Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => General Talk => Topic started by: DanOCan on April 16, 2012, 09:39:17 PM

Title: New Member Intro
Post by: DanOCan on April 16, 2012, 09:39:17 PM
Hey there!

Figured I'd introduce myself.  I've been lurking on the board for a few days but now that I finally got my Jeep I'm ready to really start learning. 
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v310/DanOCan/photo.jpg)

She's a 2005 TJ and pretty much bone stock.  I wasn't sold on the yellow colour but she's in good shape so I can overlook it.
First upgrades I'm thinking are recovery points and tires.  I'll likely keep the same size rubber, just get something a little more aggressive.

I don't expect to do serious mud bogging or rock crawling.  I bought her more for running backroads and logging roads and such, but I'm certainly interested in some of the trails around here.  I better warn you, I'm not mechanically inclined so I'm worried about breaking a lot of stuff since it's going to cost me more $$$$ to repair stuff than some of you who know how to handle a wrench.

Only other Jeep I owned was a 2003 KJ.  Only had it offroad at McLean Creek once and she did pretty good for not having proper tires and things.  I bought her brand new and she gave me 230,000 happy kms until meeting her fate by colliding with a deer back in 2009.  I've been stuck on the pavement since.

I've got a lot to learn so I'm here to sit back and absorb what I can.  Seems like a really great group from what I have read so far.  Cheers!
Title: Re: New Member Intro
Post by: Jrama on April 16, 2012, 10:04:35 PM
Welcome

You will learn as you go along, just make a commitment to doing things yourself, luckily with a basic set of hand tools and the internet you can fix most issues with your jeep. Princess auto makes tools very affordable for the backyard mechanic. I was in the exact same position as you (mechanical inclination wise) when I first started out...I still have a long way to go, but I have learned a ton
Title: Re: New Member Intro
Post by: Dingleberry on April 17, 2012, 03:28:54 AM
What Jrama said :)

If you have the will to want to learn how to be able to fix things on the vehicle yourself, a Jeep is a great vehicle to start learning on!
Christ I would have struggled doing an oil change before I bought my first Jeep. You can learn a whole lot more than you'd imagine in 4 years :)

Welcome to the Jeep world, one warning: its addictive!
Title: Re: New Member Intro
Post by: fug on April 17, 2012, 06:55:19 AM
Hey there!

  I better warn you, I'm not mechanically inclined so I'm worried about breaking a lot of stuff since it's going to cost me more $$$$ to repair stuff than some of you who know how to handle a wrench.


Welcome... owning a Jeep is a quick way to become mechanically inclined!  The nice thing about them is they are fairly simple and there are a number of things you can learn to do yourself at your own pace.  If you come out on a few runs and show up at some meetings... I'd bet in no time you'll have guys who are willing to fumble through the basic repairs with you.

Embrace the insanity ;)
Title: Re: New Member Intro
Post by: BUKI on April 17, 2012, 09:15:15 AM
There is nothing wrong with that color. That is one of my FAVs on a jeep. Always wanted a yellow jeep. Welcome to the chaos that is the Jeep.  ;D
Title: Re: New Member Intro
Post by: yellowjeep101 on April 26, 2012, 03:45:50 AM
Everyone likes yellow jeeps... Especially with half cabs :P
Title: Re: New Member Intro
Post by: Nootch on April 26, 2012, 06:45:12 AM
I have owned my jeep for just over a year now and though i am mechanically inclined by nature, the first thing i noticed about my TJ was that everything is set out very basic like.  Simple concepts and mechanical principals.  If you are not in a hurry, its super easy to work on in most cases.  I have done everything from diff gears, axle housings, engine/trans swap, electrical wring, axle shafts, and bumper installs in the last year and it was all just as easy as my 1980 dodge was to work on.


The other great thing about y our TJ is that you can find aftermarket parts that are better for the same price as stocker parts in many cases.  Keep an eye out on Kijiji for the upgrades you are looking for, and make friends with your aftermarket supplier of choice (Stan at Northridge4x4.ca for me) and you will have no problems. 

enjoy
Title: Re: New Member Intro
Post by: DanOCan on April 27, 2012, 07:20:18 AM
I do have to admit that I have grown used to the colour now.  It's starting to feel ike my Jeep now.  Other than a couple of abandoned road allowances it hasn't been off the pavement very much yet, although I am aiming at every mud puddle I see. ::)