Let me start off by saying I have never had a fixer upper but always have wanted a big project, well I found a dang good one! I have been debating on a Crew cab ranger but 10k is the average. I purchased this here off the forum, seller was asking $4,000, on my way back from the ranch in CenTex guiding a few hunters I detoured to take a look. It looked/ran mediocre, so I asked what his bottom dollar was after finding out he had it posted on Craigslist for a few months and here for a little while. He said 3K I countered with $2500 and he agreed.. I was a little shocked and now I had to figure out how to get it home (1.5hr). Found a 22' bumper pull to rent 30 min away and went back, loaded and hit the road.



Initial Problems I Spotted...
• Rear brake drums where leaking
• Key didn't really want to turn the ignition (lots of jiggling required)
• Doors popped when opening
• Warn XD9000i winch was not mounted but stuck in bumper and had no controller
• Front end was warn out
• Tires where near their end
• Big dent & shotgun blast on driver door

Positives I saw...
• New 17" wheels
• Near new Front end replacement
• Near new Rear bumper replacement
• Warn XD9000i winch in FR
• 4-6" suspension lift
• Roof rack
• New 35" spare

So Far I Have...
• Insured, registered & inspected
• Done a complete brake job front & rear (new rotors & pads up front)(completely rebuilt rear drums)
• Had a new key cut off the serial number
• Replaced both door roller pins (PITA - fender, grille & splash guards pulled)
• Remounted winch & purchased wireless remote
• Sat it on new 35" Nitto Trail Grapplers
• Pulled inner fenders and painted with 3m undercoating
• Replaced all wiper blades



Ordered...
• Marathon seat covers in Mossy Oak Brush
• Weathertech floor liners
• MOOG front end kit (full replacement)
• Bilsten 5100 shocks
• New headlight lenses
• New wiper arms

Still Need...
Install MOOG kit & Bilstens - Wed
Exaust leak fixed
Engine temp gauge fixed?
Door skin fixed
Balanced & aligned
50" led bar in roof
2 - 8" led bars on front end replacement
New radio & door speakers (no functional radio now)
Mossy Oak Brush wrap

man that was a heck of a deal!

Looks like you have a nice project going on. Taking it much quicker than i have been on mine. My poor Jeep has needed a lift kit since '09, finally bought one in '12, and just started installing it this week. Really want to trade it for a mid '90s 2 door Tahoe.

Yea I am going full steam ahead, I budgeted $7,500 for the whole project and am at $5,550 so far. The wrap will be $2000 so I'm pretty much at my number...

Have you considered spraying the exterior with LineX (or other brand) instead of the wrap? That stuff is almost indestructible.

I have thought of it and may go that direction as they cost nearly the same.

New Pioneer radio, Kicker door speakers, new headlights & windshield wiper arms!

Found out my wireless winch controller won't work, gotta reorder a regular corded one tomorrow.

Also cleaned dried mud out of the skid plate and front of the frame, got some new bolts to remount it tomorrow along with two new license plate lights.

Replaced all the bulbs in the headlights, blinker, and running lights
Repaired rear wiper line that was broken
Replaced wiper arms
Installed new license plate lights
Found the problem on the engine temp gauge, purchased an aftermarket gauge to replace

Thats a badarse project.

Looking good!

New Bilsten 5100s came in today


Drove to Dallas and picked up two 7" led and a 50" led bar


Fabricated a jack mount for rear where the spare tire was.


New engine coolant temp gauge installed

I hope the 50led is mounted forward of the windshield. I had light above the hood and hated them, if there was a trust it lit it up and made it very hard to drive. But the round ones look good, who makes them?

I will be mounting the 50" above the hood as pictured, still deciding on a mount

Brand name is China, lol, I have rigids on my duck boat but couldn't justify spending 12-1600 on this build. I have heard these china bars are just as good

Now you just need a varmint rack on top like the one on my. 99

A high rack isn't on the list.. Yet lol

Warn winch got a new inline fuse today and is now fully functional. Front lights mounted and fully installed

I almost bought that suburban and you're making me wish I had more and more. Good choice going with the China made LEDs. You can buy 4 sets for what 1 rigid costs and I'm not 100% certain Rigid isn't made in China and assembled in the US. Definetely needs the varmint rack though.

New MOOG upper & lower ball joints, pitman arms, tie rods & sleeves today

Taking it to get balanced and aligned in the am. Cold day to work on the beast outside but needed to get it done.

I can't thank a certain THF member Gavin enough for all the help/teaching!!

He said a few guys came and look, but wouldn't pull the trigger. It made me worried a lot was wrong with it but for 2500 I couldn't pass it up. What kept you from buying it?

Ive got buddies who hunt out of their older tahoes and suburbans and they run like champs. Solid trucks

Going to wire brush and paint the frame up to de-ugly it

Just found a few more issues...

Forward driveshaft joint is toast, driveshaft is bent and a cracked transmission fluid hose

Good news! $300 on the new slightly lengthened driveshaft $ the yokes are good

So what is your total cost up to?

$7,300

Gonna be a nice huntin buggy