The MOST Awesome Build Thread EVER!!

"finder_87" wrote: You make good points Brad. The real fact is I'm not very logical. But I'm working on it.

I'm just feeling like the ARB my not be worth the extra $600. I know everyone says they are awesome. My Detroit works awesome too.

I'm not sure where my LJ will be in a couple years. I just want a reliable trail wheeler that I can take my family through rubicon and fordyce and other local trails with ease.

The 40s I have are fairly new. One tire has been repaired from a tear. So as soon as they aren't on back order I need to buy one and make the repaired tire a spare.

But if this is the case, then why build the other rear and run the same (type of) locker you have now? How much stronger is that other rear end? If they are close then just re-sell our parked unit and take the money. If not, then you'd complete the new one, get it in and then sell the one under your jeep now. Either way you have a cleaner garage and more money in pocket to continue. Then you can buy more stuff!

I plan to do body modifications to accommodate the 40s. Like new front fenders and possible a stretch. I can't decide between Metalcloak or Genright.



I also want to do steering upgraded with PSC hydro assist.



Then of course I want to bullet proof my axles. But that's where I get confused and illogical. I run a front d44 hp. I am thinking of keeping it and running RCV shafts or building a 609 to match my rear 9 inch. For the rear I'm debating, like I said earlier about what 9 inch to run. If I kept my current axle and sold the fab9 I could get RCV shafts or PSC stuff or whatever else. But I don't want to be blinded by buying more and skipping out on a quality build.



Hopefully this all makes sense.

Why stretch the LJ?



I'd spend the money on front coil overs before a stretch on an LJ (of course thats what I did with my TJ).



I ran PSC steering on my TJ and it helped with the larger tires, though I only ran 37s.



I like genright flares for the TJ's. Both are quality however (I ran poison spyder front and rear steel tube fenders on my TJ).

Okay, here's my take on the whole build topic...



I also wanted a stretched Jeep with 40s, coil-overs, 60s, etc. But I took my time and built it as it was needed. I always figured my 44 front would explode, but it didn't. I always figured that I'd need 40" tires, but I didn't. And on and on and on. Now my Jeep is perfectly bult for doing what I do with it (which is a LOT) and it's holding up nicely. Long story short, I poured a ton of money into my Jeep to get it ready to do the stuff i want to do, but I saved myself a ton more by not doing a bunch of mods that I didn't need. So, you probably need less than you think, but you probably want more than you can afford...such is modding a Jeep 🙂

"JohnDF" wrote: Okay, here's my take on the whole build topic...

I also wanted a stretched Jeep with 40s, coil-overs, 60s, etc. But I took my time and built it as it was needed. I always figured my 44 front would explode, but it didn't. I always figured that I'd need 40" tires, but I didn't. And on and on and on. Now my Jeep is perfectly bult for doing what I do with it (which is a LOT) and it's holding up nicely. Long story short, I poured a ton of money into my Jeep to get it ready to do the stuff i want to do, but I saved myself a ton more by not doing a bunch of mods that I didn't need. So, you probably need less than you think, but you probably want more than you can afford...such is modding a Jeep 🙂

This is the theme I'm attempting to capitalize upon. Part of my mix is fabbing own stuff for the merit in the learning.

"JohnDF" wrote: Okay, here's my take on the whole build topic...

I also wanted a stretched Jeep with 40s, coil-overs, 60s, etc. But I took my time and built it as it was needed. I always figured my 44 front would explode, but it didn't. I always figured that I'd need 40" tires, but I didn't. And on and on and on. Now my Jeep is perfectly bult for doing what I do with it (which is a LOT) and it's holding up nicely. Long story short, I poured a ton of money into my Jeep to get it ready to do the stuff i want to do, but I saved myself a ton more by not doing a bunch of mods that I didn't need. So, you probably need less than you think, but you probably want more than you can afford...such is modding a Jeep 🙂

Yeah John!



though I'd still get coil overs up front! 😁

I only need to stretch the front axles out to fit 40s if I go with genright. Metalcloak gives me enough clearance at the rear of the tire to stuff the 40s.



John- good point, I'm sure my wife would side with you.



I'm not trying to spend money to spend money at the moment, but I need new tires in the next couple of months and I have the 40s ready to go. Just need to make them fit. That's my biggest concern. But I could always sell them and stick to 37s.

"RobD" wrote: Toyotas are not as comfortable as a jeep and not nearly as reliable on the trail.

Not as reliable? Can you honestly say that with a straight face? I've been gone too long. 🙄

100% straight face 😁 you will see 3 broke down Toyotas on the trail for every Jeep.

"Bender" wrote: [quote="RobD"]Toyotas are not as comfortable as a jeep and not nearly as reliable on the trail.

Not as reliable? Can you honestly say that with a straight face? I've been gone too long. 🙄

Maybe it's because the toyotas have 200k miles on them and are 25 years old, while the jeeps are 15 years old with 50k miles? 😂

I've had a Toyota and now Jeep and neither of them have left me on the trail yet.

Been on Fordyce or the Hammmers yet 😀

"finder_87" wrote: I've had a Toyota and now Jeep and neither of them have left me on the trail yet.

I've been on fordyce, and the only rig that we came across was a broken jeep to my surprise. It was a foul weather day. I guess the toyotas decided to stay home that day.

Where on the trail was it broke? Was it at one of the winch hills? Before or after river crossing 1,2, or 3?

"finder_87" wrote: I've been on fordyce, and the only rig that we came across was a broken jeep to my surprise. It was a foul weather day. I guess the toyotas decided to stay home that day.

"RobD" wrote: Been on Fordyce or the Hammmers yet 😀

[quote="finder_87"]I've had a Toyota and now Jeep and neither of them have left me on the trail yet.

Yup.

Reliability is functional dependent. Drive things within their scope as well your ability. Nobody ever does that.



Greg, since the run last night, what tire size seemed more appealing, 40s or status quo?

"RobD" wrote: Where on the trail was it broke? Was it at one of the winch hills? Before or after river crossing 1,2, or 3?


[quote="finder_87"]I've been on fordyce, and the only rig that we came across was a broken jeep to my surprise. It was a foul weather day. I guess the toyotas decided to stay home that day.

I believe it was winch hill 3 on the bypass. We couldn't get past him with the rain in the squeeze. We ended up going across committee and out that way. With it raining, it was pretty sketchy crossing committee.

"Wh1t3Nukle" wrote: Reliability is functional dependent. Drive things within their scope as well your ability. Nobody ever does that.

Greg, since the run last night, what tire size seemed more appealing, 40s or status quo?

You wouldn't of been in my way with 40s. That's for sure.



But I think skill plays into a lot of how any wheeler works. I'm making a general statement here but most toyotas are driven by younger unexperienced 4wheeling generations. I will say my jeep is a lot more comfy to drive versus my Toyota.

Update: I put new shocks in the rear. Oh ya baby...rides like a cadillac now!!

New shocks are sweet! Like getting new tires, rides like new again.

Let me know when you want to sell your 40's..I need one for now, but as soon as they start making them again, I'm selling the 40's and going to 42's...I might buy all yours if you decide to sell them.

Hmm. I was just thinking about selling them. I will let you know. I believe tirerack.com says they have 42 MTRs in stock.