How much should I put into this build?

[Mcnenc1]

2004 TJ Sahara 4L 146k miles

So I have this build in mind. Make my TJ a fully capable vehicle. Meaning to go into the mountains, beaches, and cross light streams one weekend and then the next weekend go on a 4 day road trip. So far, there are no known problems/issues with the TJ other than a “clunky” noise coming from the he steering shaft when I turn? And the rear main seal has light leak... Needs new tires probably with in 3-4 months.

So the question is... how much is too much? How much should I put into this build? Would it be worth the money and time and blood and sweat to build it to my liking? Or sell it and get something newer with less miles? A new engine is in the future possibly... I love the idea of keeping this build until my kids are old enough to drive it (16 years from now) is it possible? Is it even smart?

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

Others can comment in more detail about the expected costs of building a rig like you're describing - I think really only you can answer the big question though because the things you describe wanting to do are personal and have inherent value to YOU.

How much $$$ is it worth to give your kids an experience like that someday? Different for every person.

The best advice I got on here (and I'm sure others will echo this) is to make sure the basics are solid first. Start with the frame, inside and out. Identify any rust issues that need to be addressed. If there are any, determine how severe the issue(s) is/are. Same with the body - that stuff will sideline any passion project if it's not taken care of.

The other question is what are you willing/able to do yourself vs. paying someone else to do for you? Projected costs go up exponentially if you aren't planning to repair or install stuff yourself.

I'm not totally answering your questions obviously but that's the general advice I typically read around here and it has served me well so far.

 

[IPerkWVU]

I bought mine with 130k miles and didn't let the milage hold me back from modifying it. It won't add to the value of the jeep but it will be a ton of fun!

 

[Mcnenc1]

No that’s good advice! It’s important to me and overall just fun to build. Most things I can manage at home when it comes to maintenance but obviously I’m not a master mechanic. I guess another thing would be putting so much time and work and money into it and it’s not worth what I put into it and never make my money back IF I were to ever sell it in very far future haha Thank you for the reply! I’ll have to make a list today and prioritize the issues

 

[Mcnenc1]

I bought mine with 130k miles and didn't let the milage hold me back from modifying it. It won't add to the value of the jeep but it will be a ton of fun!

Do you think replacing the engine with a brand new one would ever up the value? I’ve always heard of when you modify and add to most wranglers it would increase value but on the other ya f I’ve heard the exact opposite?? Any insight to that?

 

[Westtown Willy]

You really need to be more specific because based on your description (to go into the mountains, beaches, and cross light streams one weekend and then the next weekend go on a 4 day road trip) I’d say your stock TJ can handle that. Now, if you’re climbing rocks in the mountains the modifications you’d need to consider will vary depending on the size & formation of the rocks. Seriously, your TJ can already handle small to moderate rocks, bigger rocks will require bigger tires & all that they bring with them, & depending on some other variables you may need to consider at least one locker. Once you start down this road you may need to regear as well & a whole lotta other stuff, the slope gets really slippery really fast so it will pay to figure out exactly the type of terrain you’re aiming for. Do that & let us know & you’ll get tons of advice here on options available to you & ranges of costs including both to do-it-yourself & to pay someone else.

As far as replacing your engine, replace it if you have to & not for any other reason

 

[jjvw]

Build it to your needs and to your liking. Use the Jeep, figure out what you want to make better, and then make it better.

How much is too much? I'm not the one to ask questions like that.

 

[TJ2]

2004 TJ Sahara 4L 146k miles

I love the idea of keeping this build until my kids are old enough to drive it (16 years from now) is it possible? Is it even smart?

This just contradicts your intent. Adult off-road toys are not suited for kids on pavement. Not safe and impractical if they flip burgers to support it. Unless you are loaded and willing to spoil them.
I kept my TJs unmolested for a long time in mint condition and then gave them to my kids when they started to drive.

 

[Rob5589]

Before you do anything to it decide what it cannot do now that you want it to do. After that decide how much you want to spend to get it there.

 

[bobthetj03]

There is no way I could recoop the amount of fun coupons I've spent on my TJ, and my build is mild in comparison to many.

 

[Mcnenc1]

You really need to be more specific because based on your description (to go into the mountains, beaches, and cross light streams one weekend and then the next weekend go on a 4 day road trip) I’d say your stock TJ can handle that. Now, if you’re climbing rocks in the mountains the modifications you’d need to consider will vary depending on the size & formation of the rocks. Seriously, your TJ can already handle small to moderate rocks, bigger rocks will require bigger tires & all that they bring with them, & depending on some other variables you may need to consider at least one locker. Once you start down this road you may need to regear as well & a whole lotta other stuff, the slope gets really slippery really fast so it will pay to figure out exactly the type of terrain you’re aiming for. Do that & let us know & you’ll get tons of advice here on options available to you & ranges of costs including both to do-it-yourself & to pay someone else.

As far as replacing your engine, replace it if you have to & not for any other reason

I needed to hear that thank you

 

[Mcnenc1]

Before you do anything to it decide what it cannot do now that you want it to do. After that decide how much you want to spend to get it there.

Solid way to put it thanks

 

[Mcnenc1]

There is no way I could recoop the amount of fun coupons I've spent on my TJ, and my build is mild in comparison to many.

Hahaha alright you sold me at fun coupons

 

[Daryl]

Speaking from purely a financial standpoint, it’s cheaper to buy a TJ as close to how you would have built it and then “personalize” the small details to make it yours.

 

[TJ2]

Deleted

 

[Dezcars]

Everyone has their own tastes when it comes to how their Jeeps need to be outfitted. Same as if you want to sell it. Not everyone wants big tires, a certain color, automatic vs standard. You should just build to your liking and have fun. The way I went about it was, I found a Jeep with an LS swap, and 4L60E trans. Dana 44 front with a Ford 8.8 rear. The foundation was solid so everything else was what I wanted to do. It was cheaper finding it already done than for myself to do it. If you go this route make sure it's all been done professionally. I've seen some very bad swaps, wire nests, welds that never penetrated, etc....But in the end my family and I are actually closer because of the Jeep friendly community with our outings we do in our Jeep.

 

[gg1]

Fix the clunking noise and put better tires on it and you are done. That Jeep will go a lot of places for sure. No need for a bunch of crap on these TJ's. Nice ride!

 

[Ronsrods]

Others can comment in more detail about the expected costs of building a rig like you're describing - I think really only you can answer the big question though because the things you describe wanting to do are personal and have inherent value to YOU.

How much $$$ is it worth to give your kids an experience like that someday? Different for every person.

The best advice I got on here (and I'm sure others will echo this) is to make sure the basics are solid first. Start with the frame, inside and out. Identify any rust issues that need to be addressed. If there are any, determine how severe the issue(s) is/are. Same with the body - that stuff will sideline any passion project if it's not taken care of.

The other question is what are you willing/able to do yourself vs. paying someone else to do for you? Projected costs go up exponentially if you aren't planning to repair or install stuff yourself.

I'm not totally answering your questions obviously but that's the general advice I typically read around here and it has served me well so far.

Ironically I am facing the same dilemma. I inherited a TJ recently and originally thought about unloading it. The more I looked into it the more I wanted to build it. So I made a list of what is wrong with it, what needs to be fixed, what I want to modify, and then I prioritized. I am looking forward to the build, good luck to you.