[cvsahara]

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.

 

[cvsahara]

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.

 

[cvsahara]

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.

 

[cvsahara]

When I got back home I made a short list of parts to buy first

tube fenders front and rear
D30 chromoly's
D30 lunch box
8.8 from ECGS 4.88
adjustable rear Control arms
35's

Things to build:

rocker protection
front bumper
front long arms (scavenge some parts off an old rockcrawler I used to have)

Things I already have in my garage:

Dana 30 with 4.88's
soft doors
JK style parking lights
wrecked 97 Sahara parts jeep for odds and ends.

 

[cvsahara]

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1FuZx9yNjQ&list=PL_kf9VhClVRZ755BP0phwTwlOn0DUVAZ1&index=13

 

[cvsahara]

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m--OT3XU2E&index=12&list=PL_kf9VhClVRZ755BP0phwTwlOn0DUVAZ1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EopLz_PVDBE&index=11&list=PL_kf9VhClVRZ755BP0phwTwlOn0DUVAZ1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ixNVFitP6M&index=10&list=PL_kf9VhClVRZ755BP0phwTwlOn0DUVAZ1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnUod5cHUXM&index=9&list=PL_kf9VhClVRZ755BP0phwTwlOn0DUVAZ1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT95T3jcOvg&index=8&list=PL_kf9VhClVRZ755BP0phwTwlOn0DUVAZ1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPdMLoDSkAU&index=7&list=PL_kf9VhClVRZ755BP0phwTwlOn0DUVAZ1

 

[cvsahara]

After I finished the Tube fenders I needed parking lights so I took some LED JK lights I had in my garage and modified them to work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orgcw8sefgI&list=PL_kf9VhClVRZ755BP0phwTwlOn0DUVAZ1&index=5

 

[cvsahara]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNFA3TIiOn8&list=PL_kf9VhClVRZ755BP0phwTwlOn0DUVAZ1&index=4

 

[cvsahara]

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!

Here is how the jeep sits:

 

[cvsahara]

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCDteKeBhV4&list=PL_kf9VhClVRZ755BP0phwTwlOn0DUVAZ1&index=14

I will be mounting them in about a week and seeing what they look like.

I failed to mention that I have some 4" springs to go with the homemade Longarms up front and the adjustables in the rear.

If I dont like them then I will stick with the 33" recaps for now.
As I said, I am just winging this build.

 

[cvsahara]

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.

 

[cvsahara]

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.

And one more pic from JBJ for good measure!

 

[cvsahara]

Debating if i should black out my chrome headlight trim.

Any opinions?

 

[KCwheeln]

Looking good.

 

[cvsahara]

Looking good.

Thanks,

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!!!

 

[cvsahara]

We took a trip to little river canyon in AL. The river is dry due to the drought so the water crossings became nothing but a photo op.

I posted a couple of more videos on my Youtube.

Check them out here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/cvsahara

 

[cvsahara]

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.

 

[cvsahara]

Started work on the cage. kinda ghetto but it is gonna be fine and look good. Gotta video up of it.

www.youtube.com/cvsahara

I will have it done with one more day of working on it.

I'll post some pics soon

 

[cvsahara]

Cage is done minus the frame mounts and painting.

I have also mainly finished the rocker guards/rock sliders.

I think I may start working on a drop down tailgate. Nothing like having multiple projects all in various incomplete stages.

new videos up at the youtube channel www.youtube.com/cvsahara

question, should I do led headlights or dropdown tailgate next?

 

[cvsahara]

a few updates.

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.

videos of all this can be seen on my youtube.

youtube.com/cvsahara