Go to post #2 for actual build plans.
To start, this won't be a crazy build (famous last words) full of cutting, welding, outboarding, or stretching. You won't ever find me in Johnson Valley or at King of the Hammers. I like mild rock crawling and mostly forest roads, or just simply going off the beaten path. This is what I enjoyed doing in my last jeep and will continue to do in this one. I'm excited for this build, because I can implement lessons learned from my last jeep, use the knowledge I've gained from everyone here, and build a really solid and capable jeep.
A little background. My last TJ was a 2002 APEX edition (over-glorified X) in Bright Silver Metallic with a dark agate interior and Cognac "ultrahide" seats. I liked the silver exterior, but despised the dark interior with the off-color seats. The only reason I bought it in the first place was because I got it stock in pristine condition for $7k with 58k original miles on it. Even now that would be a steal, but three years ago, that was pillage and plunder. Here's a couple pictures right after I bought it.
Cue six months ago when I was considering selling this and getting an LJR. I was browsing CL ads when a 2000 Sahara in Forest Green Pearl popped up. I had never really looked at photos of one, but the green pearlcoat with the tan hardtop was beautiful. I always loved the TJ tan interior, which the Sahara has, and the two-tone green and tan cloth seats looked sharp. An added bonus is the fact that the Sahara has tan roll bar padding instead of black. I was sold. I tossed the idea of an LJR or a TJR because I haven't yet had the need for lockers or a 4:1 transfer case, and adding a locker yourself isn't that hard to do. If I ever get to the point that I need one, I will.
I started looking in December and sold my silver TJ in January. Over the course of almost six months, several really nice, low-mileage Saharas popped up, and were sold almost as quickly as they were posted. I had a good budget for one, but there are lots of people here that have much more to spend
A couple weeks ago, I almost pulled the trigger on a 1998 Sport with 56k miles. It was nice, but not what I really wanted. I wanted another jeep so bad that I was willing to compromise. I had a talk with my brother the night before I had planned to pick it up and he confirmed what I already knew; "Be patient, the right one will present itself and you'll know." Half an hour later I'm at home browsing CL, and a 2000 Sahara with 53k miles shows up in a town about an hour from me for $10k. It was the original owner and he had bought it brand new in 1999. I was floored, and immediately text the guy. It had been posted only two hours prior, so I was hoping I'd be the first.
I get a text back from him informing me that several parties are already interested, and that someone is coming in the morning to look at it. My heart sank. Who would pass on that? I informed him I'd bring him cash first thing in the AM and wouldn't haggle him on price. He told me he would keep me in the loop if the first guy passed.
I received a text from him about 15 minutes later.
I would be lying if I told you I didn't do a little dance of joy. We worked out the details and I met him the next morning.
I was a bit concerned before I showed up. I looked up the build sheet and the jeep originally came from MS, and then ND. He assured me that here was minor surface rust, but people who come from the rust belt have an entirely different opinion on what 'light rust" means. He also told me that several people had offered him anywhere from the $11-13k range to outbid me, but he said he didn't need the extra cash and would honor his deal with me. It was only an hour away and it was a good excuse to get out of Sedona for the day, so off I went.
It was in great shape and it really did have only minor surface rust. The inside of the frame was solid and the underbody was spotless. The paint was in good shape, some scratches on the fender flares mostly, but the paint itself was still very healthy. The interior was pristine. For 10K I wasn't gonna be that picky. I took it for a ten minute test drive to make sure everything was running properly and that the 4x4 worked, signed the bill of sale, and drove it home. Here's the first picture I took of it, and a couple more.
To start, this won't be a crazy build (famous last words) full of cutting, welding, outboarding, or stretching. You won't ever find me in Johnson Valley or at King of the Hammers. I like mild rock crawling and mostly forest roads, or just simply going off the beaten path. This is what I enjoyed doing in my last jeep and will continue to do in this one. I'm excited for this build, because I can implement lessons learned from my last jeep, use the knowledge I've gained from everyone here, and build a really solid and capable jeep.
A little background. My last TJ was a 2002 APEX edition (over-glorified X) in Bright Silver Metallic with a dark agate interior and Cognac "ultrahide" seats. I liked the silver exterior, but despised the dark interior with the off-color seats. The only reason I bought it in the first place was because I got it stock in pristine condition for $7k with 58k original miles on it. Even now that would be a steal, but three years ago, that was pillage and plunder. Here's a couple pictures right after I bought it.
Cue six months ago when I was considering selling this and getting an LJR. I was browsing CL ads when a 2000 Sahara in Forest Green Pearl popped up. I had never really looked at photos of one, but the green pearlcoat with the tan hardtop was beautiful. I always loved the TJ tan interior, which the Sahara has, and the two-tone green and tan cloth seats looked sharp. An added bonus is the fact that the Sahara has tan roll bar padding instead of black. I was sold. I tossed the idea of an LJR or a TJR because I haven't yet had the need for lockers or a 4:1 transfer case, and adding a locker yourself isn't that hard to do. If I ever get to the point that I need one, I will.
I started looking in December and sold my silver TJ in January. Over the course of almost six months, several really nice, low-mileage Saharas popped up, and were sold almost as quickly as they were posted. I had a good budget for one, but there are lots of people here that have much more to spend
A couple weeks ago, I almost pulled the trigger on a 1998 Sport with 56k miles. It was nice, but not what I really wanted. I wanted another jeep so bad that I was willing to compromise. I had a talk with my brother the night before I had planned to pick it up and he confirmed what I already knew; "Be patient, the right one will present itself and you'll know." Half an hour later I'm at home browsing CL, and a 2000 Sahara with 53k miles shows up in a town about an hour from me for $10k. It was the original owner and he had bought it brand new in 1999. I was floored, and immediately text the guy. It had been posted only two hours prior, so I was hoping I'd be the first.
I get a text back from him informing me that several parties are already interested, and that someone is coming in the morning to look at it. My heart sank. Who would pass on that? I informed him I'd bring him cash first thing in the AM and wouldn't haggle him on price. He told me he would keep me in the loop if the first guy passed.
I received a text from him about 15 minutes later.
I would be lying if I told you I didn't do a little dance of joy. We worked out the details and I met him the next morning.
I was a bit concerned before I showed up. I looked up the build sheet and the jeep originally came from MS, and then ND. He assured me that here was minor surface rust, but people who come from the rust belt have an entirely different opinion on what 'light rust" means. He also told me that several people had offered him anywhere from the $11-13k range to outbid me, but he said he didn't need the extra cash and would honor his deal with me. It was only an hour away and it was a good excuse to get out of Sedona for the day, so off I went.
It was in great shape and it really did have only minor surface rust. The inside of the frame was solid and the underbody was spotless. The paint was in good shape, some scratches on the fender flares mostly, but the paint itself was still very healthy. The interior was pristine. For 10K I wasn't gonna be that picky. I took it for a ten minute test drive to make sure everything was running properly and that the 4x4 worked, signed the bill of sale, and drove it home. Here's the first picture I took of it, and a couple more.
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