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Building up my nearly stock Tj

2K views 18 replies 10 participants last post by  MarkGLHS 
#1 ·
Alright. I have a 2002 Sahara. running 32x11.50 on 16 in wheels. and a 2 inch spacer lift.

Im 16 and my parent does not want me wheeling it. So i plan on building it up so that when I turn 18 and its finally in my name, i can begin to wheel it.


What is some good upgrades to it. i know i want 33x12.50's on 15x8 wheels. and i want to run 4.88 gears for when i end up wanting to go to 35's in the future. E-locker up front and Limited slip in the back
What axles would you recommend? And is it possible to have Limited slip full time and lock it when i want to? If so i want to do that up front and in the back.

Also want new bumpers, winch, lift, lighting, and flat fenders.
Want to know best brands, prices, pros, cons, and best set up.
In this format please:

  • Bumpers:
  • Price
  • Brand
  • Pro
  • Con
  • Front
  • Rear

  • Winch:
  • Price
  • Brand
  • Pro
  • Con

  • Lift:
  • Size
  • Brand
  • Price
  • Pro
  • Con

  • Lighting:
  • Brand
  • Price
  • Type (50" light bar, window lights, bumper lights & Rock lights.)
  • Best positioning for Flood/Spot lights & Driving lights
  • Pro
  • Con
  • Best Set Up?

  • Axles:
  • Front
  • Rear

  • Lockers and Limited Slip:
  • Brand
  • Price
  • Pro
  • Con
  • Best set up?

  • Flat Fenders
  • Brand
  • Price
  • Pro
  • Con
  • Durability

Feel free to copy and paste the format and just fill out what you want and leave the rest blank. Thank you guys!
 
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#2 ·
You're kind of asking for a lot here and you are going to get many different opinions. Your best bet is to research, research, research. There are hundreds of threads, websites, reviews, etc. that you can go through. Find something you like and fits your budget and research the hell out of it. Google and the search function on here will get you a long way. If you don't find the info you want on a certain item, then post a thread asking about that specific item.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Asking a whole lot! Since your 16 I'm gonna ask you a question. How do you learn anything if someone just gives you the answers??? Every question you asked has been asked already. Now you have to do your homework and decide what is the right answer to your question. You're asking about a 6-10K build and you're in high school? Do your homework so you understand what you NEED vs WANT, then decide the order you need to do the mods and of course where the money will come from for the build. Then put a PLAN together to accomplish your goals.
 
#5 ·
Feel free to copy and paste the format and just fill out what you want and leave the rest blank. Thank you guys!
Nope. We aren't going to build your Jeep for you.

A good first step is to decide what size tire you want, which you have determined to be a 33". A good choice for a first build, btw. Learn what size lift you need to fit those. Read up on slip yoke eliminators and CV drive shafts, as well as re-gearing. For 33s you can do the build up one step at a time without too much trouble. The goal is to really understand how all the bits and pieces fit together so that you do it correctly. The same goes for bumpers and lights. Figure out what you like/need and go from there. Do you want big and showy or understated and functional?
 
#8 ·
The fact of the matter is that your plans will change and develop over the years. Pick an immediate goal, such as tire size, and figure out what is needed to make it work. The rest will fall into place step by step and it will be your Jeep, not ours.
 
#13 ·
That's just the thing, it's completely subjective. And there are soooo many factors that decide what are the best brands FOR YOU. What might be the best to me, might suck to Sinister or vice versa. Because maybe I'm a mud guy and he's a hardcore rock crawler. Search for one, just one, "what's the best winch" thread on here and you will see my point. 100 different responses and a bunch of arguing lol

Research the direction you want to take your rig, and then research it piece by piece
 
#10 ·
Hey bro, I agree with Sinister6 for one reason. Building your jeep with the things you choose makes you more attached to your jeep and also teaches you alot. With that said I'll try to help a little. Smitty Built and Warn offer the best equipment for basic use and they can also offer very high quality parts but they are expensive. It doesn't sound like you are going to be doing major off-roading
 
#12 ·
Go on 4 wheel parts website or quadratec and fill out the stuff for a free catalog. Find what you like then look up reviews for the stuff that you liked. Simple as that. Your asking a whole lot, especially asking people to put their answers in specific format. First thing you should be considering is where the money is coming from for all this stuff your wanting. For just tires your gonna be looking at easily over $1000 and wheels on top of that depending on what you want is $500 minimum. Find out the income before you try finding things to spend it all on.
 
#19 ·
ok I'll say it: At your age, best to keep your TJ as it is (which is already very capable), and instead focus on finishing your education and begin building up your financial strength...and along the way enjoy researching how to build an even more capable Jeep. Try attending some Jeep events and talk to owners who have modified rigs and check those rigs out in person. You're on the right track by posting questions in this forum so I can tell you have your act together, best of luck, enjoy the ride.
 
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