TOOBSOCK
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Been a Jeep guy for a a while now, and always owned one (or more) at any given time. I've never done a build journal, so this is more for my own edification, than anything.
Started with an 89 MJ.
Then picked up an 06 LJ.
Followed closely by a 98 XJ.
Helped my dad build his 93 v8 ZJ budget wheeler. Later swapped all the parts over to a 95 v8 ZJ after the 93 had been beaten into retirement. His 95 didn't last very long, either. Crazy to think all four of those Jeeps (pictured below) combined cost less than my stock JL...
Swapped the LJ for a 12 JKU once I had a kid and needed a usable backseat. Also sold the XJ (it was the wife's and she was now on mom duty), and the MJ (the interior was pretty cramped and no longer practical).
Went on the 2015 JKX, which was a lot of fun. But...sold the 12 JKU while I was overseas (dumb) and at some point ended up with slightly modded v8 04 WJ.
I like Jeeps and thought - I also like the utility of pick-up trucks, so I bought a 16 Ram 2500 PowerWagon. That proved to be the worst of both worlds - too big to off-road (at least where I live) and too off-road tailored to be a good tow rig. So I sold that. My dad bought a matching PW in black after he saw mine. He later upgraded his to an 18 PowerWagon.
WJ had some issues so I sold that and bought a 18 KL TrailHawk. Awesome little SUV, but that novelty only lasted a little while, so it was swapped for a 16 Ram 1500 Eco-Diesel (still own that one; love it (after a tune)).
Even dipped my toes into the SxS scene and got a 15 RZR XP1K. Those things can rip, but they don't crawl so good. So that went bye-bye after a year or so.
Had a 98 TJ for a few minutes, but I've never really cared for TJs so I cleaned it up and turned it for a profit.
Was gifted a 65 CJ5 from a family member who had owned it since the early 70's and used it primarily for cruising around the Telluride area for years.
Spent a few years with just the 65 CJ5 project; tinkered here and there, but really focused elsewhere. School, Life, Work, Moving, etc. Never forgot my love for the off-road, though.
Finally saw an opportunity when COVID hit and used vehicle prices tanked. My heart said "Rubicon", but my wallet said "don't buy another Jeep". So I met in the middle and picked up an 18 JLU Sport in April 20. Got it with 11500 miles on the ODO.
I love reading through all of the builds on this site for ideas and mostly, out of pure envy. This build will serve as a "Dad Jeep" build. Reasons for that name being twofold - I don't want to spend a large amount of money on Jeep parts and I also need to make it usable for my Wife and two small children. My plan is to modify the Jeep as fiscally conscious as possible, while getting the Jeep prepared for trail duty. I also wanted to make it almost 100% reversible should I want to trade it for something else, as I am wont to do.
I'm not proud of my parts list, but I want to see how the Jeep fares and - over time it'll be upgraded as things break (which is fairly guaranteed).
All that being said, for those looking for a Jeep getting crate axles, 40s, and a v8 (I Wish)- this is not for you. But, if you're looking for ideas on how to get "a" bang for your buck, read on...
I'll update the JL progress with pictures over the next week or two, since it took me a while to dig up all the photos of the past projects. Hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day Weekend!
Here is the list. Doesn't include tax or discounts. But, end result is it's under $5k...
RONIN STUBBY ANTENNA 1 $40.00
SPIDERWEB SHADE 1 $200.00
RR DOOR SILL GUARDS 1 SET $50.00
MOPAR RR STORAGE BIN 1 $32.00
GRAB BAR STORAGE TRAY 1 $12.00
RC RR LCA SKIDS 1 SET $50.00
RC ENGINE/T-CASE SKIDS 1 $400.00
RUBI RAIL SWAP 1 SET $0.00 (SOLD SIDE STEPS FOR $140, BOUGHT TAKE-OFF RAILS for $125)
RC 2.5 SPACER LIFT W/SHOCKS 1 $350.00
RH4X4 WINCH PLATE 1 $180.00
RC 9500LB WINCH 1 $400.00
G2 1.75" WHEEL SPACERS 4 $200.00
MOPAR LIFT FRT LCAs 2 $60.00
35X12.5R17 MILESTAR PATS 5 $1,181.00
RC SPARE TIRE RELOC BRACKET 1 $80.00
CLAYTON SS RELOC BRACKET 1 $90.00
RC SS 1 $55.00
TAZER JL MINI PROGRAMMER 1 $220.00
RC ADJ FRT TRACKBAR 1 $150.00
PAINT FACTORY WHEELS 5 $40.00
RUGGED RIDGE 3/4" SHACKLES 2 $0.00 (NR4X4 GIFT CARD)
RC SNATCH BLOCK 1 $0.00 (NR4X4 GIFT CARD)
JEEP DRAIN PLUGS 4 $11.00
MOPAR WINDSHIELD TIE-DOWN 1 SET $32.00
TIRE MOUNT & BALANCE 5 $100.00
LANGE COYOTE MIRRORS 1 SET $85.00
AFE MUFFLER DELETE PIPE 1 $95.00
TOTAL $4,113.00
Started with an 89 MJ.
Then picked up an 06 LJ.
Followed closely by a 98 XJ.
Helped my dad build his 93 v8 ZJ budget wheeler. Later swapped all the parts over to a 95 v8 ZJ after the 93 had been beaten into retirement. His 95 didn't last very long, either. Crazy to think all four of those Jeeps (pictured below) combined cost less than my stock JL...
Swapped the LJ for a 12 JKU once I had a kid and needed a usable backseat. Also sold the XJ (it was the wife's and she was now on mom duty), and the MJ (the interior was pretty cramped and no longer practical).
Went on the 2015 JKX, which was a lot of fun. But...sold the 12 JKU while I was overseas (dumb) and at some point ended up with slightly modded v8 04 WJ.
I like Jeeps and thought - I also like the utility of pick-up trucks, so I bought a 16 Ram 2500 PowerWagon. That proved to be the worst of both worlds - too big to off-road (at least where I live) and too off-road tailored to be a good tow rig. So I sold that. My dad bought a matching PW in black after he saw mine. He later upgraded his to an 18 PowerWagon.
WJ had some issues so I sold that and bought a 18 KL TrailHawk. Awesome little SUV, but that novelty only lasted a little while, so it was swapped for a 16 Ram 1500 Eco-Diesel (still own that one; love it (after a tune)).
Even dipped my toes into the SxS scene and got a 15 RZR XP1K. Those things can rip, but they don't crawl so good. So that went bye-bye after a year or so.
Had a 98 TJ for a few minutes, but I've never really cared for TJs so I cleaned it up and turned it for a profit.
Was gifted a 65 CJ5 from a family member who had owned it since the early 70's and used it primarily for cruising around the Telluride area for years.
Spent a few years with just the 65 CJ5 project; tinkered here and there, but really focused elsewhere. School, Life, Work, Moving, etc. Never forgot my love for the off-road, though.
Finally saw an opportunity when COVID hit and used vehicle prices tanked. My heart said "Rubicon", but my wallet said "don't buy another Jeep". So I met in the middle and picked up an 18 JLU Sport in April 20. Got it with 11500 miles on the ODO.
I love reading through all of the builds on this site for ideas and mostly, out of pure envy. This build will serve as a "Dad Jeep" build. Reasons for that name being twofold - I don't want to spend a large amount of money on Jeep parts and I also need to make it usable for my Wife and two small children. My plan is to modify the Jeep as fiscally conscious as possible, while getting the Jeep prepared for trail duty. I also wanted to make it almost 100% reversible should I want to trade it for something else, as I am wont to do.
I'm not proud of my parts list, but I want to see how the Jeep fares and - over time it'll be upgraded as things break (which is fairly guaranteed).
All that being said, for those looking for a Jeep getting crate axles, 40s, and a v8 (I Wish)- this is not for you. But, if you're looking for ideas on how to get "a" bang for your buck, read on...
I'll update the JL progress with pictures over the next week or two, since it took me a while to dig up all the photos of the past projects. Hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day Weekend!
Here is the list. Doesn't include tax or discounts. But, end result is it's under $5k...
RONIN STUBBY ANTENNA 1 $40.00
SPIDERWEB SHADE 1 $200.00
RR DOOR SILL GUARDS 1 SET $50.00
MOPAR RR STORAGE BIN 1 $32.00
GRAB BAR STORAGE TRAY 1 $12.00
RC RR LCA SKIDS 1 SET $50.00
RC ENGINE/T-CASE SKIDS 1 $400.00
RUBI RAIL SWAP 1 SET $0.00 (SOLD SIDE STEPS FOR $140, BOUGHT TAKE-OFF RAILS for $125)
RC 2.5 SPACER LIFT W/SHOCKS 1 $350.00
RH4X4 WINCH PLATE 1 $180.00
RC 9500LB WINCH 1 $400.00
G2 1.75" WHEEL SPACERS 4 $200.00
MOPAR LIFT FRT LCAs 2 $60.00
35X12.5R17 MILESTAR PATS 5 $1,181.00
RC SPARE TIRE RELOC BRACKET 1 $80.00
CLAYTON SS RELOC BRACKET 1 $90.00
RC SS 1 $55.00
TAZER JL MINI PROGRAMMER 1 $220.00
RC ADJ FRT TRACKBAR 1 $150.00
PAINT FACTORY WHEELS 5 $40.00
RUGGED RIDGE 3/4" SHACKLES 2 $0.00 (NR4X4 GIFT CARD)
RC SNATCH BLOCK 1 $0.00 (NR4X4 GIFT CARD)
JEEP DRAIN PLUGS 4 $11.00
MOPAR WINDSHIELD TIE-DOWN 1 SET $32.00
TIRE MOUNT & BALANCE 5 $100.00
LANGE COYOTE MIRRORS 1 SET $85.00
AFE MUFFLER DELETE PIPE 1 $95.00
TOTAL $4,113.00
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