NIRC. Chit Chat

[gottwins?]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/cto/3233764530.html

This is what I want.

[neillarson]

Originally Posted by johnnyh66

hey Neil and Chuck, what do you guy's think about the CJ's?
I read that 72-76 (I think) had both Dana axles and transfer case... and a lot of them have the old AMC 304 V8. I've found several that have AMC 360's in them! I miss V8's and I'm not too concerned with mpg. About the farthest I'd take it would be to The Cliffs.

I really want a FJ but don't think I'll be able to afford a good one.

had a 75 CJ5 with the old straight 6, I think it was a 225CI? Mine had a Fiberglass bucket and I never pulled one leaf from each corner like you are supposed to when you do a body swap. It would beat you to death on a straight smooth road. BUT, I loved it and had a blast.

[neillarson]

Originally Posted by johnnyh66

I know... and honestly, a TJ can be had for less than a CJ or an old FJ!
My current budget is $0.00.
I'm thinking $5000 next spring.


I want something fun, fairly reliable that I can work on myself.
It'll be a weekend toy and perhaps blizzard going to the store sort of thing.

It will need to be able to pull a trailer w/dirt bike to the Cliff's once in a while.
If it's very reliable (TJ), maybe pull a trailer a few hours to Ohio but that would be a bonus.
Fit a wagon and drive to our comps.
Maybe some mild Cliffs offroading.

I know I should get a TJ, I just have a thing for old beat up cars and trucks... er, Classics.


EDIT: I've been trying to buy a cheap, pre 1989 4Runner for years. I've got as far as haggling a few times.

I had a 1997 TJ SE (stay away from them, terrible motor and not great axles but you can fix the axle issue) and a 1997 Sahara. TJs have a great suspension system. You can go mild with a 2" and run 32s and be pretty capable. The axles are Dana 35Cs, the operative part there is the "C", meaning "C" clips which suck. You can make it better by upgrading to Superior Axles and Gears and most that are decently set up probably already have had that done. Doesn't fix the "C" clip issue but does significantly minimize the broken axles. Stock gears are 4:11s and are OK with the 6cyl but terrible with the 4cyl. Best is to go with 4:88s up to 33"s, 5:18s if you are going to 35s or 36s. Throw a Detroit locker in the rear on the cheap or ARBs at both ends for a bunch of bucks. Personally, if you can find one, a Rubicon os great with the D44s and air lockers.

From having both an auto and a manual at the same time and running them the sme day in the same terrain, I prefer the auto. SOOOOOO much better climbing and in the mud, but the manual is better for descending.

Kind of opinionated but after a '48 M38, '75 CJ5, '97 TJ SE and a '97 TJ Sahara, i do have a bit of experience.

[neillarson]

This was my SE. 2" suspension, 2" body, 32s, American Racing wheels, Custom front bumper, rock sliders, rear bumper and spare tire carrier. Seldom ran a full top.



And both the TJs

[johnnyh66]

Originally Posted by badhoopty

i think i may be wanting one.

The SidKick is definitely an option.
It's affordable, reliable and within reach.

EDIT: That company that I found before was Calmini: http://calmini.com/

[johnnyh66]

Jason, which Toyota axles are on your Sami?
Can you use all FJ/4Runner solid axles?

EDIT: http://www.zukikrawlers.com/showthread.php?t=2478

[johnnyh66]

DL, C1?

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/sale/...-d90-body.html

[Die-Laughing]

Looks good... I think I want to do a wrangler this time. Still figuring it out. I really liked the TF2 drivetrain. I'm much more interested in the scale aspects of it than how well it performs. For C1 anyhow.

[neillarson]

Originally Posted by johnnyh66

DL, C1?

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/sale/...-d90-body.html

Hells yeah. Looks like it just needs a little work to finish it.

[badhoopty]

Originally Posted by johnnyh66

Jason, which Toyota axles are on your Sami?
Can you use all FJ/4Runner solid axles?

EDIT: Toyota axle swap - Zukikrawlers

any solid toyota pickup axles will work, mine on timmy are from an 83.
but the best ones to get are from the landcruisers that have an offset rear pumkin to match up with the offset rear output on the samurais transfer case. i dunno if the offset rear is desirable for the sidekicks/trackers though.

something like this is a perfect donor vehicle.
1983 toyota landcruiser

timmy has toyota axles with rubicon express wrangler leaf springs and it rides and flexes TONS better than my old samurai with spring over and samurai axles.

[Die-Laughing]

Theres one of those range rover bodies on ebay with the opening doors, hood, hatch, etc.. It looks pretty sweet but, its quite pricey at $170 item#330780041068

[Die-Laughing]

Does anyone know what the real differences are between the Tamiya Wrangler and the NewBright Wrangler?

[badhoopty]

Originally Posted by Die-Laughing

Does anyone know what the real differences are between the Tamiya Wrangler and the NewBright Wrangler?

newbright is a tj, tamiya is a yj.

tamiya is full hard top, newbright is convertible.

dunno about the size difference if there is any, but i would imagine the tamiya body is alot more detailed and true to scale.

[Die-Laughing]

Yeah, I like the tamiya and the hard top. I'm thinking about retrofitting that body to a TF2 chassis/drivetrain. Maybe do up some tasteful tube fenders & roll bar. Something simple & clean. Smaller 1.5 tires and a reason to make some 1.7 wheels.

What suspension is under the 1:1 YJ? Axles?

[johnnyh66]

ooh ooh I know this one!
Leaf springs with trackbars and swaybars!

[sally1800]

Originally Posted by Die-Laughing

Yeah, I like the tamiya and the hard top. I'm thinking about retrofitting that body to a TF2 chassis/drivetrain. Maybe do up some tasteful tube fenders & roll bar. Something simple & clean. Smaller 1.5 tires and a reason to make some 1.7 wheels.

?

Rick

Kaetwo's Jeep T1

[johnnyh66]

Originally Posted by badhoopty

any solid toyota pickup axles will work, mine on timmy are from an 83.
but the best ones to get are from the landcruisers that have an offset rear pumkin to match up with the offset rear output on the samurais transfer case. i dunno if the offset rear is desirable for the sidekicks/trackers though.

something like this is a perfect donor vehicle.
1983 toyota landcruiser

timmy has toyota axles with rubicon express wrangler leaf springs and it rides and flexes TONS better than my old samurai with spring over and samurai axles.

cool.
I saw that ad, I was thinking about checking it out this weekend since it's right up the street.

What do you think about just running an FJ60 (mid 80's LC) as a DD/Trail rig?
I found a really clean one with high miles in OH for $3k... I bet it could be had for a lot less.
Ohioans don't drive that forin crap... Willy's Parkway: Downtown Toledo.

[johnnyh66]

Originally Posted by sally1800

Rick

Kaetwo's Jeep T1

that's damn nice.

[badhoopty]

Originally Posted by johnnyh66

What do you think about just running an FJ60 (mid 80's LC) as a DD/Trail rig?

thats what i was gonna do until i stumbled on the 4runner.

dont forget the 90's series landcrusiers and lexus lx450's on your search.

pretty dope lexus.

[johnnyh66]

$3000