neohic

I am very happy out here, Don. As much as I say that we should've done this years ago, I don't think things would've worked out as well as they have. Over the past month there have been more than a few "right time, right place" type of deals that really have taken the sun, stars, and the moon to be aligned for us. As far as missing MN, I've missed the things we had... not necessarily MN itself. I miss having a house, my shop, and just being closer to my family. After winter we'll be looking for property or a house, I'll have a shop again, and people are mobile. Pretty sure we'll be staying for a while. :thumbsup:

Oof... can't help but think that the ol' Ape's days are numbered. :( Had an awesome day running up into the mountains today to Buena Vista. Beautiful scenery and some good trails! Same group as the last time out so I was the little guy again... and it sure showed. All day long it was "clack, clack, clack, clack, BANG!!!, clack, clack, clack, CLANK!!!, BANG!!!, clack, clack..." from the Ape. Sure glad I cut out what was left of the rockers and replaced with tube a while back as they sure got their battle scars today. The tank skid, trans cross member, lower control arms... everything got beat up big time today. On the trails, the Jeep ran fine(ish). The fuel pump is operating fine however the check valve has gotten much worse. I used to be able to cycle the key a few times and not have any issues. Now if it sits for a few minutes and gets started again it'll pop and burp and backfire until it's done throwing its fit. The engine ("clack, clack, clack...") is making due. On the road is another story. That poor trans tries desperately to keep up and downshift but it really comes down to the fact that the engine is just clapped out and is loosing compression fast. Pretty sure the heater core is beginning to leak too. Nothing dripping on the floor or anything, but its been smelling like coolant lately and that's the last component of the system that hasn't been upgraded. Anyhow... enough with the sob story... pictures! :redX: So then, what to do?... what to do?... Kind of feels like when you've made the decision to put down a pet but you don't want to say it out loud just yet. I think its wheeling days might be over as I just don't think it has much left in it. Maybe I'll just keep it going through winter and then make a decision later?... I really don't know. :dunno: Figuring by the time I swap out the engine, fuel pump, other such odds and ends that it needs, and then end up with a few more years on borrowed time. Doesn't add up in my head and that's a real bummer. I hate to say it, but this ugly little XJ has really grown on me. We'll see, I guess. Not making any decisions tonight. As for today? Today was a good day.

I've been keeping track of this, Jim. Be safe down there. Not much happening up in the Springs other than some hazy conditions.

Sounds like a good recipe. I've got dreams of building anything from a '5 to an MB on a shortened TJ frame all with drivability/wheeling performance in mind. Looking forward to seeing where yours goes.

Yup... going to need more details. Looks good in its torn down state... if that's what you're going for. :D Like most things kind of odd and older than me, I'm a sucker for these '5s. Awaiting updates. :popcorn:

Cool! :thumbsup:

What kind of trim is around the openings for the tow hooks, Don? I used a hole saw on mine and was very happy with the results without any additional garnish.

Greetings, all! Another month... another member to shed some light on. This month is all about the thought of keeping things alive. No, I'm not talking about the puppy that you go back to Mom and Dad's place and be pleasantly surprised that it's still alive... or am I? Sometimes that little guy just keeps chugging along!... with a little help from a little R&R from time to time... and hip replacement... and then another... and then glaucoma surgery... and then... Anyhow, sometimes these trucks need a little help to stay on the road. This month is all about... YEAR/MODEL● 1990 Pioneer ENGINE/PERFORMANCE ● 4.0 Stock DRIVETRAIN ● Originally AW4 - Now AX15 - 4x4 - np231. Non disco D30 front. D44 rear. Big Ton package. COOLING ● Stock ELECTRICAL/IGNITION ● Stock SUSPENSION/STEERING ● 2" pucks in front - Chevy drop shackles in rear. INTERIOR ● '01 Dakota seats - home made headliner - 8 ball shifter and ball transfer case shifter to match. Came off an old Troy Bilt tractor. BRAKES ● Stock LIGHTING ● Bumper and roof lights. 1 facing rear for bed. EXTERIOR ● Stock from multiple vehicles. Bedliner and tool box. 1st gen Dakota rear bumper. Front Tow hooks with custom brackets. WHEELS/TIRES ● TJ Gambler rims 15x8 - 31" Cooper AT3's - great tires. MISCELLANEOUS ● Truck has been in family since new. My father in law bought it new. I bought it from him for my son and then got it back years later. Was kind of a basket case after my son got done with it. Have built it into a reliable work horse (old mule). Contains parts from several XJ's, several MJ's, a TJ, 2 Dakotas, a lawn mower and a dishwasher. The only major things left from the original truck are: frame, doors and doghouse, hood, 1 fender, engine and rear end. FULL BUILD THREAD HERE Remember That One Time?... Tell Us Your Best MJ Story ● The truck is a story in itself. See the family truck in the builds section for the whole story. CC is Awesome!... Why Do You Think So? ● Best forum on the web that I have been on. And I have been on a bunch. Have learned a lot from members, sold some stuff, bought some stuff and hopefully helped a few folks along the way. I'll be honest... I'm a sucker for a put-together kind of truck. The "Energizer Bunny" mentality behind it really shows how these trucks can continue to live on when the owner makes the decision to make a real commitment. Hat off to you! How many other vehicles are out there that people continue to build, rebuild, rebuild again, and probably rebuild at least one more time just because it's a part of the family. Congratulations, man! -Ben This post has been promoted to an article

http://www.speedhut.com/ecommerce/product/2585/SpeedBox-GPS-VSS-to-Mechanical-Drive-Speed-Converter COOL!! :rock on:

Interested in the outcome of this.

Gotta be the state. I know I brought a few things with me that I can't find for the life of me either.

Yessir! :thumbsup:

What? What?! WHAT?!?! Doors in the apartment bedroom? Well... that can only mean one thing! Yes, the ol' Ape found a new forest to swing around in today. Been working at an offroad shop since a couple weeks ago after moving out to Colorado. Today was the day to join a new crowd! ... almost. The crank position sensor decided that it had enough of life on the way to the trail. Fortunately, one of the guys I work with was gracious enough to drive back into town to pick up a new one. On with the trails!!! Sure was strange being the "little guy" in the group. I had the smallest tire and the least amount of gearing (even with my 4.56s). That being said, I also was the only one without an actual frame and I had the most bodywork to swing around. Still, the wife and I had a great time! Sure was nice to be doing some of the stuff we came out here to do.

$#!& like that gets my blood boiling. Sorry it happened, man. :fs2:

Agreed with above. If it were me, you'll want an entire vehicle for a donor anyhow. Find a good one for the swap now so you can drive it all winter to make sure that everything is good before the swap starts.

Adding some real power-adders there, eh? :yes:

Very cool, Shawn! I really like these simpler builds that seem to be more of a "best of" kind of approach. Plenty of good stuff happening here. :cheers:

Damien sold out a few years ago. Guy named Eric Younger runs it now. Seems like a good crew there.

Well... 'bout time for an update, I suppose. I got a job! I'll be working at D&C Extreme starting tomorrow... technically started today, I guess? I got a call at 1:15 asking if I'd be interested in working there. By 1:45 I was already bending and notching tube. Still no wheeling yet. Vehicles are licensed and registered as of yesterday. First time driving my XJ in this altitude today. Fingers crossed the sensors will adjust to it's not so much of a slug. Poor thing... running on a few month old gas too. Looks pretty good with those fancy green plates though!

Did you get in contact with Bobby for that poster?

This is turning into quite the epic road trip. :rock on:

Perhaps "Ben of the Springs" would be more appropriate now. Has a nice ring to it, si? :thumbsup: Ben FROM the North? Ah hell... I'll just leave it for now. :idea:

Yessir. Already changed the location in my profile and everything! ... can I still keep the title of "Ben of the North", Don? :laughin:

I'm here!... rather, I've been here! For the last two weeks I've been unpacking, organizing, putting things in storage that we just don't need right now, and STILL looking for a job. The search has been pretty good and I think that I've impressed a bunch of employers. Sadly, I've been picky with the shops I've been looking around at, but it is the wheeling season for a while out here. Everybody is out using their rigs instead of working on them so most shops in the area are a bit slow. Still not worried. Worst comes to worst, I'll stock shelves at the Home Depot or something in the mean time. As for now, the wife and I have future plans for a tiny/small home. The apartment we found is a cozy 540 square feet. The size is perfect for us, I think. What the lack of space does for us is it forces us to keep things tidy and efficient. Her aunt and uncle have been awesome with us being out there and storing things. I built a shed to house my shop stuff for now... ... and the Eliminator, buggy, and Comansion are all out there too. The Ape is temporarily out there until plates go on. I've got my license, VINs have been verified, Colorado local insurance has been purchased, and hopefully this week my wife will get her birth certificate to she can get her license too to we can register all the vehicles. All in all, it's been a super busy couple weeks but I feel as though the dust is starting to settle. I'll be happier once I get a job and can set some kind of routine.

Those little 4 bangers packed a punch after they had been "massaged". They had a laundry list of things they'd do with them off the radar to make sure they'd rev like a dirt bike. Most of the time, they wouldn't have much space to really open them up. Some tracks even had an average speed of 70 mph! Were they made up their time was spooling up fast and cornering. Weight limits too. If you were "X" amount of pounds heavier than the rest of your competitors, you had to pack on a few. Archers got creative with it though putting weight down low to lower the center of gravity and some races they even had a tube in the bed tucked up behind the cab that contained weight that would shift back and forth to better help plant tires in tight corners. ... and for all those who haven't seen it yet, here's a good little video to get your blood pumping...