bad_idea

I've torn cars down to the rails and rebuilt them. Welded floor pans in, built bumpers. Rebuilt manual trans, installed a few clutches, and installed shift kits in autos. Installed more motors than I can remember. BUT... never have been able to keep a vehicle looking good. I have only owned one car that was pretty when I bought it, have always been nervous in that car.

Here's a related question. How do you wash mud off the paint without scratching it up real bad? I hosed it off, but it is still there. I'm afraid to take a sponge to it as that will just spread the grit around. I'm sure this is a dumb question, I swear I'm not trolling.

aflemke

I just want to add that the JK with the XJ front clip is actually pretty good looking. I'd drive it... topless and doorless!

xLxDIZZYx

I agree but I do have cragars on mine yet it isn't a 97-01. It was my daily as well as a off-road rig it wasn't perfect but it dam sure looks good. I don't have a build tread but it took me 13yrs. Now I must start over but with what I learned it won't take another 13 yrs.

LACK

Mine is a bit of a butter face too, but I dont love her any less because of it. Lol


It was just a joke, no doubt theres some extremely clean cherokees in this thread, I can definitely appreciate them.

5-Speed

I think another thread needs to get made for "mid shelf" Jeeps! The ones that are pretty clean yet get used heavily on the trails.

Martlor13

Lol. I don't get why you feel these don't get used heavily? Just because they don't fit into your vision of an xj. Don't get offended because your jeep doesn't fit into the op idea of "top shelf". Mine sure doesn't haha, but I'd love to have something like one of these to wheel with. After a few trips it may be scratched and dented. Heck I would have it messed up and scratches a few minutes in. Oh well. Making her pretty again is just as fun as building her to some people. Like roninofako said, to each their own. Some of us don't care about looks, some do. You've already stated that you think clean jeeps don't get wheeled. Cool. No need to state it multiple times. If it's not beat up doesn't mean anything. Stereotyping is what it is

Just one more thing. Most of these builds are from right here on the forum. Lets not put each others builds down. I say the vast majority of us wheel a very healthy amount. I like seeing all the various builds. Lots of creativity, fabbing up your own stuff, bolt ons. Whatever it is, that's awesome. Build up your jeep and let's keep this hobby going. Especially the xj haha. But I do agree that "top shelf" could have been worded differently. None have my jeeps would have first into ops definition haha. But it's his idea and it's cool to see. Wheel on everyone

xLxDIZZYx

Had to get my old phone for more pics here's some more.

5-Speed

I am not implying that the Jeeps don't get used. I am simply stating that if I had a "top shelf" Jeep, I would like to keep it that way. To me, I consider these Jeeps to be "show quality". Trust me, I would love to have one as a DD. I would just have a 2nd one that I would use for trail use and abuse. Also, I am not putting any of those Jeeps down. I love 90% of the ones posted in this thread and would love to own them. I am actually quite jealous of how clean and good looking those Jeeps are.

While I could easily get another Jeep and make it a "top shelf" DD, I would rather spend my money else where. Like you said, they aren't for everyone. Don't get me wrong either, when my Jeep is done, it is going to be very clean (like the white one above this post) and will probably fit in with the "top shelf" group for a short amount of time. But when the dents and scratches start showing up, they will be there for the rest of the Jeeps life. I guess the difference is that those Jeeps probably started off in mint condition (very hard to find) before being modified. Where as mine started off in a rough condition and will be brought back to life. Yes it even has a salvage title to back it up. That helps me justify being able to customize it will all the dents and scratches I want.

So no offense to any of the owners of the beautiful Jeeps posted on this thread. I love what you guys have done and if you want to take those beauties off road, more power to you!

Martlor13

Alright here we go! I was worried you were gonna take my post the wrong way hahah.

haha we think the same too! My jeeps have been bought dented and scratched so I don't worry about cleaning them up to much during the build. BUT if I found I nice mint one you can bet I would clean her up as much so possible after every trip hahah

5-Speed

All is good! Glad we are on the same page!

In all honestly though, I really don't care what the outside looks like but the interior better be spotless. Dirty interiors drive me crazy!

Martlor13

I can agree with that! I have some floor mats to hold mud and stuff. But don't jack up my seats man haha.

CurrySoSpicy

@ title
Top shelf*

MoparNJeep

Well I didn't mean top shelf to come off as demeaning at all. I agree, maybe not the best title.

Maybe "Form and Function" would have been better word choice.

MoparNJeep

I love a good clean interior myself. Here is a picture of my 99 jeeps interior.

The two tone camel and agate is another one I built. Probably one of my favorite interior color combos.

5-Speed

Top shelf interior haha! An 18 year old interior that looks pretty much brand new is definitely impressive in my book.