good old trail jeeps

[1986cj7]

My jeep isn't all painted up but she gets me where I what to go. She's not pretty but she has what counts. Not discounting the nice and restored jeeps I see. But my jeep says drive me beat me and mistreat me till I need a little maintance. Maybe it's just the voices in my head but she seems to speak to me.

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[BajaEdition]

Thats why I have 2. One for the trail, and she has what it takes. And one for the road.

 

[CJ007]

X2, I like the nice restored Jeeps and this site is probaby the best there is for knowledgeable people and info on the subject, not to mention some really nice Jeeps.

I, like you, made a decision to make it a more a trail rig than clean street. And on the plus side you get lots upgrades when you "test it"! As the saying goes, "that which does not kill it, only makes it stronger."

I have broken yokes and u joints (meh), broke two piece axle, broke cheap one piece axle, cracked u bolt plate, cracked exhaust manifold, cracked welds on exhaust, cracked welds on seat, twisted driveshafts, exploded Transmission , burned main bearings and rings, froze starter, leaf spring wrapped rear, leaf spring twisted front, smoked clutch, spun axle tube, broke pinion teeth off rear, flipped battery out and broke oil filter off, flop crushed windshield and frame, 2nd flop crushed winshield and frame and mirror. All on the trail ...
My Jeep is more capable than ever. I just had to find it's weak spots.
I have thought about painting, even have a plan in mind already, but keep waiting until after the next camping trip or trail.

 

[Old Dog]

I built mine for the trail and trailer it as all the trails are over 100 miles one way for me, and breaking that far from home would not be good.
But I also know that I could drive it that far with no problems if need be.
It's funny when we take it into town with other newer jeeps and people ask me about mine but don't ask about the newer (tj's & jk's) ones.

 

[Torxhead]

Driving a stiff leaf sprung CJ with low gears, soft or no top can be a bear with an old set of bones on the interstate for long distances, right?

 

[diddy2003]

Nice looking jeep! Specs on it? Lift? Tires?

 

[diddy2003]

I just read under your profile. Nice specs. I just got 4.10s as well. I am running a Dana 30 and AMC20 , with superior one pieces, when I install them, and I am wondering how you like that gear with the 33s. I have a T-176 and the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l as well. Your jeep also looks higher than what I am used to out of a 4 inch suspension lift I was also going to go with 33s, but you look like you have a lot of room with the 33s how it sits now. Either way, sweet looking CJ :drool:

 

[Sasquach]

As the old saying goes...Run what you brung!...to each his own, old paint or shiny new, v8 or straight 4/6. It's all good!

 

[ken98k]

I use mine for light trail riding or a quick drive around town.
I'd get a TJ if I wanted to get into serious wheeling.

 

[1986cj7]

I just read under your profile. Nice specs. I just got 4.10s as well. I am running a Dana 30 and AMC20 , with superior one pieces, when I install them, and I am wondering how you like that gear with the 33s. I have a T-176 and the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l as well. Your jeep also looks higher than what I am used to out of a 4 inch suspension lift I was also going to go with 33s, but you look like you have a lot of room with the 33s how it sits now. Either way, sweet looking CJ :drool:

I think the 4.10 are just right for 33" on the interstate it runs about 2800rpm at 65 but I usally just take two lane highways to get to where I need to go and at 55 it runs about 2400-2500 rpms. I have a rough country lift and yes I measured it and I have 5" of lift in the front must be because there stiffer springs. The only other thing I put on was heavy duty spring shackles but they where supposed to be the same a factory spec. If you have the T-176 make sure your using g4 gear oil, mine was shifting hard cause i replaced it wit g5 when I got it. Also if you have the Dana 300 Transfer Case use g4 in it to after about 100 miles you will be amazed at how much better it will shift. My next upgrade it the team rush igninion upgrade starting with the distributor cap and wires, rotor. Till I get the money to get a resign filled coil and ingition module, a big thanks to bustadave for all the help and part # to do this mod But theres always something you find to upgrade its a never ending process. Just dont tell the wife I've got more into the upgrades then what I paid for it!!! And it was in good shape when I got it.

 

[1986cj7]

Thats why I have 2. One for the trail, and she has what it takes. And one for the road.

Yes that would be nice. I'm thinking my next prodject will be a Cj3 and it will be the all fixed up and painted type. My father said he wouldn't get one unless it was an old willeys and it was already fixed up, I tood him good luck and get ready to write a nice big check for it.

 

[ken98k]

Yes that would be nice. I'm thinking my next prodject will be a Cj3 and it will be the all fixed up and painted type. My father said he wouldn't get one unless it was an old willeys and it was already fixed up, I tood him good luck and get ready to write a nice big check for it.

I like your Dad!

 

[diddy2003]

I think the 4.10 are just right for 33" on the interstate it runs about 2800rpm at 65 but I usally just take two lane highways to get to where I need to go and at 55 it runs about 2400-2500 rpms. I have a rough country lift and yes I measured it and I have 5" of lift in the front must be because there stiffer springs. The only other thing I put on was heavy duty spring shackles but they where supposed to be the same a factory spec. If you have the T-176 make sure your using g4 gear oil, mine was shifting hard cause i replaced it wit g5 when I got it. Also if you have the Dana 300 Transfer Case use g4 in it to after about 100 miles you will be amazed at how much better it will shift. My next upgrade it the team rush igninion upgrade starting with the distributor cap and wires, rotor. Till I get the money to get a resign filled coil and ingition module, a big thanks to bustadave for all the help and part # to do this mod But theres always something you find to upgrade its a never ending process. Just dont tell the wife I've got more into the upgrades then what I paid for it!!! And it was in good shape when I got it.

How do you like your rough country lift?

 

[BusaDave9]

I like vehicles that are built for what they are intended for and Jeeps are made for the trails. They are also fun around town, especially with the doors off. I never did understand the SUVs that have huge wheels and low profile tires. Low profile tires are good for handling and you'll never turn an SUV into a sports car. I have never and will never modify a vehicle just for looks.
I have a Hayabusa that is built to go fast. My CJ5 is built for off road. Even though it has a V8 I don't drive it fast.

 

[1986cj7]

How do you like your rough country lift?

It may be a little stiffer then more expensive lifts but it seems to be softening up a little. For the price its a good value you get the springs front n back, bushings, sway bar extensions, drop pitman arm, Transfer Case drop kit, if you want to use one. The only things I didn't get with the kit was brake line extensions and new heavy duty shackles. It doesn't ride like a new SUV but not like a log truck. It all depends on what you want to spend on your lift and what your looking for. Maybe some others can chime in and explain what they have, what all came with the kit, and how it rides? But maybe thats a different thread?

 

[diddy2003]

It may be a little stiffer then more expensive lifts but it seems to be softening up a little. For the price its a good value you get the springs front n back, bushings, sway bar extensions, drop pitman arm, Transfer Case drop kit, if you want to use one. The only things I didn't get with the kit was brake line extensions and new heavy duty shackles. It doesn't ride like a new SUV but not like a log truck. It all depends on what you want to spend on your lift and what your looking for. Maybe some others can chime in and explain what they have, what all came with the kit, and how it rides? But maybe thats a different thread?

Thanks. I was looking at skyjacker but I was up towards 800+ dollars with the pitman arm. Their kits don't even come with one. I work with a guy who owns a jeep shop and he recommended rough country. I was thinking of going with their 4 inch kit, which would save me a TON of money, like half off +. He quoted me 400 with the drop pitman arm, which is awesome. I was thinking of getting bilstein shocks instead of the RC shocks, since I was already saving a load. Also was considering the RC steering damper, since I wanted to get one anyway.

I will be getting heavy duty stock height shackles. From what I hear, RC 4 inch lifts are tall for the size when compared to others, so I won't need lift shackles for the 33s. I will be getting new stainless lines as well.

Thanks for the help. I just couldn't get my mind around spending almost a grand on lift stuff when I spend a grand on the jeep, haha. I think RC will be fine for what I need. Its not like I am using it as a daily driver. It will just be for driving around town and playing in the woods.