"Vision" of what I want my Jeep to be

[OIIIIIIIO]

Hi

So...

I don't want a Jeep that can crawl up a vertical rock....

I don't want a Jeep that can get through 8' deep mud...

I want a Jeep that is capable of going many places (but not necessarily doing the tricks...ie walls, tons of mud) but would like to be able to be like a "rescue" vehicle. Something that can get to where the mud runners are and help pull them out...or to where the rock crawlers are and weld up a broken tie rod...air for tires...etc...

If you were building a Jeep like that, what would you have on it?

Permanent mount winch or one of the reciever hitch mount set ups?
OBA or a PUMA type compressor and tank?
On board welder or a ready welder type product?

What else...?

Thanks for brainstorming with me!
Patrick

[Texas4X4]

for starters id get an m8000...theyre only like $529

[kwrangln]

I think in order to get to where the big boys are stuck or broken, you'll need a jeep capable of taking the same trails. Having a mild mannered daily driveable jeep make it to where a built rig with 40" tires just aint gonna happen. You have to remember that the most serious wheelers dont worry so much about body damage etc, so its going to be real tough to get there yourself if you're the slightest bit concerned about having a pretty ride.

Is this just for fun or are you thinking of a buisness enterprise?

To meet your ideas, I would build as follows.

Jeep body of choice
fabricated frame (stronger than any stock offerings)
Suspension of choice, SOA if cheap, coilovers if you have the cash.
HP dana 60 front with alloy axles, u-joints, and locker of choice.
Chevy 14 bolt rear with locker of choice.
V-8 of choice
Auto tranny built to survive.
Atlas or Stack transfer case
40" tires of choice
cage, armor, etc

Once thats done you can think about recovery and repair because that stuff is useless if you cant get to where its needed.

[BigMudder]

I agree with KWranglin. Your gonna need something that will get you where the big boys are and even have a more capable rig then them. To have real recovery vehicle you better have a nice chunk of cash. But what KWranglin said is gonna be a setup for a recovery vehicle.

[chutta]

Well here in Michigan I hear the laws are a changin' and we'll have to stick to those "designated trails" with the jeep outline on the stick or snowmobile trails negotiable by Continentals, so I think I'm gonna stop building and get ready for some serious mall crawlin' .

[OIIIIIIIO]

Hi

To narrow my "vision" a little bit more...

I'm not looking to do this as a business...more along the lines of when with a group of buddies. I don't have the testicles to do alot of crazy stuff...but would like to be able to nimbley by-pass an obstacle to perhaps get on the other side (if need be) to help someone out...

I want to be the guy who has everything to help someone out...though that's tough to do with the limited space of the CJ7...I need to keep the rear seat with a 3 and 2 year old...and I'd rather not carry stuff on top of the cage...I know I'm limiting myself there...

A little more backround as to plans I have so far...

I've got a Warn 9000 permanently mounted on the front...wondering if it would be worth it to go with the moveable...

Was leaning toward a Puma air compressor with a small tank...

Had plans to find a Ford 8.8 with disc breaks for the rear...not sure what to do about the front...

Got plans for a full cage...should be in by the middle to end of the summer...

Was leaning toward a ReadyWelder

Notice the "leaning toward" statements...I'm easily swayed by people who know better than me...

But keep your thoughts coming!!

Thanks,
Patrick

[4bob4]

On the front you should be fine up to 35's with aftermarket shafts ($500ish). I've had 33's for a while and beat the hell out of my Dana 30 AMC 20 (locked one piece shafts in the rear) combo with a Chevy 350 and no problems yet. If you've already got money in the rear put in a little more and the AMC 20 will be very close to the Dana 44 Ford 8.8 range with less fabrication and searching.

[Wht 83 CJ7]

How about something like this, Mild build gets me ,around still streetable and climbs walls,,and i dont even have a winch yet so you got me there http://www.reno4x4.com/gallery/files/3/9/Rappy001.jpg