venomhp

iTrader: (13)

get a YJ, the tub is galvanized and the frame is stronger, axles is a must with a new V8

I did a build up of an 87 yj with a custom suspension and sbc 350/th350/np205 with dana 44 up front and 14 bolt in the rear after I broke the 12 bolt..

TXsilverado

iTrader: (19)

yeah but wheres your shocks in those flex pics?

Stoichiometric

iTrader: (10)

That's when you measure and find out they need to be 4' long, lol.

TXsilverado

iTrader: (19)

and bend into a huge U

venomhp

iTrader: (13)

lol, right you are SToichiometric, we were measuring to get the right size, let me find something once the shocks were in

venomhp

iTrader: (13)

Thats all I got! And yeah it was still running!

00Silv4.8

iTrader: (10)

hahaha, shouldn't have put shocks in it.. it woulda rode like a spring-air matress

anyway, Chris if you want a motor for cheap I might have a 4.8 here soon...

ZQ8Dude

+2 on YJ, however 87' is the worst year of the YJ....and yes, i do own an 87' YJ. lol If you get a late 87' like mine its not so bad. I've got the I6 w/ the TF999(also backed the older 304 amc V8s in the CJ). The manuals in 87' were peugot's and just suck for going offroad.

My entire wheel/suspension setup was put together for about 1k. Its not a rock crawler, but a good setup for weekend fun.



3" lift on 32s

Which reminds me, i need to get off my rear and get try and get this thing drivable. It hasnt moved in a few months now.

Jake Harsha

+3 on the YJ, and +1 on the '87 YJs being the worst of the YJs...but only when they're still STOCK (I own an '87 as well). However, that works in your favor if you're building, because you'll be replacing all of the bad bits anyway! The strong frame and double-galvanized tub are the same as any other year of YJ and you can pick up the '87s cheap, so from that point of view, they're the BEST!

On second thought, a YJ with a blown motor would be the best starting point to build from because that would be even cheaper yet.

However, if you're thinking of building, be prepared to spend alot of cash no matter what vehicle you choose. And unless you're fabricating your own buggy from tubing (which requires skills and tools that most people don't possess) Jeeps in general (and YJs in particular) are probably more cost-effective than IH Scouts, early Broncos, or the like because they are the most common. Parts are less expensive (and swap info is easier to come by) than similar vehicles for this reason.

But still, building a Jeep is anything but inexpensive... I've probably sunk well over 30 grand into mine over the years... 35-inch tires, AR rims, 4.27-geared, Ox-locked (Wagoneer) Dana 44s F&R, RE extreme 4.5-inch lift with an extra 1.25 in heavy-duty shackles and another 1-inch from a Daystar body lift, 1350 drivehafts, NP241C with SYE, NV4500, 8K-pound winch, ARB snorkel, and I'm in the process of replacing my Ramjet 350 with a 2007 LQ4 6.0 liter.




Jeep = Just Empty Every Pocket,
Jake

JYount

I got a 4 cyl 98 tj. In the woods and ol logging roads only a 4 wheeler will match it, nothing else will fit in the tight places between trees that a jeep will. If you are into crawling, get something else, like the other guy said, if you put an ls in it you are gonna have to pony up some cash on just about any jeep, because the jeep drivetrain will not hold up to the ls power. Unless you are building a drag racer, you don't need big power. You only need big power for mud slinging and racing. A four banger and the right gear combo will brake FAR less stuff and get you just as far. But, a jeep with an ls in it is just badass, no two ways around it. Be ready to drop some coin though. The engine and tranny will just be the start. Basically, nothing in the drivetrain will hold up to that kinda power.

yjs got leafs, tj's got coils, pick your poison there. Mine has a run of the mill 4 " susp and a 2 body, with 33s, (dunno what, the po put it on) and if you take the sway links off it'll pick one tire off the ground with a forklift about 6 and a half foot before the other 3 come up, so they do offer more flex, but they both have their vices.

Axles can be done pretty cheap though, the 8.8 fords are a common swap and are more than plentiful in scrap yards, sure they aren't a 14 bolt, but plenty are behind v8's so they hold up ok.