On a trail ride this year a member nicknamed my Jeep "The Beast". It's a fitting name, unfortunately, and the reason I recently tried to sell it. It's loud, it's big, it's ugly, and it's all around not very enjoyable to drive any distance.
Since giving it away isn't an option I needed to focus on this winter's build and set clear objectives. This has to be a vehicle I want to drive, and drive on a regular basis. It has to be much quieter. Ride nice. Drive nice. Good storage. Nice sound system. Lastly, it needs to look good too.
Most of the trails I like to run here in the Northwest aren't exactly Johnson Valley. It's mostly dirt, mud, roots, tight trees, and moderate climbs. Not much in the way of rocks. The way my Jeep is setup now almost makes it boring it's so easy. I think we all have been there. Build the rig, can't make an obstacle, build the rig bigger... Eventually the rig is basically too big on the street and is only fun on extreme "either I make it, or I total the rig" sort of challenges.
To know where we are going, we first need to know where we are.
i love my 97 5.2 zj. i plan on building that into an overlandy vehicle once my yj is sold as well. theres an appeal to a sweet wheeler but i also wanna be able to go places in it.
Ive owed a ZJ 5.9 and now an WJ 4.7ho. I prefer the WJ.... I have had no dependability issues with the 4.7 and am happy with the quadradrive system other than being picky with $ fluids. 3" lift 32" tires and some armor it does well. Its not extreme by any means but works for what I want right now.
The WJ is a little more comfortable in my opinion... No experience with the 4.7L. But my buddies ZJ was beat on pretty good in stock form and then hit 100 mph on the highway the same day. With a little work they can make great overland rigs IMO.
Selling stuff in that price range seems to be difficult... Most guys can come up with 5-8k every now and then, but above 10K they need a loan.... and since loan to book on your rig is less than it's worth. You are basically looking for someone who's got cash or cash and a loan set up... and that much cash is hard to come by. Have you put a feeler out for a trade + cash? Get the vehicle you're looking for and some money for mods.
I know what you mean. I'll need to find someone who can sell something of equivalent value to get cash for mine. Or someone that has a healthy savings account (what's that?) When it gets closer to D day if I haven't sold it I'm going to try to list it on Ebay. I think I can get a wider audience on there.
In the mean time, I'm going to start a build thread for the WJ... Only one month till Moab!
Selling stuff in that price range seems to be difficult... Most guys can come up with 5-8k every now and then, but above 10K they need a loan.... and since loan to book on your rig is less than it's worth. You are basically looking for someone who's got cash or cash and a loan set up... and that much cash is hard to come by. Have you put a feeler out for a trade + cash? Get the vehicle you're looking for and some money for mods.
They are nice rigs , and the last of the solid axle grands . We have an 04 that is going to get replaced by a 4 door JK once the mileage gets a little higher . Once that happens the WJ will start growing .
They are nice rigs , and the last of the solid axle grands . We have an 04 that is going to get replaced by a 4 door JK once the mileage gets a little higher . Once that happens the WJ will start growing .
Unless you drive like a 'tard or decide to visit Pritchett Canyon or Area BFE I doubt you'll break anything. You HAVE to do Hells Gate. I'm happy G Beasly was there to spot me and the other guys gave me the courage to do it.
Wanna make me one Clint? I always wanted the PS BFH bumper with the Brawler bar :drool:
I'm still waffling about the next choice for rig. If I get a WJ it won't be a question of if it needs a new motor but when. I'm only interested in the V8 model and of the 5 or 6 4.7 WJ's I've owned all of them had issues with the engine. The exhaust manifold bolts break, head gaskets suck, and the motors are notorious for sludge and then destroying the #8 rod bearing.
I would also want ARB's front and rear, and for that to happen I would do a JKD30 front and JKD44 rear for the WJ and a HPD30 from an XJ and a 8.8 from a explorer for the ZJ. The ZJ would be cheaper and easier in that regard. Plus the engine bay of the 5.2 is much easier to work on than the 4.7. I plan on lots of solo adventures so ease of maintenance is important and having less sensors and gadgets on the ZJ is nice. I suppose an XJ would be king in this regard, but I want something not as spartan as that.
I'm really hoping this next rig is something that will satisfy me for a long time as I really want to stop building Jeeps for other people and have one for myself.
I think I would regret getting an I6 especially with 33" tires and a roof rack. Also, the 99-2001ish motors had issues with cracked piston skirts and also had the garbage heads that crack. My girlfriend has a 99 that lost a skirt and took out the motor. Also, they have the crappy 42re transmission so that would need to be addressed.
I've been reading some guys putting strokers in WJ's... That may be a viable option too. As well as improved rebuilds for 42re's. That may make the ultimate overlander WJ...
LJ hardtop
Stick on heat and sound pad,with custom carpet.
Hydro assist
Adapt the 5.3 AC compressor to TJ components
Mastercraft suspension seats front and rear.
Seat heaters
Roof rack
Rear tube flares
Color match the armor and fenders
LJ hardtop
Stick on heat and sound pad,with custom carpet.
Hydro assist
Adapt the 5.3 AC compressor to TJ components
Mastercraft suspension seats front and rear.
Seat heaters
Roof rack
Rear tube flares
Color match the armor and fenders
That option is certainly still on the table. I would most likely drop down to a 2.5" lift or so and go with 34"-35" tires. Everything else on your list is exactly what I was thinking. After my adventure with painting my doors, I'm not sure I'm ready to tackle the color match, although I'm sure most of it is my crappy HF gun. With cloth seats I could probably skip the seat heaters.
LJ hard tops to pop up every once in awhile around here. I just need to figure out if I'm ready to pop another $5K into this rig, and if I would be satisfied with the final product.
Working on the front bumper did give me some satisfaction though... It was nice working on something that didn't require so much time and effort to get a result.
Last time I went wheeling my fancy pants spal variable speed fan controller died. So I threw that away and bought some 80 amp relays so the chevy PCM can control the fan. At the same time I swapped my flex-a-lite fan for my Lincoln MKVIII fan I had in my shed. You can see the difference here.
The MKVIII shroud fully covers my radiator and is much more powerful.
Here's the relays mounted up
And the fan mounted and coolant bottle relocated
Also finished up the bumper and painted it.
I was hoping that all this light fab work would make me like the Jeep again but it hasn't. It is going to be too much work to get the Jeep where I need it to be to fit my lifestyle. So, the Jeep is going to be sold. Final answer. It's on Ebay now, and the auction closes next Wednesday assuming it doesn't get sold through the forums or craigslist.
In my constant craigslist searches, I finally found something to replace it.
Good luck with the sale . Whoever buys it will be getting a heck of a nice rig for the money .
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