Jeep - Eagle AMC Station Wagon Limited:
Not exactly a Jeep, but a four wheel drive offering by Jeep AMC. It was loaded with options. Four wheel drive, power steering - windows - locks, and leather interior! Plus, wood grain sides. I have thought many times... How awesome would it be to own this little wagon, in the condition it was in of course, again!
Not exactly a Jeep, but a four wheel drive offering by Jeep AMC. It was loaded with options. Four wheel drive, power steering - windows - locks, and leather interior! Plus, wood grain sides. I have thought many times... How awesome would it be to own this little wagon, in the condition it was in of course, again!
1989 Jeep Sahara
My very first Jeep. Purchased off the back lot of Erwin Chrysler - Jeep - Dodge in Troy, Ohio. $3,200. It spent it's life in Texas, so it was rust free. It was an automatic (only automatic Jeep that I have ever own) and came with the brush guard and hard top. I purchased a Bestop soft-top and matching soft doors for it. I grew-up wanting a Willys as family friend Benny Smith had a 4x4 Willys wagon.
To this day, I received more compliments on this square-headlight YJ than on any other Jeep that I have owned. This Jeep inspired me to write the following when I owned it:
"Jeeping... What Jeeping means to me. It's the 4 year old boy that walked up to me at the bank and held out his hand to show me his toy Wrangler and was proud to tell me, "Look, I have a Jeep just like yours!" It's the teenager that rode his bike past me while I was sitting at the traffic light and told me he really liked my Jeep. It's the hostess at Applebee's that ran out to see my Jeep before I got out of it and told me she wanted a Jeep also! It's seeing all the Jeep owners at my first Camp Jeep this year (written: 2006) and being impressed how everyone was one big family.
I experienced all of this in the YJ... the older, stock Jeep! Not the newer one 2001, with all the "toys". But as much fun as it was wonderful to hear all the kind words about my Jeep from all the individuals noted previously... It was the silent compliment that touched me the most. While sitting in a restaurant, I noticed a Jeep Grand Cherokee pull up and park beside my little green YJ. A gentleman I'd guess in his 80s walked to the front of my Wrangler and silently patted the brush guard with the up most respect, as if greeting a former comrade."
My very first Jeep. Purchased off the back lot of Erwin Chrysler - Jeep - Dodge in Troy, Ohio. $3,200. It spent it's life in Texas, so it was rust free. It was an automatic (only automatic Jeep that I have ever own) and came with the brush guard and hard top. I purchased a Bestop soft-top and matching soft doors for it. I grew-up wanting a Willys as family friend Benny Smith had a 4x4 Willys wagon.
To this day, I received more compliments on this square-headlight YJ than on any other Jeep that I have owned. This Jeep inspired me to write the following when I owned it:
"Jeeping... What Jeeping means to me. It's the 4 year old boy that walked up to me at the bank and held out his hand to show me his toy Wrangler and was proud to tell me, "Look, I have a Jeep just like yours!" It's the teenager that rode his bike past me while I was sitting at the traffic light and told me he really liked my Jeep. It's the hostess at Applebee's that ran out to see my Jeep before I got out of it and told me she wanted a Jeep also! It's seeing all the Jeep owners at my first Camp Jeep this year (written: 2006) and being impressed how everyone was one big family.
I experienced all of this in the YJ... the older, stock Jeep! Not the newer one 2001, with all the "toys". But as much fun as it was wonderful to hear all the kind words about my Jeep from all the individuals noted previously... It was the silent compliment that touched me the most. While sitting in a restaurant, I noticed a Jeep Grand Cherokee pull up and park beside my little green YJ. A gentleman I'd guess in his 80s walked to the front of my Wrangler and silently patted the brush guard with the up most respect, as if greeting a former comrade."
This is how the '89 Jeep Wrangler looked the day I purchased it. Oh how I would love to have this one back, but I know the man that purchased it did so unsavory modifications to it, that could not be reversed. It was bone stock when I purchased it.
Camp Jeep 2006: Wisconsin
1999 Jeep Wrangler
I thought I'd up-grade to a newer unit. My second Jeep was a 1999 (TJ) Wrangler. 4cly. / 5 speed / arrest me red with black soft top.
As my passion for Jeeps grew... or is it an obsession? Anyways, I started making improvements. To this Jeep, I added 7" "Tomb Raider" flares. Did away with the "boxing glove" bumper ends, replaced the rear bumper completely with a rock crawler bumper with shackles. Added a M8000 Warn winch, Hella Driving lights, and built into the bumper, fog lights. Upgraded the tires to Dayton Timberline 31X15 MTs. I had a real good start on it when the Jeep and I got hit by lighting! Yes, the Jeep was actually hiy by lighting and I was in it at the time.
It was a sunny late afternoon. I was on my way home from work. Sitting at a traffic light, just as it turned green, the storm hit. What I found out later, was called a 135mph straight wind. I could not see 3 inches forward. I decided to seek shelter in the KFC parking lot to my left. The Colonel's building was blocking some of the wind AND heavy rain. Just as I started to make a dash for the lot... the lighting hit. Funny, the motor kept running. But every gauge in the Jeep went nuts! Just as I made it to the parking lot... The HAIL hit! I thought to myself: I'm in a freak'n tent on wheels! Lucky for me it was over as quickly as it started.
As I noted, the Jeep stayed running. I drove it home, picked up my buddy as we were going for Chinese. I stopped at Auto Zone as the Check Engine light was on. When they hooked up their computer, he told me he was getting codes he'd never seen before. I told my buddy I had just been in a tornado. He laughed at me and said, "Yeah, right." That he'd been watching the news and they had not said ANYTHING about such a storm. The Chinese resturant just happens to be right next to the KFC. Also, a Wendys is located in this row of food chains. The Wendys sign had been completely blown out! Several other business signs had also been ventilated. I was told the wind had picked up shopping carts at Home Depot (across the street) and they had flown though the air with the greatest of ease. My buddy asked the Chinese Restaurant owner, what she had thought about "the tornado". She replied, "You mean the monsoon we just had?" That finally shut my bud up! Ha!
Not all stories have happy endings. "Sparky" was never right afterwards. The check engine light would come on all the time. It would run at times with high rpms. Other times rough. I dropped two grand on it in a month and didn't even touch the tip of the iceberg. It would take spells when it would act completely normal. But that would only last a day, if I was luckly. It was during one of those such moments, the little red Jeep and I parted friendship. It may sound silly. You might even laugh. But I can't begin to tell you how hard it was to part with that Jeep. I could be having a hard day at work, but every night on the way home, that Jeep would put a smile back on my face. I ended up trading it to a Dealer having a push, pull or drag sale. (After all, in clear conscience I could not sell it to anyone.) I did get to keep my winch and several other minor "add-ons" from the red Jeep. But it was time to move on. I traded for... My current Jeep! The 2001 Jeep Sahara I had mentioned previously!
Prior to trading it off, I was registered for the 2006 Camp Jeep. The red 1999 was in no shape to drive to Wisconsin, so the older YJ made the trip. I checked the oil several times and only added one quart on the whole trip! It also, noting it is a Jeep, got good gas mileage on the trip! Around 25mpg.!
I thought I'd up-grade to a newer unit. My second Jeep was a 1999 (TJ) Wrangler. 4cly. / 5 speed / arrest me red with black soft top.
As my passion for Jeeps grew... or is it an obsession? Anyways, I started making improvements. To this Jeep, I added 7" "Tomb Raider" flares. Did away with the "boxing glove" bumper ends, replaced the rear bumper completely with a rock crawler bumper with shackles. Added a M8000 Warn winch, Hella Driving lights, and built into the bumper, fog lights. Upgraded the tires to Dayton Timberline 31X15 MTs. I had a real good start on it when the Jeep and I got hit by lighting! Yes, the Jeep was actually hiy by lighting and I was in it at the time.
It was a sunny late afternoon. I was on my way home from work. Sitting at a traffic light, just as it turned green, the storm hit. What I found out later, was called a 135mph straight wind. I could not see 3 inches forward. I decided to seek shelter in the KFC parking lot to my left. The Colonel's building was blocking some of the wind AND heavy rain. Just as I started to make a dash for the lot... the lighting hit. Funny, the motor kept running. But every gauge in the Jeep went nuts! Just as I made it to the parking lot... The HAIL hit! I thought to myself: I'm in a freak'n tent on wheels! Lucky for me it was over as quickly as it started.
As I noted, the Jeep stayed running. I drove it home, picked up my buddy as we were going for Chinese. I stopped at Auto Zone as the Check Engine light was on. When they hooked up their computer, he told me he was getting codes he'd never seen before. I told my buddy I had just been in a tornado. He laughed at me and said, "Yeah, right." That he'd been watching the news and they had not said ANYTHING about such a storm. The Chinese resturant just happens to be right next to the KFC. Also, a Wendys is located in this row of food chains. The Wendys sign had been completely blown out! Several other business signs had also been ventilated. I was told the wind had picked up shopping carts at Home Depot (across the street) and they had flown though the air with the greatest of ease. My buddy asked the Chinese Restaurant owner, what she had thought about "the tornado". She replied, "You mean the monsoon we just had?" That finally shut my bud up! Ha!
Not all stories have happy endings. "Sparky" was never right afterwards. The check engine light would come on all the time. It would run at times with high rpms. Other times rough. I dropped two grand on it in a month and didn't even touch the tip of the iceberg. It would take spells when it would act completely normal. But that would only last a day, if I was luckly. It was during one of those such moments, the little red Jeep and I parted friendship. It may sound silly. You might even laugh. But I can't begin to tell you how hard it was to part with that Jeep. I could be having a hard day at work, but every night on the way home, that Jeep would put a smile back on my face. I ended up trading it to a Dealer having a push, pull or drag sale. (After all, in clear conscience I could not sell it to anyone.) I did get to keep my winch and several other minor "add-ons" from the red Jeep. But it was time to move on. I traded for... My current Jeep! The 2001 Jeep Sahara I had mentioned previously!
Prior to trading it off, I was registered for the 2006 Camp Jeep. The red 1999 was in no shape to drive to Wisconsin, so the older YJ made the trip. I checked the oil several times and only added one quart on the whole trip! It also, noting it is a Jeep, got good gas mileage on the trip! Around 25mpg.!
1997 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
E-Bay purchase, was located in New York, New York. I had kept the old steel wheels from the YJ. I loaded them into my Expedition and headed for New York! The 1997 Wrangler was a theft recovery. It was sporting four "spare donuts" for wheels and tires. No doors. I ordered a set of Bestop soft doors and had them shipped to a friend and client's home, of Marian Baade.
Purchased prior to the next Camp Jeep in 2007, the green 1997 made the trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. I owned this Jeep and the 2001 Sahara at the same time!
E-Bay purchase, was located in New York, New York. I had kept the old steel wheels from the YJ. I loaded them into my Expedition and headed for New York! The 1997 Wrangler was a theft recovery. It was sporting four "spare donuts" for wheels and tires. No doors. I ordered a set of Bestop soft doors and had them shipped to a friend and client's home, of Marian Baade.
Purchased prior to the next Camp Jeep in 2007, the green 1997 made the trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. I owned this Jeep and the 2001 Sahara at the same time!
Camp Jeep 2007: Virginia, The Blue Ridge Mountains
2001 Jeep Wrangler Sahara
JEEP Number 3: My first Jeep was a Sahara. (The '89 YJ) Funny my third Jeep was also a Sahara. Mostly stock. But, I worked very hard to change that. I'll admit, as I am a little OCD, a hard-core rock-crawling Jeep would never be in my future. I work too hard and put in too many hours just to take it out and bang it up. Yet, I'm hooked on Jeeping! Getting my Jeep all muddy, I have no problems with!
This is the Jeep I traded the red red 1999 Wrangler in on.
I upgraded the stock factory driving lights to KC Slimlights. I also purchased a black hardtop. Changed out my winch line on my Warm M8000 (formerly on my red Jeep Wrangler) and went with the new synthetic line and aluminum Fairlead. Installed quick disconnects. Also had TrXus Super Swampers mounted on a set of Moto Metal black alloy wheels. Right now, I'm leaning towards a 3" Black Diamond lift. But, as noted in "My Wish List" maybe a Rubicon Express 3 1/2" Superflex. Another item came off my wish list recently! I added the Cobra 75WXST "all-in-mic" CB to my rig. Our Jeep club has been talking about making some sort of CB a requirement on club trail rides.
The Moto Metal rims were purchased last February but the Super Swampers were on back-order until the end of March. Recently, I noticed the chrome trim on the Moto Metal rims were flaking off. I have a great respect for American Racing. Moto Metal is a division of American Racing. Two months out of warranty, Moto Metal replaced all five wheels with new ones! How's that for customer service!
BUT... (Why is there always a "but"?) The jury is still out on the TrXus MTs... I couldn't seem to get them balanced. It started out as a problem at high speeds. (40-45mph and 50 to 67mph.) I ended up taking them to Detroit Tire and they discover the tires were "out of round". When they were done with them, I had a smooth riding Jeep! I also replaced the factory rear bumper with a custom one, with a receiver to mount a hitch! Needed something to pull my teardrop camper. I liked the nostalgic look of the little tear drop campers! Lightweight, at only 800lbs.
JEEP Number 3: My first Jeep was a Sahara. (The '89 YJ) Funny my third Jeep was also a Sahara. Mostly stock. But, I worked very hard to change that. I'll admit, as I am a little OCD, a hard-core rock-crawling Jeep would never be in my future. I work too hard and put in too many hours just to take it out and bang it up. Yet, I'm hooked on Jeeping! Getting my Jeep all muddy, I have no problems with!
This is the Jeep I traded the red red 1999 Wrangler in on.
I upgraded the stock factory driving lights to KC Slimlights. I also purchased a black hardtop. Changed out my winch line on my Warm M8000 (formerly on my red Jeep Wrangler) and went with the new synthetic line and aluminum Fairlead. Installed quick disconnects. Also had TrXus Super Swampers mounted on a set of Moto Metal black alloy wheels. Right now, I'm leaning towards a 3" Black Diamond lift. But, as noted in "My Wish List" maybe a Rubicon Express 3 1/2" Superflex. Another item came off my wish list recently! I added the Cobra 75WXST "all-in-mic" CB to my rig. Our Jeep club has been talking about making some sort of CB a requirement on club trail rides.
The Moto Metal rims were purchased last February but the Super Swampers were on back-order until the end of March. Recently, I noticed the chrome trim on the Moto Metal rims were flaking off. I have a great respect for American Racing. Moto Metal is a division of American Racing. Two months out of warranty, Moto Metal replaced all five wheels with new ones! How's that for customer service!
BUT... (Why is there always a "but"?) The jury is still out on the TrXus MTs... I couldn't seem to get them balanced. It started out as a problem at high speeds. (40-45mph and 50 to 67mph.) I ended up taking them to Detroit Tire and they discover the tires were "out of round". When they were done with them, I had a smooth riding Jeep! I also replaced the factory rear bumper with a custom one, with a receiver to mount a hitch! Needed something to pull my teardrop camper. I liked the nostalgic look of the little tear drop campers! Lightweight, at only 800lbs.
Relay for Life: 2007 Troy, Ohio
Relay for Life: 2008 Troy, Ohio
Relay for Life: 2009 Troy, Ohio
Mudding: Fenner Road
Slade, KY 2009:
Mudding: 2009
Jeep Jam: 2010 Muddy Buddys
Slade, KY: 2011
CJ Projects:
1949 Willys Jeepster
After the war, this was Willys answer to the "family car". Designated the VJ, or Victory Jeep. This Willys sported the 6cly motor. I asked on a Willys forum once, "What color did Willys paint their engines?" The answer was: "Black, unless they had run out of black paint and was using a different color that day!"
Incorrect interior and incorrect hubcaps when purchased. I corrected the hubcaps with authentic Willys caps. I also purchased correct material for the seats, but never followed through with having the seats redone. Six volt electrical system and a top speed of 45 mph... The Jeepster never ventured out of Piqua, Ohio.
After the war, this was Willys answer to the "family car". Designated the VJ, or Victory Jeep. This Willys sported the 6cly motor. I asked on a Willys forum once, "What color did Willys paint their engines?" The answer was: "Black, unless they had run out of black paint and was using a different color that day!"
Incorrect interior and incorrect hubcaps when purchased. I corrected the hubcaps with authentic Willys caps. I also purchased correct material for the seats, but never followed through with having the seats redone. Six volt electrical system and a top speed of 45 mph... The Jeepster never ventured out of Piqua, Ohio.
1982 AMC Jeep CJ-7
After what I call the Great Purge of 2012, a time when my income dropped due to the company I work for shutting down the computer manufacturing division of our company, I was at an all time low in my life. I lost my home, something I am not proud of, but why sugar coat the truth? I was dealing with health issues, living on $20 for two weeks at a time, decisions had to be made. I decided to sell everything I owned. Yes, everything. Household, my 1997 Corvette, my 1997 Jeep Wrangler, and even had the yellow Colorado Extreme sold. My daughter talked me out of selling the Colorado Extreme, noting I might want to attend some car shows with my friends.... And, she could foresee me getting depressed, due to my decisions. But, later even the Extreme was sold.
I tucked tail and moved back home to be with my family. One of the best decisions I have ever made. Lost a few friends along the way, but discovered who I could trust and was there for me when I needed them the most!
Out of all the things I put a value on, thought I could not live without, the only thing I truly missed was my Jeep. It might be true, that it is a Jeep thing and you might not understand. I was still on a very tight budget. I ear-marked my tax return and start searching the ads. Trust me, there isn't much available in the price range I had to keep to. My friend Thomas Bowman stepped up to the plate and helped me with my search. He steered me away from a few candidates. Each because of frame rust issues. I am not sure if Thomas or I found the ad for the 1982 CJ-7 that I own today. I do know he went with me to Columbus, Ohio, to look over the CJ. Thomas gave me a thumbs up, noting the frame looked good.
The Jeep did need work though. Tires were bald. I wanted tires with some "meat" and went with a 31" Cooper MT tire. My first outing was at Big Maple Farms for a cancer event. There is a mud hole at the back of the property, that is where I discovered the four wheel drive and lock-out hubs were broke. After i dipped it in mud, I had mud everywhere. In the carburetor, hoses, every nook and cranny. I could not keep it running. The RPMs would be buried, then it would die. I would let the clutch out and back to the RPMs being buried... Then of course, it would die. Made it about five miles from Big Maple, when I nursed it into a gas station, closed Subway, and an antique store, also closed. As my brother Dallas, nephew Bryce and i exited the Jeep there was a young man in his early 20's at an outside table, sipping coffee, reading a newspaper. He looked up from his paper, and spoke in a slow south draw.... "You all having troubles?"
I explained we had a little too much fun the day prior. He explained that even though he looked young, he was a mechanic by trade. He spent the next two plus hours working on the Jeep. He even apologized at one point for taking so long. I replied, "Don't apologize, you are trying to help us, and it is apprenticed!" We were after all, in the middle of BFE. He ended up going into the gas station and had me purchase pliers and two mouse traps and he turned into MacGyver! When he was done, I asked what I owed him. He replied, nothing, he just wanted to make sure we got home.... I gave him my last thirty dollars and Dallas also gave him a ten. He started crying. Seriously. We exchanged phone numbers and whatever he did to the Jeep, worked, it got us home. When I texted we made it home, he texted back that his little girl needed a prescription and he didn't have the money for it. The money we gave him paid for that prescription! That was a case where two stranglers meet, that needed each other. The Lord works in mysterious ways....
He got us home. But my friend Kerry Wyan who owns K&N Auto Repair, got the old Jeep back on the road. A long list of parts and repairs that included a new carburetor, new warn hubs, new hoses, just to name a few of the items that needed replaced.
Sold it to Jack Fain in 2014, so that I could purchase a 1993 Corvette 40th Anniversary Edition.
After what I call the Great Purge of 2012, a time when my income dropped due to the company I work for shutting down the computer manufacturing division of our company, I was at an all time low in my life. I lost my home, something I am not proud of, but why sugar coat the truth? I was dealing with health issues, living on $20 for two weeks at a time, decisions had to be made. I decided to sell everything I owned. Yes, everything. Household, my 1997 Corvette, my 1997 Jeep Wrangler, and even had the yellow Colorado Extreme sold. My daughter talked me out of selling the Colorado Extreme, noting I might want to attend some car shows with my friends.... And, she could foresee me getting depressed, due to my decisions. But, later even the Extreme was sold.
I tucked tail and moved back home to be with my family. One of the best decisions I have ever made. Lost a few friends along the way, but discovered who I could trust and was there for me when I needed them the most!
Out of all the things I put a value on, thought I could not live without, the only thing I truly missed was my Jeep. It might be true, that it is a Jeep thing and you might not understand. I was still on a very tight budget. I ear-marked my tax return and start searching the ads. Trust me, there isn't much available in the price range I had to keep to. My friend Thomas Bowman stepped up to the plate and helped me with my search. He steered me away from a few candidates. Each because of frame rust issues. I am not sure if Thomas or I found the ad for the 1982 CJ-7 that I own today. I do know he went with me to Columbus, Ohio, to look over the CJ. Thomas gave me a thumbs up, noting the frame looked good.
The Jeep did need work though. Tires were bald. I wanted tires with some "meat" and went with a 31" Cooper MT tire. My first outing was at Big Maple Farms for a cancer event. There is a mud hole at the back of the property, that is where I discovered the four wheel drive and lock-out hubs were broke. After i dipped it in mud, I had mud everywhere. In the carburetor, hoses, every nook and cranny. I could not keep it running. The RPMs would be buried, then it would die. I would let the clutch out and back to the RPMs being buried... Then of course, it would die. Made it about five miles from Big Maple, when I nursed it into a gas station, closed Subway, and an antique store, also closed. As my brother Dallas, nephew Bryce and i exited the Jeep there was a young man in his early 20's at an outside table, sipping coffee, reading a newspaper. He looked up from his paper, and spoke in a slow south draw.... "You all having troubles?"
I explained we had a little too much fun the day prior. He explained that even though he looked young, he was a mechanic by trade. He spent the next two plus hours working on the Jeep. He even apologized at one point for taking so long. I replied, "Don't apologize, you are trying to help us, and it is apprenticed!" We were after all, in the middle of BFE. He ended up going into the gas station and had me purchase pliers and two mouse traps and he turned into MacGyver! When he was done, I asked what I owed him. He replied, nothing, he just wanted to make sure we got home.... I gave him my last thirty dollars and Dallas also gave him a ten. He started crying. Seriously. We exchanged phone numbers and whatever he did to the Jeep, worked, it got us home. When I texted we made it home, he texted back that his little girl needed a prescription and he didn't have the money for it. The money we gave him paid for that prescription! That was a case where two stranglers meet, that needed each other. The Lord works in mysterious ways....
He got us home. But my friend Kerry Wyan who owns K&N Auto Repair, got the old Jeep back on the road. A long list of parts and repairs that included a new carburetor, new warn hubs, new hoses, just to name a few of the items that needed replaced.
Sold it to Jack Fain in 2014, so that I could purchase a 1993 Corvette 40th Anniversary Edition.