A Goldilocks Story

rubigold

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 22, 2019
Messages
109
Location
Connecticut
So this will be the first time I’ve created a build thread on any forum I’ve been a part of. Mainly because I’ve never invested so much effort into a vehicle before. I didn’t start repairing/building with having this thread in mind, so pictures up until now will just pretty much consist of what the ‘after’ looks like.

I’ll start by saying that this is my first jeep, and I’m glad to have purchased a tj. This is a 2003 Rubicon in Inca Gold Metallic, 5 speed. LOVE IT. Had some cheap 4 inch lift on it when I bought it about two months ago. Bought it at 103k miles for $10,750. It had been sitting for about 18 months, and definitely needed some love and attention. I took it to my buddy’s shop, and he gave it some life and got it back to a good point to build on.

Until I get some better pictures, here is what the Jeep looked like the day I brought it home.

bdbb2e760e37f891d26b41360cc31fa6.jpg
4ed796f08860c3733d354cbad3501af0.jpg
c923834276f3558d384dfbe2f549a856.jpg
b9fa0fac6a86d1a4b2629cdbe0632cf8.jpg
c0349d62d9b3ef224bb4f178ff6beb05.jpg
 
Last edited:
Some of the initial repairs included new brakes all around (rotors, calipers, pads, and lines), all 4 ball joints, passenger rear axle seal and new driver rear axle shaft (not pictured),

859558a13e06e368bd9c38aba053bb30.jpg



Replaced both driver/passenger steering knuckles

9f34405f0988e18fee8a61d78ee5ff26.jpg
012544e7f2924be13e0344375851eacf.jpg



New driver/passenger parking brake assemblies

05686192b3e351dde13f38a2e781257e.jpg



New Rancho RS5000X shocks for the rear

a0674f9a89a4c8009dcc17a249cbbb1e.jpg
2e223acd4f461f09c3665880eeefe868.jpg



Found/repaired an evap leak

64ac72cc69cc126721d077ea50aff0b2.jpg



Realized the air fitting for the locker going into the rear diff was rusted and broken off, so replaced that

2a53059c43572683fb3feb05ea544d65.jpg
1989a3240fbe611cddff1b798e21e86a.jpg
16b27278fe01c0755bc5f4271d7ed97a.jpg
9be6877b573f4e5b2327e772894e6edd.jpg
 
Last edited:
Just Empty Every Pocket is so true on our TJ's! Awesome canvas to start with, and nice to see it is getting the TLC is needs to make it safe and reliable as possible! Hope you get it to the point you are happy with it, then just drive it and enjoy!
 
  • Like
Reactions: rubigold
Man oh man is that one good looking TJ! I love that color so much. I like where you're going with it so far too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: rubigold
Love that color. My son wants an Inca Gold TJR when he grows up. Good work so far! I'm glad those are not Rancho 5000 shocks, but 5000X. The X makes a big difference! You wouldn't want the 5000's
 
  • Like
Reactions: rubigold
Just Empty Every Pocket is so true on our TJ's! Awesome canvas to start with, and nice to see it is getting the TLC is needs to make it safe and reliable as possible! Hope you get it to the point you are happy with it, then just drive it and enjoy!

Man oh man is that one good looking TJ! I love that color so much. I like where you're going with it so far too.

Love that color. My son wants an Inca Gold TJR when he grows up. Good work so far! I'm glad those are not Rancho 5000 shocks, but 5000X. The X makes a big difference! You wouldn't want the 5000's

X3 regarding the color. Impact orange and inca gold are my personal favorites.

Thanks for the compliments, all. Stay tuned, as I've already done much more than is already posted.

@Mikester86 dude that acronym is no lie! Talk about anxiety LOL.

@Chris I appreciate that! There's much more to this thread being written.

@JMT Thanks for the compliment and the heads-up. I didnt realize there was a difference. I'll edit that post.

@PapaWhiskey33 I had to have this color when I saw it. Not too dramatic and not too many of them
 
Whats the story on the jeep? Those knuckles and axle rust are intense but the frame looks spotless from what I can see. Im with everyone else, love that color!
 
  • Like
Reactions: rubigold
Whats the story on the jeep? Those knuckles and axle rust are intense but the frame looks spotless from what I can see. Im with everyone else, love that color!

WELL. Carfax shows it went a whopping 180 miles in about 18 months (according to inspection mileage on carfax). Theres definitely surface rust on the frame rails that the PO spray painted, but nothing that seems to be too concerning. I eventually plan on tackling one section at a time sanding/scraping it down and repainting. Skid plate was removed without braking any of the nutserts free, so inside shouldn't be too bad.

The guy I bought it from was kinda shady. After I traveled 1.5 hours to meet him in NY, I found out it "wasnt his jeep" LOL!... it was his friend's that he supposedly bought it from and planned on having some fun with it, but then six months later decided "he wanted a hot rod" and needed the money to buy one. Carfax showed as having 2 previous owners (this guy wasnt one of those since the title was still in "his friend's" name)... but IIRC each owner had it for about 50k miles and the last real owner owned it since 2011. The guy I dealt with made it sound like it was in great shape. I dont think he was necessarily intentionally lying to me, I just dont think he really knew anything about it. Either way, that's the story and I'm left cleaning it up. I knew buying a TJ and building it the way I wanted it to be was going to be a project, I just didn't think I'd need to get it back on it's own feet. BUT SUCH IS LIFE!

This will be my designated fun/wheeling vehicle. Definitely keeping it road legal, as I look forward to the no-top summer driving, but this will see some hefty north east trails once per month, and will be trailered to the destinations.
 
So this will be the first time I’ve created a build thread on any forum I’ve been a part of. Mainly because I’ve never invested so much effort into a vehicle before. I didn’t start repairing/building with having this thread in mind, so pictures up until now will just pretty much consist of what the ‘after’ looks like.

I’ll start by saying that this is my first jeep, and I’m glad to have purchased a tj. This is a 2003 Rubicon in Inca Gold Metallic, 5 speed. LOVE IT. Had some cheap 4 inch lift on it when I bought it about two months ago. Bought it at 103k miles for $10,750. It had been sitting for about 18 months, and definitely needed some love and attention. I took it to my buddy’s shop, and he gave it some life and got it back to a good point to build on.

Until I get some better pictures, here is what the Jeep looked like the day I brought it home.

View attachment 93602View attachment 93603View attachment 93604View attachment 93605View attachment 93606
Looks real familiar!!!!

Inca Gold.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chris and rubigold
So after all of that, CEL P0432 popped up. O2 sensors looked good, so I played with the idea of installing a new downpipe and third cat since they were probably not in great shape at 103k miles. Ordered in an Eastern Catalytic downpipe with third cat. After loosening the pre cat bolts up to the manifold, we realized that the exhaust manifold was loose and cracked... and one of the studs was broken off in the block. Also soon realized that the muffler after the third cat was held on by rusted bolts without any nuts LOL. So on when an entire new exhaust with new O2 sensors. Not sure about brand of the muffler and manifold (my buddy got them in same day from his supplier).

60a839fedaed41c008610b05d0d0aa5c.jpg
9072613a12e12eef11bb6829affbaac8.jpg
207ee17b484cc157fd5116ba973d6109.jpg
287224df2543322c9f8aba1aeb5c8b5b.jpg



Muffler hanger was broken.

2e5d2e32d5f58a8d6aedafb84ce4c0fb.jpg



It was fun trying to track down a replacement. Found some used rusted POS on Ebay for $11 since I couldn't find a ‘new’ one. This is before I sanded/painted it.

49d385386dfa5c164e45b515b9ab4895.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: TJ Starting