Faults:
Replaced starter (took on too much mud and water)
Replaced valve cover gasket.
Replaced clutch slave (inside bell housing $450 P&L)
Shift knob stripped out (not replaced yet)
Tail light cracked (not replaced)
Drivers door not lined up (hinge bad)
Front fender bent because of door not being lined up.
General Comments:
Installed third row seating. (now 7 seat belts)
Went through 3 1/2 feet of water/mud with no lift.
I put on 30/9.5 R15 tires with no mods or rub.
I did not 'high center' when girlfriend's CJ5 74' did on ATV Trail.
Installed front military hook and two tow hooks to the factory front bumper. It had a 2 inch rec in the rear when I bought it. I normally have a 'hitch haul' attached to the rear with a tool box that I use as most people use their trunk, but I can remove mine and bring it with me (God bless the hitch haul with a tool/truck box on it)
I've been stuck 2 times total so far.
Once in the Outer Backs when I tried to help someone else out while they were stuck. The sand was very deep and loose and I ended up sitting on the diffs spinning all the wheels.
The second time I got stuck was in a place called 4 corners in Virginia. It is just a big mud hole which all the locals go and play around in. I could have drove under most of the trucks there (that's a lie, but they all have 6 inches lift plus and 38's.) That is where I blew up my starter and clutch slave. They said I would never make it, but I did 4 times in a row!!! The mud/water went all the way up to the window seals.
I have 1 girlfriend, 4 children and 3 dogs. If I use the 'hitch haul', I can bring everyone and all the stuff.
Best part of this Jeep, I only paid $1000 for it!!!
22nd Apr 2008, 12:53
I'm glad to hear that this vehicle doesn't "high center"--I'm thinking of buying one for my first car, and my mom is worried because SUVs are reputed to roll over easily.