Build-up questions (long story, short answers)

[Fryphax]

Im only 17, and I like to think I have a decent rig. Granted mine is almost as old as me, but Im paying for it all. You have to figure if he lives in a richer community starting pay even at a fast food joint is 7-8 bucks an hour. When you have nothing but a vehicle to put the money into thats a lot. Im giving him the benifit of the doubt mainly because he isn't cocky about it and seems to care about the money put into it.

Keep the Xj and wheel it until it dies, then cut the top off throw in a V8 and keep going.

 

[jaggedsteel]

I really can't believe that you've spent $3000 on fixing seats and shock mounts... I've broken my XJ seats before and just welded the frame under the cusion and it was fine again. It took 10 minutes of welding and 5 minutes to unbolt the seat. Lets say the repair shop charges you 1 hours worth of work to weld the seat and shock mounts. And 1 hour is probably longer than necessary. Anyway, average shop rate is $60/h (around here anyway) so that means that if you spent $3K at $60 per incident you've broken your seat and shock mounts 50 times?

Ok lets say the shop charges $120 to fix the stuff each time... still you would have to break it 25 times to get up to 3 grand! I don't know anyone who would keep a vehicle after having the thing in the shop for the same shit 25 or 50 times. Either you're stretching the 3K thing or you're the most patient guy in the world.

Jaggedsteel

 

[Fryphax]

Have any of you thought maybe he meant 3k in repairs period, not just the seats and shock mounts? Maybe Those were just two examples of the oddball things that broke on his rig.

 

[ZachMan]

My 2000 driver seat bracket squeeks, but I am 6'4" 280+lbs. I still have the original rotors w/ 66k miles just to give you an idea how reliable my XJ is. You do know maintanance is something thats got to be done to any vehicle.

The XJ is not weak its better than a TJ IMHO. I am about to start plating my unibody which will make it way stronger than any other stock Jeep frame. You sound like a guy who just buys stuff and bolts it on, maybe an XJ isn't for you.

 

[basalt51]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the input and advice. I think I will stick with the XJ and beef up the current suspension and make the necessary mods. I think that I will stick with the 35 for cost issues, and also because I notice a lot of TJ's rolling on 35's with the upgrade shafts having no problems. I think I will also do the rear bumper and rear locker. Hopefully, I will see you guys at EJS and a lot of you at the jeepsunlimited moab run! I know I'm only 18, but I can run with the best of em'.
Thanks again!

My best advice would be do nothing more until you actually get out and wheel that thing! You have a great set-up as it is so wheel what you got. Then you'll have a better idea what you NEED ...

Now if you're spending mom and dad's money then SPEND IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT! :clap:

 

[XJEEPER]

Hopefully all of us can run a few over EJS together...I'm dying to do Moab Rim and Pritchett.

On a little different note, to the Utah XJers, I ask you to SHUN mepco and the stupid napa performance accessories. These two shops have treated me like sh#t and taken my business for granted. And as you can see, I'm not exactly a small-time customer...Not to be cocky, but I spend a lot on this jeep, obviously.

Sorry to hear that you've been ripped by Mepco.........I've never been personally, (cause I don't shop there) but have friends that have been too. Don't forget, there are other good shops in the SLC area like MsConception and RockLogic that are fair and know their stuff on XJ's and custom work.

As for Safari.....if you want to really have fun, come down to Moab on April 23-24th (see the Intermountain Forum for details) and wheel with us.

 

[andyr354]

Tests have been run with abs vs non abs in the snow and on gravel and in both occasions non-abs won the battle. Learn to drive. Plain and simple. If you are going to cry with no abs on your xj maybe you should get rid of and go to something that is more suitible to guys that like to cry a lot.

I totally agree with that. I hate the ABS on my 98XJ, would love to get rid of it. Takes forever to stop on the gravel roads I normally drive. I have been driving non-abs rigs for 15yrs so what the heck do I need it for now. It is all in knowing how to drive.