2004 Columbia Edition Build

[mde8965]

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.

Thanks. Yes I will get the lift done soon. I like the parts you used to save some cash. Not looking forward to chasing any vibes though.

You reminded me in this thread that I never posted my last round of updates here highlighted by the bumpers and the winch.

But since my last post here I installed:

EAG front and rear bumpers: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Bumper-W-Winch-Plate-Rear-Bumper-With-D-rings-for-97-06-Jeep-Wrangler-TJ/171833592138

Smittybilt Winch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K150VAI/

New fog lights: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006V7TDAE/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Rugged Ridge tube doors: https://www.quadratec.com/products/11149_2022_07.htm

Added switch to control dome lights: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=252859018323

Rugged Ridge full door hangers for the garage: https://www.quadratec.com/p/rugged-ridge/wall-mount-door-holders-jeep-cj-wrangler-yj-tj-jk-jl

New TPS with full clean of throttle body and IAC: https://www.quadratec.com/p/mopar/t...02-06-jeep-wrangler-tj-24l-25l-or-40l-engines

Seat Risers: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TWOOGI/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Misch door arm rests: https://www.quadratec.com/products/55013_911.htm

Serviced the transfer case and replaced the power steering fluid...

Pics to follow:

 

[mde8965]

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.

The headlights are nice. As other reviews on them indicate, both on Amazon and in this site, the pattern is not perfect...but I am not convinced they are any different from the Truck Lites as far as operation, longevity remains to be seen. You definitely will have to re-aim your headlights once you install them. You will need to move the light beam down a bunch. They are a much brighter and much whiter (colder) light without being blue at all that I perceive. I think I only paid $80 something for these. If they don't last forever, I will get the Truck Lites down the road...but $80 vs. $320 with all the other money I am spending right now sounded really good...

 

[glwood]

Thanks. Yes I will get the lift done soon. I like the parts you used to save some cash. Not looking forward to chasing any vibes though.

You reminded me in this thread that I never posted my last round of updates here highlighted by the bumpers and the winch.

But since my last post here I installed:

EAG front and rear bumpers: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Front-Bumper-W-Winch-Plate-Rear-Bumper-With-D-rings-for-97-06-Jeep-Wrangler-TJ/171833592138

Smittybilt Winch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K150VAI/

New fog lights: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006V7TDAE/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Rugged Ridge tube doors: https://www.quadratec.com/products/11149_2022_07.htm

Added switch to control dome lights:

Rugged Ridge full door hangers for the garage: https://www.quadratec.com/p/rugged-ridge/wall-mount-door-holders-jeep-cj-wrangler-yj-tj-jk-jl

New TPS with full clean of throttle body and IAC: https://www.quadratec.com/p/mopar/t...02-06-jeep-wrangler-tj-24l-25l-or-40l-engines

Seat Risers: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007TWOOGI/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Misch door arm rests: https://www.quadratec.com/products/55013_911.htm

Serviced the transfer case and replaced the power steering fluid...

Pics to follow:

I'm curious to see what you think of the latching mechanism on the RR tube doors...easy to adjust? Rattles?

 

[mde8965]

I'm curious to see what you think of the latching mechanism on the RR tube doors...easy to adjust? Rattles?

The latching mechanism is fine for me. I have not detected any rattles whatsoever. I did not have to adjust the driver side at all. The passenger side I did adjust slightly. The adjustment of the door latch is limited but it was just enough for me. Additionally there is some adjustment with the door hinges (where the pins are) that is as simple as loosening two or four bolts and retightening.

Reason I got these more than anything is I wanted stock mirrors instead of those crappy ones that go in the original hinges for no door or the re-locator brackets. Quadratec includes stock like mirrors with the tube doors for the same price everyone sells just the doors for.

If you decide to get the doors and find the door latch is too low for the striker,take a small ½” section of vacuum hose and slip it on the hinge pin for the tube door. This effectively moves the entire door up ½” without having to mess with the latch or move the striker plate in you jeep. I did not do this. But it was an afterthought and would have been easier

 

[bobthetj03]

May I ask where you sourced the dome light switch? Did you just wire it to the #4 fuse?

 

[mde8965]

May I ask where you sourced the dome light switch? Did you just wire it to the #4 fuse?

Certainly. The link is below - added to my earlier post as well. I wired it directly to the #4 fuse. The switch is a 3 wire switch. Ideally white wire and black wire to the #4 fuse position and red wire to switched or unswitched power. However, I opted to just wire red and black to the #4. Did this because with red going to switched, I could not use the switch with the Jeep turned off (i.e. the dome lights stayed lit with door open). And if I wired it to unswitched, the damned light would stay light all the time with the dome lights turned off.

Switch is counterintuitive. The switch in the UP position turns off the push switch in the door from affecting the dome lights...so the dome light goes out with the doors open. But the light on the switch comes on in that position.

The way I wired it the switch works perfect but the light on the switch is inop...

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=252859018323

 

[bobthetj03]

Certainly. The link is below - added to my earlier post as well. I wired it directly to the #4 fuse. The switch is a 3 wire switch. Ideally white wire and black wire to the #4 fuse position and red wire to switched or unswitched power. However, I opted to just wire red and black to the #4. Did this because with red going to switched, I could not use the switch with the Jeep turned off (i.e. the dome lights stayed lit with door open). And if I wired it to unswitched, the damned light would stay light all the time with the dome lights turned off.

Switch is counterintuitive. The switch in the UP position turns off the push switch in the door from affecting the dome lights...so the dome light goes out with the doors open. But the light on the switch comes on in that position.

The way I wired it the switch works perfect but the light on the switch is inop...

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=252859018323

Thanks for the link. Yeah, I would just run the black/white to #4 and forget about the light on the switch. Your jeep is looking sharp, btw.

 

[mde8965]

Installed a Tuffy security deck enclosure. Took about 2.5 hours to put together and install. Only took that long because I had to reengineer the way one of the fasteners attaches to the Jeep.

I can finally have things in my Jeep. But when I was installing this thing though I had to question the choices Tuffy made with the fasteners/hardware more than once. For instance the top slides/rides in a channel on the bottom part. Since the thing was $460 you would think there would be a nice roller bearing assembly or something. Nope it rides on freaking fender washers spaced out with little cutouts of clear tubing. Seriously? Additionally, you can pull then lift the top for easier access to the stuff inside (see pic below) but for whatever reason Tuffy did not provide a way to prop it open. Would a prop rod or better yt a couple of hydraulic prop rods would have been expected for $450+ these things go for.

On the plus side it sure is solid. I realize it’s only as secure as the lock on the Jeep tailgate. I don’t have any rattles.

Anyway it is in there and it is useful. But if I had to do it all over again, I probably would have just made my own slightly less secure solution for a lot less money. I would say this thing is worth $200-$250. Not $450+. I do understand that time is money too...and it would take a while to design and build your own.

Have not had my soft top in The Jeep yet with this thing. I would think it should be fine. It will make the retracted top sit higher when folded back. Hopefully it won’t obstruct the view out the rear view too much.

 

[Evathetj]

That turned out really well. Exactly what I was thinking of doing with mine.

Best guess, do you think a 35" tire could fit in the lower compartment? My plan was to shove the spare down there and have the upper portion left to use for regular every day needs.

 

[mde8965]

That turned out really well. Exactly what I was thinking of doing with mine.

Best guess, do you think a 35" tire could fit in the lower compartment? My plan was to shove the spare down there and have the upper portion left to use for regular every day needs.

I will take a couple of measurements tomorrow when its daylight and let you know...

 

[mde8965]

That turned out really well. Exactly what I was thinking of doing with mine.

Best guess, do you think a 35" tire could fit in the lower compartment? My plan was to shove the spare down there and have the upper portion left to use for regular every day needs.

Your 35” tire is probably slightly less than 35” this is important. The compartment craters by this enclosure is 35 ¼” wide,about 34 ¾” deep and about 15” tall. But there may be interference with the striker for the tailgate. See pics of measurements below

 

[Evathetj]

Your 35” tire is probably slightly less than 35” this is important. The compartment craters by this enclosure is 35 ¼” wide,about 34 ¾” deep and about 15” tall. But there may be interference with the striker for the tailgate. See pics of measurements below

Thank you so much man, that's really nice of you to take the time to do that, I really appreciate it.

Good to know there's a chance it could work (possibly)

 

[Adam Johnson]

Great ride! I have a Patriot Blue Columbia Edition as well. I wish mine was that clean though.

 

[mde8965]

Great ride! I have a Patriot Blue Columbia Edition as well. I wish mine was that clean though.View attachment 90142View attachment 90141

Looks pretty clean to me. I hope you enjoy it! I LOVE LOVE LOVE mine. Gosh I can’t believe I haven’t updated this thread since April last year. Not too much has been done since I broke my leg real bad in July. Still having some issues with it.

 

[Adam Johnson]

Looks pretty clean to me. I hope you enjoy it! I LOVE LOVE LOVE mine. Gosh I can’t believe I haven’t updated this thread since April last year. Not too much has been done since I broke my leg real bad in July. Still having some issues with it.

Sorry to hear about the leg. Hope it all gets sorted out.

My Columbia has stains on the seats and has been used for a lot of fun. She's covered in trail rash and has a lot of minor issues here and there. Plus she really needs to be washed inside and out after the winter. Hopefully I can do that this weekend.