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Not much going on currently. Trying to save, and process a plan for the Jeep. Other than that, I was able to pick up some Corbeau Moab seats on XJ brackets. The seats are comfy, and when you're in them, YOU'RE IN THEM!
Found a used motor for good 'ol Judith. It has 130,xxx miles. I plan to rob the block, swap my TUPY head over and send it like that. In the mean time, we clattred down some trails on Sunday with a few friends!
After lots of searching, I tracked down a motor to use! came from a 2001 with 130,xx miles. I plan to use the bottom end, swap over my TUPY head and rock it like that (after seals and all that of course)
Small little upgrade. Had a shop cut off my old shock mounts in the rear, then burn in these zone mounts. Also had him shim the diff. Still on a waiting list for a shop!
I have several things on the back burner currently, from a back-up motor, gears, to an ARB front bumper. Just waiting for some warmer weather to get the ball rolling! The ARB bumper came from a rolled ZJ, after some measurements, it has been determined that with the use of new brackets, welded to the bumper. It will fit a Cherokee. Other than that, check out a new video on my channel! Also, little late, but here's a shot from my festive apartment. Peep the header panel.
It's been so long since I've last updated you all. I keep things more up to date on youtube. However, to whom ever is reading. Here's the latest.
Judith received a new bumper.
Remember that ARB off the ZJ I picked up dirt jeep? Well, after burning in some bumper builder brackets, and trimming the sides. It mounted up great in my opinion! I only wish it sat a half an inch higher, but, for $170 total.
Ohh, and that motor!
Yeah, I took a gamble on that and lost. Did all the seals, head resurface, all that fun stuff. Well. Checked the bearings, and it all checked out great! However, the dang thing makes more piston slap than my old one! This one has 30 psi at hot idle so! So, I still have my old block, worst case I'll have it remaned.
Gears, Gear, Gears
Finally got the gears installed, along with that Powertrax LSD. Man what a difference! The LSD makes a solid difference on the rocks too!
Adventures, lots of them. While there has been some body mods here and there, we've been taking on alot of adventures! From Camping, crawling, and fishing!
Body Mods
In preparation for Jamboree we did a quarter, quarter cut and fold, then extended my rear bumper out to provided a bit of a small "rock rail" for the back. Paired that with the Napier cut and fold flares for a pretty clean look!
28th annual Black Hills Jeep Jamboree
I was lucky enough to be chosen to guide a harder trails for the official Jamboree here in the Hills. I had an absolute blast, and cant wait for next year. Dakota edition tackles Texas Falls 2019 Overland on Slaughter Hill 2020 Rubi on the Waterfall
First Trail Damage, now in the market for armor
Sadly, while taking a VERY technical route, the Jeep ended up with a large branch pressing into the body. Clean Jeep no more, very sad day. At least some quarter panel armor ill hide that!
Rolled 183,000 on the trail
I'm digging your YouTube channel. Good on ya for picking up trash. If more people were like you and me (I too hate litter bugs), we'd have more open trails across the country...
Hello, I have found myself with so little time that I am not even able to sit and update. First off, I want to give thanks to this forum. Without you, Judith would have not come this far. Thank you, for being such an awesome community, I have learned so much, and enjoy looking at everyone's builds. In a world of facebook groups, this has been ,my favorite site of "social media". I have lots and lots of updates over the last year. I will do my best to organize in a decent manner. I was voted is as our clubs Vice- President. With that, I helped host a 4x4 101 event, a fundraiser for a local child's home, and several trail clean up days/vehicle removal projects. I ended up spending almost all winter hording parts. From rare taillight guards, to items to build a rear bumper. Now, these upgrades were over the course of the last year. I actually believe we're over a year from when I posted last. Let's get started.
Last Years Damage
After Jamboree last year, I ended up laying the side of my jeep into a tree. While the damage was minimal, I decided to install a set of JCR quarter panel armor. The fitment was not the best. However, Judith is used and abused. No show Jeep here, so I wasn't too concerned. I placed an order, and they sat for a hot minute.
New Tire Carrier, who dis?
After the Armor was installed, I enlisted a co-worker to build my dream swing out. This consisted of a JCR DIY kit, and several supporting parts. The re-design came as I had found a set of Rare taillight guards. I have been searching for a set for the whole time I've owned Judith. I ended up drawing up a rough draft, This included a drop down table to cook off of, space to fit the guards, and rocker knockers. The guy who fabricated it, re-enforced the wheels wells to mount the rock knockers to. Then the bumper tie ins bolt up with the gas tank skid. Overall I am extremely pleased with how the bumper turned out. All in all, I have about $1600 wrapped into it, which is roughly the same price as something similar.
Uni-body Stiffners
My local offroad shop hated me for this... I picked up a FULL set of IRO stiffners.. I do not have the space to install these, so I enlisted a local shop. One of the best piece of mind upgrades I've ever installed.
Judith is now a pop up restaurant?
A friend text me one day asking if I wanted an insane deal on a Vehicle fridge. When I was told the price. I couldn't say no. I picked up a brand new in the box SmittyBilt artic fridge. I went ahead and picked up a Iron man slide out drawer dealio. I welded up half a hitch basket from harbor freight to serves as a shelf to get back some space. I have spots underneath to store my milk crates, my OBA fits well, and the fridge is setup nice. I ran a 12V outlet in the back. The fridge has a low voltage cut off as well. I have let it sit on in the ECO mode for two days straight with no issues. I am not running dual batteries. So far, so good!
This isn't even my final form
While, there has been tons of tiny things along the way. Like the new rack, a $100 awning I already broke. One of my favorites, has to be the facelift. I picked up a solar yellow grille, while one of the surrounds was pretty gone, I painted one of my old ones. The jeep is 50 shades of yellow, but from 20ft away, it ain't bad. I also installed some new headlights thanks to my momma, and some stone guards for them. Then, I did away with the ARB and dropped the coin on a Warrior Products crawler front bumper. It's pure beef, and looks great.
There is tons of things left to do, from more skid plates, and needing new tires. To a whole new motor/ maybe trans.
Until then, we have been enjoying the adventures, from getting married to the best adventure partner possible, to prepping and running another year of Jamboree. Judith continues to be an integral part of the things that make me, me. If it wasn't for this old rig, I wouldn't have the career I have now, and the adventures under my belt. I hope you all have enjoyed the journey.
Now, we wait
