Let us know what you decide

 

Went and took a look. Actually really nice XJ.. no obvious rust. no big dents. there are a few scuff here and there but overall a really nice rig. Some things I see that should probably change in the near future would be frame stiffeners (not sure what they are really called) and obviously if I really want to go play with it a exo cage would be in the works one day.

Interior was nice. Could use a new back seat but it will do for now. I didn't take it out and drive it, didn't have time for that tonight but it started right up and ran well.

I think I'm going to really push to sell my baja this weekend. The guy is really laid back and not in a hurry to sell... if he doesn't he already has the Dana 60's and 40's to go under it

 

So, we went from a fun weekend toy with fun for the boys, to a fully built rig in just over a page...

My advice to you is slow down, figure out what you need, and then want, and go from there. As stated previously, you'll be surprised just how capable these things are in stock form. You said you really don't want to run up or down cliffs...then you don't need an exo cage...LOL

Not trying to poo-poo on your party, just trying to get you in line with what will serve you best. Yes, a rig that's had a lot done to it is more tempting, but unless you really know what to look for, you might be fooled into a ride that is less than stellar.

The other thing you stated, is you need to sell a vehicle to get this one...sure, maybe he isn't in a hurry to sell, but money talks and BS walks. May not be there tomorrow. If you're truly serious about buying something, sell what you need to first. If it were me on the other end, and I heard "well, I gotta sell my other car first" I'd tell you to pound sand. Cash is king.

That said...I won't tell you NOT to buy a modded rig...I got mine and it was modded...but not well. I have spent several years getting it to where I want, but I knew what I was getting into when I bought it...I was looking for a project. So what was done didn't matter to me. I have been through 3 suspensions, 2 motors (by choice) and it even got me into fab, which I now do for a living...just be warned, heavily modded rigs are not for everyone, it is a LOT of work...just know what you're getting into BEFORE you buy.

My two Abe's.

 

Lets be honest with a xj on a 3 to 4 inch lift and 33s will be more then enough for a lot of off roading.Add some armor when money allows and lockers and gears you got a pretty good off roader in time and done your way.

 

I tend to sometimes think three steps ahead of where I am. So yes I completly agree with you that I jumped about 4 steps ahead of where I am at.

Cash is King. I'm not going to be sad if this rig is gone when I get the other car sold. It will just be how it is. There are tons of rigs out there and the one that is right will be the one that in the end makes sense and is available when I have mine sold.

Like I said mine is two fold... I want something now that I can take the boys and go play with... and I want something that down the road I can pull apart and make better.

I appreciate the words of wisdom.

 

The reason I said what I said is because I have a 92 on 3.5 short arms and 32s. Front locker and rear open. I have no problems keeping up with the bigger jeeps, and I have seen most stock cherokees with a locker keep up too. I got mine already like it sits and have been spending 3 years fixing issues from the previous owner. My previous xj, I drove it home and had to tear it apart because I couldn't even drive it. It had so many problems, and the po failed to mention them to me. I also had a zj and it was on long arms, but that too had issues. If this is your first xj, I would honestly get something mildly lifted or stock with a locker. You can build it from there and that way you know what's done to it and what it needs. I am telling you this from experience. Not because I heard it from someone or they heard it from someone else.

 

Over the last 50 yrs I guess I have just built to dam many race cars and sold them for pennies on the dollar, I never bought cheap parts for any while building. The time involved and money in retrospect would have been much better spent buying a rolling chassis/body and only worry about my engine builder and parts used in it.


I lost several years of fun with my grandson building this XJ and waiting when I should have one I looked at that was done with a new stroker engine in a crate (ran fine) lots of extra parts for $8750. Fool that I was passed on it and only 45 mi. from me to boot.

 

I'm not saying that there isn't quality already built xjs, because I know there are plenty out there. Its just harder to find one that wasnt built then beat the hell out of

 

What a busy weekend for me.. I sold my bug (couldn't be happier with the new owner. Such a nice person. Wanted the car for what it was. Not just to tear apart.
They gave me extra money to deliver it... she was jumping up and down like a kid at Christmas when it came up the driveway... side Story there..

So I went and test drove 5 different jeeps... a couple of stock xj's one grand cherokee and on tj...

I kept coming back to the blue xj. Overall it just had the most complete setup for the money and was one of the nicer ones... so long story short it will be coming home either tonight or tuesday... I can't wait.

 

Jeep number 1?

 

Yes. Jeep #1 it wa as closer, not hacked as much and just seemed a better fit for my boys and myself.

I'm going to run it for a while just like it is.. just go and have fun. Maybe next year make changes... or at least see how it does before thinking of changes..

 

Im happy for you. I would love to have another baja bug, but they don't compare to my xj. Post some pics when you take it home

 

I loved my bug... but with the two boys growing and living in western WA... It was just not the right vehicle for me. I did keep the paddles.. might have to try them out on the jeep in the sand.

 

Unless your looking to take some tight trails you could look at full size 4x4s also.

 

Nice bug. I was talking about the xj though. My first bug was a 73 baja in high school, and my second was a 64 street beetle with a type 2 1915. I miss them both, but I've moved on to better pastures