Newbie - Pics Of My YJ

[PAFirefighter11]

I spent about 20 minutes doing this and my computer restarted on me just before I hit "Submit", so I am kinda pissed.

Anyway... On 9/22/03 I purchased a 1990 Jeep Wrangler YJ from a guy in Ridgefield, NJ. It had 122,000 miles on the odo. It's a 5 speed (Only R, 1-4 work, 5th is like Neutral), 2.5L I4 EFI. I paid $1600 for the truck. Don't bust on me for the white walls! They came brand new with the truck and I don't want to spend $50 to have them changed to the black wall.

Oh, and by the way.. I am looking to join an off-roading club in my area, or start one if that's possible. I live in Northeastern Montgomery County (NE Philly suburbs), but I am moving to Lower Providence (Collegeville area, near King of Prussia Mall, Oaks, etc.) in Jan/Feb. Let me know about your clubs :) Thank you!

First pic of my new baby - 9/17/03:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_1_full.jpg

Screen captures of a local webcam taken by my girlfriend - 10/14/03:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_16_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_18_full.jpg

From a "photo shoot" in my town with my girlfriend - 10/18-10/19, 2003:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_22_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_32_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_24_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_26_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_27_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_30_full.jpg

My girlfriend forced me to pose on the Jeep:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_37_full.jpg

From my girlfriends College - 10/31/03:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_35_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_36_full.jpg

[PAFirefighter11]

I am no stranger to off roading either, I am just brand new to the Jeep World. I noticed something strange on day 1 of owning this thing. The Jeep Wave. It's like a kick ass club where everyone, even if you don't know the person, talks to you and comments on your Jeep. It was quite fun to see happen and I feel very welcomed into the Jeep world!

Here are pics of my former '01 Land Rover Discovery Series II LE7:
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_11_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_12_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_13_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_14_full.jpg
http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/424000-424999/424762_15_full.jpg

For more of my fmr. Rover pics, go here:
http://www.discoweb.org/rickrotondo


Current Modifications On My Jeep:
-100 watt rear facing Hella light (Wired into the reverse lighting system to engage when put in reverse - Not pictured yet)
-29" Hankook Aurora All Weather Tires
-Stereo is currently being installed and worked on, more info and pics to come.

NEEDED parts - Est. Prices:
-Clutch/transmission (5th gear doesn't work - has no teeth?) - $300-$1500
-New/Heated seats (Passenger seat is slightly broken and leans uncomfortably) - $350/seat
-Alternator and/or new battery - $100/$150 (Installed)

NON Essential Parts - Est. Prices:
-4 1/2" - 6" lift kit (Skyjacker or Rubicon Express) - $650+\- & installation
-Light bar with four 300,000 cp lights (I found I needed these while off-roading a couple nights ago) - $70-$2000
-LED rear lights, side markerts, turn signals (safety and it looks cool) - $70
-New head unit (I have no radio at all right now) - $200
-Subwoofer - $150
-Amp. - I have one already, otherwise $150
-Sub. Box - I have one already
-Warn Winch - $1000
-More "Aggressive" 35"? Tires - $600
-Fixing my interior light setup - $50 or less
-Soft top - $300
-Landrunner Kit - $6995
-One additional rear off-road light - $50 (Installed)
-"WRANGLER" stickers on the side of hood - $50
-Projector headlights - $64
-Xenon lighting system - $400
-Chevy 5.7L 350ci (385/385) Fast Burn V8 engine - $4400
-More as I can think of / afford them!

[BigRedYJ]

Welcome!!


-Landrunner Kit - $6995


Are you sure you want to do this?? Have you seen one in person? For all of the money you are wanting to put into this Jeep and then this kit on top of that you could have bought an H2. :teehee:


Good Luck with the mods.

[Jeep Freak]

first off, welcome to the world of Jeeps. :D i own both a YJ and a LandRover DI. As to your list of parts, heated seats in a YJ? :puzzled: i realize you're probably used to them in the Disco, but if you plan to seriously wheel the YJ, particularly if you take the hard top off, they could be more trouble than they're worth. and please spare yourself the embarassment of the Landrunner kit. for $7,000 you could buy all kinds of goodies for your rig, besides, they're ugly as sin. sorry, don't mean to bust on ya. :D so, what made you ditch the Rover?


oh yeah, nice white walls. :agree:

[CarlBrothers]

You didn't mention the motor that you have, but guessing from the info about your tranny woes, you have a 4banger. If you have a 4 cyl engine, then you most likely have the AX-5 or worse yet a Pugeot transmission of some sort. The AX-5's are notorious for loosing fifth gear as they age. I fought with bad synchros, which then led to the loss of fifth gear and a lot of frustration as I dumped two tranny's worth of cash into trying to save it. I got a rebuilt transmission from Consolidated transmissions (http://www.consolidatedtrans.com), because they claim to have the 5th gear thing licked with some pat pending widget they use rather than the silly snap ring inside. Figure another 300-500 for removal and reinstall, if you let a shop do it. I bought the centerforce dual friction setup for my clutch, and am very happy with it.

- Alternator upgrade - go to a local shop that does just alternators, and you should be able to get a 120amp alt for $100-$120 installed

- Headlight upgrade - I got the IPF halogen conversion with their magic bulbs - from adventure4wd.com (http://www.adventure4wd.com/index.html)

- Stereo - If you upgrade this, and plan on running the soft top, remember the theives love easy targets. I have lost two head units from my dash... Now I have a tuffy console in the center for that and other goodies, like everything I would normally have in my glove box.

- Seats - if your into running offraod and want a good seat, then the mastercraft rubicon seats, or a similar version would be a good choice. A friend rolled his jeep and had the beard version of that seat and he didn't get tossed around at all despite rolling backwards three times with only a lap belt on. he also had a nice new 6 point full cage put in a few months earlier too, so that helped.

- Soft top - If your budget allows get the besttop sailcloth and your ears will thank you.

- Winch - Free shipping and no tax on warn winches, plus some unbeatable prices at rcsoffroad.com (http://www.rcsoffroad.com/)

- Lift - bigger tires on a 4 banger means that you might have to regear to gain some power back. Right now I am keeping up with most of the bigger rigs in our club, and able to tackle most "sane" obstacles. See my sig for my setup.

HTH,

Carl

[chef]

or, for your stereo, run a headphone jack to dual rca cable to your amp and just plug in an mp3 player. that's what i do and it works fantastic.

[shookwell]

do yourself a favor and dont get that landrunner kit. get some lockers or something instead

[The Bishop]

Woo boy, there is so much off here. Lemme start by inserting comments into your list:

NEEDED parts - Est. Prices:
-Clutch/transmission (5th gear doesn't work - has no teeth?) - $300-$1500
-New/Heated seats (Passenger seat is slightly broken and leans uncomfortably) - $350/seat
-Alternator and/or new battery - $100/$150 (Installed)

Heated seats? That's $700 wasted right there. Also, if you can't install a battery and an alternator, quit modding anything, right now.

NON Essential Parts - Est. Prices:
-4 1/2" - 6" lift kit (Skyjacker or Rubicon Express) - $650+\- & installation

Skyjacker stuff is too stiff, and doesn't flex well. Also, 4.5" of lift is as high as I would consider lifting before going spring-over. If you don't know what spring-over is, lurk more and learn before you make any decisions.

-Light bar with four 300,000 cp lights (I found I needed these while off-roading a couple nights ago) - $70-$2000

Nothing screams 'Mall Wheeler' like a light bar. They're good for getting destroyed on branches, rocks, and any other immovable oblect you'll encounter off road. This is the equivalent of 4x4 rice.

-LED rear lights, side markerts, turn signals (safety and it looks cool) - $70

Any mod done 'because it looks cool' is usually a waste. Wait until you break 'em before you change 'em. In those pics you had, I didn't see any wheeling that required stuff like that.

-New head unit (I have no radio at all right now) - $200
-Subwoofer - $150
-Amp. - I have one already, otherwise $150
-Sub. Box - I have one already

This will get your rig broken into and vandalized. Also, a waste. This is a Jeep, not an Escalade.

-Warn Winch - $1000

Why? I'd get a High-lift, recovery kit and a come-along first.

-More "Aggressive" 35"? Tires - $600

Not without an axle swap you won't. Unless you stick to pavement, and even then that Dana 35 out back might just break on speed bumps.

-Fixing my interior light setup - $50 or less
-Soft top - $300
-Landrunner Kit - $6995

Landrunner kit? You're kidding, right? Shoulda bought an H2 instead of a Jeep.

-One additional rear off-road light - $50 (Installed)
-"WRANGLER" stickers on the side of hood - $50
-Projector headlights - $64
-Xenon lighting system - $400

Stickers? Projector headlights? Xenon lighting system? GOT RICE?

-Chevy 5.7L 350ci (385/385) Fast Burn V8 engine - $4400
-More as I can think of / afford them!

A V-8 swap? Are you kidding, or did you go 'catalog building'?

To install a v-8 and 35" tires you're looking to dump the whole drivetrain. Engine, trans, X-fer case, axles, etc. And *that* v-8 is the wrong way to go... No low-end torque.

You need to spend a lot of time lurking and learning.

Stuff like this doesn't lend you any credit:

Sound domain? Are you serious? (http://www.sounddomain.com/member_pages/view_guestbook.pl?page_id=163352)

Car Domain? (http://members.cardomain.com/pafirefighter11)

Here's some free advice: If you see a link to pirate4x4.com, run away screaming. They'll make what I said seem like polite conversation.

Newbies. :bangnerd:

[kg95]

Damn Bishop....I couldn't have said that better! Agree 100%:bowdown:

[LeadFoot]

Ditto.......if your gonna have that **** installed at a dealer, 1. You won't learn anything, 2. If you break something on the trail you better hope someone knows how to/willing to fix it, and 3. won't enjoy the fun of busting up your knuckles by yourself!!

Get some new tires for offroad and keep those for street use! :brows:

[CvrsRth]

hhaha, dont let these guys be too harsh on yah...

:clapping:

HEY GUYS HIS GF IS HOT!

:rotflmao: :brows:

[PAFirefighter11]

Don't worry, I'm a photographer too so I take criticism quite well. That was just a list I put together of things I thought would be cool.

Why'd I post the entire list here? So you experts could tell me what was good and what I should pass up on. Now I know and I thank you all :)

I have to run to the firehouse and finish watching the Flyers game, but I'll post late night in reply to all of you individually if I can.

Thanks again!

[Briznett]

I have to agree for the most part with Bishop on this one. I know what its like to be a newbie and want to do all kinds of things to my Jeep. But now that I've owned it for a year and 4 months I've realized that a lot of the things I wanted before are absolutely stupid.

As for that V8 swap, get ready to drop a ton more $ into that Jeep. I'm researching different options and ways to go about doing a V8 in a wrangler which is going to be my project in the spring. Its not as easy as droping an engine in and slapping some 35's on your stock axles.

Just do some serious reading and research on Jeeps. Its a great toy and I hope you have fun with it. Know what you want to do with your Jeep before you go buying things for it.

A service manual like Chiltons or Haynes will help a ton and learn to work on your rig yourself. It means more when you built or did work yourself.

Welcome aboard :)

[ToddS112]

Wow, that thing looks really clean for it's age and mileage. Should make a great foundatin for you to build on. Congrats.

I can't believe no one busted on you for that pic of you on the Jeep! I'm not going to, but I can't believe no one has. You're brave for posting that one.

[Janster]

Nice Jeep!!!

Did you say clubs?

Well.....I live in South Central PA (Lancaster County) and I belong to 2 Jeep clubs for a total of 3 offroad clubs.

www.keystonekrawlers.com (all makes and located all over the place....but centrally located in SE & South Central PA)
www.jeepsrus.org (Harrisburg, PA)
www.pajeeps.org (York, PA)

I have a nicely built YJ in my garage that was totaled. Yesterday, my husband and I bought another YJ - and after the holidays, we'll have a SWAP fest and build the new one just like (but bigger and better) than the first.

Here's my new baby.....called "Izzy II"
http://www.lieblweb.com/Temporary/Jeep.jpg

If you have any questions about the clubs above...let me know. Keystone Krawlers actually allows one guest appearance on a trail ride so you can see if we're the right club (style) for you. Check out the Keystone Krawlers message forum also.

[Janster]

-=- originally posted by ToddS112 -=-

I can't believe no one busted on you for that pic of you on the Jeep!

Bling ....Bling.....

:brows:

[PAFirefighter11]

-=- originally posted by Jeep Freak -=-
first off, welcome to the world of Jeeps. :D i own both a YJ and a LandRover DI. As to your list of parts, heated seats in a YJ? :puzzled: i realize you're probably used to them in the Disco, but if you plan to seriously wheel the YJ, particularly if you take the hard top off, they could be more trouble than they're worth. and please spare yourself the embarassment of the Landrunner kit. for $7,000 you could buy all kinds of goodies for your rig, besides, they're ugly as sin. sorry, don't mean to bust on ya. :D so, what made you ditch the Rover?

oh yeah, nice white walls. :agree:

Thanks for the welcome!

I saw a Land Runner in person, twice... Some guy here has one of those light blue/silver Jeeps with one. It looks decent, IMO, but I guess for that much money, it's really not worth the effort?

As you can see, I am still learning the whole Jeep thing, so bear with me!

I miss my Disco! It was on a lease and I didn' thave the lump sum of cash at the end to purchase it. I miss it though!

I want an honest opinion of the white walls though! They came like that on the Jeep, and instead of wasting $50 to have them all changed over to blackwalls, I just left 'em. Think it's unique bad or unique nice? lol...?




-=- originally posted by CarlBrothers -=-
You didn't mention the motor that you have, but guessing from the info about your tranny woes, you have a 4banger. If you have a 4 cyl engine, then you most likely have the AX-5 or worse yet a Pugeot transmission of some sort. The AX-5's are notorious for loosing fifth gear as they age. I fought with bad synchros, which then led to the loss of fifth gear and a lot of frustration as I dumped two tranny's worth of cash into trying to save it. I got a rebuilt transmission from Consolidated transmissions , because they claim to have the 5th gear thing licked with some pat pending widget they use rather than the silly snap ring inside. Figure another 300-500 for removal and reinstall, if you let a shop do it. I bought the centerforce dual friction setup for my clutch, and am very happy with it.

- Alternator upgrade - go to a local shop that does just alternators, and you should be able to get a 120amp alt for $100-$120 installed

- Headlight upgrade - I got the IPF halogen conversion with their magic bulbs - from adventure4wd.com

- Stereo - If you upgrade this, and plan on running the soft top, remember the theives love easy targets. I have lost two head units from my dash... Now I have a tuffy console in the center for that and other goodies, like everything I would normally have in my glove box.

- Seats - if your into running offraod and want a good seat, then the mastercraft rubicon seats, or a similar version would be a good choice. A friend rolled his jeep and had the beard version of that seat and he didn't get tossed around at all despite rolling backwards three times with only a lap belt on. he also had a nice new 6 point full cage put in a few months earlier too, so that helped.

- Soft top - If your budget allows get the besttop sailcloth and your ears will thank you.

- Winch - Free shipping and no tax on warn winches, plus some unbeatable prices at rcsoffroad.com

- Lift - bigger tires on a 4 banger means that you might have to regear to gain some power back. Right now I am keeping up with most of the bigger rigs in our club, and able to tackle most "sane" obstacles. See my sig for my setup.

HTH,

Carl


Yes, I have the 2.5L L4 engine. I went to a tranny shop and they said I had a "toyota" tranny? He said there were three kinds of trannies on 1990 Wrangler-S'.. The Toyota one, Chrysler, and I think something else? I'll check them out, thanks!

I fixed the alternator/battery issues. My belt was lose, so I just unbolted the alternator, tightened the belt, and bolted the alternator back into place. Works like a charm now!

I'm real big into getting the Projector headlights with true Xenon bulbs. Ricey or not, I can think of so many times where I need them. This is something I WILL be getting.

I'm thinking I'll just let me friend keep my amp, subs, box, etc. I may just install a new hideaway headunit and two speaker boxes bolted into the back wheel wells.

As for the seats I'm just checking into what I like / can afford at Acme Jeeps, Quadratec, etc. I'm looking for 100% waterproof (nevermind the heated seats, I can deal without them) with good back support and side support in case of roll-overs.

The soft top is a summer issue, I'll look into that then. Acme Jeeps has a sale for a softop (forget the brand) for $124 right now, but I have to pass up on that until summer.

Yes, Warn is the brand of witch I will be heading for. I'm looking into them now, but probably will not get one until summer. I will definitely check out / save the website to m fav. places.

I'm thinking on a 4" suspension lift and maybe 33"-35" tires. I'm also looking for a used 4.0 or 4.2 YJ or TJ engine to swap over, instead of a Chevy 350. Again though, I think most my mods will be spring/summer projects.




-=- originally posted by The Bishop -=-
-Lift
-Lighbar & lights
-LED lights
-Winch
-35" Tires


I'll look into something 2"-4", preferably 4" to start. Sound good? lol

On the lighting thing: This is something I am really big into. I go to a lot of places where it's literally so black your high beams don't do that much. Also, when I go to Fire/EMS calls, there are plenty of times I could use the extra lighting on a lightbar to illuminate the scene. So there's multiple reasons for that.

The LED lights are not actual housings or anything. I'm talking just replacing all the bulbs. $3-$12 / bulb depending on which one and how many LED's I want. They last longer than normal bulbs, so why not? Again, it's personal preference too.

I'll look into the High-Lift, Recovery Kit and come along before I go on my Winch purchase craze. I'll definitely post on these boards before I get ANYTHING, so I get some good advice!

When I do the whole tire/lift thing, I was looking to upgrade to some better axles. I know some minor Jeep things, and I am trying to learn. That's why I posted all my crap here :) Thanks for your help. And as I said above, before I get anything, I will post here.




-=- originally posted by LeadFoot -=-
Ditto.......if your gonna have that **** installed at a dealer
1. You won't learn anything
2. If you break something on the trail you better hope someone knows how to/willing to fix it
3. won't enjoy the fun of busting up your knuckles by yourself!!

Get some new tires for offroad and keep those for street use!


I can install lots of things, but as I said up above somewhere, I am just learning to work with my Jeep. I really want to learn how to work on it, and I will definitely go out and purchase one of those manuals that Briznett talks about. I don't want to get stuck anywhere and have no idea how the hell to get goin again.




-=- originally posted by CvrsRth -=-
hhaha, dont let these guys be too harsh on yah...

HEY GUYS HIS GF IS HOT!


I'm not freaking out, I don't mind being bitched at about something I don't know too much about. I am really willing/wanting to learn about this thing and I can't wait to start working on it.

And yah, she's hot. One of her friends at college is on these boards.. I dunno his name.. it could be YOU for all I know? lol. His name is Jeff, he has a YJ (White? I think, maybe not, I forget, lol).




-=- originally posted by ToddS112 -=-
Wow, that thing looks really clean for it's age and mileage. Should make a great foundatin for you to build on. Congrats.

I can't believe no one busted on you for that pic of you on the Jeep! I'm not going to, but I can't believe no one has. You're brave for posting that one.


Yes it is, thank you! It only had 4 scratches and one dent in it when I purchased it. It now has 23149083425 scratches, but still only 1 dent. I got it from this guy up in Ridgefield, NJ. He said it was mainly his wifes car and they had to get rid of it 'cause it was too hard for her to get in/out of since she was pregnant.

He wanted $3000 obo, I said I had $1600 cash and he said he'd take it. The top alone is worth more than what I paid for the Jeep, haha.. I'm happy!

I'm surprised too. Did you see my cover? "My girlfriend forced me to pose on the Jeep" haha. It'll happen, give it some more time for more people to pay attention to it.




-=- originally posted by Janster -=-
Nice Jeep!!!

Did you say clubs?

Well.....I live in South Central PA (Lancaster County) and I belong to 2 Jeep clubs for a total of 3 offroad clubs.

www.keystonekrawlers.com (all makes and located all over the place....but centrally located in SE & South Central PA)
www.jeepsrus.org (Harrisburg, PA)
www.pajeeps.org (York, PA)

I have a nicely built YJ in my garage that was totaled. Yesterday, my husband and I bought another YJ - and after the holidays, we'll have a SWAP fest and build the new one just like (but bigger and better) than the first.

Here's my new baby.....called "Izzy II"

If you have any questions about the clubs above...let me know. Keystone Krawlers actually allows one guest appearance on a trail ride so you can see if we're the right club (style) for you. Check out the Keystone Krawlers message forum also.

I wrote a LOT in reply to what you said, but my damn computer restarted on me AGAIN! I was saving all my text in a .txt file while writing this and I THOUGHT I saved it all? Seems I didn't save my reply to you :(

Basically, I said my g/f goes to school at Shippensburg U. which is in Franklin/Cumberland Conties. I'm moving to Collegeville, Pa, which is in central Montgomery County, about 1 1/2 hours from Lancaster and I really want to join a club. I want to be able to "feel like off-roading this weekend", give someone a call, and be able to hit the trails.

Good luck on your YJ swap fest, keep us updated, pics are welcomed! :D

I'm going to search for a used 4.0 or 4.2 YJ or TJ engine for mine. I think I can live with 225? ft. lbs. of torque hah.

I'll make sure to check out the Club links you listed. Can't wait to get my Jeep worked on so I can get to some more trailing!




-=- originally posted by Janster -=-
Bling ....Bling.....

:brows:

Hey, what's the Bling Bling comment for? LOL. I'm not wearing platinum or anything! I'm just showcasing my license plate and white walls! :)

[CarlBrothers]

If toyota and aisin are one in the same then yes I guess that toyota makes the AX-5. Pugeot made the other transmission used on earlier YJ's, and it carries a model number like BA10/5 I beleive. Here is a great resource for jeep tranny info. (http://www.off-road.com/jeep/tech/trans/ax5.html)

[charleswilly]

[QUOTE]I'm real big into getting the Projector headlights with true Xenon bulbs. Ricey or not, I can think of so many times where I need them. This is something I WILL be getting.
On the lighting thing: This is something I am really big into. I go to a lot of places where it's literally so black your high beams don't do that much. Also, when I go to Fire/EMS calls, there are plenty of times I could use the extra lighting on a lightbar to illuminate the scene. So there's multiple reasons for that. [QUOTE]


Why don't you look into some HID lights? Yes they cost more but YOU WILL BE IMPRESSED with how bright they are.

LOOK IN THE JAN04 ISSUE OF FOUR WHEELER PG.64 for a good article on the subject.


GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jdyj93]

Yo whats up? this is Jeff from shippensburg. I am still willing to go offroading with ya if you wanna come up my way or vise versa. I know a couple of places still looking for more around here. I do know that Paragon is not too terribly far from here. Nice Pics. :pbj:

[Janster]

-=- originally posted by PAFirefighter11 -=-

Basically, I said my g/f goes to school at Shippensburg U. which is in Franklin/Cumberland Conties. I'm moving to Collegeville, Pa, which is in central Montgomery County, about 1 1/2 hours from Lancaster and I really want to join a club. I want to be able to "feel like off-roading this weekend", give someone a call, and be able to hit the trails.

Good luck on your YJ swap fest, keep us updated, pics are welcomed! :D

I'll make sure to check out the Club links you listed. Can't wait to get my Jeep worked on so I can get to some more trailing!

Hey, what's the Bling Bling comment for? LOL. I'm not wearing platinum or anything! I'm just showcasing my license plate and white walls! :)

:rotflmao:

I think any club you join will have a few highly dedicated folks whom will go wheeling *on a whim* by simply making a phone call. I know several folks like that...unfortunately, I haven't been able to join them!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrr

But honestly... The Keystone Krawlers have members from Philadelphia, NJ, DE, MD, and as far as Gettysburg PA.
It's primarily an internet based club. No monthly meetings.

Jeeps R Us...they have monthly meetings in Harrisburg. GREAT group of folks. We went to Tellico with them last year.

PA Jeeps...large club (300+ members). I've only been a member since July - but they're also a great group of folks!!
They also have monthly meetings in York, PA.

All the above clubs you pay a yearly membership.

You could also check out RockDawgs - they're a great group of folks also but I don't believe they charge memebership dues (donations if you want to contribue).
http://www.rockdawgs.com/

Regardless of what club you join - all of the above clubs wheel at the same spots (Paragon & Rausch Creek) and a sprinkling of other areas. So it all depends on how far YOU are from Paragon or Rausch and how often you can go play.

In regards to updating headlights - make sure you are getting something that is legal for inspection. I haven't shopped around much to see what's available lately... I used to have a sealed beam conversion in my truck and it wasn't legal.
Just be careful what you get.

(Ok, I'll shut up now....)

[PAFirefighter11]

CarlBrothers: Thank you, I will check that page out and save it into my favs as with the others.

CharlesWilly: That's what I was talking about. HID headlights use Xenon gas. I wasn't talking about the stupid "fake" Xenon bulbs that sell for between $6-$200. I'm talking the full on HID lighting system.

Jeff: Sounds good. Aileen said you wanted to off-road around Reading sometime over Christmas break? One of my friends who has an 89 YJ that moved to AZ is coming back for Christmas break. He has a bunch of friends in my area that want to all go off-roading over break. I'm going to try and get more info / specific times people are available, and we're work from there.

Janster: Yes, I'll definitely check into the clubs. Being a volunteer Firefighter I make NO money right now. So even a monthly due would be sort of an issue. I scrape together enough for insurance, some mods, NEEDED repairs, etc.

On the headlight issue... I have friends that do legal inspections. I don't need to worry about that stuff. They will pass me if it's something that's not putting myself or someone else in danger. Meaning... I can have open exhaust, a rear wiper that streaks, or something like that.

The lights I am looking at are supposed to be legal. They are the regular headlights with a projector low beam and normal high:
Check Them Out Here (http://www.altezzawarehouse.com/Jeep_Wrangler_8795PHL.html)
http://www.altezzawarehouse.com/images/product-photos/Jeep_Wrangler_8795PHL.JPG

Am I correct to assume that my YJ stock headlights are 7"x6"?

Thanks.

[CarlBrothers]

On the headlights issue, from my limited research, unless they have DOT on them then they are not approved by the feds in accordance with the FMVSS. The IPF kit is not DOT approved and I don't think the one in your link is either. The Hella halogen conversion kit is supposedly DOT approved, but I am not too sure on that one.

But then again when was the last time a cop looked hard at the kind of headlights you were running? Here in FL, as long as you don't run over the tourists or the blue hairs, they don't mess with you too much here :clapping:....

[jdyj93]

Yea man sounds good. If you wanna get all those guys together and hit up Paragon at some point over break that would be really cool. It doesn't really matter to me though as long as I can get out once or twice. Try out some stuff I should be getting for christmas. Cant wait