Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Tom95YJ's "The Smurf" Build

86K views 521 replies 64 participants last post by  Tom95YJ 
#1 ·
Ok guys I am starting a build thread for my 89 islander edition Dubbed The Smurf the name stems from an obvious resemblance to a smurf ! This is my 6th Jeep and 2nd YJ , I have been around the block a few times so I am not new to this Obsession as my wife would say.

Heres the back story with a little of idea of how it will be morphing over the next little bit of time :


Last May, I had traded my Auto-X Project/DD Miata for a Pretty clean '89 Wrangler Islander . After looking for someone to trade for almost 2 years I found someone was willing to trade.

Specs on the YJ :

1989 Islander Edition (Pacfic Blue A.K.A. Smurf Blue )
4.2Lw/ Ba10 (works for now)
Hardtop with Full steel doors
208,000 miles
RUST FREE minus the P/S front fender

The Bad : Jeep would not idle on its own, and front axle would not engage in 4 wheel drive. Minor repairs that would scare away most who are not too knowledge able with Jeeps .

My Plan for this Jeep is to keep it simple, and a Budget friendly since it will be DD/ Medium Duty trail rig I had several thousand in my 95 YJ and I was given a Ramen Noodle/ Steel Reserve budget with this one since I am now a Home Owner, Have 2 Kids , and I make about 1/2 as much as I used to 7 years ago. My 95 was build on a Filet Mignon and Topshelf Bourbon Budget.


Mods I intend on doing will be :

4" Lift
TJ Flares
PSC Rear 1/4 gaurds & Sliders
4:10 gears (4banger Axles at first 8.8 rear later on)
F/R Lockers (Spartans)
SYE w/ XJ shaft
TJ Grizzly wheels
Bedlined Interior
Front and rear Bumpers (2x4 boxed steel front stubby with Swing out carrier rear)
8000# winch
Bestop Supertop w 2 piece soft doors

Here are some pics from the first day once I got home with it.



 
See less See more
3
#303 ·
Well I guess it's time to stop being lazy get to work. The Sye arrived , I have a new yoke for the 35 to hold me over until I decide on if I'll continue with the 8.8 or just go one ton. While I'm at it I should stop being lazy and throw in the new clutch/slave/flywheel I've had for a year.
 

Attachments

#308 · (Edited)
New fenders arrived time to cut some steel !
 

Attachments

#310 ·
Nice! Lots of Jeeps are blacked out, so it's nice to see something different. It works really well with the island blue.
 
#312 ·
Well the instructions say to install fully then remove and paint then reinstall. So obviously they are still raw. I may clear coat them and stay with the raw finish like my lightbar. Until I get back from Easter jeep safari. By then it'll be warm enough to paint body colored and do the flare section black. I'm also planning on a clear 3/4" marker light that illuminates Amber since I lost be side market. I love how aggressive it looks. The only down fall is I'm starting to regret not getting the inners from Psc reusing the factory ones is a pita. Quality is great They they were missing hardware but a call to PSC and they are on their way. 4wd hardware also sent the incorrect spider inserts for a TJ so they had to be reordered I should have them by Tuesday
 
#311 ·
Looks great!!!
 
#318 · (Edited)
What's taped up will be black. One day this week (when the hardware arrives I'll have them completely finished minus paint
 

Attachments

#323 ·
Lastnight i sprayed the fenders with plasti dip to get an idea of how I want to paint them. I can't decide on all black or blue with black flare.
 

Attachments

#324 · (Edited)
My correct inserts arrived today

And threw on another coat of blue plastidip. I'm gonna go with the body color and black flare when I paint
 

Attachments

#328 · (Edited)
Alright everyone I got the tube fenders finished up. I love how she looks but I feel a stinger bumper will be in the future.
 

Attachments

#329 · (Edited)
I forgot to post the other day that I ordered some 3/4" clear lens Amber led side markers to go in the front of the fenders to match the current clear turn signals. Since all the other lights are clear. While I was bored I decided to get some clear lens tails to replace my current ones. AutoSmart-KL-25108C-RK
 

Attachments

#332 · (Edited)
I drove The Smurf to work today you can see took some pics in the fog on the way. Since we were doing a major system update they let us go early , So I came home to some new parts.
 

Attachments

#335 · (Edited)
Unfortunately , for the 2nd year in a row I've had to push off regearing/ my 8.8 swap. I'm hoping to get it done sometime this year. I just gotta pay off some medical bills we racked up over 50k in medical bills last year. Im still trying to decide on what direction to go. Wether I stick with the 30 and do the 8.8 and stay on 35's which will do a lot of the trails i want to run or go full width onetons on 40's. That will make it illegal to run on the road and I would need a truck and trailer .
 
#337 ·
Looks good man.... how much of a PIA are the flat tube fenders?
I'm considering them for my 95. I will have to make a new front bumper to match though. Also was thinking about doing flat fenders in the back too. Not sure they will match up with the BTW.. the black front fenders look great on your smurf "blue" jeep!

Todd
 
#338 · (Edited)
Looks good man.... how much of a PIA are the flat tube fenders? I'm considering them for my 95. I will have to make a new front bumper to match though. Also was thinking about doing flat fenders in the back too. Not sure they will match up with the BTW.. the black front fenders look great on your smurf "blue" jeep! Todd
They weren't really that bad todo. The ps I did without any help so trying to line up the inner fender and tube fender to get bolts in was a pain. On the driverside I nominated my wife put the bolts in as I held the skin to the fender and positioned it so that side went in way easier I'm gonna say it was about a 4-1/2hr total job
 
#339 ·
Took some pics infront of a local guys graffiti art mural.
 

Attachments

Top