Xj to yj. Help through the remorse

[Adventure IQ]

When the tranny died on my 87 xj I bought a 94 yj for $3500. Never owned but always wanted a wrangler....put on lift kit, rims and tires, bumpers, etc to outfit it ....now really getting into overland and feel like I am trying to make it is something that its not. Yes I miss the room, the ability to shove wife, kid, dogs, and gear inside and go....

Help me see the bright side of what I am building....cant get another project for awhile....and determined to make the yj into an overland rig. Still have a 2wd Xterra for longer on road trips.... I hate the 2wd version of the Xterra....

Any ideas? Looking at top and rear safari racks to help with gear issues. Figure I will keep building on yj and (1) it will be for my solo trips like a dirt bike would have been and (2) I will turn it over to my kiddo in 5 to 6 years for her to drive.

 

[406to417]

I went from a CJ-5 to a TJ to an LJ and now a four door Wrangler. As you can see I have been going to larger and larger vehicles. It will be hard to stuff everything into a vehicle like a YJ but it can be done. That said, the first time you take the doors off and the top you will get bitten by the Wrangler bug.

 

[jscusmcvet]

1) If you are giving the wrangler to your daughter, keep it until then. Hero status gained is worth a bit of cramped space.
2) Depending on your camping style, and your families willingness to put up with it, a rear rack or a roof rack will be plenty. think of it more as a "backpack" than a vehicle and plan appropriately.
3) Pick up a utility trailer make it into your "backpack"

I did this in my 2003 Rubicon until she went down in flames (rip) My son, daughter (sometimes) and I had many great adventures, camping and wheeling up and down the coast. Long story, but it was when new baby came along and wife bought a pop up that I felt I had to move up to the space and towing capacity of a cherokee.
John

 

[Longtallsally]

IMO the YJ is more durable (body on frame as opposed to unibody) and I agree with the above in getting a trailer. I towed one of the bikes cross country and kept 60-70mph and that was a 4 banger with stock axles and lockers (4.88 gears, mind you). Fuel economy didn't change if towing, empty, freeway speeds, or even off road. Great platform. Get a hard top, put some sound insulation in, go junk yard style to some form of AC in it and maybe some more comfy seats. Enjoy the VERY low maintenance costs, and WAY capable off road ability.

 

[Adventure IQ]

This is making me me feel much better...especially the unibody part...as well as hero status. Have an old cargo trailer frame...extremely well built that I need to start building a box for

Thanks guys