Jeeps
1986 CJ-7 Laredo (asking $16,000)
This is the one that started my slide down into the money pit. It was in decent shape when I bought it but was showing its age - needed new tires, the springs were shot, and various things were leaking so I started tinkering. Still am 12 years later. Such is the nature of these vehicles - if all you intend to do is drive to the mall then by all means buy one, don't mess with it, and let your local mechanic treat it like a car. If you have any itch to put it to its designed purpose, open your bank account and brush up on your mechanical skills because you'll need both. Mine has been to Colorado and Maine under its own power (no trailer queen) but I always carry tools because you never know!
Here's a partial list of what I've done to the CJ over the years:
Original 258 six cylinder rebuilt by Howten’s 2004
Mopar MPI fuel injection system by HESCO
4.0 liter conversion cylinder head
Offroad Engineering electronic hand throttle control
Borla stainless header
High flow exhaust system
Aluminum valve cover
Borg Warner T-5 transmission rebuilt 2007
Dana 300 transfer case rebuilt 2004
Currie Twin Stick on Dana 300
Dana 30 front axle rebuilt 2004, 4.10 gears, Lockrite locker
Warn premium lock-out hub conversion
AMC 20 rear axle rebuilt 2004, 4.10 gears, Trac-lock limited slip
AMC 20 one-piece axle shaft conversion
New clutch and flywheel 2005
New front and rear drive shafts 2005 (rear is a Tom Woods CV-style)
HD 3-row radiator
Currie HD steering brace
New steering box 2000
HD Borgeson steering shaft
New tie rod and ends 2004
4” Skyjacker suspension 2004
Quick disconnects on sway bar
Currie U-bolt skids
1” poly body lift
Warrior shackle reversal
32” x 11.50 BFG (5) tires
Warn rocker skids
Fabricated front and rear heavy duty bumpers
HD rear bumper braces
Warn M8000 winch with remote and on-dash switch
Rhino lined interior
Tuffy center console and under-hood locking security boxes
Complete professional paint job including dash, roll bar, doors, and rocker skids
2006 Rubicon Unlimited Sahara (sold)
I bought this one used but only kept it for a couple of months - I had the CJ sold but the deal fell through and a friend wanted to buy the LJ. One of them had to go. Although my wife did enjoy driving this one while her car was being resurrected in the body shop. Took her a while to realize why people (other Jeep drivers) were waving at her. The LJ was much better behaved, comfortable, and quiet. Some purists despise the longer wheelbase but it handles better and you have as much cargo room behind the back seat as in a standard TJ with the rear seat folded. This would have been the one to keep as a weekend excursion vehicle and if I ever get rid of the others I'll find another LJ. Didn't keep this one long enough to mess with it but my friend that bought it did.
2008 Rubicon Unlimited
In order to qualify for my vehicle allowance at work I must drive a four door with an automatic. This qualifies - it's my daily driver. If it weren't for the subsidy... see the notes on the 2006. I do like the space the four door offers but the auto generates a lot of heat and sucks gas on the trail. The intent was to trade out of my Yukon, sell the CJ, and get down to one vehicle for work and play. It's tough to sell the old CJ - lots of blood, sweat, and money went into it. Despite sheetmetal that rivals beer cans for thickness and some quality issues, this is by far the most advanced trail technology to come out of Jeep to date. A stock Rubicon will tackle just about anything a moderate trail has to offer. But it's a Jeep so we must tinker with it!
AEV front bumper with Warn M8000 winch
Mopar rear off-road bumper
OME 2" suspension lift
FT adjustable track bars
RK adjustable upper and lower front control arms
Extended sway bar links
33" BFG KM2 tires on AEV wheels
ICOM 706 HF/VHF radio