Why bother investing the time or energy into an older Jeep?

For me, there are several reasons. First of all, its significantly more affordable to work on these Jeeps than it is a much newer one. Its also, generally, easier. There is such a HUGE aftermarket for these Jeeps that its also really easy to find parts. I source some of my parts from the salvage yard, which is a great way to get OEM upgrades at a fraction of the cost of new OEM or aftermarket. That's not to say you shouldn't go aftermarket - on the contrary! Adding a small lift, changing the rims and tires, upgrading the interior, replacing just about any part... well, the list goes on. And that brings me to my final reason for doing all of this work - I enjoy it! Sure, there are times when my Jeep will fight me when I'm trying to work on it... but eventually we come to an understanding and my Jeep, and myself are much happier in the long run.

Are you looking to do some work on your Jeep?

It doesn't take a garage full of tools... or even a garage! I live at an apartment and I've done nearly all of my work myself and in my driveway. There have been times where I borrowed a friends garage or a tool here and there, so that I could keep working after the sun went down, or because of restrictive fluid rules and regulations. Otherwise, I'd be camped out in my driveway working on my Jeeps. Having a friend with a different tool chest is handy tho... sometimes you need a tool that you don't have and they do. Sometimes it's cheaper to borrow than to buy. That being said, having a good, well rounded tool bag is very important. Do you need to spend thousands of dollars with the Snap-On truck - probably not. But having a good set of wrenches, sockets and drivers is definitely a must. Keep an eye on "big-box" tool sales, flea markets, garage sales and pawn shops for great deals on tools.

Can you really do it on your own?

YES! Although I have had help from friends, family or neighbors occasionally, everything that I have done on my Jeeps, I could do on my own. I don't need super expensive tools, I don't need a fancy shop lift, I don't even need a shop or garage! If you have resources like friends or neighbors that are willing to help, they can be a great asset. Just remember that working on YOUR jeep with YOUR hands is far more rewarding than paying the 4x4 shop down the road hundreds of YOUR dollars.

When you work by yourself, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Take Your Time - its slower to work by yourself so don't rush it and don't be surprised when something takes longer than you thought it would.
• Be Safe - don't do a task or repair that you CAN'T don by yourself. Changing the fluid in your transmission is easily a one person job... changing the transmission entirely would be a good time to get your friend to lend you a hand.
• The Buck Stops With YOU - the good thing about working by yourself is that you don't have to worry about someone else's work quality... but that also means that if something is done wrong, your know exactly who to blame ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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