I figured I'd start a journal on my TJ, not so much to highlight my ride but to keep a journal to help me remember shtuff.
Hit a perfect storm of boredom and some disposable income, and I had never owned a Jeep before, I dove head-first into the kiddie pool and wound up with a 140k 2003 X 4.0L 5MT. First pic on the day I got it (29 July 2021):
Some bits already on the Jeep when I bought it:
31x10.5R15 Grabber AT2s
Teraflex adjustable front track bar
Teraflex steering stabilizer
Rancho 5000Xs
BesTop TrekTop NX
Smittybilt cargo net
Kenwood single-DIN
As 140k-mile 20-year old vehicles go, some things needed fixing/replacing. A few months after purchase, I noted that it was marking its territory with various fluids. As such, noticing oil marks, the valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, and rear main seal were replaced. Next was to address the coolant leak coming from the A/C drain. After referring to the Chilton's and seeing how involved the heater core replacement is, I plumbed a bypass and now wear an extra layer of clothes than I usually would for the ambient temperature. I had the Jeep checked out by a local shop and told, by somewhere more versed in Jeeps than myself, that it is in good shape for its age save for the front axle and pinion seals that are slightly weeping, so those will eventually need to be fixed (possibly via gear swap). The next maintenance project will be addressing a P0138 code and replacing the O2 sensors.
Time to mod and upgrade. I'm a lumenphile so, even with the halogen H4 "upgrade" the previous owner did, the headlights NEEDED to be addressed. Previously owning an NA8 Miata, I knew the 7" round headlight market well. As tempting as Morimoto Super7 Bi-LEDs is, I didn't feel they matched the "vibe" of the TJ. Opting for a more economical and understated solution, I pulled the trigger on these 7" LEDs from Amazon. Adequate for now, but entirely in love with the beam pattern. These may eventually go away for, not then available, Holley Retrobrights.
Already ordered and awaiting delivery is a complete ZJ steering upgrade. After that, I might look into freshening up the OE suspension bushings (i.e., control arms, end links) or upgrading with beefier aftermarket bits.
40,000-foot view of plans is to keep the 31s and run them off and maybe a moderate 2"-2.5" lift (can't decide how or with what) before going full Kirk Lazarus with a big lift, regear, and 35s... or not. Time will tell, but for now, this is here.
::List as of 13 February 2021::
Engine:
Brakes:
Drivetrain:
Suspension:
Exterior:
Interior:
Wheels and Tires:
Previous/Removed Parts:
Future Plans:
Hit a perfect storm of boredom and some disposable income, and I had never owned a Jeep before, I dove head-first into the kiddie pool and wound up with a 140k 2003 X 4.0L 5MT. First pic on the day I got it (29 July 2021):
Some bits already on the Jeep when I bought it:
31x10.5R15 Grabber AT2s
Teraflex adjustable front track bar
Teraflex steering stabilizer
Rancho 5000Xs
BesTop TrekTop NX
Smittybilt cargo net
Kenwood single-DIN
As 140k-mile 20-year old vehicles go, some things needed fixing/replacing. A few months after purchase, I noted that it was marking its territory with various fluids. As such, noticing oil marks, the valve cover gasket, oil pan gasket, and rear main seal were replaced. Next was to address the coolant leak coming from the A/C drain. After referring to the Chilton's and seeing how involved the heater core replacement is, I plumbed a bypass and now wear an extra layer of clothes than I usually would for the ambient temperature. I had the Jeep checked out by a local shop and told, by somewhere more versed in Jeeps than myself, that it is in good shape for its age save for the front axle and pinion seals that are slightly weeping, so those will eventually need to be fixed (possibly via gear swap). The next maintenance project will be addressing a P0138 code and replacing the O2 sensors.
Time to mod and upgrade. I'm a lumenphile so, even with the halogen H4 "upgrade" the previous owner did, the headlights NEEDED to be addressed. Previously owning an NA8 Miata, I knew the 7" round headlight market well. As tempting as Morimoto Super7 Bi-LEDs is, I didn't feel they matched the "vibe" of the TJ. Opting for a more economical and understated solution, I pulled the trigger on these 7" LEDs from Amazon. Adequate for now, but entirely in love with the beam pattern. These may eventually go away for, not then available, Holley Retrobrights.
Already ordered and awaiting delivery is a complete ZJ steering upgrade. After that, I might look into freshening up the OE suspension bushings (i.e., control arms, end links) or upgrading with beefier aftermarket bits.
40,000-foot view of plans is to keep the 31s and run them off and maybe a moderate 2"-2.5" lift (can't decide how or with what) before going full Kirk Lazarus with a big lift, regear, and 35s... or not. Time will tell, but for now, this is here.
::List as of 13 February 2021::
Engine:
Brakes:
Drivetrain:
Suspension:
- Rancho 5000X shocks
- Teraflex front adjustable trackbar
- Teraflex steering stabilizer
Exterior:
- BesTop TrekTop NX soft top
- WHDZ 7" LED headlights (01 September 2021, 141k)
Interior:
- Kenwood single-DIN
- Smittybilt cargo net
Wheels and Tires:
- BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 31x10.5x15 tires (12 February 2022, 141k)
General Grabber AT2 31x10.5x15 tires- Mamba Off-road MR1X 15x8 +0 wheels (12 February 2022, 141k)
Previous/Removed Parts:
- OE Bumper "Milk Jugs"
Future Plans:
- ZJ steering upgrade (have it, just need to put it in)
- Moderate lift (undecided on which of how)
- Bumpers (rear with integrated hitch and tire carrier, front with winch plate)
- World Domination
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