TJDon
Wrench guy
Hey all! I recently picked up this 2002 TJ as a daddy daughter project build. Found the Jeep on Craigslist locally here in northern California. Guy had it listed for $5800, high mileage 195k, no A/C, manual trans (so daughter can't text and drive (**thinker moment lol) soft top that was hammered, 4" pro-crap lift and roof rack. The 33" Tires were clapped out and bald...bottom line wasn't well taken care of cosmetically but ran like a top because it was the guys daily driver and hunting rig. Was able to work him down on the price of $4500. Win in my book!
(For some reason I'm not able to post pics)
So far I've replaced the soft top, installed 35" KO2's and cleaned up the neglect and fixed some odds and ends
This will be a multI purpose rig. First it'll be a weekend trail rig, and when my daughter gets to driving age it will be her Jeep to drive to school. We've got about 3 years till she drives. Till then, it'll be a budget build and as we can afford to get it where we would like it.
I have built a handfull of rigs from my first, a suzuki samurai, solid axle swap '90 4runner, '84 xtra cab toyota and 6 Jeeps....TJ's, Cherokees.
Lately, "overlanding" has been kind of the craze and it's got me suckered in. I love exploring back roads and finding what is or isn't out there. I've done the local trails, rubicon countless times, 4dyce Barret Lake is my favorite.
This build has to stay on the mild side being my daughter will be driving it eventually but still be rugged to take on rock trails occasionally. And the thought of also using it to head out to the middle if nowhere. Finding a distant lake/river, ghost towns out in NV and being as self sufficient as possible and carrying the essentials
Has any of you come up with good storage that's rugged? Where miles of washboard road won't tear it apart. Fuel storage? Outdoor kitchen?
I like the thoughts of having a kitchen side on rails out the back. I have a ARB fridge that'll be mounted. Planning on a rooftop tent, which tents work best with the small roof area? And what is a reliable GPS maps to use?
Any input is welcome.
Thanks guys
(For some reason I'm not able to post pics)
So far I've replaced the soft top, installed 35" KO2's and cleaned up the neglect and fixed some odds and ends
This will be a multI purpose rig. First it'll be a weekend trail rig, and when my daughter gets to driving age it will be her Jeep to drive to school. We've got about 3 years till she drives. Till then, it'll be a budget build and as we can afford to get it where we would like it.
I have built a handfull of rigs from my first, a suzuki samurai, solid axle swap '90 4runner, '84 xtra cab toyota and 6 Jeeps....TJ's, Cherokees.
Lately, "overlanding" has been kind of the craze and it's got me suckered in. I love exploring back roads and finding what is or isn't out there. I've done the local trails, rubicon countless times, 4dyce Barret Lake is my favorite.
This build has to stay on the mild side being my daughter will be driving it eventually but still be rugged to take on rock trails occasionally. And the thought of also using it to head out to the middle if nowhere. Finding a distant lake/river, ghost towns out in NV and being as self sufficient as possible and carrying the essentials
Has any of you come up with good storage that's rugged? Where miles of washboard road won't tear it apart. Fuel storage? Outdoor kitchen?
I like the thoughts of having a kitchen side on rails out the back. I have a ARB fridge that'll be mounted. Planning on a rooftop tent, which tents work best with the small roof area? And what is a reliable GPS maps to use?
Any input is welcome.
Thanks guys