JeepDreems

I am going to start a thread about me and my journey to my Jeep Dreem. To start, this WHOLE story started with a love of wheelin' Heck i'm from Wv - not much else to do around here than mall crawlin, rock crawlin, wheelin', and things left best, behind closed doors and pg13 ^_^

My buddy had an XJ Laredo, was gonna sell to me for $500 bucks because he couldn't get it runnin. The next week when I had the cash - he ofcourse had it runnin, and I was out of a vehicle that was road legal. Mind you I have an 84 Impala that I REALLY don't want to part with....but due to some issues I think I am going to have to dump money into it to satisfy people who don't get AS-IS.

My buddy, who I have known for the past give or take 10 years is a DIY'er - as am I If you are gonna do something, break it yourself - er I mean do it yourself. He had that Laredo runnin with minor issues of a 18 year old vehicle. We worked on it and got most of the bugs out. Went wheelin' and both were impressed with his newest acquirement (and first Jeep).

6/7/09 he and I were hanging out and he drives to Harry Green in Clarksburg,Wv where the 2009 Wv Jeep Show was held. I had always wanted a Wrangler and mildly considered a Cherokee but never gave it that much thought - always ended up looking at trucks or cars, never a Jeep.
I LOVED THE ENTIRE 2 or 3 HRS WE SPENT THERE!
Met some really friendly folks and some NOT so friendly folks, but I had a blast. Got my heart set on a JEEP product the second we drove off out of the lot.

Fastforwarded... through a couple months and about 2k saved. My dad mentions a Jeep for sale in Pa. I didn't pay much mind to it due to excessive hours of overtime my employer had me involved with , but i considered it.
That weekend my buddy and I happened to finally have a few days off. We took a ride to Pa and found said dealer with said Jeep.

1996 XJ, later found it to be........
a 1996 XJ AHB.
I believe my buddy's exact words when I fired up said XJ were...
"It runs better than mine, you SUCK!"
I take said XJ AHB for a small test drive
Park - works, Reverse - works(alittle stiff), Neutral - works,
(3-4) - works(alittle stiff), (1-2) - works (alittle stiff)
Time for fun ^_^, found non muddy hill and tested all 3 modes of 4wd
impressived to find ALL worked like a CHAMP, not even a spin
Originally priced rather high.... (I don't think so my brain said)
issues plaguing this find included no carpet(i knew that it didn't come with it to start but hey), no reverse lights, console around shifter loose/broken, seats not completely bolted down, rear hatch shocks are SHOT, and the paint needs HELP...BAD!!! After all was said and done I drove her home.


yes, yes I know -

jeeptilldeath

very nice... and the plans for this monster in a tiny box.. are?...

JeepDreems

Ok....WARNING: The following information may contain material that
is not be suitable for children under the age of Jeep.


*wheels and tires are the only real issue I have had researching *
* for proper fit and use - being that this is my daily driver and trail rig*
*The only other MAJOR issue I run into is state laws *
* In Wv, the Maximum distance between the bumpers and the ground is 31" *


From the ground up:

Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ x6(2 spare)
"D" windowed beadloc simulators(authentic beadlocs ARE illegal - 50 states)

Rubicon Express 5.5" Extreme Duty w/ Monotube shocks
Advance Adapters SYE
Tom Woods custom drive shaft
ft. and rr. sets of Dana 44's
ARB air locker set up for D44's
rr. disc brake conversion

DynoMax muffler
Walker Cat.
Banks header
(Expert Exhaust in Fairmont, Wv IMHO the best custom exhaust shop I know)

AJ's custom ft. bmpr
AJ's custom rr. bmpr w/ tire carrier
AJ's custom squared rock sliders
Warn 9.0Rc winch
gas can
Hi-Lift jack

Rock Hard ultimate roll cage
Rock Hard 4/5 harness bar
Rock Hard rear center bar
Rock Hard front center bar


initial tune up kit
fresh Esso or Mobile 1 5W-30
WIX O/F
WIX A/F
WIX F/F
all preventative and regular maintenance as needed

different stereo and speakers
a couple cup holders that ACTUALLY work
new or reupholstered seats
rhino line the interior floor and perhaps the ceiling
cruise control would be nice too

L.E.D. barlight x2 (red L.E.D.'s only)
siren box
(volunteer firefighter EST. 1996 )

Warrior safari roof rack
Liteforce Striker set x4
Viair SuperDuty onboard air system
igloo cooler ^_^

three french hens
two turtle doves
AND a partridge and a pear tree

Mind you, before you go on some random tangent....this is called a WISH LIST
IN NO WAY DOES IT MEAN I WILL ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO GET ANY OF IT!
We all dream, some small....some beyond the stars.

Thank you for reading through -
feel free to reply, as I look forward to it - TBH

- Country Roads, take me home -

jeeptilldeath

this sounds like it is going to be great build.. its just going to take some time like mine.. haha... goodluck... and there is no problem having dreams beyond the stars...

JeepDreems

Thank you all for reading - I think this thread is alittle full - I'm new and still learning. Short and sweet goes far around here lol Thanks again for reading

a couple more pics though...

jeeptilldeath

a little bit of mud is always good.

tlowery04

welcome to the addiction...