Smokey's Slow-Smoldering Build Thread
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 538
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From: Amarillo, Texas
In January, my wife had brain surgery in Denver. We had to fly that trip because the doctor wasn't keen on her taking an eight-hour ride in a Jeep right after having her head cut open. (I can't imagine why! 
)
At the end of March, though, she was due for a follow up, and we agreed to drive it. Even though I knew there wasn't time to do any wheeling, this was very important to me. You see, when I bought the Jeep, it still had the old title in it and, being the journalist I was, I checked out the former owner. I discovered that he'd died and his widow had traded in his toys -- my Jeep and a black Porsche targa. His obituary even mentioned my Jeep, saying one of his favorite activities was to take his Jeep to go fishing in the mountains of Colorado. A bit corny, maybe, but I felt it only proper that Smokey have a chance to return to those mountains.
We had a great time, stopping at Lookout Mountain, near Golden, to see Buffalo Bill Cody's grave and the accompanying museum. There's an incredible overlook, where you can look one direction to see Denver and the other to see Golden. We also took in the zoo, drove up to an old shrine and enjoyed some fantastic Denver food!
)At the end of March, though, she was due for a follow up, and we agreed to drive it. Even though I knew there wasn't time to do any wheeling, this was very important to me. You see, when I bought the Jeep, it still had the old title in it and, being the journalist I was, I checked out the former owner. I discovered that he'd died and his widow had traded in his toys -- my Jeep and a black Porsche targa. His obituary even mentioned my Jeep, saying one of his favorite activities was to take his Jeep to go fishing in the mountains of Colorado. A bit corny, maybe, but I felt it only proper that Smokey have a chance to return to those mountains.
We had a great time, stopping at Lookout Mountain, near Golden, to see Buffalo Bill Cody's grave and the accompanying museum. There's an incredible overlook, where you can look one direction to see Denver and the other to see Golden. We also took in the zoo, drove up to an old shrine and enjoyed some fantastic Denver food!
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo, Texas
After my last trail ride, I got really frustrated with my stock tires. I'd been driving in the Canadian River and, thinking I was about to bog down, I entered a deep area much too fast, sending water up over my hood and pouring in behind the dash and all into the front passenger floorboard.
Unfortunately, new tires weren't an option, especially not the 35s I really wanted. I found a set of Rubi take-offs from a fellow who bought a new Rubi because "it looked tougher and more manly than the minivan my wife wanted."
They're the same size as my old tires, unfortunately, but they'll do me alright until I can get the lift, wheels and 35-inch tires I want.
Unfortunately, new tires weren't an option, especially not the 35s I really wanted. I found a set of Rubi take-offs from a fellow who bought a new Rubi because "it looked tougher and more manly than the minivan my wife wanted."
They're the same size as my old tires, unfortunately, but they'll do me alright until I can get the lift, wheels and 35-inch tires I want.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo, Texas
Last weekend, Panhandle Jeep Coalition had a safety and skills day. We met for breakfast, then caravanned north of town to the river. It was a fantastic time! We had 16 Jeeps and their families show up, and talked about/demonstrated a number of off-road skills to help out newbies like me.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 538
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From: Amarillo, Texas
I've been thinking about Plastidipping my wheels for some time, and getting this new set finally pushed me over the edge. I think it's a great change, especially against the black Jeep.
I had to stop overnight when a rain shower blew into the area. Gives a nice before/after contrast, though.
OK, that's (finally) where she sits now. My future plans include an AEV or Teraflex 2.5-inch lift, Shrockworks bumpers, TF tire carrier, Level 8 wheels, a PowerPlant winch and a regear.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
I had to stop overnight when a rain shower blew into the area. Gives a nice before/after contrast, though.
OK, that's (finally) where she sits now. My future plans include an AEV or Teraflex 2.5-inch lift, Shrockworks bumpers, TF tire carrier, Level 8 wheels, a PowerPlant winch and a regear.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Last edited by LoneWolf; Apr 9, 2014 at 01:04 PM.
JK Newbie
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 85
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From: Midlothian, Texas
Awesome Jeep
From another Texan!! Im a little further than you in my build but I understand. Too much want for my Jeep and not enough money
I made the mistake of going more cosmetic than usefulness (bumper and body armor with a cheep spacer lift) I think you are on the right track. Now that I am hooked on wheeling I wish I would have gone lift then tires.
From another Texan!! Im a little further than you in my build but I understand. Too much want for my Jeep and not enough money I made the mistake of going more cosmetic than usefulness (bumper and body armor with a cheep spacer lift) I think you are on the right track. Now that I am hooked on wheeling I wish I would have gone lift then tires.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo, Texas
Thanks! I feel like I'm a little behind in my build, largely because when I got her I was mired down with work.
I'm in a better situation now; I just want to knock out some of my wife's medical bills so I can focus on the Jeep more.
I nearly pulled the trigger on a lift instead of the tires, but these are new enough that I can use them up while I save for a proper lift-wheel-tire setup.
Sent via Jeep wave from my NSA-approved domestic espionage device
I'm in a better situation now; I just want to knock out some of my wife's medical bills so I can focus on the Jeep more.
I nearly pulled the trigger on a lift instead of the tires, but these are new enough that I can use them up while I save for a proper lift-wheel-tire setup.
Sent via Jeep wave from my NSA-approved domestic espionage device
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 160
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It occurs that I'm getting far enough along in my Jeep building and planning to justify creating a build thread as a way to organize my progress, timeline, photos and so on. That said, budget and life constraints dictate this will be a painfully slow process, hence the name of the thread. Forgive the avalanche of back-to-back posts; I'll get the thread caught up to my progress-to-date, and then update as events warrant. I purchased this 2009 JKX used on March 23, 2013, in Amarillo with 17,710 miles on it. It was in pristine condition, save for some minor hail damage on the hood and a cracked windshield. (I negotiated replacing the windshield into the purchase agreement.) Although I waffled on her name a bit at first, I settled on "Smokey" as an homage to the die-cast CJ-5 driven by Smokey the Bear my parents gave me at age 4, which ignited my love for Jeeps. (The fact that "smoke" poured out of the grille for an hour after her first time playing in the nearby Canadian River pretty much sealed the deal!) <img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=544452"/> <img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=544453"/> <img src="https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=544454"/>
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 538
Likes: 0
From: Amarillo, Texas
I sure do. We ought to wheel sometime. Do you go to the river, or elsewhere?
Look up Panhandle Jeep Coalition on Facebook. I don't mean to sound like a walking commercial, but it's a great group of people who like to wheel in a family-friendly environment. Lots of us bring wives and kids out with us.
Sent via Jeep wave from my NSA-approved domestic espionage device
Look up Panhandle Jeep Coalition on Facebook. I don't mean to sound like a walking commercial, but it's a great group of people who like to wheel in a family-friendly environment. Lots of us bring wives and kids out with us.
Sent via Jeep wave from my NSA-approved domestic espionage device