Where to begin....?

Hey yall, I'm new, both the forums and Jeep ownership, but not necassarily new to off-roading, outdoors, and mechanical stuff. That said, a few folks here have seen my rig and seen her in action. She is, for the most part, a blank canvas, plenty stout, clean and not all that pretty, IE, I can afford to experiment with different things and beat the ever loving holy hell out of her while any mods, sepcifically fabricated stuff (because I can weld a little) doesn't have to be pretty, just more or less effective.

94 YJ



She's a 4.0 with a 5 speed and runs like a spotted arsed ape. Everything else, I think, is stock in terms of guts....at least, crawling underneath I see nothing that would indicate aftermarket upgrades.

The first thing I need to do is replace the turn signal multifunction stalk thingy because...well, it didn't come with one. I have a junkyard find I jam in the slot to make turn signals but if it ever rains or I find mud, it could be a bad day. My father in law says he can fix it but he's retired and moves at his own pace. I found a how too on another forum and it scared the crap out of me. Being as how I'm working out of town, I'm thinking of dropping it off somewhere and picking it up fixed a week later. That would be ideal. Oh, and the blower motor on the heater is not working.

Ok, beyond that, thinking of mods. I'd like to pick her up a few more inches and slip some 31" tires on, though what I have (245's) are in decent shape. And with that, some sexy new rims but not too sexy. I don't want to screw with regearing and spend more than I paid for the rig. Defeats the purpose of having a beater to tear up at the moment, at least. And some armor. The front and rear bumpers are alright, the front holds the winch so I'm less inclined to replace it but maybe work on it some. I'd like to get a reciver hitch or perhaps go with the whole tire carrier, hitch, utility rack, bumper system in the back. The wife has requested steps and I've looked at the integrated rockslider styled ones.

As far as interior goes, meh, need to get a cheap stereo going with some serviceable speakers, nothing fancy.

Just looking for some all around advice. Certainly, she can get out and get into the trails plenty good as is. Like everyone else, I am constrained by a budget. Just looking for ideas and suggestions starting with a good place to take her in for the steering column surgery....

I may be able to help you with the turn signal problem and the blower motor, though being in SA you probably won't need it for another year. lol but I can help with that to. lmk if you are interested and maybe we can meet up and tackle it.

Thanks for the reply. Life is extremely busy right now and I hope to get over to the place I bought it from tomorrow and get the plates. Sometime in the future, I may take you up on it but God only knows when.