Wheeling dilemma

[Greg]

They're listed at $129 per pair, either unpainted or powdercoated.

Sorry for the hijack, Bart!

Hummm... might have to add them to the list.

 

[2BIGTJ]

Check out some of the options HERE. Their stuff has been mentioned here before, but we recently started carrying their products, and they're pretty nice. A nice tube fender, available with an additional tube "flare" that I don't believe is shown there. Rear tube flares also. I don't really care for their "XO bars", but they're a removable option if you like them.

Are these the tube fenders you are talking about?
http://www.buildajeep.com/2007moabblackBG/pages/moab 4-2-07 008.htm

 

[I Lean]

Are these the tube fenders you are talking about?
http://www.buildajeep.com/2007moabblackBG/pages/moab 4-2-07 008.htm

Maybe, but I'm not sure....that pic makes me think not, just because of the inner fenders. Those shown appear to be aftermarket along with the tube fenders, while the GR ones use your stock one.

Also, I hope not....those don't look nearly as good as what I'm picturing in my mind.

 

[yellowbronco]

I voted #2, shut up and wheel.

Me too.....kinda had to

I also don't like being "that guy" who everyone else has to help through trails. I'm enough of a burden as-is with a weenie little rig on 35's, I don't need to compound it by trying too hard to avoid damage.

At least you know your the weakest link!!

 

[rondo]

I suggest 2 wheeling rigs; one towed if necessary for the hard core stuff and one daily driver with AC and comfort.
If ya can't afford both, wheel your rig, beat it up, dent it up, cause there's something great about seeing a rig with dents every few inches

 

[rockreligious]

didnt anyone get the memo? windshields are for winter driving...sunglasses or goggles are for summer driving. that narrows the risk of windshield frame carnage severly.

 

[Bart]

I saw the same thing I did on a similar thread about a year ago.

Buy a dumpy tow rig for $5k, a commuter car for $2k and run a buggy you don't have to worry about. Your $$$ ahead in the long run.

All of that being said I still want a second rig I can do HITR in. :busted:

See, that's the thing. If I finish some minor body work on my LTJ and paint it, I could sell it and buy a pretty nice buggy. I already have a decent tow rig and could use that as a commuter like I have in the past. So if I'm going to just trash the LTJ it will eventually become non street legal, so I'd be ahead just getting a buggy.

As for the Snakes, I could do them, including WW with the configuration I had before the last build. I don't see anywhere on them that I worry about body damage, unless I try to make the Eagles Nest without a winch.

Just to clear up some confusion:
The LTJ is a 97 TJ, body cleanly stretched 10", wheel base stretched 14", 5.5" Tera Unlimited LCG Pro lift including belly up skid, with coil overs in the front, rear 35 spline Dana 60 w'ARB, front high pinion 44 w/ARB, 4.56, alloy inners, soon to have alloy outters and CTMs. All Kilby rockers and bumpers, Warn 8000i winch and Tera Low in 231 with 241 planetary and short shaft kit. All sitting on 37" Krawlers and topped with a GR8Top hard half cab.

BTW, some of you already know but for those that don't, no one has to convince me of the benefits of a buggy, these are my last 4 rigs.

 

[BCGPER]

Glad to see I'm not the only one in this boat. Not a trip goes by that I don't miss the old beater, but times have changed for me. Every outting now involves two little munchkins sitting in the back seat. The extra room and creature comforts of the LJ make it pleasureable for all of us.

Beckie and I discussed this at length. We even toyed with snagging a second rig (Braden's buggy) for the tougher stuff. It just didn't make sense to me to have two expensive rigs like that sitting around though. I commute in the Jeep, which almost pays for the dumb thing, and I can take it out wheelin when I want. One of the biggest deciding factors was I must have a street leagal rig. Since I have a motorhome, even Moab is off limits without breaking down camp everyday to drive to the trailhead (major PITA).

So, I'll just keep my weenie wheeler, and let the big dogs enjoy the tougher trails. As for me, I can get my fill of adrenaline on the Harley for now.

 

[BroncoMama]

Yeah but you're cheating cause you live in Colorado. I bet I could license my buggy there if it had a windshield, lucky SOB.

Um, in our lovely state all you need is a vin number and you're licensed! Avalanche Engineering has licensed both the Sniper and the Assassin thanks to kipped vin numbers from junk yard Jeeps!

And just for the record, the Yellowbronco route is really fun. And lucky enough for that guy, this chick does dig body damage! :greg:

 

[Bart]

And just for the record, the Yellowbronco route is really fun. And lucky enough for that guy, this chick does dig body damage! :greg:

The Yellowbronco choice is winning the poll, so there must be something to it. BTW, which random corner of CO do you live in?

 

[benjy]

As I was commuting to work this morning, I got thinking about your dilemma. What I really want to know is how you got yourself into this situation in the first place. You had to have known this was going to come up when you built the LTJ, right? Now you have a beautiful rig that you have put a lot of work into, and I would hate to see it get mangled.

 

[timpanogos]

Last year when I started looking at an appropriate mid-life-crisis vehicle, I almost bought this:

Subaru WRX STI Limited

Then I started looking at loaded Rubicons, but quickly realized I would not be willing/able to wheel it as I really wanted.

Besides, who really wants to drive a jeep (or any other serious 4x4 option) for a dd/road car when there are so many vehicles that excel in economy, comfort, quite, speed, maneuverability, etc. on the steet.

I’m with Cody, no option, when on the street do as the streeters … when it’s time to wheel, bring out the big guns/fun

 

[Herzog]

BTW, some of you already know but for those that don't, no one has to convince me of the benefits of a buggy, these are my last 4 rigs.

You sure put a lot of body work into that XJ.

 

[Bart]

As I was commuting to work this morning, I got thinking about your dilemma. What I really want to know is how you got yourself into this situation in the first place. You had to have known this was going to come up when you built the LTJ, right? Now you have a beautiful rig that you have put a lot of work into, and I would hate to see it get mangled.

Good question. When I retired last year I was fed up with competing and wrenching. All I wanted to do was get back to fun family wheeling. We did HITR and had a ball. Then I did the build on the rig and now it can do more stuff. I can do most any trail in Moab, including Upper Helldorado, but would prolly get some damage at some of the obstacles in BFE. I would still do Die Trying and Top Down (Montrose CO) without fear of body damage. I dunno, I've got myself a pickle.

You sure put a lot of body work into that XJ.

I actually did when I put the YJ tub onto the back of it. Had it so I could remove the doors pretty easy, still had a/c and elec windows. Then I rolled it in Johnson Valley and Cedar City and ruined it. I'd still like to have it in the condition it was just before that.

 

[2BIGTJ]

I have been reading this the last few days, Bart it sounds to me like you have your mind made up, but like the rest of us need reasuring. It sounds to me like you want a buggy, and a buggy is the best fit for you. Your a hardcore guy, you love to be on the badest trails out there, that is what seems to make you happy. On the other hand, you like to be with your family and want the to be able to enjoy your hobby with you. SO why not build a hardcore 4 seat buggy? That way you can run the kind of trails you like to run, be comfortable doing it, and take your wife and kids with you. The rancho 4 seater comes to mind. That rig could tackle the roughest trails yet looked very comfortable for 4 passangers.

Just my take...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Two rig solution... I think it takes 4 or 5

I would love to have a buggy, with a tow rig to pull it around with. But, I doubt I would use it more than a couple times a year, not a sound investment IMO. My problem with buggies, there are fewer and fewer places to really enjoy them, and the hassle of use is becoming more and more of a PITA. I can't imagine having to trailer my rig to every trailhead in Moab, let alone trying to always choose trails that will dump me back to the trailhead.

Now I know "you've been driving your buggy on the roads in Moab for years", its changing fast... last year at EJS they issued alot of tickets for said vehicles... not cheap ones either (no reg, no insurance, and then all the safety fix-its). And to run the risk (without insurance), simply stupid to me... you could lose everything you own if you were to get in a minor wreck with your buggy... your fault or not

Now there are those that really get their money worth out of buggies, guys that do alot of day trips, compete, or just plain love to do the hardest trail out there. Kudos to them, they have the rig for it

Some of the best trails I have done lately, just arn't practical in a buggy (HITR being a prime example). In fact of the last 6 or so wheeling trips I've done, a buggy just couldn't have done it... we started in one place and wheeled to the next, camped and them wheeled to the next. While the trails were not difficult, the shear logistics of moving daily, and carrying all your goods (no trailer to give your broken rig a ride home), makes the adventure equally as fulfilling to me. Your results may vary

 

[Bart]

I wish I had made up my mind, but I haven't. I flip flop worse than a politician. Intereesting idea on the 4 seater. Wonder how hard it would be to make one street legal? Hmmmmmmm

 

[Bart]

Good points Kurt and what I had in mind when I started the whole thing.

 

[iceaxe]

I have been getting close to reaching the two Rigs system (plus cheap commuter), only one rig to go. The cherokee for intermediate to scenic and long distance runs is exactly how I always envisioned it as a finished project (just needs a winch). The Comanche to be done for the next level of difficulty Pritchet/Rubicon type stuff has a long way to go.

Then two weeks ago on the Rubicon trail in my XJ anyway (because the MJ has a long way to go) and was doing just fine more or less until I ended up in Big Old Sluice box past the point of no return at VW rock. Lets just say i'm glad I didn't break any glass.

Now I've felt your exact dilemma. I have no interest in having a non street legal vehicle. I'm leaning towards leaving the XJ as is, proudly showing it's scars for now, sort of pretend it didn't happen, and focus on the MJ. Hope in the mean time chicks really do dig body damage.

 

[BroncoMama]

The Yellowbronco choice is winning the poll, so there must be something to it. BTW, which random corner of CO do you live in?

My random corner is Pagosa Springs. We are an hour east of Durango and 2 hours from Silverton. And can I point out that Silverton has some great roads with little to no chance of body damage, but awesome scenery and wicked cool mining stuff? (Hint, hint)

Another thought for the great vehicle debate is this: are you okay with having to make the choice of turning back on a totally awesome trail or continuing on into body snatching central? While we all love the yellow Bronco that can, she did come into our family as a rolled vehicle. The kid we bought her from had rolled in a snowstorm so there was the nasty dent in the front fender from the get-go. That did help with our decision to just wheel the wee out of her until the body panels fall off. Speaking from personal experience, it is easier to mangle something that is already beat up to begin with. Also, it's really quite a thrill to rip off sheet metal! My .02 cents...