I've recently sold my car so I could eliminate payments, thus be able to afford something I have wanted for a long time, in just a few months.
I've decided I really wanted to go with a Jeep Wrangler TJ and am seriously considering building it. I've priced out every component, and while it would be far cheaper to build one than buy one, it would take a lot longer to build it.
If you want me to delve on anything to give y'all more info, I can.
Build, but if you dd it every day, it can get difficult trying to find downtime to install mods. I've run into trouble several times when I run over the time I allotted to install something.
DD isn't going to be an issue since I also have a motorcycle and drive that almost everyday to work. The jeep will be both for the occasional drive-to-work vehicle and beach destroyer.
Can anyone throw me some legitimate and trust worthy links on places to buy the majority or some parts for this build? I will need to know of a good place to buy the frame + fiberglass, etc.
I might do a GM conversion to start -- ONLY because I already have a 350 and turbo transmission at home from a truck I use to own.
Why do you need frame + fiberglass? Are you planning on making a fiberglass body or what? I think most of us were under the assumption you were buying a stock TJ and modding it yourself.
Ah, this was an example, I apologize. I had written that very poorly.
I'd like to build it basically from the ground up, if cost permits, so while a fiberglass body would be nice, but I could go in either direction. I do not want to buy one and mod it, I definitely want to do a full build; like a kit car I guess.
Go to the junk yard, buy all the parts, go home and build it. Yes, of course, I know it's much more difficult than just "glue a to b", so I am prepared for the difficulty level. If I buy one, I'm looking at about $10,000 or less from what I've seen online, so if I go that route, it won't be that expensive either. I just like building things.
I would shy away from fiberglass especially if you are going to use it. If I were you I would look for a rust free frame/body and pick it up. Sounds like you would like to replace the engine so no worries about how it runs at the moment. Perhaps you could find one with a blown engine but a decent frame and body and pick it up cheap? (although that does not happen often with TJs with the 4.0 it is almost bullet proof)
You're right, it's very difficult to find one with a blown 4.0 in the TJ's. I'd be willing to broaden my scope and go for a YJ (or heck, even older if rust isn't present) but I really just don't like the new body styles.
Any ideas on how much would be a "don't pay more than this" for a jeep in the body styles I mentioned if it good condition and basically only need a new engine and/or transmission? I'm new to Jeep's so I don't know at all. All I know are bikes and Honda's. lol
You can pick up a YJ fairly cheap needing a new engine/tranny.... rust free frame and body 1500-2k probably. In a TJ it is going to be more and good luck finding one with a blown engine.
when crawlers and Jeeps mix following these guys in a Jeep is why we have our winch ready to pull and they have theirs tied to the front axle as a suck down.
The rest of us are in Jeeps. We can mod or not. In the end you will never get a Jeep to do what the rock buggy will walk over. He is half the weight of most Jeeps. But needs a trailer to get it there.
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