Build it or buy another?

[Petescj]

Ok guys what do you think? My 82 CJ8 has only some minor imperfections in the body as it sits. Im liking it for the lower family getaway Jeep on the 31s. Im looking for a wheeling Jeep now. I want to run atleast a 33 in tire and probably 35s. You help me decide.

 

[Old Dog]

As longhorn would say "jeeps are built not bought"
As you know you can buy one built cheaper than building one, but whats the chances of finding what you want and having it built right.
Just get one ready so we can go wheelen.

 

[Petescj]

Well as for the first part of this quote I needed 4 options for the poll.

That second part sounds mighty tempting also. Where do you go? Honestly I was kicking around the idea of some kinda "Meet and Wheel" long distance trip for the Spring. I think if planned correctly we could have a nice little Northern Cj-com trail ride.

As longhorn would say "jeeps are built not bought"


Just get one ready so we can go wheelen.

 

[Old Dog]

Harlan ky. sounds like a good place for everyone to meet.
Trails there for everyone.

 

[wrangler rider]

do a spring over 5 inches of lift for $70 or so minus driveshafts or body lift 2 inches

 

[Petescj]

This is worthy of another thread. Let me eat and I'll post another.

Harlan ky. sounds like a good place for everyone to meet.
Trails there for everyone.

 

[BajaEdition]

what ever you do, do not buy someone elses nightmare. That is what a built jeep is and you still end up changing everything. I would build the one you have and look for another to turn into the family jewel. Everything you learn on this will mean you will have much better skills, or know what to sub out, on the next.

 

[IOPort51]

You have to ask your self a question or two.
Is the building as fun as the wheeling? Is it more fun than the wheeling?


I would say it may be a good idea to drive this one for a while and see what you like and what you don’t.

I have never been proud of anything I bought.

 

[LongHorn]

Ok guys what do you think? My 82 CJ8 has only some minor imperfections in the body as it sits. Im liking it for the lower family getaway Jeep on the 31s. Im looking for a wheeling Jeep now. I want to run atleast a 33 in tire and probably 35s. You help me decide.

When you say cut it, your not talking a "bob Job"?
If you are I think you could find a CJ7 easier & stretch it.

IMHO I'd try & find a basket case. ( As that's what I did).
The way I looked at is, I was planning on replacing all the worn out stuff any way.

Who am I kidding everybody knows my opinion already.

 

[BajaEdition]

I have never been proud of anything I bought.

Bingo


by the way, ever seen the Rick Russell video about the AJ 8?

it is a lot of fun to see how far he went to get a modern suspension up under a CJ6 body, he took a custom bobbed CJ8 frame with TJ suspension and put an aftermarket CJ6 body on it,

 

[Petescj]

Some of you guys need to learn how to use the "poll option".

 

[2BAD4U]

It's already paid for, so make it yours! Trim the fenders, put in a small lift w/ 33's for family friendly, and 35's for more wheeling!
Jeeps are built not bought! Have fun and enjoy! That's my plan.

 

[elwood blues]

For what it's worth Pete, this is my opinion.

I have two "project" Jeeps. My 01 XJ and the Golden Eagle . I bought the XJ brand new in '01, started building it, and kind of got it to where I liked it. Kind of, there was more that I wanted to do, just didn't have the time. Then I found the CJ, and the XJ got shifted to the back burner. I've spent a lot of time over the last couple of years working on the CJ getting it to where I like it. And the XJ has almost been neglected. She's basically just become my DD and little more. It (the XJ) needs new shocks, there's a broken exhaust hanger, I've got parts to fix a bunch of it just sitting in the garage, I just haven't gotten too it.

So, here's what I think. If you want a DD/weekend wheeler CJ and a "project" CJ, that's cool. Just make sure you have the time/assests available to keep up with both. My vote is to keep the scrambler, make it your DD/weekend wheeler. FINISH THAT PROJECT FIRST!!! Get it to a point where it is a dependable "complete" (because we know that no project is ever complete ) vehicle. Then go get a rusted hunk of a 8 or 7 and start hacking away. Just don't try to do both at once.....

 

[coldwater]

Elwoods right. You start messing with another Jeep, you'll have two Jeeps that'll never be finished. It's just the way it is. I would put another project right out of my head, and put all my effort into finishing the scram 100%
Once that is completely finished, start another project. If you don't mind hacking into the scram, then go ahead and get started on that one. Jeeps just take too much time and money to finish, and It's way too easy to get all excited and spread yourself too thin.

 

[Petescj]

what ever you do, do not buy someone elses nightmare. That is what a built jeep is and you still end up changing everything. I would build the one you have and look for another to turn into the family jewel. Everything you learn on this will mean you will have much better skills, or know what to sub out, on the next.

Ive already bought someone elses "project" once. Id look for another for the jewel but Im thinking that the odds are against me finding a nicer one in my price range on the East Coast. That remains to be seen though , I havent started my search yet. :drool:

You have to ask your self a question or two.
Is the building as fun as the wheeling? Is it more fun than the wheeling?


I would say it may be a good idea to drive this one for a while and see what you like and what you don’t.

I have never been proud of anything I bought.

Building is always fun. Its nice to have a project to keep you busy , stare at , cuss at and work on. As far as driving it and seeing what I like and dont Ive had multiple Cjs so I have a good idea of what I got. Buying a built one was my last and least likely option.

When you say cut it, your not talking a "bob Job"?
If you are I think you could find a CJ7 easier & stretch it.

IMHO I'd try & find a basket case. ( As that's what I did).
The way I looked at is, I was planning on replacing all the worn out stuff any way.

Who am I kidding everybody knows my opinion already.

Id stretch a CJ7 way before bobbing a CJ8 . I like the Cj8s for the added room and the look. I'll take a little tail dragging anyday.

 

[Petescj]

For what it's worth Pete, this is my opinion.

I have two "project" Jeeps. My 01 XJ and the Golden Eagle . I bought the XJ brand new in '01, started building it, and kind of got it to where I liked it. Kind of, there was more that I wanted to do, just didn't have the time. Then I found the CJ, and the XJ got shifted to the back burner. I've spent a lot of time over the last couple of years working on the CJ getting it to where I like it. And the XJ has almost been neglected. She's basically just become my DD and little more. It (the XJ) needs new shocks, there's a broken exhaust hanger, I've got parts to fix a bunch of it just sitting in the garage, I just haven't gotten too it.

So, here's what I think. If you want a DD/weekend wheeler CJ and a "project" CJ, that's cool. Just make sure you have the time/assests available to keep up with both. My vote is to keep the scrambler, make it your DD/weekend wheeler. FINISH THAT PROJECT FIRST!!! Get it to a point where it is a dependable "complete" (because we know that no project is ever complete ) vehicle. Then go get a rusted hunk of a 8 or 7 and start hacking away. Just don't try to do both at once.....

Now theres some words of wisdom. Yes at points I could see that happening. If I decide to not really wheel the Scrambler its pretty close to done. Full soft top ,new wheels ,new paint a couple seats and thats about it.

Elwoods right. You start messing with another Jeep, you'll have two Jeeps that'll never be finished. It's just the way it is. I would put another project right out of my head, and put all my effort into finishing the scram 100%
Once that is completely finished, start another project. If you don't mind hacking into the scram, then go ahead and get started on that one. Jeeps just take too much time and money to finish, and It's way too easy to get all excited and spread yourself too thin.

I wouldnt be starting till I get a garage and such anyway ,but thats not far off. I'm gonna be doing a serious number crunch within the next few days. I wouldnt even start looking till after the holidays. I dont see my self cutting the Scrambler. Thats pretty much what lead me to this.

 

[Petescj]

Almost every thread I see someone asking advice on buying a Cj has this brought up sooner or later. Seems my next project is going to be "Back To the Future" or something like that. Ive decided to re connect with the black CJ7 I sold to buy the Scrambler. I know exactly whats in it and what it needs so it seems a logical choice. I'll be starting a build thread that shows it from the begining from old pics and a thread I had about it on an old site. Look for $600 Salvage Cj right here at Jeep-Cj.com.

what ever you do, do not buy someone elses nightmare. That is what a built jeep is and you still end up changing everything. I would build the one you have and look for another to turn into the family jewel. Everything you learn on this will mean you will have much better skills, or know what to sub out, on the next.