What TJ Forum sins have you committed in your build?

Assumed the OME lift kit would be great. Didn’t do my research as I normally do.
Used the OME shocks for a 40 mile test day of road and fire trails and bought some Ranchos that afternoon!
 
It's bullshit is what it is. If you want to do something a certain way, do it. You don't need forum approval to have your rig however you feel suits your needs the best. The thread and intent thereof only promotes the fucked up mindset that you should do things for the approval of others. Fuck every bit of that.

Is your Hi-Lift mounted across the hood?
If not, why not?
Get with the program!
 
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Forgot to coat the threads with the passion fruit stick thing
 
How do you like the ready welder? Stick or mig?
mig(ish). I am running NR-211 innershield tomorrow. 1" A36 plate to some 5"x.188 wall square tube that has been concrete filled..

I love it, it is better suited to thicker material due to it being 24v output but it lays down a good and solid bead. It runs a lot like a aluminum spool gun but with lots of power. I have never ran it with gas, I have the stuff to do it, but it is always being used outdoors anyway.
 
mig(ish). I am running NR-211 innershield tomorrow. 1" A36 plate to some 5"x.188 wall square tube that has been concrete filled..

I love it, it is better suited to thicker material due to it being 24v output but it lays down a good and solid bead. It runs a lot like a aluminum spool gun but with lots of power. I have never ran it with gas, I have the stuff to do it, but it is always being used outdoors anyway.
I prefer flux core to gas anyway given that 99% of the welding I’ve done is outside and in the wind. The ready welder has been on my long list for years. Glad to hear it’s good. How do you fix idle to the correct speed? Hand throttle?
 
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I prefer flux core to gas anyway given that 99% of the welding I’ve done is outside and in the wind. The ready welder has been on my long list for years. Glad to hear it’s good. How do you fix idle to the correct speed? Hand throttle?
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

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Gates water pump instead of recommended Mopar. Made up for that one a bit by shelling out 4x cost of alternative for Mopar tranny mount.

Swapped out stock intake but did go with through cowl so maybe that is only half a sin.

Once finished my HP Dana 30 will get me ticket straight to sinners box as I have set of Artec brackets, Alloy USA 30 spline kit, and Evo sleeves in the parts pile. I have less than $650 invested so my budget should allow me to save some grace by finishing it off with BBK.

Have Alloy USA shafts for the Dana 44 rear also but don’t know if those count as sin.

I bought used tires which I recall reading was the greatest sin of all.

Motobilt bumpers aren’t aluminum.

Perhaps the most damning thing: I’m loving my sinful piece of shit!
 
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.