In Part 1 of my $10K budget YJ build series, I’m kicking off the plan for turning a Jeep YJ into a trail-ready rig without lighting my wallet on fire. This is the start of the journey—setting expectations, keeping the build realistic, and focusing on the kind of upgrades that actually matter when you’re overlanding and hitting the dirt instead of just building a parking-lot “look.” I’m approaching this like I do all my Jeep stuff: practical, a little scrappy, and with the goal of getting out there and using it. If you’re thinking about building a YJ on a budget, this series is for you. I’ll be sharing what I’m doing, why I’m doing it, and how I’m keeping the numbers in check as the build progresses. And since this is Simply Must Go, you know it’s going to be trails, gear, and the real-world side of building a Jeep—plus the faith, photos, and a little humor along the way.