Greetings from Iraq

[C.diesel]

I decided it was time for me to introduce myself, since I will be back in Colorado soon, this seemed like the good place to post. I am in Iraq with the Second Infantry Division right now, but will be in Colorado around the end of this summer. I have been hanging around this site for about the last year and a half learning some stuff about XJs (before I was in Iraq I was stationed in Korea).

I have lived in Colorado before, Longmont and Littleton in 2000 through 2002. The last time that I was in the state I had a ZJ and managed to get onto some of the trails, but just about the time (one week to the day) that I bought the RE 4.5" lift for it on ebay, I got laid off from my job at Qwest and then moved to Ohio for a job.

When I heard that we would be in Colorado after this deployment, I knew that I would need another Jeep (sold the Grand when I deployed to Korea). I wanted to go with an XJ this time for a variety of reasons. So a couple of weeks ago, after four months of looking on the net, I bought a 2000 XJ. Of course I have a long list of things to work on when I get back, but the advantage of being here for a year was to save the money to actually start them right away. So I already have purchased a winch and a roof rack in the last two weeks! I am going to wait until I get back to continue my spending spree, but I am very much looking forward to being able to meet some of you in person once I get there.

I was hoping that I would be home before ColoradoFest this year, but it just wasn't in the cards. That is ok though, I wouldn't have had the time to put the work into the Jeep yet. I will keep you guys updated of the progress and probably be looking for some install answers when I get back to the states. I plan on taking lots of before and after shots and install pics to keep everyone entertained and have a visual record of where all my money went.

See Y'all Soon,

Chris

 

[IH8RDS]

Glad to have you here and glad for your service. Good choice on the XJ!

 

[MMIXJ]

don't forget about the "Fall Fling" out in moab in october since you won't be back in time for COFEST...

be safe over there.
:wave:

 

[C.diesel]

I would like to make it out to the Fall Fling, but I don't know how much I will have done on the Jeep by that time. I also am going to be very restricted with leave time when we get back (they let everyone go at once for a block period), so probably won't be able to make it out for that this year. I am hoping to have most of the work done on the Jeep by the spring, and then I should have some time off to really enjoy it.

 

[GI-John]

Welcome brother!

Keep your head down, SAPI's in, and hope to see you on the trail sometime!

PS I still think it's shitty to deploy from Korea...1st Tank?

John

 

[C.diesel]

Yea, real hard on the family having back to back deployments like this. I kept telling my wife when I was in Korea that at least that was better than Iraq! She was not amused when the orders came down. I am with 1/503rd.

Thanks for the welcome.

 

[JohnJohn]

Yeah, keep your head down.

What kinda mods are you planning? Were did you get the XJ? Is it in storage? :us:

 

[C.diesel]

I bought the XJ from a guy in Ohio. Had my wife and my father there to go out and look at the vehicles that I found on the internet. Dealed down to a good price for a 2000 with 53,000 miles. It was a college kid who had got it when his grandmother passed so he really was just looking to get some fast cash out of it. Never off road and his grandmother was the only owner.

I have a long list of mods waiting for me when I get back. The notiable ones are... 3.5" lift, roof rack (already purchased from Kevin's Jeep Parts), winch (Warn ti9500 already purchased). Front and rear bumpers, JKS discos, ACOS to counter the weight of the bumper and the winch, rock rails, skids (been doing a lot of reading on the engine and T case skids lately), thinking about going with GY MTR 31x10.5 on cragar black soft 8s for now. Probably trim and go with 32's at some point, but just can't bring myself to do it now. Also thinking about a Detroit TruTrac in the rear. There will be some other smaller mods like lights and the such that will work in to my plan before the spring rolls around, but these are the big ones for now.

 

[viperbaron]

Guess you'll be at Ft.Carson while here? Lots to see & do here. Plenty of trails and a few nice ones close by too. XJ's are like belly buttons out here...everybody's got one.
Stay safe.

 

[C.diesel]

I will be at Carson when I get out there. Can't wait to be back.

 

[Yucca-Man]

Keep your head down and let us know when you're heading back.

Semper Fi,
Jim
Sgt, USMC 88-00