Bench building a family crawler / Sunday driver

fl0w3n said:
Damn, $7k? I’m still seeing low teens for JKs, granted I’m not actually searching them out though

Edit: quick autotempest search and cheapest dealer inventory within 300 miles of me is $17k and cheapest Craigslist is $14.5k
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Dealer? Craigslist?

Are you 60?:flipoff2:

This is just FBMP search "jeep jk" max $8500 (the 5k one does have a blown engine which could be a decent start if want to swap anyway)

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YotaAtieToo said:
Dealer? Craigslist?

Are you 60?:flipoff2:

This is just FBMP search "jeep jk" max $8500 (the 5k one does have a blown engine which could be a decent start if want to swap anyway)

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Ha, I expected that comment. FBMP is terrible for actually searching for something specific, all I get is algorithms trying to feed me some **** they think I want instead of what I actually searched.

I also was only including Rubicons. I feel like for bench racing purposes if you include non-rubicon JKs that opens the comparison up to some IFS rigs.

But, you're right there’s some cheap JKs out there, especially outside CA
 
How does an LJ / stretched TJ/YJ do for family wheeling? I think YJLOPES has a stretched YJ with kids if I recall?

I can’t imagine the cargo space is much less than a JK / JL, and with smaller children I feel like a back seat would be fine for them? Totally guessing here tho
 
fl0w3n said:
Ha, I expected that comment. FBMP is terrible for actually searching for something specific, all I get is algorithms trying to feed me some **** they think I want instead of what I actually searched.
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Oh, I ****ing hate fbmp. But, it's the only place stuff is really listed anymore.

fl0w3n said:
I also was only including Rubicons. I feel like for bench racing purposes if you include non-rubicon JKs that opens the comparison up to some IFS rigs.

But, you're right there’s some cheap JKs out there, especially outside CA
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What does Rubicon vs non rubicon have anything to do with IFS?

Rubicons are cool and but ya, the cheapest ones are still ~$13k. Definitely not worth the price difference imo.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
Oh, I ****ing hate fbmp. But, it's the only place stuff is really listed anymore.
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Yeah it’s annoying, but a necessary self perpetuating evil
YotaAtieToo said:
What does Rubicon vs non rubicon have anything to do with IFS?

Rubicons are cool and but ya, the cheapest ones are still ~$13k. Definitely not worth the price difference imo.
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I guess I’m picturing milder trails for a Dana 30 JK on presumably 35s, which should be doable by some IFS.

I agree JK 30s are under rated, but for lighter rigs. Even a mildly built 4 door JK is going to be heavy.

idk, it’s just bench racing :flipoff2:I tend to find comfort in being over prepared. I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable bringing family on the Rubicon in a 4 door JK with a Dana 30 unless it was small tired. And if it’s small tired, seems not enjoyable for family to ride along with 33-35 on the Rubicon. But to each their own.
 
fl0w3n said:
How does an LJ / stretched TJ/YJ do for family wheeling? I think YJLOPES has a stretched YJ with kids if I recall?

I can’t imagine the cargo space is much less than a JK / JL, and with smaller children I feel like a back seat would be fine for them? Totally guessing here tho
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Did the OP ever reply to any of this?

The LJ size works great for day trips with my wife, 12 yr old and 10 yr old, maybe the dog. For camping we hook up the trailer with the RTT mounted on it. When I built mine. I built in mounts for the back seat in the stock location (relative to front seats) 5", 10", and 15" back, with the idea that when the kids bitch about no leg room I can give them 5" more at a time. We'll see how that works....
 
fl0w3n said:
Yeah it’s annoying, but a necessary self perpetuating evil

I guess I’m picturing milder trails for a Dana 30 JK on presumably 35s, which should be doable by some IFS.

I agree JK 30s are under rated, but for lighter rigs. Even a mildly built 4 door JK is going to be heavy.

idk, it’s just bench racing :flipoff2:I tend to find comfort in being over prepared. I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable bringing family on the Rubicon in a 4 door JK with a Dana 30 unless it was small tired. And if it’s small tired, seems not enjoyable for family to ride along with 33-35 on the Rubicon. But to each their own.
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No body said you would have to leave the axles alone. There are a lot of bolt in D44 options that aren't all that much more than gears, locker and chromo axles.

You do realize the D30 is the same in every way to the D44 except ring gear size and inner axle spline? So either way, your weak point is most likely the stock ujoint. I'd have no problem running rubicon a JK on 37 and stock axles. But I'd be very conscious of the front end and bring a set of spare front axles or throw in some cheap chromo and still be careful :laughing:
 
maybe i missed it... no love for fj80? that's a solid bigger but "smaller" platform that lives happy on 37s. you can still find them for under 7k.

they got all the miles in the world and the driver seat is plum wore the **** out but the price is right....
 
WoodburyZuk said:
I’m getting to the point where my samurai buggy is too small for my family (wife and 2 boys currently 7 and 4). Samurai only seats 2. My wife wants a jeep but she doesn’t want a raisin’d crimped up rig. 4 door JK would be cool, easy to fit 37s, but then I’m looking at a d60 front.

Looking for something that is extremely capable but still can go get ice cream with the family. I like Toyota stuff but I’m not married to it. I was thinking a 4 door track/kick would be sweet on something in the 37-42” range. Something that I can trailer to field and forest, but also drive to local trails and explore and camp.

Maybe an OJ Simpson bronco for the sake of easily swapping tons into it… don’t really know what to start with.

How would you do it?
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Why do you feel you need a D60?

My jeep is similar to what you described and I’ve not had any troubles with my D44.

4:88 Yukon gears
Sleeves
C gussets
RCVs
Ball joints (

I guess maybe you have the knowledge/ability to build the D60 for about the same $ ?

I didn’t but have not had any carnage related.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
No body said you would have to leave the axles alone. There are a lot of bolt in D44 options that aren't all that much more than gears, locker and chromo axles.

You do realize the D30 is the same in every way to the D44 except ring gear size and inner axle spline? So either way, your weak point is most likely the stock ujoint. I'd have no problem running rubicon a JK on 37 and stock axles. But I'd be very conscious of the front end and bring a set of spare front axles or throw in some cheap chromo and still be careful :laughing:
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True, I just assumed. I carried the logic of a Rubicon model where you’re getting relatively plug and play, keeping axles and tcase.

For $7k a non-rubicon is a good option, since some of the other base vehicles thrown out in this thread are around that price point and would either need SAS or a front axle swap as well. Obviously a swap on a JK is going to be easier than a SAS on an IFS rig.

I still don’t see $7k JKs on FBM in my area, but that’s California tax, and could easily buy out of town/state
 
JK's didn't fare the salt States any better than the TJs they replaced. Most 15 yr old JK's are completely rotten in those states.
 
YJLOPES said:
Did the OP ever reply to any of this?

The LJ size works great for day trips with my wife, 12 yr old and 10 yr old, maybe the dog. For camping we hook up the trailer with the RTT mounted on it. When I built mine. I built in mounts for the back seat in the stock location (relative to front seats) 5", 10", and 15" back, with the idea that when the kids bitch about no leg room I can give them 5" more at a time. We'll see how that works....
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Good idea on making the changeable seat ahead of time. Got any pics of what the available storage space looks like with the rear seat in?
 
RTH said:
maybe i missed it... no love for fj80? that's a solid bigger but "smaller" platform that lives happy on 37s. you can still find them for under 7k.

they got all the miles in the world and the driver seat is plum wore the **** out but the price is right....
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I think it was mentioned. They're awesome.

I don't see them under $7k though? Or if they're are they're trashed.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
I think it was mentioned. They're awesome.

I don't see them under $7k though? Or if they're are they're trashed.
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nahhh look harder. In your search area... Spo-compton... theres a couple in that range. It's 80-90s toyota math right? You HAVE to work through allot of those "trashed" things... :lmao:

the conversation was literally about sidekicks I mean come on... Even my cheap ass has SOME standards :stirthepot::grinpimp::flipoff2::flipoff2:
 
DannyK said:
For a JK, I personally wouldn't consider a pre 2012 model.
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I would say if you're looking for an automatic, then 2012+. The W5A580 is a much better transmission than the 42RLE. But for manual, any year JK will do. The 3.8L engine is not a bad as you read out there.

fl0w3n said:
That’s the cut off from the old problematic v6 to the new one?
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I don't consider them to be problematic and I have a 2011 JK with a manual. Never had any issues with the engine nor the transmission.
 
YotaAtieToo said:
I thought I read the 3.8 was actually more reliable than the 3.6, just like 85hp less.
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Considering the 3.8L is a stroked 3.3L from the early 90's and has been installed in a multitude of Chrysler vehicles up until 2011, it has quite a proven track record.
 
I've swapped a 350k km 3.8L for another used swapped high mileage engine. They were pretty smoked (both of them) and the one we swapped out had bad rod bearings.

So if you can find a low mileage one or don't mind rebuilding might be worth it.
 
There was a stretched 4 door one on matt's offroad this morning rolled over and ripped his whole radius armed rear axle out of it...
 
I’m in the planning
YotaAtieToo said:
That was popular back in the day before rock bouncers. I remember an S10 cab on a square body frame was a legit build :laughing:

An 05+ superduty chassis with a smaller cab is a very interesting idea.

The 5.4 or V10 isn't a bad engine by any means (depending who you ask :laughing:) and the 5r110 is a great transmission. I'd try to find a 6.2/6r140 Truck though. Way more power and lower 1st gear. Nv271 is big, but super tough. Everyone knows about the axles.
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I’m hoping to do that later this year, with a ‘13 F350 6.2/6r140 chassis. Swapping the cab for a ‘47 Studebaker cab with a small flatbed on 40’s
 
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