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2004 Wrangler Unlimited LJ Build

21K views 67 replies 25 participants last post by  bookland 
#1 ·
Hey guys this is just a thread on my build for my 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
Bought it back in May 2013 stock everything with just over 61k on her.
Love it to death.
Heres a picture of my LJ with my Lift already one it, cant find any photos when it was stock
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#2 ·
My first thing that I did with it was put HID lights in it. As you TJ owners know, the headlights and mostly seal beam bulbs so I had to guy the H4 conversion head lights that I got from AutoZone for just under $100 and then got my HID H4 kit from a guy on Ebay that I have bought all my HID kits from. HID kit was just under $30. They are H4 bulbs and color is 6000k(which is a whiteish/ blue color)
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#28 ·
My first thing that I did with it was put HID lights in it. As you TJ owners know, the headlights and mostly seal beam bulbs so I had to guy the H4 conversion head lights that I got from AutoZone for just under $100 and then got my HID H4 kit from a guy on Ebay that I have bought all my HID kits from. HID kit was just under $30. They are H4 bulbs and color is 6000k(which is a whiteish/ blue color)
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Would you let me know how I go about upgrading the headlights?What parts at autozone? and what site and part on Ebay? Thanks in advance, Jim
 
#6 ·
Then it was time to have fun so that I can do more extreme off roading and mudding. I did a 2.5" RC suspension lift with a 1.25" RC body lift. Did all the work my self and got the lift for just around $350 off extremeterrain.com. Saved about $1200 installing the lift with my buddy.
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And then of course after getting the lift on I had to go and have 33x10.50 BFG Mud Terrain tires!!
 
#13 ·
Then it was time to have fun so that I can do more extreme off roading and mudding. I did a 2.5" RC suspension lift with a 1.25" RC body lift. Did all the work my self and got the lift for just around $350 off extremeterrain.com. Saved about $1200 installing the lift with my buddy.
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And then of course after getting the lift on I had to go and have 33x10.50 BFG Mud Terrain tires!!
I was considering getting that same setup. How hard would it be for a somewhat noob mechanic like myself to install that on my TJ?
 
#7 · (Edited by Moderator)
Heres a video I did on a How-To for the Body Lift kit.
How To Install 1.25" Body Lift Kit on 04 Jeep Wrangler TJL - YouTube

After I did that I installed some RiverRaiders Hi-lift mounts on the hood with a 42" Hi-lift jack. Was very easy and got both through etremeterrain.com for just under $160.
And heres a little How-To that I did for that install, very straight forward and easy, the people at RiverRaiders said that you can just use the stock bolts but mine stripped out when I was uninstalling them so I just took out the clips underneath and installed my own bolts.
How To Install Hi-Lift Jack Hood Mounts on TJ/LJ Jeep - YouTube
 
#9 ·
Smart lift. RC springs are soft and progressive. The 1" BL is smart too, and going with 33x10.5's is also a smart move.

Hopefully you at least upgraded those shocks to the nitrogen units. Unless this is a mostly street vehicle.

I would also suggest a 1" MML/1" steering riser lift with a tummy tuck as your next upgrade. Best bang for the buck there.
 
#15 ·
Installed a new Poison Spyder Brawler bar bumper a little while ago. I love it and it is amazing, put it to the test also on some trails and rock crawling and it held up well. cost a little bit but was worth the price!!
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It comes bare metal so I had to paint it.
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Painted it black with some Semi-Gloss Rustolium spray paint, and the D-rings you see I painted white with the same type of paint and only paid $12 for them on ebay!!
 
#22 ·
Ok so I have been wanting to mount a amp and a sub in my Jeep for the longest time and heres what I came up with,,,,, I just bought this cheap amp from AutoZone for like $50 and its just enough to give power to a sub that I am going to install in the center console. This is the best place i could find to install a amp to keep your space in the back to haul stuff aorund still and keep it hidden.
Let me know what yall think!!!

Best place i believe is in the underside of your rear seat!!! All i did was use the bolt holes and just zip tied it to the frame of the seat!


This is it all wired up, havent installed the sub yet so I just prewired everything so when i get the sub all i have to do is connect the speaker wires to it and waaaalaaa!!
 
#23 ·
I like the creativity in mounting location but my concern is any heat the amp gives off... Electrical components get hot when they're being used. I'm not sure how well the cushioning of the seat will stand up to it and the potential of having a fire… any Jeep vets please correct me…
 
#25 ·
I did something very similar years ago with a Rockford Fosgate Punch 75. Those amps got pretty warm. I hooked up a small fan to blow across the amp (in line with the amp cooling vents). Go look for some 12V small fans and add one. It will remove all your concerns
 
#26 ·
For a couple reasons I would isolate that amp from its current surroundings by mounting it on a piece of MDF or whatever sheet material was handy. I usually cut it to fit the location and amp, paint it black (listening to the stones while doing it is optional), and mount it all together.
 
#27 ·
Not only the heat issue, but, what if you want to remove the back seat for a lot of gear on a few days trip? Also, what about the flexing of the seat rods you have it ziptied to. I am with UFOtestpilot. Mount a piece of sheet metal on the rods with some small cable clamps simlilar to these in the pic but small enough to fit the rod. I am sure you can find something at a local hardware store. Then, install small rubber isolators under the amp for vibration reduction.

 
#31 ·
Very nice, love the LJ's alot, and there are few of them out there. I have done alot to her that I have yet to post on here so feel free to ask away when the time arises!

And good luck with the HID kit, would love to see a picture when your done if you decide to do it!!
 
#33 ·
So the other day I got some LiteDOT LED tail lights. Installed them today in about 2 hours because I was rewiring alot of different things and making sure I could do it in the first place to have a license plate light.

Was fairly easy but would recommend a friend to help.

Here is a picture of the new tail lights compared to the stock ones and then both LiteDOT lights installed with the license relocation bracket and light installed also.





I would post on how i wired it but it would take up about a good while to write it up... will write it up one day but if you have questions just feel free to ask away!!
:drinks:
 
#34 ·
Well, now you've done it! Attracted a vast amount of noobs and unqualified shade tree mechanics. So I guess I'll fall right inline. First of all props to your LJ and the easy to follow instructions for the lift and other mods. :worthy: Now for my second question. These guides can be applied to an 05 LJ also...I am assuming?
 
#36 ·
Haha thanks man. I've ripped into my LJ a lot doing a vast variety of things that I haven't even put on here. But to answer ur question yes all of this information will apply to a 05 LJ. I hope some if the info is helpful and please let me know if any questions may arise!
 
#37 ·
I don't believe they do a have a integrated one for the TJ but to be honest u can easily modify some stuff up to keep the license plate right where it is stock and still have ur led lights and wire in a run in light for the license plate. If u decide on it let me know, can help u through it bc it was what I was ganna do before I out my license plate on the spare tire
 
#39 ·
This is not the integrated solution but a substitue.




From Stu-Offroad.com: Link here.

As for the license plate lighting, I picked up a $2 light at AutoZone and tapped it into the tail light wire going to the LED assembly. So, I now have legal lighting on my license plate. This simple task turned into an hour project. The package the light came in states that it snaps into a 1" hole. I stopped at my local Ace Hardware to get some Grade 8 bolts and remembered to pick up a 1" metal cutting hole saw. I drilled the hole and went to pop the light into place.....oops....seems it takes a hole about a 1/4" bigger than what I had made. So much for instructions on the back of the package. Oh well, what can I expect for $2....at least the light lit up when I tried it.
 
#40 ·
Since Ive put the new LiteDOT taillights in I havent done do much to the jeep but just the other day I got a little gift in the mail and was so happy to see it!!!
It was the new Bestop Trektop NX. I love it so much!






Only bad thing about the top tho is that when I was installing it it started to get cold at night and the fabric was very hard to fit to the jeep and had to pull on it for hours and even use a hair dryer to warm it up.

All in all, compared to the basic frame top I really like the frame less one alot more for the LJ because it gives it more of a aggressive stance on the jeep!

only con about it tho is that when you have all the windows in and you roll your windows down there is a whoooopp whoooppp sound that happens but is something that the company Bestop could do nothing to avoid bc of the design of the frame less top.


It is a good top and was very worth it!!!
If anyone needs a frame top for a LJ i have mine for sale but also if you have any questions about the Trektop NX just let me know and would love to help you out!!!
 
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