What should I start with for a build?

[tomd]

Please throw out suggestions: year, engine, model, features must have vs avoid.
Looking for the best platform to buy/build/modify for moderate wheeling (say up to #5 Moab trail, per EJS scale) and also trail use out of Ouray (Engineering Pass, etc.)

• Must be 4 door
• not limited to JLU (even though this is a JL forum )
• most labor self performed
• looks less important than function
• budget around $30k including acquisition and build/modifications.

This will not be my daily driver.
Bonus points for build specifics such as "start with sport model then upgrade axels to D44" etc.

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[Yogi]

Is money an object?

 

[rcadden]

Please throw out suggestions: year, engine, model, features must have vs avoid.
Looking for the best platform to buy/build/modify for moderate wheeling (say up to #5 Moab trail, per EJS scale) and also trail use out of Ouray (Engineering Pass, etc.)

• Must be 4 door
• not limited to JLU (even though this is a JL forum )
• most labor self performed
• looks less important than function
• budget around $30k including acquisition and build/modifications.

This will not be my daily driver.
Bonus points for build specifics such as "start with sport model then upgrade axels to D44" etc.

With a $30K budget, you're probably going to want to go with an early JK (07-09) Rubicon and then start modding.

 

[tomd]

Is money an object?

Let's say $30k for starters

 

[Wbino]

Let's say $30k for starters

That was my quote to myself also....
I blew by that faster than I've ever moved on this Earth.

 

[jhackathorne]

What @rcadden said... prob have to go late 2000-early 2010 models to be close to that. And most likely not a Rubicon either. Here is a link for Vroom with some options...

https://www.vroom.com/cars/jeep/wra...X_EXA_COUSA_XX_EN_X_VROM_GO_SE_TXT_XXXXXXXXXX

 

[tomd]

Should i look for any specific feature? Lockers, etc

 

[Jeepeto]

I had a build close to this with my last JL. Aside from it being purchased new (blew the budget already, although it was a stripped down base model ~$32k) the build itself is very budget, and I ran up the list at Moab (top of the world/poison spider/elephant hill/metal masher/hells revenge/etc)

Start with a ~$26k Jeep of your choosing as long as it has LSD and add ~$4k in wheels/tires/lift/cheap bumpers that would get you through Moab 5's fine.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/showcase/jeepeto-ii.1903/

 

[GATORB8]

Looking back at my track toy, I’d consider a purpose built rig. Used tube buggy?
Edit, first google hit

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