[SaxManClay]

Hi there! I figured I've been here long enough to start one of these, so here we go!

First, a little history. I always though Jeeps were awesome, and pretty much always wanted one. However, being a kid in high school, I never had a bunch of money. So, I got what I THOUGHT was a cool car.



This was my first car. A lifted 97 Honda CR-V.

(Note: this is not my CR-V. Mine didn't have a spoiler).

No flex, and the first time I went off-road, I got stuck. Big time. I also managed to snap all of my sway bars too. Awesome!

Anywho, I got to college, started saving up again, and bought this bad boy for $6K with 68,000 on the odometer.



I bought him in November 08 in MA during Thanksgiving break. I drove back to college in a snowstorm, and was thoroughly excited the whole time. Nothing could stop me!

So I went the whole second semester just enjoying having a Jeep, and then I came across this site. Now I am hooked.

First thing I did was upgrade the sound system. I'm a music education major, so music is a big thing for me. No sub, because I need all the room I can get traveling back and forth to college. I also installed this!



The old center console was busted up pretty bad, and it smelled weird. This is much better, only cost me $20, and is very hip.

I also wanted some new wheels. Not wanting to really buy new, I looked on CL for a good long time. I found 5 Cragars for $90!





Granted, these were wheeled a lot, and they were kinda nasty looking. So, I painted them.


Much better.

Then I was looking around at exhausts. I decided on the Magnaflow. Sounds really nice too. Not too loud, but loud enough to make me smile when I press down on the skinny pedal.





I also got a good deal on the tip. It's from a Corsa kit that was supposed to go on a Honda Civic, but the guy who bought had a body kit on, and the tip didn't fit. So, my friend just welded it on for me. Looks pretty good IMO.



(cont. next post)

[SaxManClay]

Then I did some smaller things, like paint my fender flares, took the top off, and made some rear-view mirrors when I take the doors off.




And then on my birthday last year, I found my true love. My girlfriend bought me a Rough Country stinger!



Last Christmas, I bought myself the IPF H4 conversion lamps, with X51 Fatboy bulbs. A guy at work also gave me fog lights for free! I don't mind that they are the cheapo Wally world ones, but they work, they were free, and they make me .




195 watt high beam. Over doing it? I think not!


BOOM!

I also made myself a custom light bar for the fog lights. I took a piece of steel, cut it up, and bolted it on. No pic yet, but I'll get one soon.

[SaxManClay]

And that's about it. I was also able to pick up a Ford 8.8 for dirt cheap, and I'm just waiting until I graduate to install a lift. I'm definitely going with 33's, but I'm still trying to decide on a lift. I'm torn between the RC 4" or 2.5" lifts.

[thickone]

start off with a RC 2.5 you can always up grade later.

[jeepmanjc]

sweet jeep, i think u got a pretty good deal on it.
what is the reason for the name?

[SaxManClay]

Originally Posted by jeepmanjc

sweet jeep, i think u got a pretty good deal on it.
what is the reason for the name?

I just think it's a cool name.

Small update too. I just bought most of the brake parts for the 8.8 I got a while back. No pics, cause I'm not home to receive them. But now I don't have to go junkyard diving.

[jlax2485]

Call your jeep "Tug Speedman" from tropic thunder

[SaxManClay]

Nothing new to update, since I'm still in college at the moment (4 more weeks!). I bought a new oil pressure sensor unit, considering mine is going out on me. I think I might even do a write-up!

I had my Easter break and went down to VA and drove around the Blue Ridge mountains. Took a pic with the girlfriend.

[MA88XJDude]

If your trying to decide between the RC 4 or 2.5 go with the 4. My friend has the 2.5, its nice but 4 is better.

[Imped]

Originally Posted by MA88XJDude

If your trying to decide between the RC 4 or 2.5 go with the 4. My friend has the 2.5, its nice but 4 is better.

Awesome reasoning.

[ericson89]

im also looking at the RC 2.5" as well. Good product for a college student's budget (i would know). i say start there since it will work with 33s. if you're not happy then save up a little more later and get the 4

[MA88XJDude]

Originally Posted by Imped

Awesome reasoning.

I have a feeling that was meant to be sarcastic.

If you want my real reasoning behind it, I just didnt see the point in getting the 2.5 kit, I mean yes its great for a DD/weekend warrior rig with some 31's

but IMO I just think its a waste of money if you want to go a little bigger then its best to just save up and go right for it.

The way I see it is, wheel it with some 30 or 31's and no lift while you save for a bigger kit.

We are all entitled to an opinion and for me I just couldnt justify a 2.5 lift.

[SaxManClay]

Originally Posted by MA88XJDude

I have a feeling that was meant to be sarcastic.

If you want my real reasoning behind it, I just didnt see the point in getting the 2.5 kit, I mean yes its great for a DD/weekend warrior rig with some 31's

but IMO I just think its a waste of money if you want to go a little bigger then its best to just save up and go right for it.

The way I see it is, wheel it with some 30 or 31's and no lift while you save for a bigger kit.

We are all entitled to an opinion and for me I just couldnt justify a 2.5 lift.

I'd like to go a bit bigger, and 33's are a reasonable goal for me right now I think. This how I budgeted it. Right now I'm looking at the 4" X-Series.

X-Series - $1000
Tires - $1000
AA SYE - $500
Regear - $1000

I'm pretty sure those are accurate numbers, so it should work out.

And for tires, I was looking at the Duratracs. I can get a sick-nasty deal at Sears Auto, where I work.

OR

Not do anything with the Jeep for a LONG time, wait until these tires go bald, then go all out with my 8.8, find a D44, and throw on 37's.

[MA88XJDude]

Originally Posted by SaxManClay

I'd like to go a bit bigger, and 33's are a reasonable goal for me right now I think. This how I budgeted it. Right now I'm looking at the 4" X-Series.

X-Series - $1000
Tires - $1000
AA SYE - $500
Regear - $1000

I'm pretty sure those are accurate numbers, so it should work out.

And for tires, I was looking at the Duratracs. I can get a sick-nasty deal at Sears Auto, where I work.

OR

Not do anything with the Jeep for a LONG time, wait until these tires go bald, then go all out with my 8.8, find a D44, and throw on 37's.

Im in college and I just put a 4" on my YJ (I know the lift is a lot cheaper than yours, I went with RC) and its getting 33's, it is a great choice for someone on our budget.

Your plan sounds great. Re-gearing is like 500 in parts, you wouldnt want to save 500 and do it yourself? Maybe have a friend who has done it and could help you? When I re-gear I will be doing it myself. Just something to think about.

[Cherokee-at-16]

why not go with there 3.25 kit Then a 4 is just a spacer away

Where do you go to school?