Here's an updated shot of the CJ-5. Still coming along. Roll cage is in, winch is on (M8000), the wheels and tires are off of the F-150 so are there only to simulate the diameter of what I intend to use (TX-1 16 inch and appropriate tires), plus it is mostly primed now. New windshield frame and glass, and an old CJ-7 bikini top which somehow seems to work. Making progress.
Post Pic's of your Jeep
- Thread starter jwhutch
- Start date
Oman4x4
Laurie Bridger
And a couple of the TJ on it's own:
We just installed 35" tires and tomorrow the ARB rear bumper goes on... rear shocks replaced... and a little body cutting... then it's off to the desert on Friday for some fun and action photos
Can you believe these crappy little wheels used to be on there?
We just installed 35" tires and tomorrow the ARB rear bumper goes on... rear shocks replaced... and a little body cutting... then it's off to the desert on Friday for some fun and action photos
Can you believe these crappy little wheels used to be on there?
Oman4x4
Laurie Bridger
jerdog53 said:
I love it
I wouldn't be on 35's without it. To be honest 37 physically fits but I don't want to be that unkind to my axles
I wish they had a 8" flare option available but no such luck. Would love to make it wider when I change the axles out.
But right now it's got a great stance. I love how the big tires sit in the arches and I haven't lost any up-travel. Metalwork is also stronger too, it's stamped out of thicker sheet metal.
It does give you a few things to figure out - I had to trim to fit my Snorkel and tomorrow night I'm trimming around my ARB bumper.
But it's a great facelift to the vehicle. Very glad I did it.
Besides it needed something after my fender bender a year ago
KSJeep
Explorer
Bongo Boy said:
Bongo Boy,
I agree with some of your comments, however opinions are like *&^holes, everyone has one, so here is mine.
TJ's are probably not the best for hauling lot's of gear, and are probably not the best for travelling 1000's of miles over rough terrain (Damn my back hurts). That being said, some of us just love our TJ's and have always wanted one, so we work with what we have. Along with that, an expedition is an exploration of place not well traveled or new to you, it may be an overnight stay, or a 6 month journey, depends on the traveler.
Since each of us is building their jeep for their own adventure/expedition, each may build it to suite their own individual needs.
As far as my TJ buld, it is for exploring little traveled areas of all parts of the country, from Maine to Florida, to So Cal to Alaska. It will be towed behind an RV. We will be living fulltime in our RV for several years, so space in and out of the TJ will have to be maximized, so using a trailer will be out.
All that being said, here is how my jeep build was planned. Understanding we travel by ourselves most of the time.
New front bumper to hold the winch. and maximize approch angle.
Winch to ge us out of a situation we may have accidently got ourselves into.
Rocker guards to help protect the, well, rockers.
Nerf bars, first, so Sheryl can get in the TJ and second, when the roof rack go on, it provides a platform to access it from both sides. The nerf bars have also help mr to piviot around really tight turnsby placing the bar againstthe dirt/rock inside turn.
Lift and larger tires for extra clearance.
New rear bumper designed for better departure angle and higher reciever hitch placement. New tire carrier attached to the bumper to allow for carring of the larger tire (stock tailgate carrier not strong enough) along with 2 jerry can holders placed between the tire and the body and encased in a steel cage for strengh and safety. Jerry cans for extened mileage, but the holder may also be used for water cans or cargo (universal design), cans are mounted low for center of gravity and ease of removel and placement when full. Hi Lift jack mounted to the inside of the carrier, above the jerry cans for ease of access. (hate seeing a hi lift in burried in the mud or dirt when mounted to the bumper.
Raised inside rear floor (5") allows for tools to be carried under the floor, as well as extra oil and fluids.
Recovery gear is carried in a soft bag behind one of the seats
First aid kit stowed under the drivers seat (easy to tell people in an emergency where it is).
Storage boxes inside in a 2 tier system, set up for our needs and accessability.
Portable air compressor and tire repair kit incase of flats on the trail and to air up the inflatable matress and or other uses we haven't thought of yet.
Roof rack will be added in the future to carry the Kayaks and light items, while being towed behind the RV and for getting them to the water.
Well those are my mods and the reason behind each of them, they are not for show or to inpress anyone, each serves a purpose for our needs.
Long winded, yes, wrong thread maybe, but just had to comment on the post, and explain the reasons behind some of our mods.
Bongo Boy said:
Not a TJ, but a progenitor of the species, my CJ-7 has a range of approximately 504 miles without the use of jerry cans. Personally I don't think that is all that bad, as it will get me from central Arizona clear into eastern New Mexico or West Texas, or traveling the other direction, to LA and a fair part of the way back. It seats two, and will carry sufficient gear, food, and water for two persons for 6 days in desert terrain.
As for getting spares down from the heights, have I done it? Sure. Lots of times, only mine weighs more like 100 pounds than 85 because of the bead locks and the bias construction of the Swamper. Not only can I get it down, but I also put it back. I weigh 144 pounds and just turned 58 this year, I have a bad back from a VW/diesel locomotive collision in 1974, a torn medial cruciate ligament on my right knee, two ruptured discs and 4 others that are displaced or bulging, arthritis in both hands and both feet, and I designed and built the tire carrier that puts the darned thing where it is. A photo of the Jeep is posted earlier in this string.
Feel free to make whatever assumptions you deem necessary but keep in mind that your assumptions don't control and don't define the things you see. Each vehicle has its own inherent limitations as well as its strong points, and the world is full of choices. That we don't all see the world the same or make the same choices when faced with similar situations makes the world the beautiful place that it is.
