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My 1998 TJ Build

27K views 151 replies 28 participants last post by  Psring22 
#1 ·
Hi everyone I just bought my first Jeep today and so far its awesome. Its a 98 Sport and is basically stock except for smittybulit rear fenders, a k&n, and a banks header.

I'd like some suggestions on front tube fenders. I really like the metalcloaks because of the ease of install and the fact that I can quickly change fender flares out. The seller gave me a brand new set of smittybuilt front fenders but I don't like the way you have to cut the stock fenders.

Any suggestions on how I should mod this is much appreciated!

Pics will follow its just too cold out right now.
 
#2 ·
Alright so I ordered metalcloak front fenders that'll be here next week and I bought a 3.25" rough country lift that I'm hopefully going to throw on this weekend weather permitting. I'd like to throw on 35s...can I get away with leaving the stock 3.73 gearing for a couple months on road until I save for a regear?
 
#3 ·
I haven't really seen or heard of an unhappy MetalCloak customer. I can tell you their quality is great, so as long as you like the style, you will be happy with them.

The 35s will fit with no issues with the 3.25" lift.
I ran 33s with the 6cyl and 3.73 gears. It wasn't awful, but 5th gear was useless in the hills and not much grunt in 4lo.
Running 35s with that, you will see the same. Around town, it will be fine. You will notice the lack of power on the highway.
 
#4 ·
I agree with Patrick. I love my cloaks and would buy again in a heart beat. I run 33s because I have the turdy5, even with 33s 4.0 and 5 speed my fifth gear is useless. Planning on a 44/8.8 with regear before I'll even entertain 35s.

If you have a D35 rear I'd suggest doing some research before going to 35s. But hey if you break then upgrades are a must!
 
#5 ·
Here it is a couple days after I bought it.

Ya I'm eventually going to throw in G2 axles with lockers...probably d44s but that'll be down the road probably after my first deployment so I have a little more money in the bank. I'm just going to roll with the 3.73s right now and hope for the best...if its really bad ill regear it soon but if not ill regear in a few months probably in spring.
 

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#6 ·
After the lift...well most of it

So after many hours of working out in the cold and having basically no tools since I just moved up here, many sheared bolts later I managed to get the lift on. 3.25" rough country lift using fox 2.0 shocks instead of the RC shocks (I'm just going to sell them I have no use for them), fox stabilizer and new track bars. Unfortunately when I was attempting to install the transfer case drop four of the weld nuts broke off in the frame so I had to bring it in to the shop and they're currently welding on a frame repair kit on both sides so that I can install the drop. I would do it myself however I don't have access to any welders or anything so looks like its the shops problem. They also figured out that my brand new track bar is stripped out so I'll have to get RC to send me another one.

Ordered up my new tires yesterday...BFG KM2 35/12.50r15s and am still deciding on rims but should have those ordered up in the next day or so. Fenders will be in tomorrow and should be on next Tuesday when I get my 2 days off!

Also put in brand new JL C2 5.25 speakers all around which sound great I highly recommend them!
 

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#9 ·
Where are you located?
 
#11 ·
Ok. Found one but in state college, pa for 900
 
#19 ·
The G2 is definitely the way to go....or a built one from East Coast Gear Supply.

If you spend $1000 on that one, you'll have another $500 for gears (parts and labor), $1000 for a quality full case locker (give or take a few bucks). You're already at $2500 with stock shafts.

You can do a G2 with ARB, gears, and chromo shafts for $2600, or one with 35 spline chromos and new brakes for $3200. That is all bolt-in ready.
 
#23 ·
Nice I bet that comes in handy. So my front track bar is bad...shop told me when I was getting it realigned so I bought a new JKS one...that's what I get for going cheap with rough country. Also went on a shopping spree just because so I got a full set of currie control arms (my bushings were shot), and front and rear antilock sway bars because mine were rusted and needed new bushings.
 
#25 ·
Last weekend I put on a 1" daystar bl and 1" brown dog mml so I was able to take off my tc drop. I also put on my rear flares and have twisted stitch apex seats on order and am trying to think of a way to put a sub in. Either get a tuffy center console with the sub mount or figure something else out. Next weekend I'll be painting my dash and door panels black to match my carpet.
 

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