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

I have been there, "done that" and will tell you what I have seen so far.

Got into all this in 1995ish or so, first trail ride was Pond Mtn with CTB (several of whom already posted on this thread)

Since that time, had a

stock 72 GMC Jimmy (K5) 32" A/Ts,
built YJ on 36" TSLs,
Motorcycle,
stock YJ on street tires,
stock Land Cruiser with MTRs,
built Yota on 35" A/Ts,
stock TJ on street tires

So you can see I am clearly confused at best....

"Built" rigs are almost always a PITA to drive around town but go anywhere you want with your buddies. (Also they are usually "ugly" according to spouse)

"Near Stock" are a bunch of fun around town (my stocker TJ has been topless for a week now and driven nearly every day)

PLUS... I may take it to URE in the next 2 weeks and will drive on everything I really want to anyway. (Put a winch on the front and I would be willing to try everything and just winch over the hard stuff)

To me, "Near Stock" is the perfect resting place while you are concentrating on other stuff. Throw the Mtn bikes in the back and a baby seat in the rear. Drive to the OBX, Mtns, or just back and forth to work.


So...my advice is get (or keep..) something that you would enjoy driving. Your Bronco MAY be that already but I am guessing it is "hard core" and not much fun for running around town?

If your buddies go wheelin AND you have the time free (rare) someone almost always has a seat to spare. Kind of fun to go wheelin when it is not YOUR wallet on the line to make it up/over Kodak, rock, etc!!

Final thought....TRADING is much easier than selling and you usually get more "worth." You might find someone with a clean near stock Bronco that wants yours and has cash to boot, etc!

Hope that helps...
 
I understand the kids thing. I have one who goes with me almost every time I go, and one who hasn't been yet (too young). Some of the best times I have had were with my boy out riding trails. He gets out and spots some now, and always walks when I feel like its too dangerous.
FWIW, I started taking him when he was 3, strapped into his car seat. I have video of him asleep riding through a stream crossing at that age...
Things haven't changed a lot.
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You sure have looked at this from both sides. You also seem very inteligent. My .02, where there is a want there is a need, where there is a need there is a want. What ever you decide to take the place of wheelin yer Bronco will probably fill the void of having something to do, and no matter what changes in the future there will always be other rigs,(built or not). Persoally I have ditched many built rigs and regret some but I always look forward to the next one with more knowledge. If money is an issue, like me at this time, sell it. Like I said there will be other rigs. Also like another member stated, you can hitch a ride with several fellow wheelers. I too raised 2 daughters.
 
I started off roading about the same time my son was born, he's 4 now. I take him with me for most trips now and he loves working on the jeep with me and my friends.

It's been a great way to teach him about fixing things and also having some fun playing in the mud which kids love.

I am going to start skipping the harder portions of trails when he's with me though but thats well worth it for a kid who loves offroading. We can go back to those when he's older.
 
Keep it.. Ive been into wheeling since I was old enough to drive. I dont have any kids but I recently turned 30 and had to get rid of my Jeep. I still miss it alot and everytime I see another hooked up 4x4 I kick myself in the @ss for letting it go.. Yes wheeling is expensive, but your kid(s) can enjoy it with you. I just cant afford to do it right now. Doesnt mean Im completely outta the game. Get a DD and hold on to the truck. Otherwise you'll regret it with hindsight...
 
I just sold my truck in December. It was all built but I got to where the only place I ever went with it was the beach. I hadn't been on the trails in Uwharrie in over 4 years. (it was just too big for those trails to be fun) I sold it bought an '03 Jeep Grand Cherokee and haven't missed the truck at all. The Jeep is a dream to drive compared with a Super Duty with 41’s and 10” of lift. I still hit the beach for fishing when ever I can but don't miss 9mpg and trying to park that monster. Maybe some day I'll get back to trail ridding just not sure when.
 
I'm kinda in the same boat. Life too busy and no time for wheeling.

What did I do? Put street tires on my rig and I just drive it. No, doesn't take me to work since I drive for 30 minutes on the highway but just bombing around town and this area. Literally, it is my grocery getter, carries bikes and whatever else I want.

If I need 4WD or a truck, I've got it. Insurance ain't no thing on the old gal. I still get giant grins, don't have teeth jarring TSLs on it and I still have it.

So that is an avenue for you. If you live semi-close to your work then driving it to work every once in a while is an option. I loved that.
 
I would keep it if its paid for and works well. wheel when you can and the young ones well be old enough to go one day and a bronco would make a good family rig.
 
i have been in this before with a bike. i get one then dont have time because of the kids, sell it then end up getting another. the things is if you give it up you will also wont another.
 
keep your bronco. trust me. just park it in the back and cover it up. just dont let it sit ,drive it once in awhile to keep everything in good condition. buy you a bike off craigslist and ride. ive built and sold so many things so ive been through it. i always get back in something later after selling and it cost more everytime. what you will save in the long run will buy you a very nice mountain bike with money left.
 
Update:
Thanks for all the input, as it definitely influenced my mindset regarding the whole thing. It may seem like I have no time to wheel, but I love my bronco, it's paid for and really doesn't cost me anything sitting in the driveway, and I can wheel it whenever I actually do have the time. There will be a time when I can take the little girl out for wheeling trips, and I'm sure it'll be here faster than I think. So, the bronco stays.
And, I pulled the trigger on a mountain bike. Been on a dozen rides over the last month and it reminded me how much I missed it. This hobby is way easier to fit in to the schedule. Looking forward to a dual purpose (biking and wheeling) uwharrie trip in my future. Here's the new off-road toy...

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nice bike. lets go riding. ive got a full suspension sanction.
 
Well...my daughter just turned 5 and when she was born I got rid of my hobbies..mtn bike, truck.. I didn't have the time or desire to mess with it. I wanted to spend all my time with her. I would hike Saturday mornings to get my "woods time" in. Now that shes 5 I'm building another for me and her to take wheeling..I took a few years off and don't regret it..Now she can enjoy my hobbies with me.. :)


sweet ass bike BTW...
 
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