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Cheap, Easy, Fun CREATIVE MODS

5M views 11K replies 2K participants last post by  Rixthe1 
#1 ·
I like to do cheap easy fun things to my tj, I have seen alot out there, but lets put all of our ideas on one thread. We all know about supension, regearing and all of that stuff, but what about the little things, that are just creative. Like cb radio mounts, anything custome. I will start off with what I have done, no available pictures but I will get some up ASAP. Well i mounted my cb behind the center console, I also made custom "oh sh*t" grab handles from 550 cord. I also put a cb speaker in place of my ash tray. I plan on doing some work with ammo cans, I know alot of you guys are CREATIVE so lets see what you guys have done.
 
#3 ·
If you are a fab junky.... this is what I did with some scrap I had laying around and a few bucks for pins....

DIY Quick Disconnects

-I got some 3/8" SS shaft and 1" solid stock at 2" long.
-Bored the center of the 1" stock to 3/8"... then to 1/2", but only 1.5" in.
-Got a 1/4" retaining pin for connection.



-I cut the OEM 1/4" up from the axle bushing end to give some meat to weld to.
- I then drilled into the 1/2" shaft with 3/8" bit so the cut bushing end would 'press' into the shaft prior to welding. SS shaft was cut at 1.5"

T

- I welded up all the ends... dressed them up to look decent.
-Took all the pieces to the drill press and drilled 17/64" holes at 3/4" up from bottom of 1" stock to accept the 1/4" pin with a little play for easy install.
- aligned the bushing side of the Disco and oriented correctly and marked for drilling.
- used a reamer to clean all the edges of the holes
-Reassembled and painted with satin black



-Installed and stepped back for some pics....:cool:



Now... when I disconnect.... the length of the upper portion of the disco fits PERFECT in the coil bucket cavity at the frame under a bit of tension!
HOW SWEET IS THAT!!!:action-smiley: Wasn't actually planned but I could have played it off... LOL!!!




Here is a quick poser shot on a 20" stump while camping last week.... keep in mind, I have 31's, 2" BB and STOCK shocks....
 
#990 ·
If you are a fab junky.... this is what I did with some scrap I had laying around and a few bucks for pins....

DIY Quick Disconnects

-I got some 3/8" SS shaft and 1" solid stock at 2" long.
-Bored the center of the 1" stock to 3/8"... then to 1/2", but only 1.5" in.
-Got a 1/4" retaining pin for connection.



-I cut the OEM 1/4" up from the axle bushing end to give some meat to weld to.
- I then drilled into the 1/2" shaft with 3/8" bit so the cut bushing end would 'press' into the shaft prior to welding. SS shaft was cut at 1.5"

T

- I welded up all the ends... dressed them up to look decent.
-Took all the pieces to the drill press and drilled 17/64" holes at 3/4" up from bottom of 1" stock to accept the 1/4" pin with a little play for easy install.
- aligned the bushing side of the Disco and oriented correctly and marked for drilling.
- used a reamer to clean all the edges of the holes
-Reassembled and painted with satin black



-Installed and stepped back for some pics....:cool:



Now... when I disconnect.... the length of the upper portion of the disco fits PERFECT in the coil bucket cavity at the frame under a bit of tension!
HOW SWEET IS THAT!!!:action-smiley: Wasn't actually planned but I could have played it off... LOL!!!




Here is a quick poser shot on a 20" stump while camping last week.... keep in mind, I have 31's, 2" BB and STOCK shocks....

I LIKE IT! :thumb:
 
#4 ·
Front AND rear bumpers from scrap and about $100 in purchased materials ( this INCLUDES my swing-away carrier that is not completed yet)

Here is the front:




The rear....


 
#10,887 ·
Great work!




Like those bumpers!:happyyes:
 
#6 ·
hell yea, thats awesome, Your a pretty good welder, and thats exactly what im talking about. Let me know how your tire carrier comes out. My 35 in tire is about to fall off my tailgate =( not enough money to get tire carrier, so when it does fall off i guess it will ride in the tub lol. that bumper looks sweet tho. and for stock tires and only 2 inches of lift thats a nice flex.
 
#8 ·
Thanks. I built the swing-away pivot point as well.... no pics of the actual swing-away yet... sorry

THIS IS NOT CHEAP AND EASY without the proper tools.. but it was a BLAST to accomplish!

1.25" hardened stock (small AC motor shaft)
Timken bearings
SS 3" stock bored to hold Timken races
Top and bottom are of mild steel and I have shims for preloading




 
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#9 ·
looking good so far. im out of state right now, but as soon as i get home ill have to take some pictures of the quick and easy yet effective things i have done. i am hoping more people post on here, im looking for ideas. I think i am going to put in round tail lights soon.
 
#10 ·
cheap revolver shift knob. a friend "found" :hide: it and gave it to me.

so I said screw it, i took a drummel to it and made it work.

I got it to fit pretty securely and it works amazingly.

I love it, better then stock.
just push down on the knob to activate the button thats usually on the side on stock shifter.
 

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#20 ·
Hey Todd, where'd you get the metal for those bumpers? I live in Smith Valley and would like to put my welder to use, but cheap metal is hard to come by out in the sticks.
 
#21 ·
I had the major pieces laying around for some time... picked up some scrap from work to finish them off.

there is is place down in Reno.... can't remember the name ( i'll find it for you) They quoted me $11/ft for 3x4x.25 box tubing ( rear bumper)

I''ll see if I can get it while at work today....
 
#4,691 ·
Me likey. I put one of those same lights tight up under the rear bumper on my pickup for way better off-road and general purpose back-up lighting, especially with the topper on it...and that's just with the one 55W lamp.
I never thought of putting two of these though a bumper. That's a good look and up away from probable damage. Looks like I have to get another set for the TJ.
2" 55w. Rear lights set Into the bumper. Under $50 for everything. Lights, holesaw, some caulk, extra wire ect.
 
#26 ·
wirejock said:
How about a windshield reflector. All the ones at the store are too big for the jeep window, so I bought one and my Sweetie (wife) cut it and sewed the bottom. Now I have this little mini reflector that fits perfectly in the front windshield. :)
Haha that's what I had to do took an older one and just cut it at the bottom fits perfectly now. Didn't sew it tho!
 
#27 ·
Superbrightleds.com gauge cluster. Tri led's #74 wedge base. 5 for gauge cluster 3 for HVAC. The bulbs for the courtesy and dome lights are in the vid. For the shifter plate (auto only) I just painted the bulb with nail polish and pulled out the plastic tint strip from the bottom of the plate.

Search blue led on the tj section. It's the second thread that pops up. And the video on page 2 at the end I ordered the exact same bulbs.
Remember if they don't work take them out 180 them and put them back in.
 
#29 ·
TnDz TJ said:
Front AND rear bumpers from scrap and about $100 in purchased materials ( this INCLUDES my swing-away carrier that is not completed yet)

Here is the front:

The rear....
Nice license plate! I'm curious on how you mounted your front bumper? Did you leave it open in the back and formed like a C-frame and just drilled holes similar to the stock set up with the bolts right through to the frame?
 
#73 ·
Thanks! 3x3 angle and 2x2 angle finger joined on the back of the bumper to create a strongback of sorts. frame is 4" tall and my bumper center section is 4.5"... this allowed the 1/4" angle iron to be seam welded flush to the top and bottom and slide onto the framerails.

Holy crap. How much do those bumpers weigh?
Can't give you an exact weight, but front is only about 30-40 lbs ( .120 wall) and the rear is close to 60-80 lbs (.250 wall)
 
#30 ·
Probably been done a million times before me, but cheap, easy, and fun. So, I'll post it.
After installing my Bestop tire carrier, I did not want to drill more holes into the back of my tailgate to use their stock third brakelight carrier mount. So, I cut the end off a center cap, and used a led light with the rubber grommet mount stuffed in it. Re-used the stock wiring, and put connectors behind tire when I need to remove it. Cost: $5.00




I fabbed my own rear trackbar mount out of a piece of 1/4" channel when I outboarded my rear shocks. The stock mount was in the way. Cost: $0.00




Also been done a million times. Maglite clip license plate mount. Cost: $6.00

 
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