I am not sure where I will wind up taking this build. I am just kinda winging it and it could change dramatically before I am done.
I originally picked up the Jeep from my dad who bought it used. This is the 6th Jeep I've had and the 3rd Sahara. I've had a CJ7, YJ and 4 TJ's ranging from fully locked, longarmed, low geared trailer queens to stock.
When my dad bought it, it was completely stock. He put 32's AT's and some DCII's on it. I really hated those wheels. He also put a 3" lift and a winch.
I built him a basic 2x4 tube bumper for the rear. He then decided to sell the jeep so I bought it from him at a good price.
As I said, I hate those wheels and wanted some MT's but didn't want to spend much money since this was a secondary vehicle for me.
I have a buddy that runs BFG recaps on his defender and really like them so I bought some and put them on some stock JK rims that I picked up for free.
I bought some adapters and have been running those for the last year. They have been great.
I went down to the Jeepin Beach Jam in PCB this year and all the modified jeeps really made me miss some of my old TJ's so I decided to build this one up throughout this year. both cosmetically and functionally.
And yes, I know those are not Sahara seats. the sahara seats were so broke down, I replaced them with some old stockers I had in my garage.
I also needed to buy a SYE. I have an XJ shaft I can cut down.
Things I have purchased and received.
Chromoly's
SYE
Tube Fenders
rear control arms
The first thing I tackled was the rear tube flares. I bought the smittybilt ones. They arrived quickly and they were pretty easy to put on. video below.
I then bought and received the Barricade front tube fenders. They arrived quickly and with a little bit of banging around and cussing, I installed those as well.
I then cut the ends off of my bumper. I am still planning on building a 2x4 tube bumper to match the back but I am being very lazy right now. I also need to go ahead and build the rocker guards but see above about the laziness!
I have picked up a set of cooper ST 35's for free. I know they are not very aggressive and takes me back to an AT style tire but you cant beat the price.
They are 15's so I bought a set of soft 8's for 220 bucks new with free shipping to run them with until I find some cheap MT's
Now I need to decide what locker to buy for the front.
I am torn between the aussie and spartan. I am also up for any other lunchbox style as well. I am trying to keep this cheap. I have had ARB's before and they were great but too pricey. especially for polishing a D30.
I also need to save up a little cash to go ahead and order the 8.8.
I also still have the front half of a full cage I had in my last jeep that I may try to modify and put in this TJ.
Last thing for tonight, I have upgraded the steering with ZJ components and put a synthetic rope on the winch.
I will need to buy new track bars if I do go up to 4". I am still running stockers for now and I had some bad experiences with relocation brackets in the past.
Got the 35's on this week and blacked out the headlight bezels. I like the look of the 35's. Now I just have to work up the intestinal fortitude to spend the money on the rear axle!!!
I know it isn't exactly "build" related but I clay barred and waxed the jeep after the dusty trip to little river canyon.
I was sceptical but the results were awesome.
video on my youtube page
On a build note. I just received my dash mount kit for the front cage build. I bought the UCF ones. Arrived today. I am going to work on the cage this weekend...updates to come.
I have installed front and rear LEDs
just some cheap rears from Walmart and some chinese fronts but they work and look great.
I also built a dropdown tailgate that works great but the way I built the hinges looks like hell so I will be redoing those in the springtime probably.
I still haven't done any cool stuff like build the rest of my longarms or install my front locker and chromolys. all that stuff is in the garage while I am sitting here being lazy.
So my jeep is actually starting to come together from a strictly visual standpoint. I have to start working on the performance side of things.
recent additions.
-Pavement Ends Sprint top
-built a body mounted swing out tire carrier to work with the drop down tailgate.
-Added a subwoofer
-added a cool hood decal. lol.
I am actively searching for an 8.8 to build and will be starting on the suspension. Nothing major. homemade longarms up front and 4". I have to install the SYE sitting in the garage and get rid of the TC drop.
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