Estimated cost to build a somewhat capable trail rig?

[Roody650i]

Hey everyone. I'm looking into doing a budget-build...that is, on a high-schooler's budget. I don't have a job right now because I don't have time for it (track practice and meets take up most of my free time), but let's just say I've been saving money my entire life to build up a Jeep.

I found a 1988 XJ near me that I can buy for $500. The body is in good shape...very little rust and minor damage, and the frame is in good shape as well. There's no rot on the typical places where XJs get it. But obviously there's a catch: the transmission is in bad shape. Not bad like it is going to die today, but bad that it's a problem and will have to be replaced fairly soon. The owner is using an encoder to figure out what is wrong with it and will let me know when she knows.

Assuming I need to replace the transmission, how much would it be to do so? How much is a used transmission? Is this something I would have to have a shop do?

Then there's the fun stuff I'm considering. If I bought it, I would want to make it a fairly good off-roader. I'd want to fit 31" tires and know I would have to lift it at least a little...what would need to be done to do so? How much would it cost? I'm going to be building it for medium-difficulty off-roading...nothing to extreme or hardcore...typical Northeast USA stuff...

My main concern is cost. I know from when my dad had his YJ that modifying a Jeep can get very expensive very quickly. How much do you think it will cost to mod it for what I want to do? I would be able to install the lift at a friend's house (he's very experienced with Jeeps), so I'm not worried about having to pay somebody to install it.

Any advice or words of wisdom?

Thanks everyone...

[squirrel80]

ONE MILLION DOLLARS!:firedevil

[BruceB83]

Cost is going to depend on if and what you buy new and used. Also, do you mean "medium to difficult" or "medium difficulty"? "Difficult" off roading is tough on 31s until you have a fair amount of driving experience and even then it can be limiting. Search on here, I've seen these types of threads many times about what you need to do ______ in your XJ. I don't know NE USA wheeling so go to your local meets and see what others have. That's always a good way to start. Use the trial of others to see the error!

[BruceB83]

ONE MILLION DOLLARS!:firedevil

Haha! No joke...

[.40CalPatriot]

I bought my first XJ for $1800. I was a 93 sport with a 3in and 31's it was very capable for a high school type rig with moderate wheeling every now and again. I was able to do the required matainence on it while in school with a part time job. I am not sure of the type of wheeling in NY but here in Colorado there was more than enough wheeling spots for it with only 31's. Good luck.

[Roody650i]

Jeez, $1,000,000? I might as well give up...

Seriously though, I'm trying to get an idea of much I'll have to spend. I want to do this right, and if it means saving some more money and just starting the project when I'm out of college, I'll do whatever I have to do to make it work. I just want to get back on the trials in a Jeep...it's been a while...haven't gone since my dad sold his '89 YJ in 2003...and I miss it more than you can imagine...

Bruce - I meant "medium difficulty." I don't want to do any hard/difficult off-roading until I get a lot of seat time on the trails.

xjboy - Did your truck come with the lift and tires? If not, how much did it cost you? Thanks.

[BruceB83]

Well then just go with either a 2" budget boost kit out of ease or build your own 3" kit. Go with 31" tires and cut your fenders. Get the proper armor and trail tools and call it a day. The XJ is a very capable vehicle at 3" and 31s if you know HOW to drive it.

[.40CalPatriot]

Jeez, $1,000,000? I might as well give up...

Seriously though, I'm trying to get an idea of much I'll have to spend. I want to do this right, and if it means saving some more money and just starting the project when I'm out of college, I'll do whatever I have to do to make it work. I just want to get back on the trials in a Jeep...it's been a while...haven't gone since my dad sold his '89 YJ in 2003...and I miss it more than you can imagine...

Bruce - I meant "medium difficulty." I don't want to do any hard/difficult off-roading until I get a lot of seat time on the trails.

xjboy - Did your truck come with the lift and tires? If not, how much did it cost you? Thanks.

Yes it came with the lift and tires. But as other have said you could either 2in BB with trimming and 31's or you could build your own lift. Too bad your not in Colorado there are a few here for sale that have 3in and 31's for around 1500 for 87-90's

[IslanderOffRoad]

If you think about the cost before starting, you'll never do it.

If you add it up after you're done, you'll cry.

If you enjoy it enough, you won't care anyways.

[Roody650i]

Oh, I know I will enjoy it. I will enjoy every second of it.

But I really do think it's possible to enjoy it and keep it inexpensive at the same time. A budget build can still be fun, even if the budget is very limited...

[.40CalPatriot]

Dont worry about it being the most Bada$$ rig out there. We all started out somewhere which was usually small and on a budget. BUT THEN IT GOT OUT OF CONTROL! But is is worth it.:doh:

[Bent]

But I really do think it's possible to enjoy it and keep it inexpensive at the same time. A budget build can still be fun, even if the budget is very limited...

True, very true. Used parts are great when you can get them. Bastard leaf packs, coil spacers, 31” tires on stock rims and open diffs, etc, etc, etc. Putting a price on what it’s going to cost before you know what exactly it is you want to do is, well, kind of tough to do. A $1500 budget can go a long way if you don’t get in too much of a hurry. Do your homework, shop around and watch the classifieds. One thing you need to avoid is redundant spending; that is unless you find a screaming deal on something you can maybe sell later.

[XCastleXJ]

wow, youve been saving your entire life to build a jeep? nice...

my xj sits right now on 2 inches of lift with 30 iinch tires. fitting 31's in there would be no problem.

i paid a total of $160.00 to get it from stock, to where it is now.

i found a new rubicon express 2inch lift on craigs list and talked the guy down to 100 bucks for it. i bought my rims from a guys on here for 60 bucks. and i found my tires for free. this is where it sits now

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/14/l_c3b7629c81b140f0ae4a0cc365b52c9d.jpg


so if you get this 500 dollar jeep, and you have patience and look for deals, you can do it for as much, or (alomost) as little as you'd like.

hth

[Roody650i]

I would only spend money on necessities for it...lift, tires, stuff to go with the lift, etc. Cosmetics don't matter to me, and I can always rattle can it flat black.

I also found another Jeep I'm interested in. It's twice as far away from me but already has a 3" Rough Country lift, 1" Budget Boost, and 32" Swampers (I think TSLs). Price $750. Looks to be in good shape. This is an even better deal.

[rocknxj]

I've got over $4,800 front to rear, top to bottom in parts for a moderate trail rig. I bought quality parts whenever possible. And yes, I have about a million dollars to go to reach full potential.

[ZacSquatch]

At this point in life... $5000...

[FlexdXJ]

I would only spend money on necessities for it...lift, tires, stuff to go with the lift, etc. Cosmetics don't matter to me, and I can always rattle can it flat black.

I also found another Jeep I'm interested in. It's twice as far away from me but already has a 3" Rough Country lift, 1" Budget Boost, and 32" Swampers (I think TSLs). Price $750. Looks to be in good shape. This is an even better deal.

there ya go slap a winch on it and lock it and you have a very capable rig! :cheers:

[Roody650i]

The second one I mentioned seems like a great choice for me. Even if it a tune-up, it's an extremely inexpensive way for me to get into a Jeep. And I forgot to mention, it has a Tomken bumper (I don't know if it's a good bumper or not compared to others, but it must be better than stock) and new brakes. The only downside mentioned in the advertisement is that it needs new wheel bearings.

[seven]

True, very true. Used parts are great when you can get them. Bastard leaf packs, coil spacers, 31” tires on stock rims and open diffs, etc, etc, etc. Putting a price on what it’s going to cost before you know what exactly it is you want to do is, well, kind of tough to do. A $1500 budget can go a long way if you don’t get in too much of a hurry. Do your homework, shop around and watch the classifieds. One thing you need to avoid is redundant spending; that is unless you find a screaming deal on something you can maybe sell later.

x2 with most things in life, time = money. if you want it done tomorrow it can be done for a price. however if you are willing to be on the look out and piece it together is can be done pretty cheap. I think it took 4 months to get everything I needed for my lift. during that 4 months I was reading every lift lift thread I could. You need to watch classifieds for good used parts diligently. Do not get discouraged when you don't always get the the deal the first time around. The only thing on my jeep that is mail ordered is the disconnects, mudflaps, and transfer case protection. The rest came from ebay, junkyards, and any classifieds that I could look at for jeep parts.

[FlexdXJ]

The second one I mentioned seems like a great choice for me. Even if it a tune-up, it's an extremely inexpensive way for me to get into a Jeep. And I forgot to mention, it has a Tomken bumper (I don't know if it's a good bumper or not compared to others, but it must be better than stock) and new brakes. The only downside mentioned in the advertisement is that it needs new wheel bearings.

750 for a lifted running rig isn't bad even with bad hub assemblies. Thats another couple hundred bucks and is easily done at home with the proper tools of course! :D

[seanR]

Put some armor on it, rock rails and gas tank skid.
Buy them used, >$200.00., make them even cheaper.

Learn to wheel it the stock, grow bigger as you learn to wheel it.

[besthaticouldo]

i spent less then 2k on mine.

re 3.5 super ride, 31x10.5s, and quite a bit of other stuff.

i bought the lift and shocks new and that set me back about 1k after the alignment.

just know when it comes to parts, you get what you pay for. so you might wanna save instead of skimping.

my zj...im not putting nearly that money into it.

2in budget boost - 60 bux
bilstein shocks - 100
wheels - 100
tires - 400ish

[FlexdXJ]

i spent less then 2k on mine.

re 3.5 super ride, 31x10.5s, and quite a bit of other stuff.

i bought the lift and shocks new and that set me back about 1k after the alignment.

just know when it comes to parts, you get what you pay for. so you might wanna save instead of skimping.

my zj...im not putting nearly that money into it.

2in budget boost - 60 bux
bilstein shocks - 100
wheels - 100
tires - 400ish

you say that now! :D hows that ZJ treatin ya?

[besthaticouldo]

you say that now! :D hows that ZJ treatin ya?

well to start yea...

i wanna do LAs on it and sit around 5inches. thats my overall goal.

i like it. its a really nice suv. the creature comforts are amazing for a DD. its only missing a sunroof and heated seats. lol

[FlexdXJ]

well to start yea...

i wanna do LAs on it and sit around 5inches. thats my overall goal.

i like it. its a really nice suv. the creature comforts are amazing for a DD. its only missing a sunroof and heated seats. lol

I wouldnt' mind a ZJ but i think if i get another jeep to DD it'll be a WJ with a BB! on BFG A/T's

[besthaticouldo]

i want a 98 zj with a 5.9 and a 242. lol thatd be a fun jeep

but back to the OP. xjs are pretty capable just in stock form as well. maybe get some armor and recovery and go wheel it and then judge what you want...

[FlexdXJ]

Yeah mine does surprisingly well on 235's! I'm working on the armor part once i get a winch and detours backbone for it!

[rocknxj]

I know this may sound ghey, but I have a spreadsheet that shows every dime for every part I spent on the XJ. That way I can work on my Jeep when I'm not working on the Jeep, if you know what I mean.

:wow:

[seanR]

I know this may sound ghey, but I have a spreadsheet that shows every dime for every part I spent on the XJ. That way I can work on my Jeep when I'm not working on the Jeep, if you know what I mean.

:wow:
There isn't enough memory in my computer to handle a spreadsheet for mine.

[Coastie]

http://www.craigslist.org/

Your new best friend.

[GSequoia]

There isn't enough memory in my computer to handle a spreadsheet for mine.

http://events.sequoia4x4.com/d/8524-2/dscn2752.jpg

[Hugothegrunt]

I know this may sound ghey, but I have a spreadsheet that shows every dime for every part I spent on the XJ. That way I can work on my Jeep when I'm not working on the Jeep, if you know what I mean.

:wow:

LOL! I do the exact same thing for every car I own.

[WB9YZU]

My first rig was a 85' Pioneer that I paid $200 for.

I put a Rough Country 3" spring lift on it from JC Whitney and splurged for the shocks. The lift cost me $235 + shipping.

I put a set of 31'sX10.50X15's on it for another $450.

All said an done, that first one cost me about $1000.

I wheeled that rig for a while, then swapped the still running 2.8L into another rig and swapped over the lift kit and axles which reduced the cost of lifting and modifying the second one.

Diagnose or replace your transmission - I didn't see where you said what was wrong with it. Buy a cheap lift, do a lot of reading, and go learn your vehicle with open diffs. You can get into this recreation reasonably cheap, all you have to do is restrain your want to have everything NOW.

6 years ago, I bought my 98' for $5K. I put a lift on it then, and most every year, I do some mod or other. It's a cheap hobby compared to some I know of.

[Roody650i]

OK, so...

The $750 '88 XJ with the BB, 3" lift and 32" Swampers seems to be legit. The owner responded to my message and he said there's no mechanical/electrical problems with the truck, the transmission is fine, body is in good shape (minor rust on wheelwells and right rear fender is slightly bent), frame is straight, etc. Really seems to be a good deal, especially since it's ready for trail use.

So what do you all think? Should I go for it?

[WB9YZU]

OK, so...

The $750 '88 XJ with the BB, 3" lift and 32" Swampers seems to be legit. The owner responded to my message and he said there's no mechanical/electrical problems with the truck, the transmission is fine, body is in good shape (minor rust on wheelwells and right rear fender is slightly bent), frame is straight, etc. Really seems to be a good deal, especially since it's ready for trail use.

So what do you all think? Should I go for it?

Sure, why not? Go take it for a spin and see what falls off ;)

[seanR]

http://events.sequoia4x4.com/d/8524-2/dscn2752.jpg

Send me that video, biotch
I lost it when my gonculator was stolen.

[Roody650i]

Sure, why not? Go take it for a spin and see what falls off ;)
I would, but it's about 2 hours away. I'm hoping I can get out there this Saturday, money in hand...

[GSequoia]

Sean: http://events.sequoia4x4.com/v/20041002-moab/20041008-v/potato-seanr.mov.html

[sherman08]

I did the whole "building an XJ while in highschool with a part time job" thing, it didnt work out. 750 for a nice, running, and lifted XJ is good. However im not affraid to say that when i first started wheeling my 88 stocker I was it's limiting factor, bigger tires or more lift would have prolly killed me. I would say that armor is your friend, but it is expensive.

[Roody650i]

If I were to buy this Jeep, armor would be the first step (after replacing the wheel bearings, of course). It definitely seems to have everything a trail-truck needs, except armor.

I don't think I'll have a problem wheeling. I've been around off-roading since the day I was born...my dad had a '89 YJ with 6" of lift and Mud-Terrains. He sold it in 2003. Ever since then I knew I would own a Jeep sometime in the future. We got quads almost three years ago, so it's not like I'm a completely inexperienced off-roader. I know quading and Jeeping are very different, but I know how to choose a line going up rocks, how to navigate obstacles and how to deal with different wheeling situations pretty well (don't mind me bragging).

[The Armadillo]

I am also doing the build a Jeep while in high school with a part time job thing. I got a job with the local Veterinarian about 2 1/2 years ago and have been building since then. My dad is a mechanic and mainly works on Dodge Chrysler and Jeep. My uncle is a welder, so I'm in pretty good hands.

Paid $500 for my '97 with a shot transmission.
Put in a new one for idk how much.
3" Rough Country lift for $350 I think.
Roof Rack $100
New tires and wheels $200
New custom bumper from my uncle thanks to a wreck, $50 for metal
And yesterday for my 18th birthday, I got some new to me, but used 31x10.5x15 BFG Mud Terrains for free from my dad's work, that were off a new Rubicon, 80% tread left.
Also, rock sliders for free off a new Rubicon.
So about $1,200 for mine, excluding the trans.
http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg355/CHEROKEE979/th_ChristmasandDeerLease064.jpg
http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg355/CHEROKEE979/th_ChristmasandDeerLease063.jpg
http://s540.photobucket.com/albums/gg355/CHEROKEE979/th_ChristmasandDeerLease065.jpg

[scottmcneal]

I would, but it's about 2 hours away. I'm hoping I can get out there this Saturday, money in hand...I hear you have this thing called RUST.. If this is true you need to look at the floors real good... I have seen some of the rigs out there that rusted out real bad...These guys did great write ups on repairing the floors...

[Roody650i]

He said there's no rust on the frame, floors, etc...only on the wheelwells.