TJ Build Thread

[Kurt]

Ill spare the history of the Jeep. But after 7 years since starting the project, Im about to move it under its own power tomorrow (Black Friday). I need to move it out of the garage and give it a bath, and clean up the spot its been sitting in for years. My neighbor is coming over to install some more outlets for me, and needs the room to work.

1997 TJ.

Details: 5.7 Hemi, 545rfe trans, Atlas transfer case, HPD60 front with Artec truss, hi steer arms, Detroit, Yukon axles, Yukon 35 spline hubs. Tera60 Rear retubed to full witdth with 14 bolt outers, custom shafts, ARB air locker. Suspension is 4 link front and rear with Fox 2.0 adjustable coilovers. Full cage inside with Mastercraft seats and harnesses. 42" IROK's on Trailread 17" Beadlocks.

Status as of now....bled the brakes, bolted the rear driveshaft in place, and made sure fluids were topped off. I started up the Hemi about a month ago and found a few issues that ive since corrected; fittings on the remote oil filter leaked, steering hoses leaked at the ram.

So, tomorrow I start it up, put it in gear, and move it about 15 feet.

[FUBAR]

https://www.mememaker.net/api/bucket?path=static/img/memes/full/2015/Oct/2/5/youve-putin-a-lot-of-work-goodluck.jpg

[JEEPJERK]

Did you make it?

[6DoF]

http://38.media.tumblr.com/c1debe54e8c5e9ddfbf0da3d06b4f999/tumblr_n7yncgrRYu1rfkogxo1_500.gif

[Kurt]

One of the steering hoses won't stop leaking, not sure why. Probably need to get a new fitting.

Started it up at least and let it run....lifter noises quieted down and it smoothed out pretty good. Need to fix that steering hose first and let it run longer and get up to temp.

[FUBAR]

When I did my SBC swap I had the same issue. It was a fitting on the hose.

[MBood82]

http://www.gmtruckclub.com/forum/data/photos/l/20/20951-1370531476-88c7ce21c4539100b150f752c3ad9f0c.jpg

[Cobound]

Get on it!

[Kurt]

Ok...well, it moved under its own power. Pulled out of the garage and washed the layers of filth off of it.

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/IMG_3061.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/IMG_3070.jpg

Then the high from getting it moved went away quickly. I was backing it into the garage and it died on me. Not like it stumbled with loss of fuel, but just quit. Won't restart....theres no fuel pump kicking on, no starter, and the gauges display "no bus".

Its got to be something simple since it was running just fine earlier, and just suddenly quit. Either a pinched wire, loose wire/plug, loose ground....something.

[FUBAR]

Did you check the air in the tires?

[6DoF]

Did you check the air in the tires?

i'm with him, you probably never changed over to storage air did you :slap:

to me that sounds like a lost connection. like way back when the last time you jacked with it something wasn't plugged in all the way. or you got water in something and it'll dry, try again tonight.

[Kurt]

there’s 0 tire pressure in the tires. Had to ratchet strap the suspension down do get it out of the garage. :D

[FUBAR]

there’s 0 tire pressure in the tires. Had to ratchet strap the suspension down do get it out of the garage. :D

When my CJ moved under it's own power, I had to flatten the tires to get it out of the garage. And the top had to be off. The roll bar pad rubbed the top of the garage door jamb.

[Kurt]

When my CJ moved under it's own power, I had to flatten the tires to get it out of the garage. And the top had to be off. The roll bar pad rubbed the top of the garage door jamb.

even with the suspension ratcheted down the top still rubbed. If I had the top off it'd clear.

[Kurt]

Found one of the fuses in the fuse panel behind the glove box was blown. 10amp fuse for the power distribution block, replaced that and it fired right up.

Now to track down why is popped that fuse...... :james:

[FUBAR]

https://media.giphy.com/media/DcTCvveyVArCM/giphy.gif

[6DoF]

:lol:

[Kurt]

Well, it IS alive. I've done a lot of detail work to get it cleaned up and was actually able to drive it. Took a few spins around the block with it and took my son for a ride...he has never seen it run as I started the tear down before he was born. He's 8 now. :facepalm: A buddy of mine came down and helped get some of the last things done so we can do the test drive.

Going through it all now to make sure all bolts are tight, and then I'll be posting it up for sale. Need to figure out an asking price.

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/IMG_7230.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/IMG_7234.jpg

https://kdfabworks.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/photos/IMG_7241.jpg

[Cobound]

:eek:

Damn, 8 years...and selling it. Well, makes me realize just how lucky I was w/ my Scrambler...and why I went out and bought a built JK :lol:

Good luck on the sale - why not keep it for at least a little bit, now that it's moving/running? :dunno:

[Kurt]

:eek:

Good luck on the sale - why not keep it for at least a little bit, now that it's moving/running? :dunno:

Thought about it, but if I wheel it, Ill end up wanting to keep it. I also run the risk of doing something that detracts from the value as-is. Also, 8 years is a long time, and there's things I'd do differently now. Im having a hard time as I finish it now, not going back and redoing some things. If I keep it, Ill always want to keep re-working it and I dont want to do that.

We're planning on moving, so I'll be selling to do that, and then putting some money into the JK after the move.

[Cobound]

I hear ya. Kinda like having a hot rod...you take 5-10 years to build and don't keep them long after that.

GLWS, we'll be watching for it ;)

[xj_man_646]

Be sure to let us know what you want for it. I need another wheeling rig in my life now that I have a barn :lol: :yes:

[Cobound]

Be sure to let us know what you want for it. I need another wheeling rig in my life now that I have a barn :lol: :yes:

:roflmao:

[Kurt]

Thats what Im having a hard time with; figuring out the asking price.

Obviously I wont get out of it what I have into it, and prices are all over the place for a built TJ. Out East, they seem to bring a lot less money than they do out West here, so I guess I have that going for me. I don't want to price it too high that it gets laughed at, but I dont want to leave money on the table that can go towards the new house and JK.

[Cobound]

Only one rule in selling...you can always come down.

Be bold. No matter what, it takes the right person, and someone buying that will know what they are getting, especially if it’s priced right. If you’re not in a hurry and have a lil time, start with your “I don’t have to sell it” price and go from there. Most serious buyers will negotiate fairly from there...or shoot out a ridiculous number just to test you, then get to a reasonable number.

James doesn’t have that kind of money yet, he just bought a house :lol:

[xj_man_646]

:dunno:

I’ve got a decent nest egg saved up :lol:

[Blue XJ]

It’s 20+ years old from the last century, I’ll offer you like $12,500! lol

[6DoF]

too low and ppl will think it's a scam ... middle and ppl will expect something is wrong "why is he dumping it" ... it's clean enough to post real high and attract actual buyers.

i'd think you post it for $48k and see what interest happens. be ready to sit on it for a while though while ppl scratch together the cash. 25k seams like you'd be taking a bath, 35k seams fair on both sides maybe, 45k is the premium number. you do have the KD brand to sell it under too, you aren't just a DIY hack, so that helps the price.

[Kurt]

too low and ppl will think it's a scam ... middle and ppl will expect something is wrong "why is he dumping it" ... it's clean enough to post real high and attract actual buyers.

i'd think you post it for $48k and see what interest happens. be ready to sit on it for a while though while ppl scratch together the cash. 25k seams like you'd be taking a bath, 35k seams fair on both sides maybe, 45k is the premium number. you do have the KD brand to sell it under too, you aren't just a DIY hack, so that helps the price.

Its a tough thing to price. Really don't want to tie it to my business at all since 98% of the work was done prior, in my garage....without CAD and laser cut steel like I have access to now. :D

[nblehm]

too low and ppl will think it's a scam ... middle and ppl will expect something is wrong "why is he dumping it" ... it's clean enough to post real high and attract actual buyers.

i'd think you post it for $48k and see what interest happens. be ready to sit on it for a while though while ppl scratch together the cash. 25k seams like you'd be taking a bath, 35k seams fair on both sides maybe, 45k is the premium number. you do have the KD brand to sell it under too, you aren't just a DIY hack, so that helps the price.

:roflmao:

[xj_man_646]

too low and ppl will think it's a scam ... middle and ppl will expect something is wrong "why is he dumping it" ... it's clean enough to post real high and attract actual buyers.

i'd think you post it for $48k and see what interest happens. be ready to sit on it for a while though while ppl scratch together the cash. 25k seams like you'd be taking a bath, 35k seams fair on both sides maybe, 45k is the premium number. you do have the KD brand to sell it under too, you aren't just a DIY hack, so that helps the price.

You do realize 48k is well into well built one ton JKU territory, right? There's a decent one on GL4x4 right now that can be bought for 20k (unless it sold).

[Cobound]

:dunno:

I’ve got a decent nest egg saved up :lol:

Then get to searching...not that you have the time to use it tho :lol: :(


Its a tough thing to price. Really don't want to tie it to my business at all since 98% of the work was done prior, in my garage....without CAD and laser cut steel like I have access to now. :D


Werd, but even NOT associated w/ your biz, you have something better done than most shade tree guys, no?


You do realize 48k is well into well built one ton JKU territory, right? There's a decent one on GL4x4 right now that can be bought for 20k (unless it sold).

Absolutely, a lot of well built first gen JKs out there in the $25-30 range even. Hell, my '14 will have a hard time selling for what James just mentioned, and it's clean, low miles and well optioned...of course, there are a lot of TJ buyers still out there, but that's a high dollar right there. JK haters will eat it up, JK searchers will laugh. It's definitely niche.

[6DoF]

TJ >> JK

i'd pay more for a similarly built TJ over a JK every day of the week ... and i'm not the only one.

[xj_man_646]

I'd say you're in the minority of the overall Jeep crowd, for sure.

[Cobound]

TJ >> JK

i'd pay more for a similarly built TJ over a JK every day of the week ... and i'm not the only one.

I'd say you're in the minority of the overall Jeep crowd, for sure.

Yep. At this point, buying or building a TJ w/ that much involved is about the percentage of folks that are legit going to buy a 2 door JK or, for that matter, a 6 speed manual...or the number of people willing to fork over the cash for a 2 door Gladiator JT.

Now, the number of people praising them, or begging for a 2 door JT...that's a different story, but not real world sales trends.

Niche, and that's an understatement. But, to each his own.

[6DoF]

so what you are saying is the real jeep crowd has gone soft ... and the bro's are taking over? :(

[xj_man_646]

Not at all. Lots of people are building JKs and JLs into really capable rigs...I think the 4 door is what is changing a lot of it.

[6DoF]

that is true, that ability to take the family so much easier is HUGE.

i just hate the bro-jeeps, there are so many posers!

[xj_man_646]

Yeah, you are right. There are many douches out thee who are giving everything the wrong image, but there are also the ones out there who have seriously built JKs and use them as such, like Cobound...I saw his rig up close and personal recently...it's sweet

[Kurt]

Thats the plan with my JKU anyway....build it better to be similar to the JK (engine swap will have to wait on the JK), but Ill do ProRock 60/80 or Ultimate60's, 40" Coopers STT, Full Cage.... And I'll be able to carry the whole family with enough space in the back for the ARB fridge and extra gear.

[Cobound]

Only thing I'm honestly missing is the full cage..the Hemi is nice and all, but not as necessary w/ the 3.6, gears and chipped. I found that out having owned one. Would I love a 6.4, even a 5.7 in this - ABSOFUKINGLUTELY - but extremely cost prohibitive.

Soft, like James said...nah. There are plenty of bro TJs out there, too :yuk: