04’ JMT’s Twin Teenagers Build

[JMT]

@JMT’s twins are turning 16 in September and I’ve been looking for a TJ in the PNW. They go like hot cakes as anyone who has liked lately knows. Finding something unmolested is even tougher, and the good ones go in hours. I was in line for several and never even got a look. Finally got first in line on a 2004 Stone White, 4.0, 162,000 miles, 42rle, stock except 32’s, hardtop, and a little rough. It had huge potential so I bought it for them as a surprise.

They were blown away. Day 1 sitting at the new home. Little does she know what we have planned.

Washing is always a good start.

 

[Cross-Threaded-06TJ]

Lucky young men! Too cool.

 

[JMT]

Day 2

They got to work quick. Removed the stupid step that would get creamed on a trail, removed seats, carpet, console, the whole 9 yards and started cleaning. Carpets took Bissel cleaning detergent, power wash, and vacuum. People are so dirty. Neglect had set in. Looks amazing now, considering. The plan now is to figure out a plan. What do we want to do with this Jeep?

 

[Irun]

Best build ever!

 

[Alex01]

It would look really good with the following.
- OME 2"
- Aluminum 1.5” Spacer
- Currie AntiRock
- MC Front Trackbar
- Core 4x4 Rear Trackbar (Tier 4)
- Currie Angled Rear Trackbar Relocation Bracket
- Savvy 1.25" Body Lift
- MC Control Arms (all double adjustable)
- Rancho 5000X Shocks (55239/55241)
- 1.25” Savvy Body Lift
- 1" Brown Dog Motor Mount Lift
- ZJ Tie Rod Conversion
- Rubicon Express Rear Sway Bar Links

If only they could find those parts all used at a family discount.

Looking forward to following this build. What an awesome first car/father son(s) project.

 

[JMT]

I’ve been storing up parts for awhile, just in case the twins would be interested in a TJ. I gave a lot away before this thought came to mind. When I mentioned this build on the forum, the rain came in. @DrDmoney, @Alex01, @bobthetj03, and @rasband, all offering up parts, either for free or virtually nothing. @DrDmoney has been super gracious to me in my own personal build, and he supplied a number of parts for this one. This is a great community

Days 3-6:

Everyones in homeschool, so not much time to build, but definitely time to think and work out a plan. We came up with 3.

Since the rig already has 32’s with 16-17/32’s, and I saw a Rubi on 32’s run the Escalator at Moab without issue in under 3.5 minutes, I’ve always wanted to do a 32 build. It's not reasonable for them to go to 33's now with the Dana 30/35 combo. @CodaMan build is well-known as a solid budget-friendly 32" build. We looked carefully at that. My original build started off with 31's, so it also contains some good ideas. Here they are:

3.25" - $540
Rancho 5000X 0-2" $250
2" Procomp (or researched spring that is longer with lower spring rate) $260
Rear Trackbar Relocation Bracket $30
Savvy 1.25" BL
Spacer
Bumpstops

3" (Version A) - $840
Rancho 5000X 2-4" $250
2" Procomp (or researched spring that is longer with lower spring rate) $260
1" Spacer (or whatever we need to get near 3")
Rear Trackbar Relocation Bracket $30
SYE
Drive Shaft $300 (the one we have from @DrDmoney may work, but you never know till you mate it up and measure).
MC Adjustable Front Trackbar
Bumpstops

3" (Version B) -
Rancho 5000X 2-4" $250
2" Procomp (or researched spring that is longer with lower spring rate) $260
1" Spacer (or whatever we need to get near 3")
1" MML (Savvy or JKS Spacer) - the goal here is to try to eliminate any vibes at 3". If we can't we will try the SYE and Drive Shaft @DrDmoneyprovided and see if it works. Otherwise, a small TCase drop will be in the cards till we get our $$$ ducks in a row.
Rear Trackbar Relocation Bracket $30
MC Adjustable Front Trackbar
Bumpstops

While it was a debate between the 3.25" and the 3" (Version B), they finally settled on the Version B so they wouldn't have to buy new shocks if and when they jump to 33's.

 

[Apparition]

I have the disconnects from my metalcloak lift somewhere if you’d want them.

 

[JMT]

@Alex01, as you can see, is way above the curve and ahead of the game. You should check out his build if you want to learn something. He’s been at this a long time. As implied, we scrapped all those wonderful build plans and decided to basically move my lift over incrementally, while I did the unthinkable and went to 4” Currie. Those who know me, know this is a step I’ve been pushing back for awhile, but this thread is not about me. This is about two 15 1/2 year olds who got a Jeep.

 

[Starrs]

@Alex01, as you can see, is way above the curve and ahead of the game. You should check out his build if you want to learn something. He’s been at this a long time. As implied, we scrapped all those wonderful build plans and decided to basically move my lift over incrementally, while I did the unthinkable and went to 4” Currie. Those who know me, know this is a step I’ve been pushing back for awhile, but this thread is not about me. This is about two 15 1/2 year olds who got a Jeep.

Still one of my favorite colors. 2” lift would do it wonders. I’ll be watching this one

 

[Vasq]

So glad you finally found a good one! Will definitely be following along.
I'm starting to have "extra" jeep parts cluttering up my garage as well, although it looks like you have a lot. I'll jump in if I catch you needing something! So excited!

 

[Thunderhead]

 

[JMT]

Day 7:

We have a lot to do. Well, they do. I made them research cleaning the engine, and they followed to a T the instructions from another forum post. People are so neglectful of these TJ’s. It turned out nicer than mine.

Before:

After:

 

[Cheetokps]

Day 7:

We have a lot to do. Well, they do. I made them research cleaning the engine, and they followed to a T the instructions from another forum post. It turned out nicer than mine.

Before:
View attachment 235850
After:
View attachment 235851

Damn I've been thinking about cleaning out my engine bay, but this definitely makes me want to do it. What a difference it made

 

[JMT]

Days 8, 9, 10, Et al.

driving and more driving. They have to drive 50 hours each. With rising gas prices it’s not too fun, so we try to let them drive when we have to go somewhere. Anyone can see how easy it is to drive an automatic. They will have to keep driving my manual too, though it’s often embarrassing and scary. One of them downshifted from 2nd into 1st when they thought they were going into 3rd. Painful screeching in traffic.

Also gathering fluids and replacement parts this week in prep for the weekend warrior projects.

 

[Squatch]

Days 8, 9, 10, Et al.

driving and more driving. They have to drive 50 hours each. With rising gas prices it’s not too fun, so we try to let them drive when we have to go somewhere. Anyone can see how easy it is to drive an automatic. They will have to keep driving my manual too, though it’s often embarrassing and scary. One of them downshifted from 2nd into 1st when they thought they were going into 3rd. Painful screeching in traffic.

Also gathering fluids and replacement parts this week in prep for the weekend warrior projects.

Learning to drive a manual will make 'em better drivers, and open up a whole new selection of future vehicles to own. Good on ya, Dad, for teaching 'em!

 

[400DGRZ]

Nice! I have the same color. Spraying those bumpers and flares with a fresh coat of black will do it wonders. Then you’ll want to do the same to the hardtop lol. Congrats

 

[Cheetokps]

Nice! I have the same color. Spraying those bumpers and flares with a fresh coat of black will do it wonders. Then you’ll want to do the same to the hardtop lol. Congrats

I saw a tip on here about just using a magic eraser for the hardtop, and I have not done my entire top yet but the small section I did so far made a huge difference with just a little bit of work. Not sure how long it will last or anything though

 

[JMT]

Day 14:

So much to do. The flares were toast on this thing. We could have painted them, but materials were $75, and it’s not worth it when you can get new for $120-130. The Crown get some negative fitment reviews, but the Rugged Ridge get much better reviews, and all new stainless hardware. Remarkably, not one nutsert stripped. I told them to tighten each slightly, and then loosen. After they took the old ones off, I cleaned the area and went to town with a wool disc and compound. It’s best to do it now before the new flares bc it flings everywhere. Jeep is totally changed aesthetically.

 

[JMT]

Day 14 continued...

A goal is to stay light, so the stock bumper is getting cut at the same angle as stock and Mopar stubby end caps. Today we made the cut and mocked up the caps. We’ll remove the bumper and repaint soon.

 

[Wildman]

What do the twins charge to detail a rig?? Mine hasn't look that nice since I first bought it.