wikiwaugh

There's so many build threads on here and I've always wanted to start my own, so tonight I have dedicated my time to showing you the last three years of work. Although not as well documented as it could be, at least if I get this rolling now I can update it more often

It goes without saying that Canadian winters suck. When I decided to start a build, I knew I had to go Jeep. Found one locally for $1,000 - a '91 2 door, all stock. Knew right away this was the perfect start to a long term project.

Project Breakdown (since purchase, list updated 10/9/13)
After about a year of misc. parts replacements (brakes, lines, exhaust, joints, blah blah blah), I was comfortable with starting on new additions. First up, new tires.





Okay, so maybe going with 31's off the start was a bad idea. Fender trimming was in order, but I was unsure about my trimming plans so I just folded back the fender a little for the time being.

Next step, get it muddy. Removed fender flares because that's what all the cool kids do.




New front end put in from local pick and pull. Totally worth it in my opinion - scored a near new APE cold air intake for $20.

More pictures to in next post.... thanks for reading - first time doing this!

wikiwaugh

Okay, so the new front end was put in. Mind you, it's green, but I'm not too concerned.



Oh, and the new cold air intake I got out of the deal.



So the stock bumper got screwed, my initial thought was to replace with another cheap stock one from the junk yard, but in the back of my mind I knew I wouldn't be happy until there was a steel winch bumper on the front. More on that later...

Since there's no bumper on the front the fender flares look funny as they usually extend down to the bottom of the bumper. So I zipped those off And because new add-ons are fun I added some wheel spacers to accommodate my wide tire dream until I get 12.5 wides lol.



More in a couple minutes, I have some new exciting things

wikiwaugh

Didn't really think I needed pictures for the little things, so I thought I'd just tell you what happened next.

For the most part, 2010 was lame.

Got broken into, smashed steering column, couldn't figure out how to start it, so they left it. I found a replacement column from a yard for $50, put it in. Two months later, truck gets broken into, this time whoever it was knew to pull towards yourself on the rod than push like all other makes. So I got another new column. No break-ins since. All in all not an enjoyable experience, but I know way more about steering column assembly than I ever wanted to know lol. I also became very efficient at starting it with one finger.

Alternator died, put a new one in. Battery died, put a new one in. Starter died, put a new one in.

New - Fuel filter. Plugs. Cables. Distributor rotor and cap. Ball joints. Driveshaft u-joint.

I think the Jeep decided to go through a phase where it was just angry at me for letting it get broken into and stolen.

Next post, I do something stupid. Then I make the lift leap.

Thanks for reading

wikiwaugh

Get your fill of Canadian stereotypes in....



I went mudding, and got stuck. Before you ask why I'm stupid enough to drive into a body of water that deep... it wasn't there when I got stuck! I got the truck stuck, and couldn't get a tow until the following day. Okay, fine.

Next morning, it has conveniently rained more in 12 hours that the collective rainfall of the entire summer. Awesome.

And the results...




Oh what, who ordered this lift kit? 6.5" looks like fun

wikiwaugh

Alright, so new lift came in Ordered a 6.5" RC kit online, shipped to my door within 6 days I think, pretty impressed. FYI, customs charges suck. Combined shipping charge of $250 for a $900 lift....

Dropped out the front end



Put new coils and arms in



Got the whole front end in and had to stand back and revel in the awesomeness, which is actually a word by the way.



And now we take apart the back end

Thanks to the wonder of rust, the passenger side front leaf pack bolt decided to be the largest pain in the *** ever. It was literally the last bolt to remove before putting the new leaf in and finishing it. The stupid nut that they weld to the frame snapped so the bolt just spun inside the frame. I don't want to talk about the rest.



And finally the lift is in! We just got a boatload of snow.... I'm going to get into trouble

wikiwaugh

I forgot a couple minor things... first, it got towed at one point during the build process - I had left it behind our shop overnight (as many people do) and some lovely person decided to call it in.

The really awesome part was that I hadn't put the rear end in yet - the leaf bolt had stopped us from finishing the first night. So it was towed across the city to impound with one new leaf, one old leaf, and shocks in the rear. Couldn't keep it in the shop overnight as we use the bay for sign work daily. Furthermore, being in the impound meant I now had to tow it back to the shop to finish working on it.

Luckily enough, found a friend who had a low ride flat bed and towed it back to the shop for a case of beer. Pretty sweet deal.



Lift is finally done, and driven home to show off



Thanks for reading, more to come and upcoming improvements and questions

wikiwaugh

Project Breakdown (since purchase)

wikiwaugh

So that's all I got right now. What do you think? I have a lot of work ahead of me.

Next month brings my next improvement.... two if I'm lucky. So far, I'm leaning towards winch mount front bumper and rock sliders...

But..... 6.5" lifts make 31's look soooo small hahaha. Those 35's are calling my name.

What should I do next? I leave the decision in your hands

Thanks again,
Will.

Impulse2010

35's lol

DRUNKEN DIXIE

I'm with this guy, 35's with aftermarket wheels so you can take the spacers off.

wikiwaugh

The more I think about it, the more I want to go 35's lol. I found a nice set of mud-terrains 35x12.5 for about $1,000 with 500kms on them. Not bad, but then I can take the spacers off

SGT ABN XJ

I vote 35's and a new Spray can Tan paint job, give the attitude with the altitude

wikiwaugh

Hahaha, tan hey? That would be interesting. Yep found some nice 35's, should have them on just after the new year

pickles

Nice work so far! 35's are gonna be too much for stock gears though.. any plans to re-gear?

Whats in it for a rear diff? In the picture it looks to be a D35, hard to tell though. An upgrade to a 8.25 + locker might not be a bad idea if it is a D35

wikiwaugh

Thanks Long road ahead haha. Yeah, I've been jumbling the 4.56 idea once I put the 35's on. Yeah it's a D35 in the rear, 8.25 would be nice too.