Calling Jeepers: Need Help with first Purchase

[electronman1729]

To all the Jeepers out there I need some help.

Thinking of buying a jeep to do some off road'ing. Not looking for any thing extreme, just something to take into the mountains on the weekends.
Looking for a Jeep with 4WD, 30+ish tires body/suspension lift and maybe lockers
My question is this:
How is it that I know what Iam buying is fair market value and not marked up?
Is it worth it to buy a bare bones jeep and modify it my self?

Thanks

[HoneyBadger]

What year range are you looking? Body style?

[Clint45]

If you aren't planning on using it for a daily driver, an older CJ or YJ 6 cylinder will be the best bang for your buck. Just look it over good for rust or cracks in the frame.

[electronman1729]

What year range are you looking? Body style?

Doesn't Really matter to me, just looking for something to get the job done

[HoneyBadger]

Doesn't Really matter to me, just looking for something to get the job done

Okay, then I agree with this:

If you aren't planning on using it for a daily driver, an older CJ or YJ 6 cylinder will be the best bang for your buck. Just look it over good for rust or cracks in the frame.

[Rooskibar03]

I hear the Trail Hawk is pretty bitchin.

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/129633-...ght=Trail+hawk

[HoneyBadger]

I hear the Trail Hawk is pretty bitchin.

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/129633-...ght=Trail+hawk

[tmleadr03]

FZJ80.

[islandermyk]

I'm really new to this "Jeep thing" myself and so far here's my experience.
It's expensive... and can get really expensive.
First off...
I got an 07 Sahara Unlimited (and love it!)
I found a 3" Teraflex lift kit (all 4 shocks, springs, rear relocation thingy for the rear track and bump stops) for $125 on craigslist. Cool.. installed the kit with ease at my buddy's place. Took it out for a drive.... SON OF A B*TCH!!!! I hit a bump at 50 mph and low and behold the dreaded "DEATH WOBBLE!"
Now how the f*ck do I cure this???
I went and bought a Rubicon Express front track bar for $200+ dollars... nope, that didn't work. Bought a Rubicon Express steering damper for something like $45 or so... nope.. that didn't work, shit!!! So I went ahead and replaced all the ball joints... another $200+ dollar item... steering feels more positive (fricken love it!), but it didn't cure the wobble as much.. Now I was able to hit a little over 60 mph, shit! What next?! I balanced the tires.. wobble was still there. I went ahead and bought Metalcloak's front lower control arms for $300 or something and made adjustments on the castor, Yippeeee!!! I could go up to 75 and 80 mph!!! Still when I got the death wobble.. I got the death wobble. By this time I've already blown the Rubicon Express steering damper. Had it replaced with a Old man Emu.. one of the best investments! It calmed a lot of the wobble down.. especially after going through every single nut and bolt and over torquing them down
I looked at going bigger with tires, and found out that the bigger rim size diameter you go... the higher the price goes with the rubber. I have the 18 inch stock rims and got some 17" rims off ebay for $325. I did the math and figured if I stuck with the stock 18" rims I'll need to buy wheel spacers at $100+ dollars and I would have to fork over $30 to $80 dollars more per tire.
Thank God I know how to drive stick/manual transmission! Jeep's from 07 to 12 have the shittiest gearings 3.29 (with the exception of their Rubicons at 4.10)!!!! I have 35's on my Jeep.. it moves in and out of the city pretty well, but it really sucks ass on the highway! The cool part about running the 35's on my jeep... I no longer have death wobbles
I drove my buddy's rig (a 02 Jeep Rubicon on 35's) with a 4.88 gearing.. Gaht damn! That thing drove so much better than my Jeep
Now I'm looking at close too $2K for regearing and some lockers.

No heavy duty bumpers or armor yet... not until I at least regear my rig. Knowing the gearing sucks ass... I got a "Flashpak $200+ and a MF catback system $200 + to help it out push those heavy 35's.

All this sh*t accumulated really quick. Keep in mind too... Most of the labor was done by me so far.... thank goodness I know how to turn a wrench

8 months into it and here she is "Fingers"... J. just E. empty E. every P. pocket


Try to get a Rubicon (geared at 4.10, select-able front and rear lockers, DANA 44's front and rear, electric front sway bar disconnect, heavier transfer case, etc...)!!!! You'll probably save more money than me in the long run!!!

[Irving]

Are you ONLY looking at Jeeps? If not, beware of the whole platform. My Amigo has 4.10 gears, Dana 44 rear, and limited slip differential, BUT I don't like nearly anything else about it and the detractors weigh much more heavily than those few positives. Also, my Amigo is in between a 2-door Wrangler and the 4-door (pictured above), and it'd be perfect for gear for just me. Add a wife and a kid and it runs out of room real quick. So in short, don't get something you won't like, just because of a few options that'd you'd prefer in an ideal vehicle. No Isuzu Amigo.