I traded my bike for a kid's jeep that he put together. I love the jeep and have been working on my backyard mechanic skills (and lingo..). What I'm wondering is, what are my capabilities right now with the jeep I have and what should I consider upgrading (brakes are on the list...) - I'm in IL so it's basically light trails and mud/water for me. Here's my parts list from that guy:

1987-95 Wrangler Tub
1978 Hood, fenders, frame
1974 - 258 I6 (with 80's upgrades - elec. ing./ intake/exhaust etc)
1974 J10 Dana 44 axles(4:10 gears)(spring over axle susp.)
35x12.5 wheels on 15" rims
Dana 300 transfer case mated to T-176 4speed (1974)
1974 J10 steering linkage cut down to fit at the drag link adj.

*All the 1974 parts are from a J10 Pickup
It seems to run strong but I don't know about the gearing - I can get up to 10-15mph or so in 1st. I've replaced the Tcase seal and am going to have to do the rear main as well (which will include new clutch and oil pan gasket while I'm down there.) Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks

First off i would get it running well and see how it runs. Get a feel for it before you start doing a whole lot. See what it needs, go wheeling and try it out. As far as gearing goes those old j-10 axles came with either 3.31 or 3.73 There are many ways to find that out. You can google all the many methods of it. I cant remember them all off hand right now. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

I concur get it running right and work out all the kinks before going wheelen, IL wheeling is pretty light, I used to live there but it can get hariy too and depending on where you are at in IL, nothing better then ripping through a freshly turned corn field after the rain or tearing it up through a slough...ah what fun...anyway, the last thing you want is to spend all that time and money on a project and then break it and get stuck out somewhere....wait that half the fun of owning a Jeep right.
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I saw on your jeep you've got the headman headers. Are those worth putting on? I've got an exhaust man. straight to a crappy cherry bomb muffler but buddies have told me I probably won't be gaining much with headers on a 258? Thanks for your post.

Welcome to the board and to the world of Jeeping! Sounds like a good deal to me. First thing I recommend is seeking out 4x4 clubs in your area. If you have a selection, try to get together with each one, on a trail ride if possible and decide which one you like best. They should all have at least a few folks that can help you discover what you can and cannot do off road in your area as well as show you some places to ride. Clubs are also a good source of cheap or free parts and assistance installing same or trouble shooting mechanical problems. Some one is usually available to come help get you out of a bind if you get into trouble (stuck or broke down) on your own.
Around here the mud usually has a lot of clay content and is slicker than grease. A locker or two is highly desireable but changes the handling characteristics on and off road. Get to know what you have and see what others have done in your area before making major upgrades. Sounds like you have a good rig, potentially, to start with. I wouldn't start with headers if I were you, the hp gain to $ ratio makes it a waste of money in my opinion. The right tire size for your gear ratio is more important. If you decide you need more power later, do a search here and you can get some ideas of what is possible and practical for you. Then ask some more! No shortage of opinions around here! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />