2004 Columbia Edition Build

[mde8965]

So a few days ago I bought a 2004 Columbia Edition patriot blue with slate grey accents. It was all stock except for some 30x9.5” tires. 50,100 miles. 2 owners locally here in the Tampa Bay FL area. 4.0, Auto trans (4spd), 3.73’s, trak-lok rear diff, Dana 30/35. New top (smittybilt). 7 speaker stereo with sub (center console). Runs and drives nice. Doors have never been off (hinge bolts untouched). Aftermarket head unit ((Pioneer) with Bluetooth, USB and aux input, integrated phone and Siri hands free support. It sounds good.

The Jeep drives real nice. No rust anywhere. The paint is decent. Shines real nice. Original. But seems like lots of nicks, blems and scratches. Looks pristine from 10 feet+.

I am guessing it has never been off-road unless it was a beach. I likewise will not have it off-road much. Maybe a beach or very mild dirt trails. Not into rock crawling and such. I will likely have the top down or at least the windows out more often than not and the doors off too. This is my 3rd vehicle (BMW X3 and Dodge Challenger Scat Pack are primary and secondary). One of the things that attracted me to the Jeep besides the top down aspect is the ability to go through standing water particularly with a lift and larger tires. Down here in Florida that can be very important when the roads flood in the summer.

My plans for this build are to lift it probably 2” and run 32x11.5 tires with 15x8 wheels with less backspacing than stock to insure no rubbing. Other than that I will just make little improvements here and there and attempt to eventually bring it back to pristine from any distance.

First the maintenance
Change diff oil with Royal Purple 70w140.
New air filter (done 3/3)
Clean throttle body and IAC.
Replace the spark plugs
Replace serpentine belt.
New transfer case fluid
Replace transmission fluid (no filter)
The above I wil do myself

Flush cooling system
Replace all hoses
Flush brake system
Replace front brake pads with better
Will hire these done

I have been busy ordering parts (these will be here in the coming week)
Tow hooks
LED headlights (Trail Lite knockoffs)
LED taillights (Quadratech)
Doors off mirrors
Interior LEDs (changing all)
Door entry guards
Stock Mopar side steps (hey, I like em)
Grab handles
Armadillo bumper end caps
Fog light covers/guards (grated kind)
5 Dick Cepek DC-2 wheels (15x8, 3.625BS)

Stuff yet to be ordered/done
Lift kit (either OME 2.5” light duty or local shop recommend - no BL or trans drop yet unless needed)
Tires (BFG KO2 - will buy from local tire shop and have them mount on new wheels and install - lift has to happen first)
Tint front windows (its Florida)
New soft top (Bestop twill)
Tubular grill guard (on stock bumper)
Tube doors (rugged ridge)
chrome grille (not sure - opinions welcome)
Eventually - possible respray stock colors

So below are some pics of what I have to start with (note I took the back seat out - just in case somebody asks if it was missing when I got the Jeep...).

 

[fxrsliberty]

So a few days ago I bought a 2004 Columbia Edition patriot blue with slate grey accents. It was all stock except for some 30x9.5” tires. 50,100 miles. 2 owners locally here in the Tampa Bay FL area. 4.0, Auto trans (4spd), 3.73’s, trak-lok rear diff, Dana 30/35. New top (smittybilt). 7 speaker stereo with sub (center console). Runs and drives nice. Doors have never been off (hinge bolts untouched). Aftermarket head unit ((Pioneer) with Bluetooth, USB and aux input, integrated phone and Siri hands free support. It sounds good.

The Jeep drives real nice. No rust anywhere. The paint is decent. Shines real nice. Original. But seems like lots of nicks, blems and scratches. Looks pristine from 10 feet+.

I am guessing it has never been off-road unless it was a beach. I likewise will not have it off-road much. Maybe a beach or very mild dirt trails. Not into rock crawling and such. I will likely have the top down or at least the windows out more often than not and the doors off too. This is my 3rd vehicle (BMW X3 and Dodge Challenger Scat Pack are primary and secondary). One of the things that attracted me to the Jeep besides the top down aspect is the ability to go through standing water particularly with a lift and larger tires. Down here in Florida that can be very important when the roads flood in the summer.

My plans for this build are to lift it probably 2” and run 32x11.5 tires with 15x8 wheels with less backspacing than stock to insure no rubbing. Other than that I will just make little improvements here and there and attempt to eventually bring it back to pristine from any distance.

First the maintenance
Change diff oil with Royal Purple 70w140.
New air filter (done 3/3)
Clean throttle body and IAC.
Replace the spark plugs
Replace serpentine belt.
New transfer case fluid
Replace transmission fluid (no filter)
The above I wil do myself

Flush cooling system
Replace all hoses
Flush brake system
Replace front brake pads with better
Will hire these done

I have been busy ordering parts (these will be here in the coming week)
Tow hooks
LED headlights (Trail Lite knockoffs)
LED taillights (Quadratech)
Doors off mirrors
Interior LEDs (changing all)
Door entry guards
Stock Mopar side steps (hey, I like em)
Grab handles
Armadillo bumper end caps
Fog light covers/guards (grated kind)
5 Dick Cepek DC-2 wheels (15x8, 3.625BS)

Stuff yet to be ordered/done
Lift kit (either OME 2.5” light duty or local shop recommend - no BL or trans drop yet unless needed)
Tires (BFG KO2 - will buy from local tire shop and have them mount on new wheels and install - lift has to happen first)
Tint front windows (its Florida)
New soft top (Bestop twill)
Tubular grill guard (on stock bumper)
Tube doors (rugged ridge)
chrome grille (not sure - opinions welcome)
Eventually - possible respray stock colors

So below are some pics of what I have to start with.

She is a beauty, I'm a little jealous. I didn't want a black Jeep because I like the look of a color with all black trim. When you change out that rear axle let me know, I'm struggling to upgrade my Dana 35 to what was stock on 03 up I.e. traclok with disc brakes and the series 4 gear sets. Aka 3.73 and higher.

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[jchadscud]

That’s one sweet Jeep! Congrats!

 

[Chris]

Nice, I like those seats!

 

[EJD]

I love the Columbia Edition. That patriot blue really shines nice in the sun!
Don't forget to grab a SPIDERWEBSHADE.

 

[CodaMan]

Very nice Jeep and a solid plan for your build. Keep the thread updated as we all want to follow your progress.

 

[JMT]

Purrfect start! It’s not fair, I know which of the next parts coming is going to make a huge difference.

 

[mde8965]

Very nice Jeep and a solid plan for your build. Keep the thread updated as we all want to follow your progress.

Planning on updating. Next project is interior LEDs. Will do before and after pics. After that the next update will be next weekend. Lots of little goodies will be on. Then next weekend I’m doing the diff fluid. Thanks...

 

[mde8965]

I love the Columbia Edition. That patriot blue really shines nice in the sun!
Don't forget to grab a SPIDERWEBSHADE.

LOL. Yeah I might need that shade as it gets toward May down here. Does anyone drive with their soft top up but the side and rear windows out?

 

[mde8965]

Purrfect start! It’s not fair, I know which of the next parts coming is going to make a huge difference.

Yeah those bumper end caps are goniung to transform this puppy!!

 

[jchadscud]

Man with that blue and silver combo those doors are just begging for a full size one of these:

 

[TJ N+1]

LOL. Yeah I might need that shade as it gets toward May down here. Does anyone drive with their soft top up but the side and rear windows out?

I take the windows out of that top all of the time. Store them under the storage flap on top. Best with the half doors though.

 

[mde8965]

OK, so here is an update to my "build". I have been busy spending boatloads of cash... I have acquired and installed the following items:
Grabars - https://www.quadratec.com/products/14018_15X3_PG.htm
"Soft" Grab handles - https://www.quadratec.com/products/14117_011X_PG.htm
Fog Light Guards - https://www.justforjeeps.com/lileco.html
Front Bumper End Caps (replaces milk jugs) - https://www.quadratec.com/products/12106_00.htm
LED Headlights (Trail Lite knockoffs) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018JKIUF4/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Black Headlight Surrounds - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FQ7NV8/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Drake Black Grille Inserts - https://www.extremeterrain.com/drake-grille-inserts-tj-jp190018black.html
OEM front bumper tow hooks - https://www.quadratec.com/products/12107_02.htm
OEM side steps - https://www.justforjeeps.com/sistfast.html
Door Entry Guards - https://www.quadratec.com/p/rugged-ridge/all-terrain-entry-guards-97-06-jeep-wrangler-tj
Polk DB522 x 4 speakers - https://www.crutchfield.com/p_107DB522/Polk-Audio-DB-522.html?search=polk_db_522&skipvs=T
Floor Mats/Cargo Liners - https://www.quadratec.com/products/14254_0202_07.htm
LED Interior Light bulbs (all including dash, HVAC, rocker switch, floor and dome) - SuperBrightLED (all except dome which are Amazon - link to dome lights - these are super bright - nice - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0177DD3E2/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Spider Webshade - https://www.quadratec.com/products/11344_020X_PG.htm
LED Taillight kit - https://www.quadratec.com/products/55213_0115.htm
LED Bulb - 3rd brake light - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077PXHJRW/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Rear Bumper End Caps (replaces milk jugs) - https://www.quadratec.com/products/12106_01.htm
Billet Gas Cover - https://www.quadratec.com/products/15006_101.htm
Outer full door molding/rubbers - Omix-ADA
3rd brake light extender (for bigger spare mounted on carrier) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IJ4T6V8/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Bartact Seat Covers - https://www.morris4x4center.com/bar...black-and-graphite-pair-tabttjsc0306fpbg.html
Upper radiator hose - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FQ0C3O/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Lower radiator hose - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EM8M7C0/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Dick Cepek DC-2 Wheels (5) - 15x8 - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mtt-1158421
BFG KO2 tires (5) - 31x10.5R15

I have made some progress on my maintenance items:
Replaced air filter (with WIX filter) - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C9TC6C/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Oil and filer (10w30 dino)
Flush cooling system
Flush Brake system
New rear wheel cylinders and brake pads/shoes (had leaking cylinders and pads were contaminated)
Replaced upper and lower radiator hoses
Replaced differential gear oil (front) - Royal Purple 75w140 (my gears looked pristine - gear oil looked almost new)

Maintenance items still to do:
Replace rear differential fluid
Clean throttle body and IAC
Replace spark plugs
Check remaining rubber hoses - replace as needed
Replace transfer case fluid
Replace transmission fluid (probably not a new filter)
New serpentine belt

Other items left to complete my Jeep build (theme = stock +)
Replace factory subwoofer and amp - Kicker 6.75" sub - undecided on amp brand
New soft top (new Smittybilt top on Jeep now - will replace with Besttop Twill)
Tube doors with set of OEM mirrors (Rugged Ridge tube doors)
Possible 2" lift (Old Man Emu)
Repaint the outside of the Jeep in stock colors (will have done professionally)

I was all enthused about the lift until I had my tires and wheels installed. I get no rubbing with stock suspension even at full turn due to 3.625" backspacing on my 31x10.5R15 tires. I like the way they fill the wheel wells. And for now there will be no off-roading. If that changes, a lift will happen, otherwise, I do not know...thoughts?

OK so here a a bunch of pictures as the Jeep sits now. These are followed by some pics related to my most recent project which was to steam clean the stock seats. Although the seats are in good shape, and fairly clean, the steam cleaner does wonders. Thew before photos are the ones before the pics of the nasty dirt/water that came out of them. And the after pics are the ones after the dirty water pics. The last pics are of my newly installed Bartact seat covers which I installed right after the newly cleaned seats dried.

 

[bobthetj03]

Wow! Heck of an update! IMO, I think a 2" lift will fill out that stance perfectly. It looks a little lowrider-ish to me as it sits now. Nice progress.

 

[Kiwi TJ]

Wow I think the old testament is shorter than that list lol....some great mods though and you could eat your dinner off those fender flares, so clean.........agree with @bobthetj03 about adding a 2 in lift. :thumbsup:

 

[TJ N+1]

I am new to this forum, but have owned many TJ's. I currently own 2 a 97 se and a 2000 Sahara. I have looked at a lot of peoples build threads in the past, and yours is one of the most informative. Not only does your TJ look great, but your thread is great. I am using it as a wish list. Keep up the good work.

 

[mde8965]

I am new to this forum, but have owned many TJ's. I currently own 2 a 97 se and a 2000 Sahara. I have looked at a lot of peoples build threads in the past, and yours is one of the most informative. Not only does your TJ look great, but your thread is great. I am using it as a wish list. Keep up the good work.

Wow, well this kinda made my day! Thanks. And if you have any questions, let me know. Welcome to the forum...

 

[Chris]

That is a heck of an update! I really dig those seats. The material looks like something a Columbia Sportswear jacket would be made of.

 

[mde8965]

So knocked four more items off my maintenance to do list this weekend. Changed my rear differential fluid. After having changed the front last week, with the gear oil looking almost new, I expected the same on the rear. But I was wrong. I think it was the original fluid, or at least it had not been changed in a long time. Keep in mind my Jeep only has a touch over 50k miles. But the gear oil was very dark. The RTV basically flaked off when running my finger over the diff cover. So, now she has some nice new Royal Purple. Wish they could make a gear oil that did not smell like a dirty gym locker though.

Cleaning the IAC and Throttle body was uneventful. But man at first whenever I would quirt even a tiny bit of TB cleaner in the throttle body at idle it would die. Eventually it got somewhat better, but I had to quirt it very gingerly. I think I used about 3/4 of a bigger can of TB cleaner. Half of that at idle for the IAC and half while throttling for the TB.

The serpentine belt. Got that done in about 5 minutes. So easy when you know how. Thanks to this forum. I'm used to the big screwdriver pry method. But the idler pulley on these jeeps makes it so much easier...

Oh yeah, the spark plugs. Ha! Now I know why I never claimed to be a good mechanic. So I bought 6 of the Autolite XP985 (Irradium). Checked the gap and they were all just over .30 inch. Installed the new plugs with a little any-seize, no problem. From the time I started to the time the six new plugs were in and torqued down was no more than 10-15 minutes. So I went to put the coil pack rail back on. And i thought (THOUGHT) I had the rail seated correctly and the boots and plugs seated, but noticed I was having a hard time getting the rail bolts to catch and torque down. But I kept at it, having to push up on the rail a bit to get everything in and torqued down.

Well, when I started the Jeep, I was reminded that when something does not go back together just as it was taken apart, you got it wrong stupid. The engine made a horrible noise and it sounded like all the injectors were ticking loudly, or worse. The Jeep immediately threw a CEL. So I shut it off. I think I knew immediately that the rail was not seated all the way, or one of the boots was cocked or something. But in that moment, I imagined the ticking I heard may have been the valve coming in contacting with the tip of the plugs or something (I know...but I was panicking).

So its getting toward dusk now, but I removed the coil rail again, and removed all of the plugs. Plugs 2, 3 and 4 were in various stages of the tip being burnt. From slightly orange on cylinder 2, to purplish ton cylinder 3 to blue on the number 4 cylinder. But I took them all out and purposely put them back in with the worst plug in cylinder 1, the second worst in cylinder 2 and the barely burnt one in cylinder 3. This time I made sure the coil rail was fully seated front to back and all 4 bolts threaded on correctly the first time. Started up the jeep and it sounded much much better, but threw 2 CEL's. Misfire in cylinder 1 and TPS circuit. Knowing both of them are likely related to the burnt plugs...I called it a night. Went to the store today, got three new plugs, installed in cylinders 1-3 and again, made damned sure to FULLY seat that coil rail again. Started her up and she is again purring like a kitten with no CEL's.

You live and learn I guess. And I learned how NOT to change the plugs on a Jeep Wrangler this weekend. D'oh!

 

[jmm45]

Nice build - keep going - get the lift! Haha. How are the headlights? I've heard mixed opinions on those specific lights so I'm curious.