Out with the old...

Jeep Wrangler TJ fenders are notorious for turning gray, fading, and some have even been known to peel and shed like a dog. Alas, my 13 year old fenders were no exception. They looked like they had pant spilled on them, maybe some razor blades tickled them, and like they might have had a mild case of leprosy. 

Lucky for me, my good friend Jason, was willing to donate to my cause. He hooked me up with a set of like new fenders off a 2006 TJ and I must say they made the jeep look a whole lot nicer and that it was a simple unbolt and bolt operation made it all that much better, well that and the fact that they were free. Thank you, Jason. 

I hope you enjoy your burritos. 

before pile:

new and improved:

Hooray.

First few...

I knew as soon as I picked up the jeep, some things had to change, mainly the front bumper. I don't mind doing something different to stand out from a crowd but there is a reason people do things a certain way and avoid trying something new. 

Point and case, front bumper stingers. 

Round = Right

Square = Silly

I decided to chop off the stinger and leave the front end with a cleaner stubby, square tube main bumper. I think it makes the jeep look totally different, much better and larger actually. The massive stinger and the skinny tires seemed to combine to make the jeep seem miniaturized. While I was at it, I figured I'd chop off the suspect recovery points as well, better safe than sorry.

before:

after:

The jeep came with sway bar disconnects, but for some reasons they had a really really strange design that I just wasn't a fan of, and on top of that, some hardware was missing. The jeep drove well enough without the sway bars connected, but I didn't want to risk a high speed lane change without them.

Enter the JKS quick disconnects. 

JKS says they invented the quick disconnect, no idea if it is true, but their design works, and works well. My only complaint is when they are disconnected, I have to find a way to tie them up and out of the way when off roading. There is no holder made for this design, but it is nothing a heavy duty rubber band won't fix for now.

Another item on my immediate fix agenda was the dirty and funky interior of the tub. 

Jeeps come with carpet from the factory, which I understand for every model except the Wranglers. Every CJ, YJ, TJ and eventually JK will surely have the carpet ripped out and tossed because of the filth that collects in it. That is part of the beauty and genius of the Wrangler design, the play and rinse interior. Get it dirty, rinse, repeat, which is much more complicated with stank nasty carpets in the way. 

I tore out the remaining carpets, and proceeded to cover the tub interior with do it yourself bedliner by Rustoleum. This stuff isn't as strong as Linex that you have to spray in ( at least not in the 2 coats I was willing to put on), but maybe it is if you have the patience to roll on 10 coats. 

the results 

(note the light dusting from recent off roading :P )

I think I'll keep the rear seat out as well. With a wife that startles when the jeep flexes in the least (like mall curb flex), and with children too young to really enjoy a hot day out on the trail, I figure I am OK without it in there for now.  

So it begins...

I recently decided to trade our old work truck, a 1974 Ford F250 XLT, for something more fun, more practical (at least that is what I keep telling myself), and much more my style; a 1997 Jeep Wrangler. The TJ came with a hard top, 4" Fabtech suspension lift, 4.88 gears, and 33x9.5x15 (yeah I didn't know they made them that skinny either) BFG All Terrain tires. It has a rebuilt 4cyl. engine that runs pretty good but is really different when compared to the 460 that roared in my old truck. The gas mileage is sure a much needed improvement though and it gets me anywhere I need to go.

As a member of an off road community here in Reno, I find it really useful to bounce my build ideas off my fellow local off road enthusiasts. Here is the build thread on a local forum I frequent and get tons of helpful info off of.

As far as the build goes, it won't be anything too serious, especially when compared to my last jeep build. I may, however, decide down the road the TJ needs a turbo for a little more pep, but I am getting ahead of myself.

the plan...

-figure out what axles I want to run - ????

-front and rear lockers (rear detroit, front selectable -maybe run ected for both)

-rock rails

-modify front bumper (maybe build an entirely new one)

-new custom rear bumper and swing away carrier

-rear corner armor (maybe front tube fenders too)

-33x12.5x15 tires

-beef up the roll cage

-upgrade lift components as needed (mainly front and rear upper control arms)

-SYE kit 

-hood louvers

-beefed up steering (style or brand depends on which front axle I end up with)

-winch

-some sort of tummy tucker kit for better clearance

The list isn't in any particular order of importance and it is by no means comprehensive. Hopefully it will give you an idea of what the jeep build will be like. Like I said, nothing too crazy or extreme, but I think it will be one capable jeep. 

Here is what it looked shortly before I bought it...

then the p.o. built a... bumper for it...

and some flex, but it actually flexes quite a bit better than this, which has me excited for the future.

There it is, the beginnings of project Red Beard.