What would you build today?

[tcaradon]

Just for discussion. The sport has changes a lot since I started actively taking vehicles to off road parks and trails in 2007. Knowing what you do now what would you build today? Let's say a $15-20k budget, no plans to race trail riding only.

Couple things to think about:
-One ton axles are cheaper and more common then ever, aftermarket/crate axles are getting much more affordable
-Lightweight will always work, but where is the balance 2500lbs, 3500lbs,4500lbs etc?
-Rzrs are getting much more popular but no one seems to be building smaller rigs (ie samurai and trackers) much anymore
-I really like what WOD is doing with the TJ buggy chassis keeping the jeep look to it.
-I really think you have to plan for 37+ inch tires anymore, maybe 40+ with big axles, just for rut clearance at any of the major parks

[97tealj]

I've been wanting to build an MJ that could be streetable yet still capable. Build would look something like:

-37-40" tires $2-3K
-junkyard 6.0 LS $1k
-TH400 $1k
-Atlas $2k
-60/14 bolt w/spool upfront and ARB rear $4k
-Air shocks or coilovers $1-3k

I have a lot of stuff sitting in the shop now. It was supposed to go in the TJ, but hasn't made it there yet.

[86cherokeexj799]

It's hard for me not to bring up RZR over and over. For trail riding they are pretty awesome. I can run 40-50mph pretty comfortable, I can go rock crawling, it's comfortable besides no heat. Fits right in there on the budget. They are reliable and easy to work on. They require a decent amount of maintenance, but it's pretty easy work to do because everything is so small. I was really impressed with mine at Windrock. There are some big rock climbs and such that you can't do very well but that and the lack of storage are the biggest drawbacks.

If I were to try to build something, I think it would be tube chassis LS based, 37-40" tires on d60/14b. Relatively smallish,

Taking Matts lead:
-37-40" tires $2-3K
-junkyard 6.0 LS $1k
-TH400 $1k
-Atlas $2k
-60/14 bolt w/spool upfront and ARB rear $4k
-Air shocks or coilovers $1-3k

and JHF Goatbuild chassis $4-6k with all the extras.

At the top end of budget (outside of top end) at $21k and you still have a ton of parts to buy...

I think I would go with a Goatbuilt type chassis or some other "off the shelf' chassis. There are a bunch of them out there now and they have link geometry setup with all the brackets available, most have skins and interior panels available, they have tabs for mounting your seats, drivetrain, steering components, some have custom fuel cells available and the required mounts, radiator mounts and sizing and location already picked out. It takes a ton of the guesswork out of building it and you can buy all the builder stuff to save a bunch of time fabbing little brackets and such. It will cost you, but save you a ton of time, and time is money so I think I'd spend more to save the time.

[tcaradon]

Build means no rzr, but I agree with most of your points. A kit type buggy would be easily twice the budget unless you already had one to tear down for parts

I don't really have a great answer. I'd be torn between doing a lower buck version of the 90s throwback comanche on pirate, keeping the 4.0/aw4 and junkyard 2006+ SD axles on a ~40 inch tire or going back to a samurai, tracker, or toyota based rig on 37-38 inch tire with a ~105 inch wheel base

[keepviper13]

Tough decisions for sure. Especially considering the wheeling you've done with the XJ so far.

You could build a subframe for link mounts/skids and swap in some 1 tons and 40's and that rig would be sweet for the wheeling we're doing.
I'd think a buggy would make things easy and the lack of cab would get old for what we've been doing.

So, to diverge from the buggy crowd:
I'd vote 4 seat full cab something
1 tons/40s
Coilovers (maybe rear leafs)
Windshield and wipers stay
If it's in the budget, a 6.0L and TH400 with atlas.

[tcaradon]

I'm still pretty hung up on the lightweight rigs. We wheeled with this guy last weekend. He idled up everything the v8 one ton jeeps/buggies were doing with a lot of throttle.

[97tealj]

I found this on Facebook the other day. I think if I were going to try and build a new trail rig and crawler, I'd be tempted to go this route.

https://www.facebook.com/Fabn801/videos ... 467243096/

It is powered by a sami drivetrain with Toy axles. 37's w/ propane. I can't imagine it being too expensive to put together.