"Rock Bottom" (rockbottom81)
09/06/2013 at 15:56 • Filed to: None
4
33|
"Rock Bottom" (rockbottom81)
09/06/2013 at 15:56 • Filed to: None | 4
| 33 |
I have spent a considerable chunk of my life driving very presentable cars. To be sure, I've never owned a new Jaaaaaag or Cadillac (or even a used one), but it's been a while since I was able to park fearlessly. I bought a brand-spanking-new Civic Si sedan in 2008 and am proud to say it remains free of door dings and general exterior wear 5 years later. People who don't know cars assume it's new when they ride in it, which I take as a huge compliment. You guys know what I mean.
I moved to beautiful Northern California 4 years ago and discovered two things: mountain bikes and Yosemite. I love riding and I love camping and hiking. Of course, partaking in any of these activities is hard on a Civic. Muddy mountain bikes, filthy camping equipment, and dirty boots are all hard on the little guy.
I had to do something, so I bought a used-up 1991 Jeep Cherokee.
It was ugly as sin with it's flat red paint and rims only the lowest form of mouth-breather would love. The seats were stained, the interior rattled, it leaked everything (it's a Jeep thing, you wouldn't understand), it had a super light rod knock, and the tires were mismatched. I loved the hell out of it.
I justified the purchase by promising not to invest any money into it. Drive it as-is until it dies. That promise was broken on day 2 when I bought a set of stock Wrangler rims. Then I replaced the shocks. And all the bushings. And the tires. But all that pales in comparison with what I did last weekend: I painted it flat desert sand. Yeah.
So here's how that happened: Friday I was drinking beer with my buddy and we were talking about how friggin' ugly the Jeep was. He jokingly suggested we rattle-can it to look like an African adventure truck. We laughed for a while... and then we ordered a case of spray paint. The next day we sanded it, taped it up, and went to town:
The finished product is far from perfect, but it it actually looks respectable-ish. Best of all, it's not so nice that I'm worried about parking it fearlessly. I park it where I want. I forgot what that type of freedom felt like! It's liberating!
The best part of all this is that I can choose what car I'm in the mood for. Want to make noise, park fearlessly, and stand out like a sore thumb as I rumble through Palo Alto? Drive the Jeep. Want to blend into the background in a comfortable, reliable, quiet car that rides nice and has working air conditioning? Drive the Honda. They compliment each other so well!
So what's next for The Rommel? I'm starting to plan out a bottom-end rebuild, mild lift, locking differentials, and a major brake upgrade. Really, then I'll be done. I promise.
EDIT: I wanted to point out that without my buddy in the pictures, I would still be sanding or masking this thing. Huge ups. Hell, he even named the damn thing. Thanks, B.
Who needs sway bars anyway
> Rock Bottom
09/06/2013 at 16:05 |
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"So what's next for The Rommel? I'm starting to plan out a bottom-end rebuild, mild lift, locking differentials, and a major brake upgrade. Really, then I'll be done. I promise."
MWAHAHAHA that's what you think... That's what I said when I bought mine, now I have Dana 60's waiting to be installed and 37's
Mikeado
> Rock Bottom
09/06/2013 at 16:12 |
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Are those wheels from a Matchbox car?
pdthedeuce
> Rock Bottom
09/06/2013 at 16:37 |
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...and the Lord said , "Let there be Lights !".
JEM
> Rock Bottom
09/06/2013 at 16:43 |
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There's always the stroker motor upgrade!
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Rock Bottom
> JEM
09/06/2013 at 17:25 |
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so... much... want...
HammerheadFistpunch
> Rock Bottom
09/06/2013 at 17:26 |
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congrats on the new found loves of the freedom ofa good beater truck, camping and biking. Loves of mine all three. Also, Im a big fan of the 1991, it was a good year, I love the interior of them. so honest.
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Rock Bottom
> pdthedeuce
09/06/2013 at 17:28 |
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I did buy a set of Hella 500s for the front bumper, but I have a long way to go before I achieve THIS level of blindiness!
BarryDanger
> Rock Bottom
09/06/2013 at 17:31 |
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Nothing like posing next to your beater. Here's my beloved '96 with 221,xxx miles
(I bought it all black like this haha)
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Rock Bottom
> Who needs sway bars anyway
09/06/2013 at 17:31 |
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I totally know what you mean! I feel like I just crested the hill on a tall roller coaster and there's nothing I can do to stop it. I guess I'll just have to accept responsibility for my actions and leap in head first!
BTW, what are you using to mount your spare? I like the idea of getting that out of the truck and on the hatch.
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Rock Bottom
> Mikeado
09/06/2013 at 17:32 |
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Wherever they came from, they belong at the bottom of the Pacific. Worst wheels ever. They're not even light!
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Rock Bottom
> BarryDanger
09/06/2013 at 17:33 |
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Looks like you're into a little Urban Wheeling too, eh?
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Rock Bottom
> HammerheadFistpunch
09/06/2013 at 17:35 |
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Agreed. Nothing fancy, just a simple box to keep the rain off your stuff. If I could change one thing, it would be to ditch the center console and install a bench seat instead. I wonder if that's how the Comanche interior was laid out?
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BarryDanger
> Rock Bottom
09/06/2013 at 17:37 |
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Nothing like it, gotta show off that awesomely stock FLEX!
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HammerheadFistpunch
> Rock Bottom
09/06/2013 at 17:38 |
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do you have the grey cloth seats? no headrests? I love those.
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Rock Bottom
> HammerheadFistpunch
09/06/2013 at 17:39 |
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An early Comanche interior! Perfect!
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Rock Bottom
> HammerheadFistpunch
09/06/2013 at 17:41 |
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No, mine is baby-squirts tan with headrests... for now... I am seriously considering digging up a Comanche bench and column shifter...
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HammerheadFistpunch
> Rock Bottom
09/06/2013 at 17:43 |
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I guess mine was a 1996 (though it was a 91) but it looked just like this
but with one of these
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Rock Bottom
> HammerheadFistpunch
09/06/2013 at 17:53 |
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Yeah, I'm kind of torn about the transmission. I mean, it only has 2 pedals and my mantra has always been "Two pedals? You drive then."
But, if I want to row a box I can always go beat the tar out of my Honda (and I really do). That, and the Jeep trans works so well. The early ones (pre 1992?) have a "Power/Comfort" button that softens the shifts. Later ones are hard-wired in "Power" mode. This one's really smooth and pairs well with the ridiculously torquey 4.0.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> Rock Bottom
09/06/2013 at 17:58 |
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Went through the same dilemma when I bought my cruiser (my wife's tdi sportwagen is there for my 3 pedal fix) and my cruiser also has the "power/norm" button. I had forgotten about a time when transmissions weren't inteligent and automatically adjusted based on throttle input and load. I usually keep it in norm because of 225 ft-lbs @ 1000 rpm 275 ft-lbs peak @ 3200 rpm and it pulls me along just fine, but i put it into power for up and down country. no sense in doing it for long grades, but the hilly stuff. he if you are interested check out my youtube channel, its mostly land cruisers, mountain bikes and skiing.
Blondude
> Mikeado
09/07/2013 at 00:39 |
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Hot Wheels actually.
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Mikeado
> Blondude
09/07/2013 at 06:05 |
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That's it! So '90s.
Honestabe
> Rock Bottom
09/07/2013 at 12:45 |
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This is my jeep, and I approve this message. My 96 with 120k
Land-Rover Matt
> Rock Bottom
09/07/2013 at 13:23 |
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Looks excellent! Love it.
But "The Rommel"? It's a Jeep!! Maybe The Ike or The Mcarthur.
Jartosz
> Rock Bottom
09/07/2013 at 13:43 |
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I don't know, the beige/khaki colour just doesn't seem to fit the car. I would have gone with a white or a black paint job.
A great car otherwise, looks wise, not sure what its like underneath the hood.
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Rock Bottom
> Land-Rover Matt
09/07/2013 at 14:03 |
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The Montgomery just doesn't have the same ring!
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Land-Rover Matt
> Rock Bottom
09/07/2013 at 14:34 |
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Monty he was called over here. But a Jeep should be named after an American hero, in the opinion of this Brit. Audie maybe?
Wonk Unit
> Rock Bottom
09/07/2013 at 15:24 |
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The red didn't look so bad, but the safari looks great too. Totally agree about the beater thing too, i've got a 93 miata with terrible paint, smokes like a train, but its fun to drive and nice not having to care what you do to it.
BeetleCamry
> Rock Bottom
09/07/2013 at 16:20 |
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Hers mine, 1987 Pathfinder 5 speed v6 OR, bought for 750 and never looked back! The best thing about driving a beater SUV is the parking, I NEVER have to worry about dents or scratches hahaha.
Bytemite
> Blondude
09/07/2013 at 16:32 |
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That looks like it could be a revolutionary design improvement to the rotary engine...
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Rock Bottom
> BeetleCamry
09/07/2013 at 22:14 |
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I always dug those funky triangle shaped windows!
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Rock Bottom
> Wonk Unit
09/07/2013 at 22:16 |
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The pictures may be misrepresenting the terrible condition of the red paint. It was sickeningly flat and uneven. Just gross.
Denver Is Stuck In The 90s
> Rock Bottom
09/08/2013 at 01:03 |
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{REDACTED}
XJDano
> Rock Bottom
09/08/2013 at 22:02 |
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I bought a set for my jeep, I liked them, and sold them when the tires wore down.
American Racing AR-29