New Owner

Mr_Seth

New Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2021
Messages
4
Location
Loveland, CO
Hey guys!

I'm Seth and I just purchased my first YJ! I'm coming from a 2007 Mini Cooper S (thank God its gone) and a 2004 Toyota 4Runner (ex-wife had me sell that one). For Jeeps, I have previously owned an 84 Cherokee sport, and a 79 DJ-5 but this YJ is really taking the cake! I plan to "restore" it and lightly modify it to try and remain period correct.

Mini Sold: $5,500
Purchase Price: $4,200
Mod Money to Break Even: $1,300

Purchase Mileage: 138,520mi

First Mods:
1. Jerry Can side mount (4-6-2021) $60
2. Hi-Lift side mount (4-6-2021) $88
3. Single DIN radio 2x Sony Speakers (4-7-2021) $119
3. Lowering from 6" shackle lift to 2.5" Rugged Ridge spring lift (4-20-2021) $522
4. Rubicon Express dual tube shocks 4x (4-20-2021) $225
5. Removed 33x10.50R15's on Steel D-Window wheels (4-5-2021) SOLD $250
6. Installed period correct 5 hole wheels (4-5-2021) $200
7. Installed 31x10.50R15 All Terrain tires (4-5-2021) ^^^ already mounted
8. GMRS radio (4-25-2021) $109 - not purchased yet
9. Posi-Lock front DAC mod (4-25-2021) $160 - not purchased yet
10. 20 Gal fuel tank mod (4-12-2021) $0
11. Rampage Soft top and hardware (4-15-2021) $521
12. Complete igntition system rebuild (4-12-2021) $75
13. Master cylinder/slave cylinder combo (4-12-2021) $101
14. Lexan Rear Window (4-6-2021) $90

Total as of 4-10-2021: $1,801 ($501 over break even point)

Pics:

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I am super excited to get rid of that massive leaf spring lift as it feels like im driving a skateboard around.

I look forward to chatting with and maybe meeting y'all on the trails!!!

-Seth
 
Welcome Aboard!
Nice lookin' ride, looks pretty clean!
Full doors and the hardtop, good for CO, I grew up in Aurora.
That's about what I gave for mine, clean, bone stock, no rust and unmolested (for the most part).
Somebody butchered the doors to install a stereo.
Started with a 2-1/2" spring lift and then the can of worms opened up.
$15K later I've got what you see in my avatar.
Also didn't know she'd been parked for 10 years, or that she'd spent most of her life on a tow bar behind a coach before that.
Ran great, but the springs were completely collapsed.
Oh well, we're getting there.

Ya, the shackles gotta go, though judging by the lift, it looks like the springs might be after-market too.
If you go with new 2-1/2" springs you'll probably need to keep the T-case lowering kit.
Pay attention to the shims on the new rear springs.
If it has a CV rear drive shaft, keep the shims, if not, lose them.
Seeing the T-case lowering kit, I'm guessing it's still got the slip yoke and original drive shaft.
Was the first issue I ran into, but it wasn't the last, and not by a long shot.
 
Welcome Aboard!
Nice lookin' ride, looks pretty clean!
Full doors and the hardtop, good for CO, I grew up in Aurora.
That's about what I gave for mine, clean, bone stock, no rust and unmolested (for the most part).
Somebody butchered the doors to install a stereo.
Started with a 2-1/2" spring lift and then the can of worms opened up.
$15K later I've got what you see in my avatar.
Also didn't know she'd been parked for 10 years, or that she'd spent most of her life on a tow bar behind a coach before that.
Ran great, but the springs were completely collapsed.
Oh well, we're getting there.

Ya, the shackles gotta go, though judging by the lift, it looks like the springs might be after-market too.
If you go with new 2-1/2" springs you'll probably need to keep the T-case lowering kit.
Pay attention to the shims on the new rear springs.
If it has a CV rear drive shaft, keep the shims, if not, lose them.
Seeing the T-case lowering kit, I'm guessing it's still got the slip yoke and original drive shaft.
Was the first issue I ran into, but it wasn't the last, and not by a long shot.
Thanks for the warm welcome!

Oh lord... I mean, everything seems to run well, need to compression test though- I am tempted to do a complete rebuild (did one on my XJ and saw good results) regardless of compression. Ill most likely be opening the T case this week to see the condition of everything there too.

Oh yes, so there has to be lift springs on there too as the 8" shackles only give a reported 2" lift... if it was just shackles, the 31's would look right at home. Ill be keeping the T-case drop just to be totally safe with my driveline angles. Good tip on the shims!

Tomorrows task will be a complete ignition system rebuild!! I'll be taking before/after photos.
 
Nice!
Well you're not new to Jeeps, you know the dirt under the fingernails is never ending!
What motor and tranny are you running?
Correct! My fingers are perma-black and silver hahah.

I have the 5-Speed AX-5 and the 2.5L 4cyl. Big reason why I went to smaller tires and am lowering the Jeep immediately.
 
Ah, Same as I have, but I went up and geared down to 4.88s (I'm only half way there, still gotta do the front).
The 2.5 Low Output is a turd on bigger meats with the factory 4.10s.
The manual CAD is a good move, get rid of all the vacuum voodoo, though just eliminating it is better (where I'm headed).
If you're setting up for snow, stay away from lockers, unless you go with some kind of a selectable.
Don't waste a dime on the stock rear axle, they're made out of tin foil, been there, done that.
 
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