Nor-Cal-Don
New member
Hey guys, been a lurker for years on this forum, which there has always been great information to take away from here no matter what type of off-roading you do. And for years I have been a "rock crawler" here in Northern California
This time I decided to head a different direction with a build of something I've never done. I have been "hook line and sinkered" into the overland world. I have mostly always been a Jeep guy (27 years as a Jeep technician).
I picked this up with intentions of making a mild build being my daughter will eventually be taking it as her high school back and forth. It is a 2003 TJ , and I have all intentions of making this a budget build as best as possible. Hence the name SHOESTRING Picked up the Jeep for $4500, as it is in the first pic. The 33" tires were shot, the soft top had seen better days. But overall, for a 192k miles on the clock it was pretty darn clean. The Smittybilt 8k winch works, the garvin rack works for what I'll need. The ProComp 4" lift is little to be desired till I find a better lift that won't break the bank.
The build up so far has been pretty darn sweet on the pocket book! Picked up the 5- 35" K02's for $800, brand new soft top for $200, and the Smittybilt RTT for $400 which was also brand new, never used! As far as how I installed the RTT, I can stand uder it with no problems, I'm 6'4'". I don't know yet if I'll keep it in that direction. But for now, it'll aslo help with coverage while working out of the back.
Next on the list of "to do's" will be designing a building rear storage with the ARB fridge (I've had the fridge for years) I plan on making the rear storage area "convertible" as in, when I have my kid and wife I will be able to remove the right side where I plan on having the drawers removable and I'll have a single seat mounted with integrated seat belt in the seat mounted to the floor. I have found the seat that I want to use, but need to find one that someone isn't asking a arm/leg for. And soon I'll be getting a rear dana 44 and get rid of the crappy dana 35 in it now.
The challenge is storage for sure, not much room in these Jeeps, but it makes it more fun having the challenge of making it work. I have had the Jeep now for about 6 months, and as of now it doesn't get driven much. This will be a very slow built as time and $$$ allows. But really excited to get out (far away from civilization) with the family and do some exploring to places we've never been!
This time I decided to head a different direction with a build of something I've never done. I have been "hook line and sinkered" into the overland world. I have mostly always been a Jeep guy (27 years as a Jeep technician).
I picked this up with intentions of making a mild build being my daughter will eventually be taking it as her high school back and forth. It is a 2003 TJ , and I have all intentions of making this a budget build as best as possible. Hence the name SHOESTRING Picked up the Jeep for $4500, as it is in the first pic. The 33" tires were shot, the soft top had seen better days. But overall, for a 192k miles on the clock it was pretty darn clean. The Smittybilt 8k winch works, the garvin rack works for what I'll need. The ProComp 4" lift is little to be desired till I find a better lift that won't break the bank.
The build up so far has been pretty darn sweet on the pocket book! Picked up the 5- 35" K02's for $800, brand new soft top for $200, and the Smittybilt RTT for $400 which was also brand new, never used! As far as how I installed the RTT, I can stand uder it with no problems, I'm 6'4'". I don't know yet if I'll keep it in that direction. But for now, it'll aslo help with coverage while working out of the back.
Next on the list of "to do's" will be designing a building rear storage with the ARB fridge (I've had the fridge for years) I plan on making the rear storage area "convertible" as in, when I have my kid and wife I will be able to remove the right side where I plan on having the drawers removable and I'll have a single seat mounted with integrated seat belt in the seat mounted to the floor. I have found the seat that I want to use, but need to find one that someone isn't asking a arm/leg for. And soon I'll be getting a rear dana 44 and get rid of the crappy dana 35 in it now.
The challenge is storage for sure, not much room in these Jeeps, but it makes it more fun having the challenge of making it work. I have had the Jeep now for about 6 months, and as of now it doesn't get driven much. This will be a very slow built as time and $$$ allows. But really excited to get out (far away from civilization) with the family and do some exploring to places we've never been!
