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JeepTJKID
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Location: Illinois
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 Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 7:30 pm Post subject: Ready to start mods.... |
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Hey, Im giving all you jeep tj owners out there a chance to help me spend my money. Here is wat im looking for my jeep to do.
1. I want to be able to do some off-roading in somewhat rough terrain, mud, and small creeks/puddles.
2. I need it to be a good daily driver but not restrict me from taken her off the highway.
3. Low on money so priorities first.
Its a 97 Jeep TJ, I-4 all stock. Tires are goodyear wrangler something...im sorry but im not to sure.
Thnks.....  |
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'drack
▲▼webwheeler▼▲
Joined: 01 Jan 2004
Location: points that way...
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| Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2005 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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In no particular order...
-recovery gear:straps, tow hooks, tool kit, jack,etc. Real cheap stuff that's often overlooked but a necessity on the trail
-skids: get whatever ya can afford. There's a coupla threads in this section discussing different skids and what ya might wanna look at protecting first.
-tires: look into a decent set of AT or MT's in a 30 or 31" variety. This'll keep expenses to a minimum as you'll be able to fit them without any suspension modifications and reuse the factory wheels. Not much noticeable power loss either from moving up to that size.
Play with that stuff for awhile and see what else you might be needing. If you find that you've got adequate clearance but lack traction, a cheap carrier replacement locker can go a long way for less than $300. Otherwise, that should get ya started  .
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Drink more Ovaltine!!! |
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IBTJn
Moderator
Joined: 31 Dec 2004
Location: Just Outside of Portland, OR
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 8:11 am Post subject: |
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| 'drack wrote: | In no particular order...
-recovery gear:straps, tow hooks, tool kit, jack,etc. Real cheap stuff that's often overlooked but a necessity on the trail
-skids: get whatever ya can afford. There's a coupla threads in this section discussing different skids and what ya might wanna look at protecting first.
-tires: look into a decent set of AT or MT's in a 30 or 31" variety. This'll keep expenses to a minimum as you'll be able to fit them without any suspension modifications and reuse the factory wheels. Not much noticeable power loss either from moving up to that size.
Play with that stuff for awhile and see what else you might be needing. If you find that you've got adequate clearance but lack traction, a cheap carrier replacement locker can go a long way for less than $300. Otherwise, that should get ya started . |
Yea...what he said. Get some basic stuff recovery first. It's money well spent. On the tires, that is one of the first things I did with my TJ. It can make all the difference in the world.
I'd also recommend getting together with some more experienced off roaders so you can get to know your TJ before you start doing a bunch of stuff. You might be surprised at how it does with just a simple set of decent tires. From there you can investigate more on future upgrades, lifts, lockers, and the like.
Enjoy  |
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JeepTJKID
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 8:38 am Post subject: |
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Thnks for all the great information you have given me.
I have taken my jeep out stock and have noticed ive run into some problem with clearance. This is why i have been looking for a lift. Ive been looking at the rubicon express 3.5 standard lift because i fits my budget and is upgradable. But i probably wont get a lift till this summer when the funds are coming in through my job.
Now about tires...I dont want to buy a set of tires twice because of the lift kit. But maybe the ones u suggested wont look that silly on the jeep with the lifted suspension..you tell me.
For recovery sorts..ive been looking at maybe a winch. Im not sure if i will get a winch because it might be money wasted due to the fact im prolly not going to be going off roading every weekend.
For the skid plates im going to get a warn steering box plate due to the fact it looks very vonerable up front.
Also i am looking for a bigger better looking bumper then the stock one. I dont want to get nething that is made for rock crawling or is totally huge. I just want something beefier that will protect the front end and will provide areas to put lights and maybe a winch.
Thnks in advance and thnks aagain. |
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IBTJn
Moderator
Joined: 31 Dec 2004
Location: Just Outside of Portland, OR
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:05 am Post subject: |
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| JeepTJKID wrote: | Thnks for all the great information you have given me.
I have taken my jeep out stock and have noticed ive run into some problem with clearance. This is why i have been looking for a lift. Ive been looking at the rubicon express 3.5 standard lift because i fits my budget and is upgradable. But i probably wont get a lift till this summer when the funds are coming in through my job.
Now about tires...I dont want to buy a set of tires twice because of the lift kit. But maybe the ones u suggested wont look that silly on the jeep with the lifted suspension..you tell me.
For recovery sorts..ive been looking at maybe a winch. Im not sure if i will get a winch because it might be money wasted due to the fact im prolly not going to be going off roading every weekend.
For the skid plates im going to get a warn steering box plate due to the fact it looks very vonerable up front.
Also i am looking for a bigger better looking bumper then the stock one. I dont want to get nething that is made for rock crawling or is totally huge. I just want something beefier that will protect the front end and will provide areas to put lights and maybe a winch.
Thnks in advance and thnks aagain. |
Yep...I understand. I installed a 2" Rubicon Express Budget Boost kit in my TJ. I currently have 31x10.5's on there, but could probably run 32's with backspaced wheels and still be okay. My TJ is an '02 with 30k miles and the front and rear springs have little to no sag in them...yet. The REBB runs around $200.
With a stocker, you'll likely rub with 32's or bigger. As far as bumpers go, there are many very good ones out there. I bought the Warrior Products bumper w/ brush guard. It's okay, and not overly radical. In hind sight though, I would have probably been better off with the Garvin Industries (Wilderness), or a Warn, or something like that. Just do a internet search and you'll get tons of hits. There are also several manufacturers of the stearing box armor. Warn being one of them.
Winches....well, I bought one. Not everyone does, though. A hi-lift jack and hookless straps are a recommended set of items, though. There are tons of write ups and threads talking about these things...so do a search on the site here and do some readin'. Lots of very good experience here, and hope you learn as much as I have.
Good luck.
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JeepTJKID
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 1:42 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah thanks for the good advice. Does anyone have pics of there lifted rigs with lifts from 2-3.5". I want my jeep to have a higher ride but im only going to 3.5 inches or less of lift.
Also do any of u suggest any tires to work with a lift from 2-3.5 inches of lift. I want them to be good but not outragously priced....I would prefer goodyear but dont know which type of tire. Also i would prolly have to get new wheele then right? Any good cheep ones? |
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IBTJn
Moderator
Joined: 31 Dec 2004
Location: Just Outside of Portland, OR
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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| JeepTJKID wrote: | Yeah thanks for the good advice. Does anyone have pics of there lifted rigs with lifts from 2-3.5". I want my jeep to have a higher ride but im only going to 3.5 inches or less of lift.
Also do any of u suggest any tires to work with a lift from 2-3.5 inches of lift. I want them to be good but not outragously priced....I would prefer goodyear but dont know which type of tire. Also i would prolly have to get new wheele then right? Any good cheep ones? |
First off, this RE-BB was nothing more than a temporary for me. They are inexpensive and easy to install. But if you are thinking permanent 2", then I hear the Old Man Emu is the best.
Here is a before shot RE-BB
and after shot...before I got my winch on anyway.
I'm running Les Schwab Wild Cats 31x10.5's. They are okay...not the most expensive, either. But I'm not sure you'll find cheaper tires promoted in the off road world anyway. What kind of wheeling are you planning on? That will probably determine more of what to get than anything. We have lots of mud here in the NW, and plenty of rocks south and east of us. So these have worked out okay for me. But BF Goodrich has some decent flavors and at fairly reasonable prices, too.
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JeepTJKID
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Thats a nice lookin jeep of yours. I think i might go with the 2 inch lift or if i get enoug money a 3 or 3.5 inch lift. Thnks for all the info and do you know of any sites that i can find a bigger engine for my jeep |
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Stevo02TJ
Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2005
Location: Waynesboro and Harrisonburg, Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 3:28 pm Post subject: |
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Try salvage yards first  |
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JeepTJKID
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:02 pm Post subject: |
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| I think ill go wit the salvage yard but when i go to the yard and find the engine do i have to take the engine out right there or what do you do or how does it work. |
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Stevo02TJ
Member
Joined: 02 Jan 2005
Location: Waynesboro and Harrisonburg, Virginia
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| Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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I didn't get an engine, but I did get tow hooks 
I took them off, carried them inside and paid for them....not sure you can do that with an engine 
Most salvage yards don't allow you to drive back into the rows of vehicles, so they'd probably help you to pull it out, etc.
I think this is common sense, but make sure when you find an engine, that the body was hit in the rear
HTH,
Stevo |
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JeepTJKID
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2005
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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| Alrite..after thinking it over the last two days i think im going to stay with my 4 banger. I think ill get a new engine later down the road like when im out of highschool and college. |
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IBTJn
Moderator
Joined: 31 Dec 2004
Location: Just Outside of Portland, OR
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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| JeepTJKID wrote: | | Alrite..after thinking it over the last two days i think im going to stay with my 4 banger. I think ill get a new engine later down the road like when im out of highschool and college. |
Lots of people do very well with their 4 cylinder. I've seen plenty of them mod them pretty well, too.
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1fox2go
Member
Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Location: Fishersville, Virginia
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| Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2005 4:19 pm Post subject: |
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just regear the 4 banger...it revs quik and if you regear you should be fine
_________________
96 Cherokee 7.5 inch TnT long arm Locked F/R, D44 rear, 4.56s, 35x12.50 Muds/36x12.50 TSLs
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