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Post by bcjeep on Dec 2, 2007 15:53:51 GMT -5
Instead of buying and making another project I am considering re doing the current project.
Most of ya'll have seen my Tj and know I have tested all the stock and aftermarket parts on it .
What I am cosidering now is rebuilding what I have . I want a trail worthy jeep that I can also drive on the street.I have considered the 3/4 ton running gear and all that and its just not a good thing for the street .
So what do ya'll think about the ford 9 inch stuff? How about the dana 44 or 8.8 .I want something strong but I don't want to go to a full width axle on this Jeep.
I also will be going to a 35 or a 37 instead of the 33's and a 6 inch instead of the 4 inch .
Ya'll help .
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Post by broncocraigellis on Dec 2, 2007 16:19:05 GMT -5
I'll cross post this as I didn't realize you had posted here too:
I'd choose David's option no. 2 - leave the TJ like it is and find an inexpensive CJ7 or YJ. By scrounging in junkyards you could have everything you need for pretty cheap. Here's my idea:
CJ7 frame and tub
4.3/700R4/NP231 from S-10 truck or blazer, year does not matter. TBI, CPI, SMPFI, or carb.
Early Bronco 9" rear/ Waggy D-44
37s
Lincoln lock the 9" and buy some 31 spline shafts (swap to F150 side gears)
YJ springover front/ XJ rears for wheelbase
you could get all that for a reasonable amount of money, then you could have fun with the kids building and fabricating the new jeep, all the while driving around in your nice TJ.
having a trail worthy jeep that can be DDen gets pretty expensive. I did it for a while in my bronco, and it wasn't worth it. You will inevitably get dents (or roll over on the street ) in the DD/trail rig, and it will hurt your feelings when it happens. Riding is a lot more fun when you don't have to worry about tearing up sheetmetal. If I had it to do over, I would have kept mine off of serious trails after paint and body work and driven it around on the street. It's kind of like having your cake and eating it too, to use the cliche. You can have a nice DD jeep and a more capable trail rig. Multipurpose vehicles = more money to me.
Option 2:
CJ7 or YJ frame and tub
same powertrain
same suspension
CUCV D60/14 Bolt
42 Iroks
H1 Wheels if you want beadlocks, H2 if you don't right away (can add Stauns or weld on locks later)
There's a relatively inexpensive yet capable dedicated trail jeep. You could do the basic stuff and add the details as you go along like better seats, wheels, doubler, winch, paint/body, OBA, etc...Heck I'd just about rather have that setup than the one I have.
That said, I know you said you were not thinking of getting a second jeep, but I believe it would be a better option, especially if the TJ is paid for. My .02
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Post by jharfst on Dec 2, 2007 23:35:33 GMT -5
Ya know, I've had the same kind of discussion with myself off and on for a while. I think your decision depends on what level of trail riding that you ultimately intend to do and how much you like DDing your TJ. You're gonna hate tearing apart the TJ cuz you won't get to drive it while its apart and you'll be tempted to short-change things to get it back on the road. I also like the fabrication part of the build and like to be creative and make my own stuff rather than buy a bunch of bolt-ons and that takes time especially if I want to enjoy the process. I've considered buying something like a TJ for daily driving while building on the CJ or build another more capable buggy type vehicle while DDing the CJ. But then I think that I'll probably never ride the kind of trails that will kill the CJ so I think about just upgrading the axles to a 9"/D44 and stop at 35's along with other mild upgrades to keep it streetable. Wait a couple of weeks and then the conversation starts over. Good luck in this process.  -jim |
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Post by broncocraigellis on Dec 3, 2007 0:02:25 GMT -5
lol, jim...that's very true--in a couple of weeks the voice always comes back...
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Post by rsmith on Dec 3, 2007 8:43:47 GMT -5
BC, I have witnessed your driving and heavy foot on a personal basis. You are a very skilled driver that more than occasionally likes to clamp down on the skinny pedal. I can't speak for you, but there is something to say for a rig that you can take to the trail and beat on and not have the slightest concern for sheet metal or damage. That is the very situation that I have worked myself into. I love a Jeep and the ability to take the top off in the fall and spring and ride the roads looking at the leaves and God's beautiful creations. However, at this time I would not even consider putting my TJ in the hard core stuff. Early in my 4wheeling career I attempted a double rig and found out real quick that it wasn't going to cut it. I cringed at the thought of hitting a rock or a limb scratching the paint - so i sold it. Great thinking - huh.
BTW, I have a set of Ford F150 axles that I could put on you real cheap - dana 44 high pinion and a 9 inch - 4.11's I think.
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Post by JWP on Dec 3, 2007 9:18:56 GMT -5
If you want to build something, I have a CJ7 frame and beat up tub I want to sell. I also have a 1/2ton Chevy Frame and axles still under it that I need to sell.
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Post by bcjeep on Dec 3, 2007 18:20:42 GMT -5
If you want to build something, I have a CJ7 frame and beat up tub I want to sell. I also have a 1/2ton Chevy Frame and axles still under it that I need to sell. What kind of price are we looking at ? |
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Post by bcjeep on Dec 3, 2007 18:22:16 GMT -5
Thanks guys for all the input .Ya'll know that I am taking notes and compiling all this info .I am most likley leaning toward the CJ/YJ body and frame idea . Please keep it coming .
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Post by broncocraigellis on Dec 3, 2007 19:21:16 GMT -5
saw a YJ tub on CMSJA for $350
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Post by bcjeep on Dec 4, 2007 8:27:04 GMT -5
OK guys here's what has come to me this week so far . waggy 44 and scout 44 set up with a spool in the rear and locker in the front ,4:29 gears.All ready set up for a spring over.From one person.
And from another person: 80 model CJ 7 with body rust ( on most of the panels I am going to remove any way)6 cyl. Now I can probably get this whole package for around $2000.00 . What do ya'll think ?
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Post by broncocraigellis on Dec 4, 2007 12:20:25 GMT -5
Is the CJ7 complete with transmission, t-case, factory roll bar, steering column, steering box, seats, radiator, gas tank? Power steering? Does it run? What kind of shape is the frame in? I'd probably offer $1200 and go from there if it has all that stuff. check out this link: bb.tennesseeoffroad.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=42;t=005151just as an example, you could find something like this with the axles already under the Jeep. This one has 36" TSL radials too...could swap to an automatic if you wanted and go from there. |
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Post by bcjeep on Dec 4, 2007 21:39:19 GMT -5
Is the CJ7 complete with transmission, t-case, factory roll bar, steering column, steering box, seats, radiator, gas tank? Power steering? Does it run? What kind of shape is the frame in? I'd probably offer $1200 and go from there if it has all that stuff. check out this link: bb.tennesseeoffroad.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=42;t=005151just as an example, you could find something like this with the axles already under the Jeep. This one has 36" TSL radials too...could swap to an automatic if you wanted and go from there. The cj is a complete rig .The frame is ok . |
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Post by broncocraigellis on Dec 4, 2007 21:50:32 GMT -5
that sounds like a good deal then...just Jew him down a few hundred
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Post by bcjeep on Dec 4, 2007 23:08:26 GMT -5
I plan on trying real hard to do that .Oh yeah it even has a hardtop .
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Post by broncocraigellis on Dec 4, 2007 23:44:58 GMT -5
sweet deal then...if it has hard doors, you could sell them and the hardtop and recover some of the initial cost of the jeep
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