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1998 TJ - Family Truckster

2K views 14 replies 5 participants last post by  dmr22 
#1 ·
I have been a member of the forum for quite a while now, just lurking in the shadows. Last week I finally pulled the trigger and picked up a 1998 TJ with the 4.0 and an automatic transmission. The vehicle came with the Sahara package as well. It has 143,xxx miles on it and has a rebuilt title. It has been on the road since the rebuild for about 6 years and has been a reliable vehicle for the prior owners. However, routine maintenance has been done on the vehicle but it has certainly been used. Overall, the vehicle has all the pieces needed to be a great Jeep for my family.

Immediate plans are to pull the carpet, apply monstaliner to the interior, black seat covers, 4.25" zone combo lift, 33" tires with new 15" wheels, and POR 15 the underside. The plans after that are to be decided.

Here are the pictures the day I got it.
 

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#2 ·
The first thing I had to do was remove the hilarious rear tire cover and take off the stock side steps. I also did a review of the vehicles needs and changed the oil. After the Jeep got a quick bath, it was time to get to work. The interior was gutted and given a very thorough cleaning which included shampooing the seats. The carpet and roll bar padding will not be going back on. The seats will be reinstalled with Quadratec Diver Down neoprene seat covers. That was about all the work I got done today. Next up is to finish prepping the interior and apply Monstaliner to the tub and roll cage.
 

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#7 ·
Started putting on my Zone 4.25" combo kit on last night. Body lift and motor lift are done. Front end is disassembled but unfortunately I am now at a stand still because my jounce bumpers crumbled as I took them out. I will get new ones ordered for all four corners and continue on.

The kit has been very complete and gone smoothly as long as I follow their directions as opposed to doing it how I want to do it, haha!



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#10 ·
I am planning on taking a vacation day tomorrow from work. As long as everything goes as planned, the Jeep will be back on the ground with the new lift, wheels and tires installed, and the Monstaliner should be done as well. Fingers crossed!
 
#11 ·
Had a very productive Thursday evening and Friday. I was able to get the tub sanded down, chassis saver applied to the driver and passenger floor boards where some surface rust started to appear as a result of tub plugs missing and moisture getting trapped between the carpet and the floor, and applied two coats of Monstaliner. I also finished up my Zone 4.25" combo lift and set the front end. I went ahead and put the oem wheels back on so I could drive it to verify that there are no vibrations. I wanted to hold off putting the new wheels and tires until I could verify there wasn't and vibrations caused by the new lift.

I won't be able to work on it again for a couple days but I am hoping to get the interior reassembled on Monday or Tuesday so I can drive it. Once I verify there are no vibrations, the new wheels and tires will go on and this phase of the project will be finished!

Since I have the dreaded 3.07 gears and I am low on Jeep $$ I am thinking about getting some axels off a 4 cylinder to put in. Any opinions or thoughts on swapping?
 

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#13 ·
Finished up the lift and interior. Finally got my wheels on and the Jeep back on the ground. I took it out for its maiden voyage and had no vibrations!! I am really happy with the Zone lift, everything went together very well and the ride is vastly improved. I have some little stuff to take care of on it but for the most part, this phase of the Family Truckster is done. I also can't believe how quiet the KO2's are on the road. They are a very aggressive looking tire but drive great on the pavement!



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#14 ·
Sorry for the lack of updates. I haven't done much to the Family Truckster lately other than enjoying it! I did add a new 3rd brake light (courtesy of HarperMods), American flag decals, some Harley mirrors, and got rid of the stock milk jugs with replacement Mopar end caps. We also went to RedBird SRA and enjoyed their Hi-Lift trail day which was a lot of fun.



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#15 ·
I don't have a lot of big plans coming up with the Jeep. I will more than likely purchase a new soft top for it before winter gets here, need to purchase an adjustable front track bar, and plan on flushing the coolant and power steering fluid in the very near future. I am also always on the lookout for a set of 4.10 gears out of a 4 cylinder TJ for the right price. I wish I would have purchased a Jeep a long time ago!
 
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