Hey

[vic]

Hey, I'm Vic. I just moved to Kentucky not too long ago (a month or two), and since I've been down here I bought a 2001 Solar Yellow 2.5L Jeep Wrangler SE, it's in mint condition. I don't really know anyone in Kentucky yet (I live in Louisville), but I was hoping that everyone could lend me a hand in finding places I could go offroading (solo or with a group), and also inform me on how expensive it would be to swap my engine out for a 6 cylinder, or to add a turbo charger kit. I'm also going to be adding 2-4in suspension very soon.

Thanks so much, glad to be here.

[mudholebound]

you came to the right place four wheelin ky is toms specialty he will be around in a bit

welcome to the forum

[alwaysoutdoors]

Welcome to itsajeep.org, Vic. I'm sure someone will let you know about the turbo or engine swap soon. I have an 82 CJ so not up on the TJ motor swaps, but I think I saw a 4.0 out of a TJ with all the harness and computer for around 1200 or 1400. Look on ebay and join as many message boards as you can: rockcrawler.com, 4wd.com, jeepaholics.com, southernjeeps.org to name a few. You'll find lots of parts for sale and plenty of info on modifications(mods) to your jeep.Also recommend talking to fellow jeepers about mods you are looking at and see how they like them before buying them. Good Luck and about the places to 4-wheel , look in our forums here under trail rides and turkey bay trail rides.

[Tomster]

Vic:

Welcome to ItsaJeep! Hey, we can sure fix ya up with wheelin' buddies, if you are willing to drive a ways. There's a bunch of us in here that go to Turkey Bay about every weekend, and you would be welcome to join us whenever you have the chance to make the trip. I guess you would be looking at about four hours from Louisville to Turkey Bay.

Check out the photo gallery to see what Turkey Bay is like. It just so happens that I have a picture or two from there in my albums.

http://www.itsajeep.org/PhotoPost/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/4

As far as engine swapping or turbocharging your four banger, I'm not a mechanic, so I can't help ya there. That four banger is fine for around town and on the trails, so unless you do a lot of highway driving, I wouldn't worry about it, if I were you.

Sounds like you have a nice Jeep.

Tom

P.S.

I'm sure you will be hearing from Don, who also lives in Louisville. He is on his way home from Turkey Bay probably right now. I wheeled with him and some other folks Friday and Saturday. Don was going to stay over last night and then wheel for half a day today, then head home.

[vic]

Great stuff, thanks. Do you know of any places near Louisville I could go for free/small fee before then?

[Marlon_JBT]

Welcome to ItsaJeep!!!!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif

[NiteDog]

Welcome Vic! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif


mike

[BillM]

Welcome aboard Vic. Glad to have you and look forward to meeting you.

[Paul E]

Vic, if you want to swap out the 4 cyl for a 6, you also have do consider the transmission. The 4cyls tranny probably wouldn't last too long with the 6 running it. It may be more expensive than you thought.

I too have the 4cyl and LOVE it around town. It has the 4.11 gearing, so it does well on the trails too. On the highway, it ain't so great, but I can do 65-75 w/o too much problem until I get a hill in my way. Even then I can still keep it over 60.

I'm lifting mine too once my OME lift gets here. Have questions here, just ask! We love to help!

BTW, WELCOME!

[Landon]

Hey there Vic, welcome. You have come to the right place, that is for sure! There are many people here can help you with your Jeepin' needs. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif

[jdwerner]

Hey Vic. Welcome to itsajeep. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif

[Don]

Hey Vic, Welcome to itsajeep.org! I also live in Louisville (Fern Creek area). I'll PM you and we can talk more there. There are several off road parks in Kentucky. Unfortunately, there is not an off road park in the louisville area. The closest off road area is down near Lexington, KY, Slade (Natural Bridge - 125 miles from Louisville), and Livingston. Slade is one of those places that you should only go with someone who knows the area real well and can lead you to the places you should be, and more importantly, keep you out of places that you shouldn't be. I have never been to Livingston. However, KYTJ has promised to take me there as soon as he gets his Jeep put back together. I'll keep you posted on this trail ride as soon as the details start to fall into place. I had the pleasure to meet and wheel with Bob A. and his lovely Wife, Mary, this weekend. They are from Crestwood area (15 miles out of Louisville). DonBuckler is also on this list. Don is a New Jeep owmer from Middletown area of Louisville, who wants to go wheel-n for the first time. If you would like to caravan with me down to LBL sometime, that would be GREAT!... LBL is 206 miles from my driveway and equals a 4 hour drive. Spending a weekend wheel-n at LBL is well worth the drive. Tom is an EXCELLENT trail guide and I know you will be in good hands with him, and the other member's of the "Gang". Like I said, I'll PM ya and we can talk there.

[mullins87]

Welcome to the site Vic! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wave.gif

As far as the engine swap goes, well I'm kinda-sorta in one now. I'm still in the search and acquire mode. I really think once I gather all the parts, it won't be too bad. Problem is, I'm a cheap-skate and won't pay any more than I think I have to. Even after saying that, an engine swap will cost you a bare minimum of $1,500. That's if you find good deals on your engine(including computer and harness), tranny, transfer case input gear(or complete t-case unit), radiator, motor mounts and other misc. parts.

If I weren't such a wrench-a-holic I'd sell mine and buy one with the 4.0L already in it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hee.gif

[vic]

Ah ok cool. Thanks for the greets and advice everyone. I'll put more consideration into the engine swap. I'm still trying to determine what makes my jeep shake at ~65. A mechanic looked at it and he wants mega $ to figure out the problem, he said he thinks it's the drive shaft or a wheel bearing. He checked wheel alignment and everything.

Don, I live right off La Grange and Factory Ln. I'm one exit down from Crestwood on 265.

[IndyXJ]

Don-where is Fern Creek in L-ville? I don't know L-ville at all besides just driving 65 thru it.

And oh yeah...Welcome Vic!