CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

'86 Jimmy 4in Lift, 40’s, tons, 8.1 Swap- 700r4 said PNNNNN

This is not a dedicated trail rig, but does trailer to the destination usually. I am currently in the planning phase of doing a 52/56" spring swap, and getting back to being more road worthy.
So I've been thinking about changing things up on this a bit lately.

@Bentmarker had me thinking, and my cost on some repop fenders is less than $100 through my work. Maybe throw some straight fenders on this, and then doors and quarters down the road.

I'm just tired of seeing this beat up. Plus, that would give me the opportunity to do a better job with my fender trim and possibly a new paint job.

I don't know. Just thinking out loud I suppose.

IMG_2685 (2).PNG
 
Might be better off picking up a cheap, straight Suburban. Kill a whole flock with one stone. And you'd finally have a kidmobile.

Undoing the trail damage won't be trivial.
 
No more wheeling?
OH no, I will still wheel this, maybe just slow down a bit and pay attention. Not so much slam and cram.
Might be better off picking up a cheap, straight Suburban. Kill a whole flock with one stone. And you'd finally have a kidmobile.

Undoing the trail damage won't be trivial.
I have no use for a suburban. My family fits in the Jimmy just fine. I've done too much work to this, to start over on another project.

I'm simply replacing a few bolt on parts.
 
This is kind of the same direction I want mine to go. I know I can wheel the crap out of it and have minimal damage. Well... in theory anyway. I say practice staying off of trees and rocks with the raisin and if that works out throw some new stuff on and make big Jim purdy.
 
Nothing wrong with having a "nice" wheeler. Too many people get caught up in the idea it's not hardcore and/or you don't wheel unless it looks like chewed up bubble gum.
Those are my thoughts. I see a clean wheelin rig, and I think to myself, "that guy knows control".
This is kind of the same direction I want mine to go. I know I can wheel the crap out of it and have minimal damage. Well... in theory anyway. I say practice staying off of trees and rocks with the raisin and if that works out throw some new stuff on and make big Jim purdy.
Pwactice pwactice
 
It's a bit of a balance, I'd hate to spend a lot of time and money on the body of a truck that's used. You're just setting yourself up to be butt hurt when you smash it, because you will at some point.

I would focus on some body protection including front/rear bumpers that wrap around, sliders etc.
 
I would focus on some body protection including front/rear bumpers that wrap around, sliders etc.
That would be the plan. Some nice bumpers and sliders are in the works. I don't want to build them if the truck looks like poop anyways. So it's kind of a catch 22.

Ya know...

 
Maybe I'm thinking of someone else with the carseat comment. But I do remember you griping about wheelbase and saying you wanted to relocate the axle so Martin doesn't hafta tow you put again. ;)
 
One thing I do know. You're not doing mere cosmetic work. MAW will set in and the project scope will creep. You've already identified a lot of work just replacing the fenders, quarters, doors, and repainting.

My preferences are different than yours, but I'd rather buy a clean donor (or trade altogether) than reskin an entire body. Already done enough of that.
 
This is more of what I pictured.
Lol thank you. Spot on.
Maybe I'm thinking of someone else with the carseat comment. But I do remember you griping about wheelbase and saying you wanted to relocate the axle so Martin doesn't hafta tow you put again. ;)
I'm fine for space. And a wheelbase change isn't difficult.
That makes more sense.
I'm thinking protection first, then replace the worse panels. I'll football as much of the doors and quarters as I can, but the fenders are beyond savable.
I'd buy some functional beadlocks first....

Martin
Truth. I need to get my 24 bolts done.
 
My body is mint on my blazer but I still cut off the lower portion of the front and rear fenders and slightly trimmed the wheel opening on the front fenders. It was a hard decision at first but I figured if I did it to look decent it would be ok and I am not one of those guys who just wants to sit and look at my vehicle for fear of damaging it, I'd rather be using it and having fun. I am not going to purposely smash and run into stuff but if it happens out having fun wheeling it then oh well I will fix it and move on. I may possibly buy a rusty hunk of crap to smash and bash some day but that would be another one to maintain and build.
 

Latest Posts

Top Bottom