Ok hi,
Lurk here finally deciding to join the board that has been super helpful to me already! Figured I'd share my build here in an efforts to repay you guys for the invaluable amount of knowledge I've already gained.
Hey, I'm reedfe but you can call me reedfe. This here is my 2002 Sahara that I picked up in December of 2020 after my 2000 Miata met an unfortunate demise due to the some of our incredibly talented SoFlo drivers (RIP Marilyn, your topless motoring will be missed). But this isn't a Miata board. This is a Jeep board. For Jeep things. And Topless Jeep motoring.
When I picked her up she had just under 178000 miles on her. 4.0, 5spd, Dana 44 rear with 3.73 gears and factory LSD. The PO had taken very good care of her (brand new soft top, super clean interior) and wasn't a spot of rust on the frame or tub that I could find. It ticked all my boxes so I went for it and am still enjoying that decision.
First order of business was new wheels/tires as the tires were very very close to bald and a set of 4 with the undersized factory spare 5th. Took the opportunity to replace the 15x10s with a full set of five 15x8s and wrapped em in 31" KO2s. I've been very satisfied with them so far.
Soon after we went on our first trip together. I was meeting a buddy a couple hours away near Ocala for some camping near a spring. Sent her through Ocala Nat'l Forest for her first taste of offroad. She did just lovely and I was loving it. I had pulled the rear seat and loaded up my camping equipment and ratchet strapped everything down to live out of her for the next few days. I'm not the tallest of guys at 5'9" in the morning with shoes after eating wheaties and standing on tip toes, but I can actually fit and sleep in a hammock strung from corner to corner of the roll cage. Worked like a charm and will be taking full advantage of that on future trips for sure.
Since Angie did so good on that trip, she would be rewarded for her troubles. I decided to replace the replace the headlights as I was less than thrilled with the factory set. The new ones are much brighter for sure but I'm not super stoked on the beam pattern. Don't get me wrong it's great to be able to see but a more uniform pattern would have been great. I would probably buy again but yeah.
As part of her upgrade treatment, I opted to replace the 2" coil spacers from the PO with nearly a full Codaman Lift (see I told you I lurked!). I wanted to avoid a TC drop and SYE while still keeping the streetability. I swapped the spacers for 2.5" RC springs, Rancho shocks, steering stabilizer, actual bumpstops, and a RC rear adjustable track bar. I also took the time to opportunity to replace the factory sway bar endlinks with a set of quick disconnects. The front axle got thrown to the side a bit and I am considering a front adjustable track bar to help fix that a bit. Here she is after the driveway install. Gained a bit of lift from previously but not too much and brought the front close to level. Stoked.
At this time I also baselined the Jeep with all new fluids everywhere. I knew the oil and spark plugs had been done just before I purchased so wasn't too pressed to get this done ASAP. It's nice knowing that I won't have to worry about any of the fluids other than oil for a while now. She does have a small RMS leak as well as a bit of residue around the oil pan gasket but levels stayed pretty much full over the lifespan of the last oil change so I decided to wait until it got where I was needing to add oil to replace. If it ain't broke, fix it till it is!
I had picked up a bit of wheeling accessories for her through this time as well as fix a few minor things (sun visor, AC blower motor, taking off the milkjugs, etc...) but overall she has been trouble free and I couldn't be happier.
Loaded her up with a few friends for a day of wheeling at one of the local Wildlife Management Areas. Definitely got into some trouble but nothing that couldn't be fixed with the help of another vehicle. We were all smiles, ear to ear. The mud on our faces sure was a fun time too but I think next time I'll leave the doors and top on so I don't have to deal with the chore of cleaning the mud from the interior
I know what you're thinking, "ok reedfe that's great and all but what are your plans for the build?" I thought you'd never ask.
I plan on building Angie out to be a capable overland rig while still keeping her comfortable and economical as a DD. She is my daily and my only vehicle so I will be making some compromises (see 31" tires and 2.5" lift) but so far she has been very capable. And being my only vehicle, I think it is far less likely I will be doing gnarlier stuff that would require bigger Jeep for fear of leaving me vehicleless while I fix her. With that all being, said I am considering the usefulness and effectiveness of the following:
-Hardtop (yes pls I want for the whole sleeping inside the hammock thing as well as a security feature. I always worry about leaving anything in the soft top)
-Roof rack (thinking Garvin to help free up some interior space so I can still sleep inside. Eventually a RTT might be nice to be able to bring a friend along. but until that time the hammock or regular ground tent will do just fine)
-Higher clearance rearbumper with maybe a tire carrier (to mount things too and save the stock tailgate hinges. potential to future proof for a bigger set of wheels as well)
-High clearance fenders and sliders at some point (the fenders are the weak point in terms of exterior condition as some show beginning signs of rust, as well as clear coat being gone on others. correct me if I'm wrong but I think this might allow me to run some 33s down the road if I decide to as well. Plus i think they look cool)
-Front mounted winch? (maybe: deciding if this will be useful enough to allow me to comfortably wheel while solo)
-Lockers? (still going to wheel a bit more before i decide if this/these are needed. but thinking about a lunchbox over selectable for simplicity and cost. I like this idea for the whole concept of leaving me stuck and stranded less than with open diffs)
Open to your thoughts and opinions on the build as well!
I'm planning on a roadtrip to the Carolina's in a few weeks to see some friends and do some wheeling/overlanding with the ole girl. Would love some recommendations on spots up that way (Greenville/Charlotte area). Going to pick up a tire gauge and compressor so I can air down to push her power levels over 9000
This weekend going to attempt to build out a rear storage area to help secure my camping gear when I send it thatta way. I'll strip her naked and hit the beach as well to fully enjoy this south florida weather (please don't move here, I'm trying to buy a house and the real estate market is crazzzzy inflated right now k thx!)
Anywho, thanks for taking the time to read my spiel and maybe I'll meet some of you guys out there on the trails. Looking forward to being a bit more active on the board and to many many many smiles per gallon with my girl!
-reedfe
Lurk here finally deciding to join the board that has been super helpful to me already! Figured I'd share my build here in an efforts to repay you guys for the invaluable amount of knowledge I've already gained.
Hey, I'm reedfe but you can call me reedfe. This here is my 2002 Sahara that I picked up in December of 2020 after my 2000 Miata met an unfortunate demise due to the some of our incredibly talented SoFlo drivers (RIP Marilyn, your topless motoring will be missed). But this isn't a Miata board. This is a Jeep board. For Jeep things. And Topless Jeep motoring.
When I picked her up she had just under 178000 miles on her. 4.0, 5spd, Dana 44 rear with 3.73 gears and factory LSD. The PO had taken very good care of her (brand new soft top, super clean interior) and wasn't a spot of rust on the frame or tub that I could find. It ticked all my boxes so I went for it and am still enjoying that decision.
First order of business was new wheels/tires as the tires were very very close to bald and a set of 4 with the undersized factory spare 5th. Took the opportunity to replace the 15x10s with a full set of five 15x8s and wrapped em in 31" KO2s. I've been very satisfied with them so far.
Soon after we went on our first trip together. I was meeting a buddy a couple hours away near Ocala for some camping near a spring. Sent her through Ocala Nat'l Forest for her first taste of offroad. She did just lovely and I was loving it. I had pulled the rear seat and loaded up my camping equipment and ratchet strapped everything down to live out of her for the next few days. I'm not the tallest of guys at 5'9" in the morning with shoes after eating wheaties and standing on tip toes, but I can actually fit and sleep in a hammock strung from corner to corner of the roll cage. Worked like a charm and will be taking full advantage of that on future trips for sure.
Since Angie did so good on that trip, she would be rewarded for her troubles. I decided to replace the replace the headlights as I was less than thrilled with the factory set. The new ones are much brighter for sure but I'm not super stoked on the beam pattern. Don't get me wrong it's great to be able to see but a more uniform pattern would have been great. I would probably buy again but yeah.
As part of her upgrade treatment, I opted to replace the 2" coil spacers from the PO with nearly a full Codaman Lift (see I told you I lurked!). I wanted to avoid a TC drop and SYE while still keeping the streetability. I swapped the spacers for 2.5" RC springs, Rancho shocks, steering stabilizer, actual bumpstops, and a RC rear adjustable track bar. I also took the time to opportunity to replace the factory sway bar endlinks with a set of quick disconnects. The front axle got thrown to the side a bit and I am considering a front adjustable track bar to help fix that a bit. Here she is after the driveway install. Gained a bit of lift from previously but not too much and brought the front close to level. Stoked.
At this time I also baselined the Jeep with all new fluids everywhere. I knew the oil and spark plugs had been done just before I purchased so wasn't too pressed to get this done ASAP. It's nice knowing that I won't have to worry about any of the fluids other than oil for a while now. She does have a small RMS leak as well as a bit of residue around the oil pan gasket but levels stayed pretty much full over the lifespan of the last oil change so I decided to wait until it got where I was needing to add oil to replace. If it ain't broke, fix it till it is!
I had picked up a bit of wheeling accessories for her through this time as well as fix a few minor things (sun visor, AC blower motor, taking off the milkjugs, etc...) but overall she has been trouble free and I couldn't be happier.
Loaded her up with a few friends for a day of wheeling at one of the local Wildlife Management Areas. Definitely got into some trouble but nothing that couldn't be fixed with the help of another vehicle. We were all smiles, ear to ear. The mud on our faces sure was a fun time too but I think next time I'll leave the doors and top on so I don't have to deal with the chore of cleaning the mud from the interior
I know what you're thinking, "ok reedfe that's great and all but what are your plans for the build?" I thought you'd never ask.
I plan on building Angie out to be a capable overland rig while still keeping her comfortable and economical as a DD. She is my daily and my only vehicle so I will be making some compromises (see 31" tires and 2.5" lift) but so far she has been very capable. And being my only vehicle, I think it is far less likely I will be doing gnarlier stuff that would require bigger Jeep for fear of leaving me vehicleless while I fix her. With that all being, said I am considering the usefulness and effectiveness of the following:
-Hardtop (yes pls I want for the whole sleeping inside the hammock thing as well as a security feature. I always worry about leaving anything in the soft top)
-Roof rack (thinking Garvin to help free up some interior space so I can still sleep inside. Eventually a RTT might be nice to be able to bring a friend along. but until that time the hammock or regular ground tent will do just fine)
-Higher clearance rearbumper with maybe a tire carrier (to mount things too and save the stock tailgate hinges. potential to future proof for a bigger set of wheels as well)
-High clearance fenders and sliders at some point (the fenders are the weak point in terms of exterior condition as some show beginning signs of rust, as well as clear coat being gone on others. correct me if I'm wrong but I think this might allow me to run some 33s down the road if I decide to as well. Plus i think they look cool)
-Front mounted winch? (maybe: deciding if this will be useful enough to allow me to comfortably wheel while solo)
-Lockers? (still going to wheel a bit more before i decide if this/these are needed. but thinking about a lunchbox over selectable for simplicity and cost. I like this idea for the whole concept of leaving me stuck and stranded less than with open diffs)
Open to your thoughts and opinions on the build as well!
I'm planning on a roadtrip to the Carolina's in a few weeks to see some friends and do some wheeling/overlanding with the ole girl. Would love some recommendations on spots up that way (Greenville/Charlotte area). Going to pick up a tire gauge and compressor so I can air down to push her power levels over 9000
This weekend going to attempt to build out a rear storage area to help secure my camping gear when I send it thatta way. I'll strip her naked and hit the beach as well to fully enjoy this south florida weather (please don't move here, I'm trying to buy a house and the real estate market is crazzzzy inflated right now k thx!)
Anywho, thanks for taking the time to read my spiel and maybe I'll meet some of you guys out there on the trails. Looking forward to being a bit more active on the board and to many many many smiles per gallon with my girl!
-reedfe