Project "never-ending" - Matt

[Colorado 5.9]

Too bad about the E-Locker.

Apprantly you didn't see my post above.

http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum/sho...9&postcount=47

[Matt]

Apprantly you didn't see my post above.

http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum/sho...9&postcount=47

Scott, I don't think it limited the rear flex to much, but I'm sure it did a little (In the video below I lifted a rear tire near the end, I'm sure it wouldn't have done that without the rear sway). Nothing really noticeable. But the body roll has been MUCH improved since the addition.

Got bored with all the rain and made a new video, enjoy.
Note: if you click "watch in high quality" (bottom right) it's a bit better.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2d5-KYgk58

[DJJordache]

sweet video but the song is NOT by crystal method.... it is by Rob Dougan called "Clubbed To Death (Kurayamino Variation)" but yeah it was also in the Matrix too

[Matt]

That's RIGHT! I was try to think of the original version of who did it. I think Crystal Method did a remix and it stuck.

So I tore open the diff tonight. Same stuff (screws backed out), this ARB crap is pissing me off. I guess it's a good time to go 4.56's or 4.88's.

Anyone have any ideas. Now would be a good time to step up to a D44, but I don't think it'll be worth the additional cost. Other than the ARB and the ujoint caps backing off I have had no problems.

I'd like to actually be able to wheel one more time this summer.

[BigDaveZJ]

Tack the caps!

[Colorado 5.9]

Did you use loctite liquid or paste? I used the paste & they never backed out again up until the old style arb was changed out for the new style.

I really can't see how there is a diff but mine stayed in.


But yea, what Dave said.

[Matt]

Yeah, locktite red and tacking the caps now. One of the cross shafts busted this time so I need to see if I can get a new one now.

Calling ARB tomorrow.

[faststang1]

Nice ZJ build!!!!!!

[Matt]

Well, ARB had all the parts I needed, so hopefully by next week I'll be back in business.

I'll post up in staging area about lining up a trip. I need to get out soon.

[Matt]

The jeep moved for the first time in a long time this week. Still not "wheelable" yet though. Going to try to make it to Chinamans next month with the CO4X4 group.

[Matt]

Update

Well the ARB worked great and Chinaman's was a fun last ride. (check trip reports). I hit and elk (check chit chat). I did some basic maint as well as replace the inner axle seals on the D30 for the new owner.

I watched the Jeep drive away a couple minutes ago and I guess project neverending has officially ended for me.

[RiPPiNiTuP7]

I watched the Jeep drive away a couple minutes ago and I guess project neverending has officially ended for me.

i know, it's a crap feeling you get seeing it leave, i had to do the same with mine a while back. but once you get some kind of new toy, whether now or later down the road you'll feel good as new.

[dp96zj]

That was an awesome rig and I hope the new owner enjoys all the work you put into it!! Sure was an awesome rig to model my heep after.

I don't know if you mentioned it before, but what are your plans now? Are you gonna start another build take a break?

[ILikeMud]

Damn man, that sucks.
Selling a rig blows.

[paulkeith]

well hell, don't get all melodramatic on us.



buy another one

[Matt]

well hell, don't get all melodramatic on us.



buy another one

Yeah, that feeling lasted about 6 hours... then I put the money in the bank. In all honesty I feel I came out pretty well after beating on that Jeep for 3 years. It was a great project and Jeep though.

Since it was asked:
Reasons for selling the Jeep...
1) This summer was kind of a downer. I was always fixing something (aren't we all) and the fixes kept getting more and more expensive. To the point where I didn't have much money left to wheel and take trips. This left me using my stock 1999 XJ, and I quickly found out that thing is pretty capable and I didn't need such a built Jeep to do some of the stuff I truly love - hitting the mountain passes and the yearly week long trip in the San Juans.

2) The Jeep was slowly getting less and less road worthy and started creeping to the point of needing a tow rig/trailer. Which was NOT at all what I had in mind when building the Jeep.

3) The want list was getting pretty long and I figured I had to put a stop to that one way or another. I just couldn't justify throwing another 2500+ into the Jeep knowing what a waste it would be (HPD44, 4.88 F/R, ARB front, cage, etc).

4) I was wheeling on trails where very noticeable body damage was only a matter of time. I knew if I wanted to get anything out of it, I would need to sell it beforehand. Also wanted to run trails like Rd21, Billings, Carnage BV, Patriot, etc. Glad I kept talking myself out of it.

5) I really got into wheeling because I starting hiking/climbing Colorado's 14ers. I remember telling myself one day while climbing Blanca that I would build something that would be able to drive up that trail (which the ZJ did effortlessly). I love getting outdoors and wheeling was an excuse to do that. It seems this last summer I was always inside working on the very things that were supposed to get me outdoors. Huh. Since the Jeep was down most of the summer, I did more backpacking/14ers/camping and hiking, I fell in love with it again. Even going to GSW08 and hiking was fun and I did stuff that I would have never done if I had the ZJ there.

6) I also have a 1946 Cessna 140 taildragger that needed some unexpected maintenance. Flying has always been my first passion and wheeling was a bonus. After dumping a lot of money getting the engine worked on, and on top of that finishing a complete remodel on my house, I was flat broke with a great paying job. Which didn't sit well with me.

7) I'm not sure what the next year or two brings for me. I've applied to a bush flying job in Talkeetna, AK at www.flyk2.com and I'll see if I chose to do that or not. May try to pursue the airlines if things turn around.

8) By selling the Jeep I'm able to pay off ALL my debt but the mortgages (personal residence and rental). And I haven't been able to do that since I started college.

9) I got a great deal on this:


Something I'll use a hell of a lot more than the ZJ. 70+ MPG, still able to go the on same Jeep trails I love, cheap insurance, blah blah blah. It's a freak'N blast!!



So that's it in a nutshell. Once I wrote it down on paper, it seemed pretty obvious that I needed to sell the Jeep.

I'm addicted to wheeling and have no doubt I'll get something else (Tom's (Z) WK is badass and have always appreciated a FJ40), but right now it's time for a break.

[dp96zj]

Good to see that you've got plenty of other stuff to keep you occupied til the next heep project


BTW, nice DD.

[Matt]

The XJ has been my DD, the Dakar is... well... the ZJ's replacement. (toy for a toy right )


The XJ will probably see a small 2" homebrew kit among other small mods. I plan to keep it VERY DDable and yet able to go on some fun expeditions around CO and UT.

[paulkeith]

The XJ will probably see a small 2" homebrew kit among other small mods. I plan to keep it VERY DDable

if i had a nickel...


sweet pic. i hate you west guys with your "landscape"

[AgitatedPancake]

throw a couple inches under it, some BFG AT's and selectable lockers, be perfect for a DD

[Matt]

Within the next 3 months the plans for the XJ are:
2" lift
window tint
roof rack
front bumper
disco's

Maybe long term
sliders
rear locker

It's a low milage 99' so it has the HP30, and 29 spline 8.25. Also found the uber rare 5 speed and it get's about 22-24 mpg! Enough power in the 4.0L to keep me happy too.

[Matt]

Hey everyone, it's been a while (haven't been on much since I sold the ZJ )

Anyway, I was remembering the good old days and looking through clips of years past. I've decided I'd upload a video a day of my old wheeling clips onto youtube. (Why not, webwheeling is almost as good as the real thing right?) A tribute to my old Grand that could I guess.

Hope all is well in Mallcrawlin land. Oh, and eat shit!

Today's clip...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAv34cf3FyY

My youtube Channel (subscribe, as I'm not going to post all the videos here)

http://www.youtube.com/user/flyier19




Also, the old XJ is coming along slowly, just enough to settle my nerves every now and again.

Eagle Rock 2010

[Matt]

Update:

9 new ZJ clips and counting... a few other clips as well.

http://www.youtube.com/user/flyier19...723920CC174CCB

Moving on to GSW clips now.

[Matt]

Newest video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3Y8xc-4x3U

[Matt]

Moab memories (07/08)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL-vUDZJJJk