1997 Wrangler Overland Build - Road to Anchorage
- Thread starter ihcj9
- Start date
We will tent the majority of it. Probably catch a hotel or two for a shower or laundry.
I am seriously considering a small expedition trailer with sleeping accommodations too. Just to save effort compared to setup and tear down of a tent each day.
I love mine - although I keep lusting after a teardrop - especially for long road trip type camping/travel that I normally do. I still can't decide between an instant popup tent (2-4k depending on brand) for my current trailer or 10-15k for a teardrop. Guess I'll have to make a decision once I sell my place.
CVT tents has a groupbuy going on with 30% off all their tents (March 5th to 31st). If you're thinking of a RTT - especially on the cheap, you might want to look into them. They're suppose to have very good products and amazing customer service. I haven't ground tented it for a few years now... but after getting a RTT I'll never ever go back. Both from an ease of setup and the fact you're off the ground.
http://www.cascadiatents.com/Roof_Top_Tents.htm?m=94
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/122653-2014-CVT-Group-buy!
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Really good info. Thanks!
I'm really debating a low profile teardrop. We don't need a whole lot of room to sleep. A lot of the teardrops I see are pretty tall. I hope to run a few aerodynamic studies on a lower profile version. Basically enough to crawl into and lay down two people wide. Then add storage behind.
I am debating converting a utility pickup bed into a teardrop. The width between the bedsides is 48" = enough for me and the wife. Build a slight teardrop roof for it. Then I have the benefit of all the built in storage. I just need to find one that is aluminum to save weight.
I'm really debating a low profile teardrop. We don't need a whole lot of room to sleep. A lot of the teardrops I see are pretty tall. I hope to run a few aerodynamic studies on a lower profile version. Basically enough to crawl into and lay down two people wide. Then add storage behind.
I am debating converting a utility pickup bed into a teardrop. The width between the bedsides is 48" = enough for me and the wife. Build a slight teardrop roof for it. Then I have the benefit of all the built in storage. I just need to find one that is aluminum to save weight.
jeepgc
Adventurer
Welcome to the community ihcj9, that looks like a fantastic trip.
I'd love to be able to do something like that some day.
Looking forward to the updates.
So I splurged a little and finally ordered my 3D Printer. Really excited. There are a whole boatload of things I have designed to make my life easier; flashlight holders, phone holders, clips, tubing clamp brackets for lights, etc that are a pain to fab up out of metal.
Looking forward to printing some of these for the expedition TJ. Should help keep it clean and organized.
Also looking at printing parts for a couple companies to make sand casting molds out of. extremely cheap compared to the traditional machining of the part for the mold.
Looking forward to printing some of these for the expedition TJ. Should help keep it clean and organized.
Also looking at printing parts for a couple companies to make sand casting molds out of. extremely cheap compared to the traditional machining of the part for the mold.
Tore the head off the motor to find a tuliped intake valve. Looks like root cause was a broken intake/exhaust manifold bolt that likely caused #3 to burn hot and thus tuliping the valve.
New head is on the way. Quick hone and new rings and it'll be driving again.
I took off the gawd-awful front bumper and starting fab'ing up a new one. Ended up crawling under it to check joints and ends and misc components. It looked a bit funny to me sitting there. It sits on 31's, and has more fender - to - tire clearance than I would expect for a stock TJ. Sure looks to me like it has a 1.5 to 2 inch coil lift. Shocks are Carquests but I can't pull a number off them.
New head is on the way. Quick hone and new rings and it'll be driving again.
I took off the gawd-awful front bumper and starting fab'ing up a new one. Ended up crawling under it to check joints and ends and misc components. It looked a bit funny to me sitting there. It sits on 31's, and has more fender - to - tire clearance than I would expect for a stock TJ. Sure looks to me like it has a 1.5 to 2 inch coil lift. Shocks are Carquests but I can't pull a number off them.
ljrunner05
Adventurer
I'm jealous of your 3d printer! Which one did you go with? My university has one I use whenever I need, but since I'll be graduating soon I've looked at picking one up.
I went with the Robo3D. One of the largest areas per dollar. I also wanted an assembled one a time is short. I got the need for printing ABS. I have so many things up that it'll be printing for months straight. Favorite so far is a roll cage clamp flashlight holder that holds two of the harbor freight little flashlights. Always loose the dang things.
Also found out that the jeep has 2" lift coils. Not sure if in happy about that or not. I wanted stock for simplicity for the Alaska trip and really don't want to buy stock springs. I'm debating a mild build now since that's what it will have long term. Looks like I need new control arm bushings anyway. Might as well just get nice control arms to match the springs.
(*AKA I'm talking myself into a mild build... )
Also found out that the jeep has 2" lift coils. Not sure if in happy about that or not. I wanted stock for simplicity for the Alaska trip and really don't want to buy stock springs. I'm debating a mild build now since that's what it will have long term. Looks like I need new control arm bushings anyway. Might as well just get nice control arms to match the springs.
(*AKA I'm talking myself into a mild build... )
locrwln
Expedition Leader
Too bad shipping would suck, I have my stock LJ springs you could have. My rear springs would be perfect on a SWB loaded with gear for a road trip, they are a higher spring rate than the average SWB TJ rear spring without being too much. And of course the fronts are for a 6cyl, which would compensate for a winch or any additional weight you might add without adding a lot of height or harshness to your 4cyl.
Jack
Jack
Is there any way for you to figure out what brand they are? I have the Rough Country 2.5s, which are progressive, and they were a HUGE improvement in ride quality over the stock springs! They also didn't require any additional parts or hardware.
I'm going to dig into it and see.
I made a huge score this week and cleaned out a guy's garage of TJ parts for next to nothing. Spare shafts, stock springs, 5.5" rear loft springs, spare steering linkages, hi-lift, calipers, rotors, etc. Just tons of stuff needed to piece this thing together.
Also picked up one of the coolest motors ever. 1963 Buick all aluminum V8 215 cubic inch. All forged internals. High compression. 200 HP stock. Total weight 325 pounds with manifolds. So cool. Need to do some machine work and bolt it back together. Picking up an earlier Rover fuel injection for their 3.9L thag fits the motor. Likely going into a 1950 Willys pickup for my next wheeling truck.
I made a huge score this week and cleaned out a guy's garage of TJ parts for next to nothing. Spare shafts, stock springs, 5.5" rear loft springs, spare steering linkages, hi-lift, calipers, rotors, etc. Just tons of stuff needed to piece this thing together.
Also picked up one of the coolest motors ever. 1963 Buick all aluminum V8 215 cubic inch. All forged internals. High compression. 200 HP stock. Total weight 325 pounds with manifolds. So cool. Need to do some machine work and bolt it back together. Picking up an earlier Rover fuel injection for their 3.9L thag fits the motor. Likely going into a 1950 Willys pickup for my next wheeling truck.
It Runs! And on all four cylinders, can't ask much more than that.
So for less than $1800 I have a running and driving TJ with 150k on the ticker. Still need to do a few maintenance items like check brakes and eventually tires, but it is a great start to our expedition truck.
Next step is to look at bumpers, sliders, fridge mounting, storage, all that lovely stuff.
Made antoher great score today at the local second-hand store. Coleman 425F Dual fuel two burner stove. Front of the stove was caved in where someone dropped it. Picked it up for $9.99, took it apart, smoothed the dent out, and fired it right up. little to no use on the stove.
So for less than $1800 I have a running and driving TJ with 150k on the ticker. Still need to do a few maintenance items like check brakes and eventually tires, but it is a great start to our expedition truck.
Next step is to look at bumpers, sliders, fridge mounting, storage, all that lovely stuff.
Made antoher great score today at the local second-hand store. Coleman 425F Dual fuel two burner stove. Front of the stove was caved in where someone dropped it. Picked it up for $9.99, took it apart, smoothed the dent out, and fired it right up. little to no use on the stove.
Got sidetracked today and asked to help rescue some kids that thought running slaughterhouse gulch in Stock vehicles with bald tires would be a good idea. :Wow1:
On another note, my time table might be moved up to this summer for a nice long roadtrip due to "family planning". AKA Wife isn't too sure about going on a 8000 mile roadtrip while REALLY pregnant or with a few month old baby next summer.
So, looks like we will be spending a few weeks in the Pacific NorthWest this July. Need to bust my hind end to get the TJ expedition ready by May so I can test it out.
On the to-do list:
1. Rear storage solution. Looking to build a single drawer pull out for kitchen equipment and small tooling/camping equipment.
2. Fab up a storage solution for above the drawer for storing tent, sleeping bags, chairs, etc.
3. Decide on a cooling solution and build that into the drawers. Likely a midrange cooler.
4. Fab up tire carrier with a fold down table for cooking/working. Open the tire carrier, (opposite the tailgate) and then fold down the table.
5. Add a fold down table to the inside of the tailgate for setting up the Stove.
6. Rocker guards
7. Front bumper
8. Repaint fenders
9. Bedliner the interior
10. Come up with a new set of seats
11. Wire power center with 120V inverter and outlets in the back.
12. New Tires
13. Go through all joints (little death wobble)
14. Fab up new rear bumper
15. Spare parts mounting solutions and figure out where to mount the larger tools (impact, hilift, etc)
16. New Radiator
I'm sure the list will get added to. Hopefully after I get the engine and tranny out of the Ultra4 I can clean the shop out a bit to get some pictures of the TJ.
On another note, my time table might be moved up to this summer for a nice long roadtrip due to "family planning". AKA Wife isn't too sure about going on a 8000 mile roadtrip while REALLY pregnant or with a few month old baby next summer.
So, looks like we will be spending a few weeks in the Pacific NorthWest this July. Need to bust my hind end to get the TJ expedition ready by May so I can test it out.
On the to-do list:
1. Rear storage solution. Looking to build a single drawer pull out for kitchen equipment and small tooling/camping equipment.
2. Fab up a storage solution for above the drawer for storing tent, sleeping bags, chairs, etc.
3. Decide on a cooling solution and build that into the drawers. Likely a midrange cooler.
4. Fab up tire carrier with a fold down table for cooking/working. Open the tire carrier, (opposite the tailgate) and then fold down the table.
5. Add a fold down table to the inside of the tailgate for setting up the Stove.
6. Rocker guards
7. Front bumper
8. Repaint fenders
9. Bedliner the interior
10. Come up with a new set of seats
11. Wire power center with 120V inverter and outlets in the back.
12. New Tires
13. Go through all joints (little death wobble)
14. Fab up new rear bumper
15. Spare parts mounting solutions and figure out where to mount the larger tools (impact, hilift, etc)
16. New Radiator
I'm sure the list will get added to. Hopefully after I get the engine and tranny out of the Ultra4 I can clean the shop out a bit to get some pictures of the TJ.