Hey from Massachusetts

Hey all! I've been lurking the last couple months reading through all your build threads / what did you do to your TJ today forums and learning quite a bit! Finally bought my first wrangler on Sunday, registered it on Monday! I've wanted a wrangler since before I could buy a car, but it took me a good 10 years to finally get one.

a 2004 SE manual (I still have my other car so it's definitely NOT a daily driver haha). I bought it from my best friend's husband who took care of it fairly well during high school but it sat for a couple years and he only has used it over the past year to drive a mile twice a week to work, essentially. The guy who owned it before him I believe kept it stock height, but updated some suspension components (it's got bilstein shocks and I believe a few other things).

Because it's an SE, I don't want to do too much to it (I also don't have a garage as I rent), but I'll definitely be changing out the shocks as they are rouuughh and probably updating a few other suspension components as it is at 188000 miles... also has a coolant leak somewhere that I've gotta address probably asap. I'm planning on having a mechanic do a full fluid flush on everything so I can start fresh.... but guys, this is a northeast jeep with practically 0 frame rust and some minor rust on the floor pans and that's about IT. I'm SO excited to finally own a TJ and be part of the club!!

RMETeeJay said:

Welcome and congrats! I like the black accents around the headlights and front quarter panels; not sure I've seen that before.

Since you're in the rust belt without a garage, I'm glad to hear it's not your daily driver. Most here will recommend the Rancho RS5000X shocks (I like mine), but also decreasing tire pressure to 26-28 really helps with harsh ride too.

Click to expand...

Thank you!! the black quarter panels are a result of my friend's husband's dad hitting a small pole and denting the original panels. When they got the jeep back up and running last year, they replaced both of them and just painted them black. I'll have to repaint as they did a pretty quick job of it, but I like them black so I'll prob keep it that way!

And yeah - not planning on taking it out in the winter either because of that! Ranchos are my number 1 choice right now for shocks thanks to this forum, and I'll definitely be reducing tire pressure as well as I'm pretty sure that's a huge reason why it rides pretty harshly! It's great with 3-4 people in it, but driving it by myself is a bit teeth chatter inducing, lol.

Flivver250 said:

Welcome aboard. Generations of my whole family are from Mass. Nice looking Jeep. Good plan to change all the fluids. Attack whatever rust you see with extreme prejudice. Rust never takes a vacation. Pressure test the cooling system and don't be afraid to go scorched earth policy on it if there are any questions. The entire cooling system is not expensive and easy to work on, with one exception, the heater core access is a PITA.

Click to expand...

Thanks, always been a fan of MA!!

Definitely planning on attacking rust as soon as possible...will thankfully be an easy job with this jeep comparatively, but I want to not have to deal with it in the future! Full cooling system overhaul definitely seems easy and worth doing as well with the age of the jeep. And I'll most likely be asking tons of questions over the next few months haha

Thanks for the welcome, everyone!!

Chris said:

Welcome to the forum!

For an SE, I would suggest nothing bigger than 31s and a 2" lift. However, the good thing is that I personally think that is the best look on a TJ, seriously. It's just enough without being overkill. TJs don't have the massive fenders like JKs and JLs which really command 35s in order to look proportionate.

Do that with a few minor mods like LED headlights, a bumper, and maybe a winch, and you'll be good to go!

Click to expand...

Yeah, honestly the 2in lift is the highest i would go even with the 4.0, I'm honestly debating just putting a 1.5 in body lift on but we'll see. I personally really enjoy the mostly stock look anyways! My plan is to find a good front/rear bumper... hopefully something lightweight.. but yeah, keeping all mods very basic and more or less just functional.

Those will come in time though... First is cleaning everything up mechanically and making sure the tiny bits of rust that are here and there are taken care of!!

Chris said:

I don't blame you. Once you go over 2" of lift it can really turn into a rabbit hole. Plus, you have to ask yourself what you actually want to do with the Jeep.

I think you're on the right path personally!

Click to expand...

Definitely - I know I won't be taking it off-road enough to even warrant putting anything more than a couple inches on anyways, at least not until a few years from now when I move to a place like VT or something! And with this being my first jeep and all, it'll be nice to really get a feel and learn how the suspension works before going crazy and lifting everything haha.

Liv2Ryd said:

Welcome. Recent TJ owner and forum member from Massatucky as well. Lots of good wheelin around these parts...

Click to expand...

I may have to PM you! Would love to know where you go, but I know people in MA tend to keep quiet about any spots. I'm up in the Leominster area and there's not a ton around here that I know of, anyways, haha!

Axeman said:

Welcome from another MA Jeeper. When you replace the shocks, I recommend clear coating them with Rustoleum clear spray paint before installing them. Everything rusts within a year up here. I just finished up treating surface rust on my frame if you check out my build thread. I'm not sure how in depth you can get without a garage, but every little bit helps. Good luck!

Click to expand...

Thanks!! and good call out ... would not have thought of doing that before throwing them on. I just was browsing your thread... I might just drop mine up there for a few days and have you treat my frame as well haha, in all honesty though, there's a body shop/undercoating shop right up the road from me I might take it to. If I had my own place I'd definitely be doing the work myself, but it may be worth it to have them do it at this point. My landlord uses them for his truck and his undercarriage looks flawless.