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4 Cylinder Build on the Cheap

7K views 41 replies 9 participants last post by  Clutch 
#1 · (Edited)
Greetings all. I have been lurking on here for a couple months and figured I would make a build thread for my newest acquisition. It's a 2000 Jeep Wrangler SE, 4 cyl, 5 speed, 2" budget boost, 156K, and lots of rust. This is the third TJ I've owned and I believe the 11th Jeep I have owned. Mainly XJ's. Below are some picture of my prior Jeeps and the new one is the Green TJ at the end.
 

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#3 ·
More pics of the current TJ when I bought it. Came from West Virginia and has plenty of rust on it. Guy I bought it from bought the Jeep for the hardtop and wheels/tires, so I got it with no top and crappy wheels/tires. I didn't pay much for it, so I figured it was a nice place to start a cheap Jeep build.
 

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#4 ·
Once I got the Jeep shipped to me in TX, I got it inspected, did some routine maintenance and found a cheap bikini top for it. I noticed that the Jeep was overheating and ended up pulling the head (it was cracked) and putting in a new cylinder head, radiator, water pump, etc. Jeep ran great after I swapped the head and haven't had any issues since. The whole point of this project is to build a toy for cheap that I can take to the beach and enjoy on the weekends. The Jeeps I had prior were built up very well (big tires, bumpers and lockers) and i sunk a bunch of money into them. This time I want to do it cheap. Next on my list was bigger tires and new wheels. Picked up a set of 33" Goodyear MTR's on black street locks for $200 in Houston (about an hour from me). I couldn't pass on the price and it was interesting stuffing them in my Honda Civic (daily driver) and getting them back to Beaumont. I was able to sell my factory wheels and tires for $75, which offset the price of the MTR's. As well, I picked up a tonneau cover since I only have a bikini top on the jeep (it is stored under a car park).
 

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#7 ·
Recent work that I have completed have been upgrading the stereo to a new Alpine head unit with bluetooth, installed a Tuffy half console that I got for a steal on eBay, picked up a used drivers side fender from another member on here then spray painted it green and installed it (old one was terribly rusted and the previous owner thought bondo would fix it, lol), and picked up a set of half doors (need to be painted but now I have two sets of doors).
 

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#8 ·
Next on the list of things to do are weld in new floor pans, fix the frame rust (probably going with safety caps from autorust), install a proper 3" to 4" lift (likely going to use Zone or DPG for the lift), and likely new tires (the 33's were a good deal but they don't have much tread left)
 
#9 ·
More recent pictures. Did some work over the weekend. Plasti-dipped the doors black (didn't really want to plasti dip but they turned out pretty good for $15 worth of paint and look better than white doors). Wet sanded the fender and waiting on flares to dry.
 

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#14 ·
So I wanted to give everyone an update on the plans for the short future. I picked up a set of front and rear 2.5" OME springs. I am planning to piece together the Ultimate kit from DPG Offroad. I have known Dirk for years and used to wheel at his proving grounds, so I always like to buy from him (I am from Wichita, KS). The only downside is that I am currently unemployed, so it will take a little time to piece together this kit from Dirk. I will post up pics of what I buy, install, etc.
 
#17 ·
Newest update. I installed the 2.5" Old Man Emu springs front and rear. I went with the HD springs, in case I get a heavy duty bumper and winch in the future. First impressions are that the jeep rides awesome (even with old Skyjacker shocks). I love how the jeep looks now and rides much better. So glad I went with OME. I will be installing a 1.25" body lift and 1" motor mount lift this week. After that and as funds allow, OME shocks, metal cloak front and rear track bars and new sway bar links (discos front and extended links rear). Picture is how the jeep sits after the springs were installed. Before measurement from the top of the tire to the bottom of the fender flare: 3.5" front and 5.5" rear (had 2" coil spacers before). After measurements from the top of the tire to the bottom of the fender flare: 5.25" front and 7" rear. So overall I picked up about 1.5" of additional lift. Also noticed that when the previous owner installed the budget boost, they took out the bump stop jounce cups and bump stops front and rear and just installed the bump stop spacers in their place (no bump stops left on). So I'll be heading to the junk yard to pick some off an XJ or ZJ this week. All in all the install went well. I havent put a lift on a jeep in about a decade and I'm sore as hell now. Last time I did this I was 21 (I'm 32 years old now and am starting to feel it lol). My step dad helped me and we had fun together.
 

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#18 ·
Another update. This build has taken a slight delay, as I picked up an XJ for a DD and have been getting it cleaned up and ready to drive daily.

As far as the TJ, after I put on the OME springs, I started searching for a passenger side fender (the original is rusted but not as bad as the drivers side was), some half door upper windows, sound bar speakers and possibly some rock sliders.

I was able to find a white fender from a 1998 TJ in good condition on craigslist for $40 (needs cleaned up and painted so I'll be doing that this weekend), khaki upper half doors with frames in new condition for $15 (score!), and some Memphis 5.25" component speakers for the sound bar on amazon for $40 (not pictured but they sound awesome).

Then I found a set of used Warn rock sliders on craigslist for $100. They just needed sanding and painting to cover some surface rust. So the cheap build continues!!

Next upgrades will be new trackbars front and rear, sway bar disconnects, and OME shocks.
 

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#26 ·
Another update. This build has taken a slight delay, as I picked up an XJ for a DD and have been getting it cleaned up and ready to drive daily. As far as the TJ, after I put on the OME springs, I started searching for a passenger side fender (the original is rusted but not as bad as the drivers side was), some half door upper windows, sound bar speakers and possibly some rock sliders. I was able to find a white fender from a 1998 TJ in good condition on craigslist for $40 (needs cleaned up and painted so I'll be doing that this weekend), khaki upper half doors with frames in new condition for $15 (score!), and some Memphis 5.25" component speakers for the sound bar on amazon for $40 (not pictured but they sound awesome). Then I found a set of used Warn rock sliders on craigslist for $100. They just needed sanding and painting to cover some surface rust. So the cheap build continues!! Next upgrades will be new trackbars front and rear, sway bar disconnects, and OME shocks.
Subbed!
My 98TJ sport is that color, but the full doors are the OD green. I've gotta pick one color fairly soon. Lolz
Keep us posted..
 
#19 ·
Awesome thread. Thanks for sharing.

What did the jeep originally cost? Please keep us updated.....

i really wish I could have gone this route. I love doing projects on the cheap.Once you are finished you want feel bad about your investment and have much more fun.(Unlike me with my jeep)
 
#20 ·
Thanks. Happy to share. I paid $2300 for the jeep. I bought it on eBay and took a risk, but so far it's been worth it. I like that I bought it cheap and get to build it the way I want it. I know the feeling of not buying a project, in the past I've had some expensive Jeeps that were money pits (big lifts, 35's, re-gears, lockers, bumpers, etc)
 
#21 ·
Update. I got a new job so I have some cash flow coming in again. The build continues. Finally put a soft top on my TJ. Best part is that it's a factory khaki top, with complete frame, door surrounds, tail gate bar and tinted windows. I picked it up for $25. It was the deal of the century.
 

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#22 ·
Newest update. The time has come to replace the rusted floorboards. I took a welding class in high school but hardly remember anything. I enrolled in a welding class at a local community college this fall and I am going to learn to MIG weld again. Figure it would be a great skill to learn and since I do everything else on my jeeps myself, might as well do this. Once I start the class, I will start looking for a good MIG welder with gas, get the floorboards and start welding! I will post up pics of the entire process
 
#25 ·
Got my OME shocks installed and they ride amazing. Definitely glad I went with them and they pair nicely with my OME coil springs. Also installed my CB, antenna and got it tuned up.

I ended up cutting access panels in the rear floors, as I broke one of my upper shock bolts and didn't feel like extracting it. I used a dremel to grind off the old weld nuts and installed the shocks with stainless steel hardware. I will use RTV sealant and sheet metals screws to fasten aluminum covers for the holes to make changing the shocks super easy next time (its a pretty common trick that I used on my XJ rear shocks). I will be installing the JKS disconnects in the front and extended swaybar links for the rear sometime this week to get it ready for a wheeling trip this Saturday. Pics of the shock mod I did:



 
#30 ·
Pictures of the final product with RTV gasket sealer and sheet metal screws securing the aluminum access panels to the floors. What I have noticed most about the OME shocks is how they absorb the small bumps in the road and I barely feel them. Daddy likey

 
#31 ·
Put JKS sway bar disconnects on my TJ. And a picture of how my TJ current sits. Upcoming mods include ZJ tie rod upgrade, metalcloak front and rear track bars, new steering stabilizer, alignment, new floor boards, frame repairs (autorust caps), and some other odds and ends as funds allow



 
#37 ·
This thread turned out as disapointing as the transplanted Turbo from a PT Cruiser that got sold right as it was finished Thread. All us 4 bangers following wanted to get some pointers. LOL

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