sit in the yard..... with working out of town, i haven't wheeled, or even driven it in a year and a half!! my wife will crank it up and let it run, but thats all the action it sees right now. i know the time will come where i use it a lot again.

until then, it'll be right there.
 
I cant speak from where you are, but I know about having the time to get out a wheel like you have in the past... I agree with what some others have said to keep your bronco and just have it for the chances you do get to go...

On the other hand, you mentioned getting a smaller truck to do things around the house... you could sell the bronco and get your MTB and get a smaller 4x4 truck or SUV with mild lift and ATs that would handle much of URE or Mountain City when you got the chance to go...
 
My story is I got into wheeling because of my son/family. He was born in August and I took my first wheeling trip in January three years ago. I thought while I can I'll get some experience and in a few years my son will go w/ me. Wrong... before he was 18 months old he did some hardcore wheeling at Mt. City. He's three and a half now and if we wheel on Sat. he's asking by Monday "where we wheeling this weekend daddy" Needless to say I no longer have to look for a co-pilot. Being a part of a great club like the CTB I can sit him out and hit the hard stuff and I know he is well taken care of by the other club members. Problem now is I have a 17 month also and only two seats. Looks like I'm going to have to do something different.

As far as advice on selling it's hard to say but I wouldn't if I didn't have to.
 
being Broncoless for the first time since i got my liscense (and well beyond that if you count broncos inthe family growing up), i have to say keep it. At least park it. hell, your gonna need something to haul the Mtn bike in. plus, when your lil one gets a little older, on those nice sunny days, think how awesome its gonna be to ditch the top and pop the doors off and take her for a ride.

Ur gonna need it for Camping trips with the kid. Broncos are awesome at drive in movies (if theres any left by the time shes old enough). Man, i cant tell you how many memories i have of me and my dad and a bronco.

i miss every single one of my broncos. the landcruiser, and rover, and the jeep i have now just arent the same as having a bronco sitting in the driveway. Like you said, they become part of who you are.
 
I hear you John, I got rid of mine because of it sitting in the back yard not getting used but a couple times a year, plus I got a motorcycle and that keeps me pretty busy now.
But I did get another bronco and this one will stay on the mild side so I can drive it everyday if I want but still be able to go camping, hunting, wheeling or whatever.
As far as kids, you know I took mine all the time. I started taking them when they were very young and it turned into our time togeather and a break from them for Mom.
Damn, reading back over this I'm not much help either way.
 
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