[RanTJWJ]

utt ooooo.......your running out of things to do to it. Except some obvious LARGE mods that we wont speak of. Looking good as usual bud.

[REDLYNER]

Originally Posted by RanTJWJ

utt ooooo.......your running out of things to do to it. Except some obvious LARGE mods that we wont speak of. Looking good as usual bud.

I keep telling myself that.

Short list, hopefully in this order, looks like:

Rear reservoir shocks
Front coilovers
Cage to frame tie ins
RCI fuel cell
Front long arms
Hi-line front fenders (still a maybe here)

[MountainMan864]

IF you go the highline fronts would you change coil springs?

[REDLYNER]

Originally Posted by MountainMan864

IF you go the highline fronts would you change coil springs?

Probably not. I like the 3.5" springs, any lower and I start getting too much into the rear tub.

And I've nearly talked myself out of the coilovers. I can do nearly all of my wish list, or I can do front coilovers. From what all of the shops around here keep telling me, including MrBlaine, I just won't see a big difference from them over a good reservoir shock and spring.

This is based on my usage, which is 90% rocks.

I talked to Blaine for nearly 45 minutes the other day and he really expressed his liking of the reservoir shock setup over coilovers, as long as you are not racing. His biggest point was getting the correct tune, so I'm now I'm leaning more towards that.

[mightydog78]

the height is perfect, not too high not too low, justtttt right

Mr. Blaine is the guy in Mt. Island correct?

[RanTJWJ]

HA i have all the intentions of running the baja 1000 within the next few years. I think the only changes ill make is finish the 5.3 v8 and resy shocks. I agree with the 3.5, your sittin perfect

[REDLYNER]

Originally Posted by RanTJWJ

HA i have all the intentions of running the baja 1000 within the next few years. I think the only changes ill make is finish the 5.3 v8 and resy shocks. I agree with the 3.5, your sittin perfect

Trust me.... I love the idea of a 5.3 in the TJ. Do think it can be done for under $3k?

I wanted to run Baja enough to do the initial research. Basically what I came up with was that you need:

• Tow rig and trailer (let's say $15k F250, $1,900 20' trailer)
• Race rig (I was going to use an H3)- $14k plus mods and spares, another $7k
• Chase truck? Hopefully some crazy fans/friends volunteer
• Food and lodging for the week(s) Maybe another $2k?
• Fees- roughly $25k

So that's $65,000 if I started tomorrow with a clean list. Or buy a used JeepSpeed rig for $10k and use my H3 Alpha for towing (fully capable)- now total cost would look something like $40,000. And that is scraping by, no intention of winning a class racing.




Finally got my Christmas present from the wife! Tuff Stuff synthetic winch line was delivered on Thursday. 16,500lb break point, 1/2" rope at 90' long.



Bolted the line to the drum:



Rolled up and ready to go!

[ALLJ]

I am ready to buy a set of fenders like yours now and guess what my jeep is white are they for sale I just listed a set of smitty built that I have bought on this forum they wont clear the 37's I want so I am selling them.

[RanTJWJ]

Trust me.... I love the idea of a 5.3 in the TJ. Do think it can be done for under $3k?

my wifes wrecked wj....traded it minus the drive train for a running 5.3. $0
Got a 4.7 and trans for sale $800 should cover the cost of my tras $0

yeah at this point i am confident i can but yeah i think that you could make a v8 happen for around 3k


Thanks for the Baja list.....and yes i still going to do it.

You wanna do it with me the more the merrier?

[platinum5.9]

A 5.3 and a set of rear metal flat flares would be the kicker. Your jeep would be my dream Jeep. I say do it...

[platinum5.9]

Something like this...

[REDLYNER]

Originally Posted by platinum5.9

Something like this...

I went without rear fenders on purpose, I saw the look on a pewter jeep posted around here and loved the look.




I never saw it get beat on and I think the builder sold it right after completion.

[mallard15]

Dang son that is a nice Jeep. You know who had that?

[eyezlee]

Awesome build. Very well thought out. I've read it about 3 times now. My plan is similar, start slow and do a nicely planned rig that can do everything well.

Question for ya, where is your source c02 bottle mounted?

[Ulumanati]

Originally Posted by REDLYNER

And I've nearly talked myself out of the coilovers. I can do nearly all of my wish list, or I can do front coilovers. From what all of the shops around here keep telling me, including MrBlaine, I just won't see a big difference from them over a good reservoir shock and spring.

This is based on my usage, which is 90% rocks.

I talked to Blaine for nearly 45 minutes the other day and he really expressed his liking of the reservoir shock setup over coilovers, as long as you are not racing. His biggest point was getting the correct tune, so I'm now I'm leaning more towards that.

I was in the exact same boat as you not too long ago, and I ultimately decided on some fox 2.0 res shocks. I too have talked to mrblaine about the tuning on them since they are rebuildable and my advice to you is that hopefully you have the money and patience to be able to play around with different valving options. I went with a valving similar to idahojeep's on his fox shocks and the compression is alot higher than anything mrblaine has tried so it is all ultimately a matter of opinion, but hopefully you have some good results!..