NewKindOfClown

I'm still waiting to do something interesting on this build. If you look at the dates, you'll notice not much has happened for over a year.

When I got out of the army last Spring, they didn't give me any of my paperwork. I was wrongfully denied unemployment, denied some of my vet benefits, and turned away when I applied for disability compensation from the army. Had trouble finding work, and when I got my first check in January, I was three days away from being forcibly removed from my apartment by the sheriff.

This year has been spent catching up, and I'm pushing hard to clear my debts. Unfortunately, that limits what I can do to the Jeep.

In 2018, the Jeep turns 25 and I can put Street Rod tags on it instead of Historic. At that point, very few laws apply to it regarding equipment, and I won't have to worry about pesky little things like tire coverage. I want it stretched with tons, 40s or 42s, and a full custom cage

Krakker

That totally SUCKS man.
Took me 10yrs on my last YJ build, got jacked in an accident and wife N daughter had to do a lot of work on it for me to keep it going. It was one I planned on keeping for myself (no build N sell rig) and I got my wheeling fix from R/C crawlers for several years.
I don't wheel as much or extreme anymore, but I'm stayin in the game.

Don't give up! you'll get there. Sounds like some good plans tho, I got my 37's from a guy doing a similar build who went to 42's cuz they were too small. Never dawned on me till I put them on and thought HUh,,,,,, Shoulda went bigger. lol 40's or 42's on a comp cut should be sweet.

NewKindOfClown

My downpipe broke on Tuesday. Advance Auto overnighted a TJ pipe so I could fix it and upgrade. I went in Wednesday morning to get it, and they only ordered the pipe; not the other stuff I asked for like some 2.5" straight pipe and band clamps. Also, my neighbor lent out my impact that I let him borrow, and with it went the batteries that also run my reciprocating saw and angle grinder. It was a very long day with a hacksaw, a screwdriver, and a mallet, but I finished it up around 10pm. New exhaust from the downpipe to the not-very-old Flowmaster muffler.

I drove to work on Thursday. No issues. I came home, changed clothes, and got back in the Jeep to go see Suicide Squad. It started up like normal, ran for about 20 seconds, and turned off. Wouldn't restart. I was chasing my tail all night. Did a complete tuneup (everything desperately needed to be replaced), and one of the screws snapped on my distributor cap. The extractor was just eating through the sheet metal screw, so I finally drilled it out and dropped a #10 machine screw through it with a nut underneath. After replacing the cap and rotor, plugs, and wires, and cleaning a bunch of connections and grounds, it was cranking much more quickly but still not turning over.

The sun was up at that point, so I waited for Advance to open, and I bought a new CPS and ignition coil. The CPS is very easy to replace on these, so I started there even thought I didn't expect it to help. It didn't. But now I have a spare. The ignition coil is a huge pain in the *** to replace when you don't have two 10mm wrenches or even one ratcheting 10mm. I finally got that done, and it fired right up. I let out a hearty mad scientist laugh, partially attributed to lack of sleep, and I took a shower before work. I finally got home Friday night after being awake for 38 hours, and I set an alarm for 8 hours of sleep. Woke up, packed a bag, and went to Rausch Creek.

All that work I did Wednesday? Well, the downpipe is still there, but I lost the muffler and tailpipe on a trail. I stopped at Advance again on the way home to see if they had an OEM-sized muffler with 2.5" inlet instead of 2.25". I walked in and asked if they had books for exhaust parts, and he scoffed and told me they don't need books because their computer system is better. I smiled. We walked to the counter together.

"What year, make, and model?" he asked with a proud smirk.
"1993 Jeep Wrangler 4.0L, but I need something with a 2.5" inlet that will occupy the same physical space. Find me a donor."
"Our system doesn't give dimensions. I need to know the vehicle it's from."
"That's why shops still use books."

I ended up looking at product specs on SummitRacing.com while the counter jockey checked inventory for each part number I called out. I walked out with a Walker #18455 from a 1996 Dodge Ram. When I got my parts together and went back to the Jeep, I found a remarkably flat tire. Sidewall gave out from dry rot. I swapped on the spare, went home, and installed the new muffler. It isn't life-changing, but I think I like it based on my test drive last night.

Basslicks

I'll bet it was nice to finally wheel it again.

dukie564

that tire is indeed "remarkably flat"

XJwonders

It was funny watching you bend that tail pipe.

Basslicks

lol, right? Not "quasi-flat", not "the diet-coke of flat".... REMARKABLY FLAT.

Basslicks

Here ya go Tim... guy's runnin' the STT Pros. Not sure if his first impression is helpful or not but...

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/xj...0/#post3290773

NewKindOfClown

Thanks. I've still been reading a lot, and I'm looking at the ST Maxx if I can get them with free shipping. Second choice at the moment is the STT Pro, but I'm really leaning toward an A/T. They deliver much better winter performance, and A/T tread patterns have come a long way since I first looked a few years ago

Basslicks

Ah yeah, that's true. Forget sometimes you have to worry about driving it in the snow.

Rogue4x4

FWIW...I have driven the STT's in the snow. Awesome. Also, the link BL posted...I ran that trail, and many others in Colorado. Not only did they perform awesome on the trail, but I ran them on the street as well, my rig is my daily and has been since day one. Not the pros, but I have had nothing but good to say about the Coopers. Ran KM2's before them, and thought they were good until I ran the Coops. I had run the KM2's on my Toy before I got the XJ, but I'm now a Cooper guy...the Toy had GY at first (on when I bought), then got some Pro-Comps (complete garbage), then the KM2's...when I sold the Toy and got the XJ, I ran what was on it until they died, can't remember what they were...did some shopping and went with the Coops.

Not telling you they're the greatest...but they're pretty damn good. They've taken what I have dished out, on and off road, over the years, and for the price, I feel they're a great value, for a *****in' all-around tire.

Just one guy's opinion.

Basslicks

I had set of cooper street tires on my Jeep when I bought it... and I was really surprised at how well they did in sand and even shallow mud - aired down for both, of course. I also had a Multi-Mile Wild Country MTX on the right rear of my jeep when I had the BFG MTs on it (I'm told Cooper makes MM as well as Cordovan - who makes a twin of that tire) and it was awesome as well. I like the looks of the STT Pros... and I'll probably be in the market soon 'cause my tires are starting to ride like out of round boulders! Must be how Fred Flinstone feels.

Krakker

BOGGERS !!!!!

Basslicks

Boogers.

NewKindOfClown

They'd last longer