Well I pulled the trigger! Let me first say thank you to everyone at wranglertjforum for all the knowledge you've shared. And a special thank you to Russ Pottenger, my Jedi Master in the way of the stroker!
Truly everyones advice on what to do or not to do to your jeep is based on how they think a jeep should be used. So that you understand my intent I will give you some background. First I lived the 80's!
Monster trucks ruled. The 60-70's Ford Broncos I owned destroyed Jeeps off roading or on. We off roaded to go hunting in the Capitan mountians or arrow head hunting off the Caprock sandhills in New Mexico. We didnt have trails we made our own and hammered those beasts relentlessly. If it broke we made it stronger. The 302 in the Broncos spanked the Jeeps. It was all about getting there first the most radical way possible! But the Jeep clansman were committed and dedicated. We all gave them respect because lets face it, Jeeps are just cool! They were just dog slow. Young and dumb, but it was fun.
Fast forward to now. Single Dad with 3 kids, 2 girls 11, 14 and my boy 15. I come across this Jeep for $1900 bucks with a locked up motor. And Im thinking this is a father son bonding project! Of course I dont want a stock motor they cant even pull a boat. So to the net for some research on a V8 swap and of all things I want to stay Jeep and put another contender on the field. Im hooked. I tell the boy, he's singing Dads praises and then a month later 16 and girls throw my boy into idiot mode. Some of us have been there. And to make a long story short hes at he's Moms, Girls go visit Mo m and 16 year old gets a boyfriend down there and they tell me they need to bond with Mom and now I went from Awesome Dad to Empty Nest bam just like that. I have a small landscape and irrigation business and the guys have totalled 2 trucks within 6 months. And the fact I turn 51 next month, Im pretty much on a downer and need a new drug! Lol. I need a little of the glory days blowing axles apart and catching air, and popping wheelies on steep parking lot entrances. My mid life counsler Guru Russ is making that happen! I dont want to be practical, I dont want to be conservative, I just want to play. So with that in mind pitch in for what its worth and Ill keep you updated on the journey out of a mid life crisis by the power of a stroker and my new Jeep clansmen!
First up Ive purchased a salvaged motor to get it running while we build the stroker. I have the old 4.0 pulled, I had to cut the stripped torx head off the bolt to pull the engine...lots of fun.
Truly everyones advice on what to do or not to do to your jeep is based on how they think a jeep should be used. So that you understand my intent I will give you some background. First I lived the 80's!
Fast forward to now. Single Dad with 3 kids, 2 girls 11, 14 and my boy 15. I come across this Jeep for $1900 bucks with a locked up motor. And Im thinking this is a father son bonding project! Of course I dont want a stock motor they cant even pull a boat. So to the net for some research on a V8 swap and of all things I want to stay Jeep and put another contender on the field. Im hooked. I tell the boy, he's singing Dads praises and then a month later 16 and girls throw my boy into idiot mode. Some of us have been there. And to make a long story short hes at he's Moms, Girls go visit Mo m and 16 year old gets a boyfriend down there and they tell me they need to bond with Mom and now I went from Awesome Dad to Empty Nest bam just like that. I have a small landscape and irrigation business and the guys have totalled 2 trucks within 6 months. And the fact I turn 51 next month, Im pretty much on a downer and need a new drug! Lol. I need a little of the glory days blowing axles apart and catching air, and popping wheelies on steep parking lot entrances. My mid life counsler Guru Russ is making that happen! I dont want to be practical, I dont want to be conservative, I just want to play. So with that in mind pitch in for what its worth and Ill keep you updated on the journey out of a mid life crisis by the power of a stroker and my new Jeep clansmen!
First up Ive purchased a salvaged motor to get it running while we build the stroker. I have the old 4.0 pulled, I had to cut the stripped torx head off the bolt to pull the engine...lots of fun.