I have been a CJ owner for about 20 years now, both were CJ-7's and both were daily drivers. Over the last three years, I have purchased several items on Ebay as upgrades to my jeep, and thought it might be a good idea to review them here. Knowing what your buying is always a GOOD thing and getting a chance to learn from someone elses experience is the BEST way to avoid some future problems. I am not a professional mechanic, however - as with ANY jeep owner, I have learned alot as I moved along. Chances are good that I MIGHT have run acrossed the same problem your having and MIGHT be able to help, just don't get pissy with me if I can't, but I will certainly try and hopefully at least lead you to the RIGHT source. It doesn't cost anything to ask, or for me to answer, just time. One last thing, what works for me, might not work for you, I can't be held responsible for trying to help you out and it fails - its up to you to try it!! OK, on to the reviews!!

CARBURETORS

Over the last 7 years with this jeep I have tried 3 different carbs

1. Stock Carter 2 barrel - (2 years) rebuilt TWICE by local professionals, people I trusted to do a good job (outstanding mechanics that I still use today). It was not the mechanics, it was the carb. Tuning is really difficult and after a few hours of 4 wheeling at altitude the cutting out, stalling, etc. was enough to make a guy want to walk home!!
2. Webber 32/36 (2 years)(Purchased off of Ebay - sorry don't remember from who - for 300.00 plus shipping) The kit came with everything needed, but at the time, trying to find ANY help installing was almost impossible. Not to mention trying to locate an extra filter!! Anyway, I tried to put the carb on, MUCH more difficult then I imagined and NOT something I would suggest for a first timer due to no instruction available. Eventually, I had to take it to my mechanic to get it tuned correctly and it ran OK.
• Gas milage was a HUGE issue though, at less then 14 mpg.
• Another issue, stalling out at high altitudes
• I did kind of fix this by wrapping aluminum foil (shiney side out) loosely around the fuel filter and hoses - heat from the engine turns the fuel from liquid to a gas causing the fuel to not burn properly - it was a QUICK FIX only.
• Minor issues like finding a spare air filter, or a different air cleaner assy. (need Webber's adapter) became a problem.
• THE BIGGEST ISSUE WITH THIS CARB WAS IT WOULD NOT PASS SMOG EMISSIONS IN THIS COUNTY (Boulder County is almost as tough as California, not that it helps!! Check out Denver's skyline on a hot summer day with no wind!! Sorry, jumping off my soapbox now!!)
3. A 2100/2150(3 years to date) from ehrmannmp n Ebay. I paid 270.00 for mine shipped. I was determined to put this carb on MYSELF by GOD!! The instructions were very clear and precise, the seller also answered all of my emails (only a couple!!) within hours not DAYS!! He also wouldn't let me quit, he was right I COULD DO IT. Not to mention that I felt like a KING when the darn thing turned over and ran like it was on there forever!!
• My gas milage improved immediately almost 7 mpg better
• two days after the install, I passed the emissions test, and have every year since (three total, so far)
• I have not stalled out ONCE due to rate of incline or loss of fuel pressure from 14,000 ft (Mt. Evens) to 6,000 ft (Longmont). Not to mention all the trails in this area that range from 4500ft to 12,000ft. in altitude.
• One other word about this set-up - If you have some experience in rebuilding carbs (no small task - time consuming!!) and know where you can get a 2100/2150 carb PLUS know how to get or fabricate the right adapter and gaskets, then you can do this from scratch and get good results - the question you must ask yourself is Do I want to spend all that time and labor and is it worth it. Not a question for me to ponder, as I HATE rebuilding carbs and SUCK at it.
• When you add it all up, it is a great deal. I used all the hardware supplied - but have since replaced the nuts and bolts with stainless steel - just because I like stainless steel.

SEATS

As a daily driver comfort can be an issue and with a jeep there are literally thousands of combos that work, but not all of them are safe (seat belt position, etc.). Not to mention that I am a LARGE individual (6'5 and 300pounds) and don't feel like getting thrown about into the steering wheel or out the door during a rough excursion. I went through several seat combos over the past few years and all of them were purchased on Ebay. Due to my height, I do not use sliders as most do not mount up far enough back to allow me the room I need to drive. This also caused a few seat frame support issues that I recently solved by adding more steel to the original seat riser, complete bolt on and works great - no more LEANING feeling as I drive down the road!!

1. STOCK SEATS - kept them for the first year, no real support and very uncomfortable after about 2 hours. They were ripped so a good reason to replace them!!
2. Bestop BASIC seats - Purchased here on Ebay from a supplier in Texas (first rate seller, about 240.00 for the set with shipping and arrived within a week) sorry, can't remember the name, but I can look it up if you REALLY need it. These seats did not recline, one of the reasons they were cheaper. Anyway, within a year of daily driving, they were just like the stock seats, very uncomfortable - but I did think about getting another pair (they felt GREAT new!!).
• While very easy to install - there was just no support in either the stock or stock replacements from Bestop. Remember, I weigh 300 pounds, the wife's seat looks brand new (of course she weighs less then a bird!! Kidding of course, but she is way UNDER my 300 pound mark!!)
• The covering on the bestop seats was great, as I am rough on that stuff too. No rips, tears etc, pretty tough vinyl, but the FRAME and springs leave something to be desired.
3. Corbeau seats - I purchased these from a private seller on Ebay (he is no longer a registered user) got them for 389.00 used(a high end seat and I had to SNIPE them at the end) thinking I had gotten a deal (as these seats run about 750.00 a pair new and these were only three months old) I was pumped. Unfortunately, when I got them (good seller fast shipping, though a bit high priced) I quickly found out that they WERE not a direct bolt in!! I ended up buying the brackets from a dealer for 100.00 each plus shipping.
• These seats had the MEMORY foam - not a bad idea in theory, but that stuff does eventually compact to a point of no return (if the cheaper stuff is used - sadly, this was the case here)
• While they are touted as being a truely high end seat, I had frame failure (broken weld) in mine within six months.
• I got cloth covering - big mistake - torn within a month
4. Hunsaker - purchased from Hunsaker-sports here on Ebay. Another excellent seller, shipping time was a bit slow, but communication was EXCELLENT and they arrived within 10 days. I believe I paid 380.00 shipping included for a pair of the ENVY black cloth seats (cloth is alot more breathable then vinyl - less sweating!!) and the ENVY I purchased, does not recline.
• EASY BOLT IN TO STOCK RISERS!!
• Still in my jeep today and will probably be in it for the rest of my days of ownership, unless I upgrade again with the same brand of seat.
• bolsters on the sides and back of the seats REALLY work to keep you IN PLACE while on the trail.
• I have spent 8+ hours driving this jeep and not SUFFERED from back or BUTT fatigue!!
• Frame support is FANTASTIC
• The only thing I WISH I had done was spend the extra 40.00 for reclining seats - but, these are surprisingly comfortable!!

WINDSHIELD WIPERS

Sounds easy huh? Well, any jeep owner does, eventually get used to crappy wipers - during ice and snow (when all your friends call and ask if you can get them home) it is especially tough. I have even had to stop and clear off the windshield with all the icy build-up. Of course, the designers of our beloved CJ's didn't think that part through, darned thing is almost flat!! Not to mention the little thin arms, get above 45 mph and they just flap about with hardly any contact wiper to windshield. Considering I do drive the jeep daily, and during the summer, it rains daily (not much, just while I am driving home!!) plus the snow and ice in the winter - I really needed an upgrade!! Checking ebay, I found one.

1. The full wiper upgrade for the CJ (includes arms) from riptech-net. The biggest part of this upgrade, for me, was the wiper arms. Not only wider then the flimsy stock set but machined with enough of an indention that they hug the windshield when driving down the road instead of flopping around and being useless. There is also the extra couple of inches in coverage attained with the other parts installed, but the wiper arms are killer. I am using PIAA blades and could not be happier.
• Before you choke on the price - you gotta ask yourself is it worth it? I could not machine the parts myself, and driving in the rain and snow was a HUGE pain, so for me yes it was worth it.
• I wish they could find a way to just sell the arms at about half the price - but guess that would defeat thier purpose.
• The wiper arms use the newer wiper mounting system similar to the Wrangler (though the arms themselves are still wider then anything stock from jeep) where the arm attaches to the SIDE of the blade instead of the top (like stock).

I have made several other upgrades with parts from Ebay and eventually I will get them listed also. Hopefully this guide helped you out a little, if not, take the time to let me know what I can do to improve it.