neohic

Good to see you, Sam!… even though. Know that’s not your name.

I started thinking about some Of my favorite threads and I started in the Epic section. So many of these guys haven’t been around CC in years. A bunch of these threads get pretty wild and it’s easy to pull inspiration from all of them. Again, I’d invite everyone to deep dive into the depths of the Projects and Epic sections!

I think it’s rad that I made your list. Thanks Carter!

Definitely quite the beater!

There’s a ton of good threads in the archives, unfortunately a lot of the picture links are dead. When you’ve got the time, start at the end of the Projects and Epic Tech sections and work your way forward.

That has been the biggest thing on my list of to-dos on this Jeep. It would’ve been epic to completely blow it apart before heading to Moab, but the delay with Ruff Stuff for my truck brackets was maybe the biggest deterrent. I priced everything this time through Barnes, and my finger was hovering over the “complete purchase” button. Then I thought about it for a day, and now I’m comfortably too late. I’m hoping to find out what I really need and don’t need with this trip.

Your POS has more leg room than mine! I remember... I drove it! I've been scheming a few options: Renting a truck/trailer is around $1k Renting a U Haul and a dolly is around $1k Buying a YJ suspensions and brackets to make it all work is around $1k Maybe piggyback on a trailer with another rig but it'll definitely be a squeeze for the cost of fuel Throw together a tow bar for next to nothing and figure it out plus the cost of fuel The problem with driving it out and back is the ride quality. Right now the tires live at 20# and there's probably more suspension in the sidewalls than there is in the leaf springs on the road. It's not completely horrible... but it's also not something I'd look forward to for 800 miles. Early last week I was ready for a "loose the shop moment" and start ordering parts to redo the whole suspension. Then the realization that should anything get delayed or go wrong that I wouldn't have a Jeep to take to Moab set in. Eventually, I need to address the awful suspension on this thing. Before I spend anything else on it, I should really see how it wheels! I've upgraded the engine (out of necessity), added a limited slip in the rear diff, added a super beefy transmission with a deep first gear, rock sliders, some creature comforts, and yet I've never really wheeled it outside of some basic trails around my place. It might be terrible! I might even hate it! I won't know until after this trip. Before the trip, the top is coming off to ditch at least 300#. I'm not out anything to hitch it up and see for myself how it pulls. I'll throw the spare for the CJ and the truck in the bed for good measure. Years ago I used to flat tow my '72 Volkswagen all over with my truck or a '95 ZJ with a 4.0. Granted, there's about 1000# difference between the CJ and a Beetle and I completely understand how that affects the driving characteristics of the tow vehicle. Would it be a real super hero move to roll into Moab after driving all the way there?... you bet! Would it also be a super hero move to roll into Moab with my truck towing the CJ?... also yes. Flat towing will never be my first choice. People have been flat towing them for years though behind other CJs, station wagons, and other such vehicles that we'd look at as questionable now. So much of it comes down to being smart about it!... even if that means admitting that it just might not work out.

Absolutely! I’m hoping for the best but planning for the worst with this trip.

I’m headed for Easter Jeep!… probably. There is a slight chance I’d be able to piggyback on a trailer with another rig, but I’m also planning for the worst. Besides, what CJ owner wouldn’t benefit from a tow bar at some point? Obviously I’m still in the mocking up phase but the tow bar is nearly done. I think I know the right answer, but I’m not sure my truck is enough truck to go 800 miles. The truck handles awesome with the front and rear sway bars. On paper the CJ weights around 3000#. If I were to do it, I’d leave the top at home, put the windshield down, and air up the CJ’s tires to 35#. Talk me out of it?… please?

It’s been gone over, but you know you did good when you keep turning around when you park your truck.

Somewhere Don is smiling.

Looking great!

Heck yeah! Anything special in those axles as far as gears or lockers?

Out and about today.

Thanks, guys!

Final fit up on the front valance, scrubbing, and paint today. It’s strange to me how long I’ve had these parts and finally trimming and cutting and drilling holes in this thing. The valance is admittedly a little rough. Keep in mind that these were not sacred. These were made by the Archers as a throw away piece after getting beat up and bump-drafted on. The fiberglass used is fairly thin and the gel coat had a number of runs. I cleaned up most of the ugly but I didn’t want to really body work it. As for the bumper… … I’m glad I went back to silver. If I didn’t have the bumperettes I think it’d be too much, but between them and the license plate it breaks it up. The end caps bolt on with a couple of stainless cap screws. I don’t mind the exposed hardware. Kinda hints at the quick change to go to the full valance. As for that quick change… … it takes minutes to pull the end caps and go to this. I added a sacrificial wear strip to the valance since it’s still made of unobtainium. It’s not going to stop a big impact but I’m more so concerned with the low hanging fruit. The semi gloss black needs to calm down some. Years ago I used semi gloss on the bumpers and fender flares… obviously they’ve faded some. It does look different between outside and in the shop though. I’m sure after a few washes it’ll be fine. It’s still just paint that rattles and it photographs well. Poor thing definitely needs a good once over on the paint. There’s a small punch list I need to go through. Otherwise, I am very happy with it!

Beautiful! Such a rad little XJ!

That’s a great looking truck!

Your truck was one that got me leaning back to silver. When I first got my truck it had a silver bumper. Kind of leaning towards a silver bumper and maybe a graphite gray on the valance? I’m concerned that having it black might make it disappear.

You know we need more information.

I drove the truck some today. It’s awesome! Can’t believe the difference in suspension feel. I’d say that it’s stiff, but it’s not jarring. The steering wheel can get sawed around and the hood line stays completely flat. I still have a to-do list but I couldn’t resist mocking another part on it. I’m leaning towards painting the valance black and the bumper silver. Open to opinions though.

They definitely aren’t for everyone!

This. I usually go whatever slightly higher than middle of the road is for quality. I also like specifying when ordering that I’d like new construction style instead of remodel. It means taking off whatever trim is around the window but I much prefer how they instal.

My vote would be for 4.10s if you had an automatic. 4.0s don’t mind reving a little more but I agree that 3.55s and a stick feels about right on 31s.