What TJ Forum sins have you committed in your build?

Not tracking the previous posts much, but here is a confession.

I don't have a build. I never had a build. I never planned a build. I didn't know what a build was. Seriously.


After about 25 years of trying to grow up, become a husband, a father, an employee, a tradesman, a business owner and employer, I finally could rub 2 dimes together and wanted a Jeep again.

Somewhere along the way I forgot all about them. Completely. Have no idea why. Life got busy.

So why do I have what I have?

Because I got the bug, a little information (you want a TJ Rubicon they said) and moved way faster than I needed to. I saw one that was lifted,had big yellow smiley faces, big tires, a jack on the back, a winch and cb and I thought, Oh Man, boy is this thing something. Sure, l looked under it...I was like a dog looking at a ceiling fan. Just mesmerized.

When I left the lot, and got on the interstate, I was mortified. It was unsafe over 50 mph. It was unbelievably bad.

It was geared wrong. The mud tires were out of production. It had scars, bushings falling out of the control arms, rear steer, noises, squeaks. It had been wheeled hard. It had 20,500 miles, and likely more off-road than on. I really don't want to relive it.

So instead of a build, I began an unplanned fix, with no idea about anything. A buddy said get on here..so I did, and by then I had made some poor choices, but that didn't slow me down from making more.

From there it's been a gradual process of education, correction and improvement. Farting around with it has became a hobby, instead of just a second vehicle. I've made some great friends, taken some great trips, had some great times and plan to have many more.

Sure I would do a lot differently if I could go back and start over...but I've made what I have work for me.

Over time I may redo some of my original decisions, but I've been so busy chasing other things with it doing something twice hasn't been appealing. I'm sure that day will come.

I understand the "Forum Sins" part and how there is this unspoken notion folks get that there is a certain collection of manufacturers and parts that they aren't cool if they don't have and just haven't done it right and probably can't wheel their way out of a wet paper bag...but I don't buy that.

What I do buy is we have some members that are way more experienced than others , and selective about what parts they want to run for the kind of wheeling they want to do, they have the money and the time to make it happen, and want the best they can get. That is often called smart. They know the difference and are willing to part with the funds.

What we have happening is some people think there is an elitest click going on.

I also buy the fact that some of the well respected players make better parts. That needs to be remembered. They cost more because their is more invested and they give a higher return in longevity and performance.

The reason a lot of us have what we have is because it came on it or we put it on not knowing the options - and started with small, unrealistic budgets because we didn't know what we were getting into , and now don't want to go through the cost, pain, downtime or making the wife mad to do it right...or maybe just too stubborn to tear it out and start over.

I bid remodels all the time, and often run into people that probably have the money, but simply have unrealistic expectations of what it is going to cost to do the job. And they shop til they find someone to do it who is just as uneducated, and then they both get into it and find out it can't be done right and successfully for what they planned. Everytime. It Always turns out bad.

Most of the time, when you factor in the pain of dealing with the cheaper product and the higher maintenance and shorter longevity, plus the cost of premature failure, you could have paid for the best.
Not to mention the fact that every minute you ride around with a crappy lift and bad shocks, cheap tires and lower quality parts, you aren't getting close to the same experience as the guy that bought the good stuff.

I don't know where the idea that money can't buy happiness came from...poverty sure doesn't give you a joyride. I'll take the cash.

As Mrs. Howell said on Gilligan's Island ......" Anyone who says money can't buy happiness doesn't know where to shop".

When someone else buys my parts and pays for the labor or puts them on I will build it like they want , but until then I'm going to make the best decisions I can from where I am, do what I can afford, and keep learning and having a great time.

I wish the same for all of you.
Well said.
 
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Just do what works for you, we can always point and laugh at each others Jeeps, whatever.
At the end of the day, If I'm stuck in a mud hole and someone comes along and can pull me out,
I say hey thanks, much appreciated!
I don't care if they are driving a pink Suzuki Samurai rolling on 26" Dayton 100 spokes in 24K. gold plate.
 
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The batteries are disconnected when welding. Two AGM odyssey batts do the work. The system runs in 12v like a dual battery setup, when swapping to weld mode, I use Anderson connectors to convert to 24v. I can weld for 10mins straight at mid speed before I need to charge.

I don't have very good pics of the system, here is the adapter ready to plug in and then plugged in

View attachment 223736

View attachment 223737
You need a 12-24v DC combiner relay used on 24v winches on 12v systems.
 
27 inch spinners go on next week o_O

Lowered.jpg
 
Flip a switch and weld. I like it. It has a Hellroaring 12-12 combiner/isolator on it now. It would have to isolate the batteries from the Jeep.

Stray current hunting for a ground can do some damage (for those who are following along).

https://www.hellroaring.com/products.php
The combiner relays break before they make strictly to prevent 24v from messing with the 12 volt system.
 
The combiner relays break before they make strictly to prevent 24v from messing with the 12 volt system.
I need more info. Is it a build it solution using solenoids or something commercially available?? Very interested.
 
For those who say a farm jack is a sin:

001(220).jpg


Use it, learn it, carry it.

Yes, the ReadyWelder pic is posed. I did use it though. Beautiful welds. Not a production gun but 5-6 inches of 3/4 speed weld and it does good.
 
Forgive me father for I have sinned, its been two weeks since I've done something stupid to my Jeep.

I guess my forum sins are I bought a 4cly TWICE, 2001, and a 2004. I put tube bumpers on the front, and back. I don't plan on putting on a lift kit, or wheeling with my Jeep. I plan on driving it around town, and going down tote roads.

Now ask me if I care if it bothers anyone?
 
Forgive me father for I have sinned, its been two weeks since I've done something stupid to my Jeep.

I guess my forum sins are I bought a 4cly TWICE, 2001, and a 2004. I put tube bumpers on the front, and back. I don't plan on putting on a lift kit, or wheeling with my Jeep. I plan on driving it around town, and going down tote roads.

Now ask me if I care if it bothers anyone?

Do you care if it bothers me?

If your way is the right way and My way is the right way, then mod away!
 
After joining the forums, i have developed a strong urge for electric fan. I have resisted, i have meditated, i have cleared my mind ... And 👆 that 💩 just reminded me of it.
 
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I used to have an EAG Chinesium front bumper. It’s gone now.

Still have MC Front trackbar and arms. I’m sure that’s a forum sin!
 
My sin is not doing a build at all. :ROFLMAO:

This is the first Jeep I've bought where it already had a lift (1" H&R). I put 31's on it and am satisfied so far with it. I did change to a beefier track bar and LCA's, but since it's in such good condition and rides so well I feel guilty beating it up like I did my rusty XJs. I've replaced the soft top, and plan on doing some minor upgrades like skids, rear locker, replacing the clutch, etc, and just enjoying it. Probably doesn't warrant a build thread.
 
33 inch tires with only a 3 inch spring lift up front & 2 in the rear, and, maybe worse, ARB diff covers f/r. I however see these as sins on paper only as nothing makes contact or rubs anything anywhere anytime & I still have 4 inches of travel up front & 5 in the rear, so, there’s that.

Apparently my TJ floats somewhere outside the TJ space/time/laws of physics continuum

dumpster.jpg
 
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