Well, I would prefer it if you would sell the Jeeps & buy a Toyota, but I bet I can't talk you into that/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif.

So, tough questions! I guess it all comes down to whether you want a trail vehicle done now or later. I liked the wheelbase of the Scrambler I had, so my preference goes to it. There is also more room to put stuff in it - another plus.
So, I say transfer everything over to JeepSkeight and sell the rest for parts & a rolling chasis.

Still, sure you don't want a Toyota?/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif

David
Davids 4x4 Page

 

Rodney, just finish Jeepskate, I'm with one of the other guys, CJ8s are too weird looking for me. Also, agreed, keep the 86 as is.

Brad (from the 4 Wheeling center of the universe, 4 corners USA)

 

CJ8s are not weird looking...

CJ8George
o[[[[o
85 CJ8,258,Weber32/36,4" BDS lift,4.10,35"tires,f/r lockers

 

That's a funny one..... how do you hide a 6 foot tall, 8 foot wide, Scrambler with 36" tires? Put a cover over it and say, "I don't see anything.... what do you mean you can't park in the driveway anymore?!?!?!" Like trying to "hide" an elephant....


90 YJ "Mangler" 6" of lift, 33's, Lock Right in the rear

 

I would wheel Jeepskate. It deserves to be wheeled. I would use the scrambler as a daily driver. I would personally need the extra room during daily driving, and commuting with the family. Plus the scrambler is more rare than the CJ 7 so you can restore it to near stock, and have it be a really nice looking jeep. Sell the Laredo to a good home, and build the scrambler for daily driving. Then wheel Jeepskate. That is what I would do.

OR

You could spring over the CJ8 with 4 " lift springs like those boys down near Tellico do. You can get away with it because of the extra driveshaft length. Put 36's or so under it, and be the articulation machine. Remember... once you lift it, it grows on you, and then you will just want to make it bigger. Where do you think bigfoot came from.

Jesse

 

Her's the issue with the Scrambler as a daily driver: It needs darn near EVERYTHING...front clip, drivetrain, and interior. I personally don't need the extra room for a daily driver as I only drive myself daily. The 7 is big enough for the rare occasions that all 3 of us are in it, but we're mostly in the van when we're all out together. The space would be much more handy off road when I'm carrying gear with us and have extra passengers visiting. The Scrambler may be more rare than the 7 overall, but certainly not more rare than a fully loaded '86 (last year they made 'em) Laredo that even has AC and cruise control. At this point I've pretty much made up my mind to strip Jeepskate, and most of the public and private responses I've gotten have agreed with this. The Scarmbler needs a good chunk of what it's got, and I wouldn't dare strip the '86 to put the parts from it on the 8. I'll have what I need in a wheeler with the 8, and have two rare birds to boot. The dismantling begins this Saturday and parts are on the auction block right now...

 

Hehehe...what big blue tarp, honey?
Really a stretch considering that she helped unload it and push it up the driveway

 

This country has about 150 million women. How many CJ-7's/8's? You could keep all three Jeeps and upgrade the wife. Just kidding. Tell her it could be worse. I've got two CJ-7's, two Dodge trucks, two A-body Mopars and a Wagoneer. My wife is happy 'cause she always knows where to find me (in the garage). She also knows where I spend all my money but that's another story. Good Luck!

 

I'm glad I'm not in your shoes right now.
If you like I have found a place to get
stuff like fenders and box floor. the floor is in like
5 to 7 parts this for the GREAT AND WONDERFUL CJ-8'S
Would you like me to post it????????

I see where you are comeing from and think you are right
BUT> why not make the CJ-8 a dayly driver and tow truck
for jeepskate D-60 front D-70 back 383 under the hood NV
4500 300 tranfercase .One piece fiberglass hood flip forward.
or Power stroke and and oh never mine.

 

Too bad you are not in one of the 'rust-free' areas. My vote would be to complete the -7 if it is as 'close' as you incicate. Make the-7 your 'toy'. If you want an -8 for your 'runner', and for family obligations, my vote would be to go-for-it. But, here in so ca, I would vote to loose the 86 Loredo, and also, your current -8. It is still too easy, here, to get a cherry 86, or a cherry -8. I would do to the 'yet-to-be-acquired' -8 the same sort of stuff that you have done to your current 86, like mild suspension, tires. You will buy it already rust-free, with a good engine, etc. If you are somehow 'attached' to some of the stuff on your current 86, I would 'off-load' it before you sell it. Like, keep the model 44, and any accessories you think you want. Get a wide-track model 20, to sell it. Has it got PB? Then, keep the parts, and sell it as manual brakes. etc, etc.
My .02


bob

 

Re: Dirty deeds done...

Well, like you pointed out, I'm not in a rust free area. So, if it starts with 'CJ' it ain't cherry around here /wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif I already pretty much stripped 'The Jeep Formerly Known as Jeepskate' this past Saturday...just gotta run to Chi-town to pick up my buddy's engine hoist to yank the drivetrain and it'll be reduced to a pile of parts. 2 club members came over for a couple of hours and we made short work of it...kind of amazing seeing how fast it all comes down after all the time it took to put it together. The Scrambler will be much more suitable as a trail rig for my family and I and will provide room for visitors who've seen the video tapes from our trail runs and are itching to ride with us...just can't do that with a 7. Plus there's the added bonus of the rollbar location which will allow me to move my seat back to a more comfortable position. I've gained about 40 pounds since my first 7 and I don't quite fit in them the same...that's what prompted me to yank the stock seats out of the '86 and install the '95 seats. Much more comfortable seating position for me, but it's still not quite right...I feel like I'm driving a kiddie car when the top is up/on and the doors are on. Even though I think I made the right decision, I'm sure I'll run across a few things that I'll kick myself in the arse for, but that's life. Plus side is that I'll have a rolling test-bed also since I've got some stuff in POR-15 and Durabak already and can try some alternatives like Coroless, Herculiner, Hammerite, etc and see how they all hold up on the same vehicle under the same conditions /wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif Can you tell I'm still trying to convince myself that this was a good idea? Too late to turn back now...

 

Yes, please do post the source for the flooring. I cleaned it out last weekend and the floor is a bit worse than I had hoped...the parts that aren't down-right rusted out look like swiss cheese. /wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif
I actually did briefly go on a flight of fancy and entertain the thought of building it as a daily driver with a PowerStroke (I ain't ruling this part out for the future), Dana 60 front, Dana 70 dually rear, stretched wheelbase (similar to the TJ conversions), 4 bucket seats...I then I realized that I'd have to PAY for all of that stuff /wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif and that my wife would likely kill me /wwwthreads_images/icons/shocked.gif
Not to say that none of that will never happen...been seriously considering the stretched wheelbase since I've got sheetmetal to deal with anyway and the 4 buckets for the initial build-up, then doing a Magnum V8 or a PowerStroke in a couple of years. We'll see what pans out /wwwthreads_images/icons/cool.gif

 

There he goes again ...
I have a good idea!
I think I need to do this ....
Start a CJ business, then I could buy (and possibly try to sell) all the Jeeps that I see potential in.
Let's see ... hummm .... I could have several on the lot ... a few for parts ... and have a few in progress ....
But I think I need Rodney to be the buyer cuz he can really find the good deals!
BUT, he'd have to move down here to the Southwest where there is not so much Swiss cheese.

JAF

 

Hey, I'm just lookin' for a good excuse to get outta here. /wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif
Winter is coming and I'd just as soon not deal with it. Kinda stinks working for a gas utility...you have to wish for cold weather in order to keep the profits up and your bonus check nice and fat...

 

Rodney-
Farmington owns it's own public utility.
Why don't you put in your application?
This is one of the most ideal places to live and raise a family.
But I am prejustice since I was born here.

JAF

 

Re: Jobs in warm climates

I'm a net admin, so I could actually work just about anywhere. Just want to get some certifications under my belt so that I have some pieces of paper to prove that I know what I know, then I'll be ready to get the heck outta here. My sister was actually out there for a couple of years of college at New Mexico Tech. I could get out of having to buy airline tickets every X-mas to go back to the east coast where the rest of my family is since they wouldn't mind going someplace warm...none of them want to come out here in the Winter /wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif At $200+ a pop, it puts a real damper on my festive mood, especially since I gotta pay for three this time (we could still cheat & say Brendan was under 2 last year, but he's just a tad too big and WAY to talkative now). I think I'll be pleading my case for X-mas out here this year since my parents and my sister's family are driving distance from each other and they both have much higher incomes than we do.