97 TJ derelict resurrection

[Caspian1911]

Hi Folks New Jeep owner here just starting a new project and I am hoping for some references for components and parts preference.
A little background if you are interested
a dear friend of the family past away a couple years ago and his daughter gave me his 97 TJ sport. its been sitting in the woods in Arkansas with a roached transmission for about 5 years. its rough creeping up on derelict but salvageable and there is a good level of sentimentality involved in the project as well
i live on the Treasure Coast of Florida and I would like to build it for a weekend toy for the sunny south any off-road will likely be sand
I'm not new to projects but this is my first jeep. and i am trying to filter through the bunches of aftermarket trash to find the real quality parts
I need an automatic transmission and would like it to be Bullet proof I'm ok with spending the long dollar if its worth it. any recommendations?
i need bumpers and i have some rusty cancer around the body mount holes and need to find some pieces to repair them if available if not has anyone repaired that problem before and how.
I'm also looking for a pair of front seats that will stand up to Florida sun and rain.
i would be very grateful for any advice and info that you all would be willing to give thanks

 

[Mike_H]

Oh...that one's gonna be a fun one. Get out the wallet. I'm sure anything rubber will need replacement. Look at pocono metal works, Auto Rust (Safe-T-Cap) and rust buster frameworks for replacement pieces.

Good Luck!

 

[Caspian1911]

Thanks for the reference. Yah I'm thinking 8 to 10 k likely but I'm not in a hurry and I will do everything myself that will save a bunch. Really looking forward to it.

 

[Soulbird]

Welcome to the Wrangler family! I am also new to this forum but a long time Jeep owner and Wrangler addict. My 21 year old TJ just got a facelift. All aesthetic stuff, nothing as extreme as what you are doing. When/if you buy new replacement parts, I found excellent pricing at 4wd.com, Rugged Ridge and Extreme Terrain. Extreme Terrain is a bit more expensive but has ongoing open box specials.
Best wishes on your new project.

 

[Caspian1911]

So here we go I like watching the build threads so i figured maybe i would give an update on my build.
I haven't accomplished much but I have done a pretty thorough assessment of the build surprisingly its in decent shape as far as rust
there are about a dozen dime sized spot on the body that are just starting to appear under the paint so no serious cancer.
the frame is really solid except for the drivers side at the very back of the frame is just soft enough that i need to attend to it but i found enough spots that i don't dare leave them be so frame up resto its going to be
I am determined to do it right the first time. I've ordered a transmission and a hood and I bought a replacement front passenger side fender. i found some decent used tires Falken 265-70r17 probably have two or three years left on them not bad for $220 bucks but i need rims for them (set aside in my amazon wish list) the hard top is a two piece it needs a lot of work the bottom rail that sits inside the tub is metal inside fiberglass that is completely rusted gone. so I'm going to need to re glass that entire thing plus put all new headliner in it. i will likely end up running a soft top for awhile its going to be a Florida jeep so i may not spend the effort to repair the hard top we shall see. but here are a few more pictures.
For some strange reason Ive been calling Her Jenny after the girl in Forrest Gump she's been well abused not very well cared for and forgotten about and tired but she's come home and will be well looked after from now on not sure the name will stick. my wife doesn't seem to care for it but time will tell.
My Friend who owned it was a traveling Tower rigger for most of his life we worked together for many many years.
He never actually had a home he could call his own and i think he actually had to file his taxes under some vagabond statute not really sure about that honestly but that's the name that will be on the hood VAGABOND.

ill keep updating this as i go along I am really enjoying this project gives me fun things to look at on the almighty intertron.

 

[Wheeler]

That's a big project for sure. My '97 came custom with a huge amount of neglect but not nearly as far gone as yours. I'll be watching your rebuild thread with great interest.

 

[Caspian1911]

Nice looking Jeep you have there..
one big bonus about my build is my wife is all in. we actually have a to many vehicles so we are selling one and going to use some of the proceeds to help fund the build. the jeep will eventually be my daily driver so i can keep the mileage down on my truck

 

[Wheeler]

Nice looking Jeep you have there..
one big bonus about my build is my wife is all in. we actually have a to many vehicles so we are selling one and going to use some of the proceeds to help fund the build. the jeep will eventually be my daily driver so i can keep the mileage down on my truck

Thanks. It has that 10 yard glow. It looks really good from 10 yards away and further.

Most of the major issues are internal. The paint job is not stock but, I really like the color.

You’ll find a lot of helpful folks here. I’d not be nearly as far along with mine if it hadn’t been for the resources this forum and it’s members have provided.

 

[Caspian1911]

To all you builders out there.
I have purchased my new remanufactured transmission. not a bad deal I thought. just under $1600 bucks with a 4 year parts and labor warrantee from AutoZone. it shows up tomorrow and I will begin the process of the swap on Monday after Christmas.
but I have some questions about it.
has anyone had any PCM issues doing a 32RH transmission swap on a 97 TJ ???
any little pointers like what steps to do first before you do something else that might cause a headache if you do it in the wrong order. that kind thing. and any other parts I should swap while I'm at it?
also I still need to order a torque converter any experienced folks have an opinion on a specific one or will any generic converter do the deed?
I'm no stranger to wrenching but I have not done an automatic transmission swap since I was in high school 87 Grad and that was on a 75 cutlass

MY Thanks for any help you can offer.

 

[Caspian1911]

Its been awhile so I figure its time for an update on my build.
I've installed a new Transmission 32RH and torque converter, radiator ,water pump, thermostat, new passenger fender, new hood ,new universals on both drive shafts and a new soft top (Besttop. trektop).
During all this transmission work I discovered that my rear differential spider gears and bearings where absolutely destroyed so was the rear fuel tank skid plate. I have a new skid plate and the rear diff. great deal from a guy up the road a piece. I was lucky to find my gear ratio in a like new diff with new brakes for $450 bucks i also have all new front end parts and wheel universals I've done well so far I'm all in for under 5k
I've replaced the fuel filter and fuel filter pressure regulator. still a lot of work left to go but its been fun.

so now. I have some questions for you all if you have some incite before i started my transmission change the jeep ran beautifully
after it the swap it runs but idle very rough that's why i changed the filter and pressure regulator put new fuel in with some injector cleaner still idles poorly though it smooths out some with my foot in the throttle and I am getting no codes whatsoever everything I'm reading says its a tps but it should throw a code if its bad and why would it just go bad after replacing the transmission any ideas would help Thank in advance.
Here are a few new pictures.

 

[MangoTango]

Hey great to see another 97 Restoration!!

Seeing as you changed transmissions make sure you didn't forget to hook up the crank position sensor or make sure its not bad. I think it would throw a code but then again you never know.

 

[Caspian1911]

Thanks Mango I checked it is hooked up but could still be bad. I ran the jeep this weekend for half hour or so and finally got a code. It says its a tps so I ordered one. If that doesn't fix it ill be looking into the cps.
Thanks again...

 

[MangoTango]

If you change the TPS which I believe MOPAR discontinued and its still throwing that code check this thread. It could be a bad clock spring as well I guess.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/p0123-code.33311/

 

[RobertJ]

Mopar TPS I used in my '97. Working great and still available:

Mopar 4874371AC Throttle Position Sensor