So I went and did something I never thought I'd do, I bought a Jeep.
Found a 04 LJ at daveys jeeps in Ohio. Of course it's a salvage title, but that doesn't bother me. Had front end damage. Grille, fenders, hood, radiator. Other then that it is pretty clean and interior is spotless. Higher miles at 200k, but runs out good.
I decided on a Jeep because I wanted the convertible type rig that was 4x4. And an eb in similar condition would be three times the cost. Not a lot of other options. I felt I was putting to many miles dd'ing my f350 so I would pick something up for spring/summer/fall. Build process by Cheapthrillb2, on Flickr
Got back out Saturday with Kyle, AL, Terry and Jordan. I had a short day, needed to leave at 3 for a wedding reception. Original plan was to drive Als and mine to R&v, but als was to unstable at speed so we decided to trailer it and I'd leave on my own and he would take the truck and trailer. Met up with the guys and due to a complication, I ended up unloading my jeep in Howard City and we loaded Kyles B2 in its place, so I drove to r&v.
I wheeled for a couple hrs kinda taking it easy, and headed out at 3 for prior obligations. I took all back roads home from r&v to greenville then to my house. I was pleasantly surprised how well my jeep did on fuel. Def gets better mpg on back roads then highway at 80 mph.
Great weekend in a great place with great friends.
I only drove the first few hours, let my buddies drive me around the rest of the time. I'd get out at obstacles and walk as I didn't wanna chance any impacts to my low back.
Met some friends down to the badlands in Attica a couple weeks ago. Great time. Managed to bend another upper ball joint. Guess it's time to add that to the winter projects on the Jeep. Gonna have to get some bigger elminators.
The same climb/obstacle I bent the ball joint on, cut the sidewall on a mtrk a couple yrs ago.
Finally brought the jeep home, needed to get the knuckles off, switching to ball joint eliminators in the upper positions. Two bent RF uppers in 2019. One spicer and one moog. Thinking i might try and get the vacuum hubs operational on the jeep. Also gonna see about redesigning the cooling systems. Ditching the oil cooler setup, don't think it helped at all. Install a bigger a radiator and probably do something different with the steering cooler. Need to do some maintnece on the jeep, fluid changes probably needs a new front unit bearing etc. I've neglected it pretty hard the last two years or so, just beating on it and fixing only the issues that come up. I'd like to step up to a bigger tire as well, we'll have to see what the budget allows :sonicjay:
A trip or two ago I added some rear storage. I couldn't put it where it's designed to go because of where I installed my battery. But close, I can't fully open the drawer because if my tailgate unless I uncable it. But with the tailgate up I can open it enough to reach everything in it anyway.
I had to replace the sliders, and add extra latches. I do plan to pull the drawer back out and put some uhmw underneath to help support the weight of the drawer in the center to hopefully jeep the slides to last.
So far it's lasted through loonie and badlands. It is also nice that it clears my tonneau cover.
Funny you mention this. I have a drawer mechanism that I pulled out yesterday. I’ve determined that I carry too much stuff. I’m going back to modular boxes with only necessities and the stuff I never use but want to have nearby will go in a tub in the tow rig.
Yeah, I mostly just keep a spare quart of various fluids, tire repair, recovery, first aid stuff, couple various tools, a lockout. in the drawer. The tailgate has spare full hyd stuff in it. I don't really pack anything else in or around the drawer other then boots and coats etc.
I've been packing less and less stuff as time goes by.
For the past few years I went the other way. If I thought it might be useful and I had room I packed it. But every time I empty the Jeep it raises in the back about 4”. That tells me that it does make a difference in my suspension. I still struggle with what to carry. The issue is 75% of the time it gets used for someone else. But the down side is the hassle on the trail if no one has the right tool but I’m not gonna worry about it any more.
Yeah I used to pack everything and anything I could think would be useful to myself or anybody else. But every trip I unpack and realize nothing was used. Tow rig gets everything and anything packed in it.
My vote is keep it light, pack the spares in the tow rig, bring only basics. It's nice to have everything, but it sucks to have to dig it out for everyone all the time. Tow rigs are never far away.
I need to look into getting something more convenient for storage or I'm just ditching my hatch for a tailgate or something.
My vote is keep it light, pack the spares in the tow rig, bring only basics. It's nice to have everything, but it sucks to have to dig it out for everyone all the time. Tow rigs are never far away.
I've packed alot of stuff on the LJ adventures, cause at times the towrigs could be hundred of miles away, as well camping over night so had to have that as well.
I’m always the one with all the tools and such and we always end up using them at some point. The thing is, it’s usually on someone else’s rig. Sounds like my friends need to bring more stuff so I don’t have to. Until then I continue to pack heavy.
Looking into replacing my toyos, want something wider, love to step up to a 42, but funds and limited availability of tires holding me back. Really considered going back to a mtrk, but I cut so many with the buggy. Looking at st pro's or the new Baja boss. Waiting for a toyo to get delivered to compare all 3 side by side. 20200102_125812 by Cheapthrillb2, on Flickr
Got the ball joint elminators. New lower ball joints, and also ordered new wheel bearings. Old ones were feeling like gravel. Also ordered a template to convert the pattern myself.
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