RESURECTIONJK
Hooked
Already started to gather parts for a new axle build/swap. Lots going into it but I’ll be sure to start a thread once things start coming together
Of course, wrote this, forgot about unplanned expenses. $1,500 already. Had to replace the rear axles seals...that should've been done when re-gearing was done last year. One bad shock. And, had to send the front Wood's driveshaft in for repair. <10K on it, developed vibration. Fixed w/o issue and reinstalled. Hoping that's it for major repairs this season.First visit back in a while. Like the new forum design. Kudos.
Last year, was the big year for us. Seems most years are in the $1-5K range, as will this year. Last year was the lift/wheels/interior/yaddi yaddi. I am pleased to say we're 'just about there.' Need to dump CB this year, go to GMRS. Unless I find a dual-band GMRS/HAM, HAM's a ways off. Onboard air and switch control sys are the last major items.
We do a lot of independent exploration, my wife and I. On rare occasion we have family join us for a couple days here or there. And while we enjoy events like Jamborees from time to time, we enjoy our time alone without constraint just as much.
So, while Stitch is basically done, our focus turns elsewhere now. Key areas to address now include:
Anyway, that's where we're at and where our spending will go.
- Storage - We're on our 4th iteration of how to store things.
- The Goose Gear interior does wonders in that regard, both for dog-stowing<g>, below-floor space, and regular planar surfaces to make securing things easier. Tools, recovery gear on my/driver side. All food & dry-goods on Kim's/passenger side.
- Roof Rack - With a good-sized dog (110lb), we work to keep as much floor space open as possible. That means a lot goes up top. We've found some things that work, some don't. Really need to go with some form of rigid storage instead of a cargo bag. Just haven't figured out the best approach. The best solutions cost a good nickel; prefer to spend only once.
- Camera/Computer/Electronics - Still struggle with a good weight to store, but keep available for ready use.
- Consolidation/Weight -
- Space is always a major consideration. However, weight is an even larger concern. Stitch is around 6K lbs. Fully loaded (us, dog, stuff), more like 6,900. Weight was actually the driver behind lift and uprated springs last year. We were too sacked out and fear of breaking something a real concern.
- We're increasingly eyeballing hiking equipment, lighter-weight sleeping gear, multi-purpose consolidation. And, of course, simply leaving at home what isn't needed. For me, tools fits in this category. I've one full set of tools in an Atlas 46 tool roll, that is somewhere around 50lbs. Then recovery gear plus air compressor. All told, there's probably an honest 100 lbs or so of steel/gear.
- Clothing - A sweatshirt doesn't seem to weigh much. But after you daily un/load a roof rack, you become very conscious of how much clothing can weigh. This is another major area of focus. Take less. But also get better that weighs less. Unfortunately, this is harder than buying good tools/jeep parts. We've bought some names-you-know major name brand gear, only to find it's expensive crap. The search continues.
- My goal this year, find another 80-100 lbs weight reduction.
Speechless..First visit back in a while. Like the new forum design. Kudos.
Last year, was the big year for us. Seems most years are in the $1-5K range, as will this year. Last year was the lift/wheels/interior/yaddi yaddi. I am pleased to say we're 'just about there.' Need to dump CB this year, go to GMRS. Unless I find a dual-band GMRS/HAM, HAM's a ways off. Onboard air and switch control sys are the last major items.
We do a lot of independent exploration, my wife and I. On rare occasion we have family join us for a couple days here or there. And while we enjoy events like Jamborees from time to time, we enjoy our time alone without constraint just as much.
So, while Stitch is basically done, our focus turns elsewhere now. Key areas to address now include:
Anyway, that's where we're at and where our spending will go.
- Storage - We're on our 4th iteration of how to store things.
- The Goose Gear interior does wonders in that regard, both for dog-stowing<g>, below-floor space, and regular planar surfaces to make securing things easier. Tools, recovery gear on my/driver side. All food & dry-goods on Kim's/passenger side.
- Roof Rack - With a good-sized dog (110lb), we work to keep as much floor space open as possible. That means a lot goes up top. We've found some things that work, some don't. Really need to go with some form of rigid storage instead of a cargo bag. Just haven't figured out the best approach. The best solutions cost a good nickel; prefer to spend only once.
- Camera/Computer/Electronics - Still struggle with a good weight to store, but keep available for ready use.
- Consolidation/Weight -
- Space is always a major consideration. However, weight is an even larger concern. Stitch is around 6K lbs. Fully loaded (us, dog, stuff), more like 6,900. Weight was actually the driver behind lift and uprated springs last year. We were too sacked out and fear of breaking something a real concern.
- We're increasingly eyeballing hiking equipment, lighter-weight sleeping gear, multi-purpose consolidation. And, of course, simply leaving at home what isn't needed. For me, tools fits in this category. I've one full set of tools in an Atlas 46 tool roll, that is somewhere around 50lbs. Then recovery gear plus air compressor. All told, there's probably an honest 100 lbs or so of steel/gear.
- Clothing - A sweatshirt doesn't seem to weigh much. But after you daily un/load a roof rack, you become very conscious of how much clothing can weigh. This is another major area of focus. Take less. But also get better that weighs less. Unfortunately, this is harder than buying good tools/jeep parts. We've bought some names-you-know major name brand gear, only to find it's expensive crap. The search continues.
- My goal this year, find another 80-100 lbs weight reduction.
Unexpected expenses are always part of the driver of spending for me, had to get a new radiator, need new ball joints and starting to get a weird vibration I haven’t figured out. May be way over the 1k-5k that I planned on spending. Still not bad since I haven’t upgraded to something with electronics in it. Still using my CJ7 as a daily and wheeling rig. I think I abuse it more with the daily driving more than anything.Of course, wrote this, forgot about unplanned expenses. $1,500 already. Had to replace the rear axles seals...that should've been done when re-gearing was done last year. One bad shock. And, had to send the front Wood's driveshaft in for repair. <10K on it, developed vibration. Fixed w/o issue and reinstalled. Hoping that's it for major repairs this season.
New winch