So, we are now kind of a TJ Wrangler family.
We have three now, long story. (2) 2003 & 2006
I'm starting to make our third TJ road worthy. I bought a 2006 TJ automatic w/ 100,000 miles for $11,000, 4.0L, to use as my daily driver. I bought both of the 2003 TJ's for $9,000 3 years ago. The frame and floor pan is in pretty good shape for being 17 years old, almost rust free & spending time in Chicago IL & Springfield Mo. The control arms, calipers, and most of the important stuff are pretty rusty, crusty, and needs replacing. Oh boy does this TJ need love, she wobbles, bobbles, and is kind of unpredictable, however the dam thing idles smooth, accelerates well and has a lot of potential. I'm doing this TJ in three phases, 1st suspension & steering, 2nd going and stopping, 3rd, bodywork, interior / exterior upgrades you know the cool factor. There is rust in the usual body areas that will need addressed, and since I just retired from the police department and I have watched 100's of hours of "SprayWay Customs' body & paint on youtube, I am now convinced this body work thing is right up my alley. (FML) Side note, the sprayway custom guy is one of the best internet instructors I've seen, amazing work, he is in Alabama, wish he was in Illinois.
So I just joined the Forum as a member, I've been getting tips, guidance and questions answered for years from all of you, so today I became a member of the forum. Now before everyone tosses me out, both of our 2003 TJ's have teraflex suspensions, 2" lift, upgraded wheels, headlights, bumpers, stereos, speakers and a list of crap. Had to treat both kids equally. But I'm only 5'10" & 54 years old, and these fuckers are hard to get into........ so I'm keeping my TJ kind of stock height.
So I am going to do this fantastic ZJ / TJ upgrade to my suspension that I learned about on this forum. I am also going to repair / replace everything from the Front hub wheel bearings to the rear of the suspension. I will try to document the entire process, post costs, part numbers, ect. I am using Moog parts and have ordered them from Moog Steering & suspension web site.
I have already ordered my parts, I'm under $1,800 in parts, but I have not purchased my Power Stop Extreme brake kit yet. My thought process is this, I want to pull the band aid off once, do it all now, since its all coming apart. This TJ will run & drive like the day it was built, and it will basically be a new functioning wrangler, all in for under $15,000. This seemed like the better option than finding a newer model used anything. Cant find anything here in the suburbs for less than $15,000.
So the TJ project starts as soon as the parts get delivered. Updates coming soon.
If anyone has done the TJ to ZJ conversion I would like to know what you think of it after driving for a while.
-Any issues
-Pros vs Cons
-Anything you wished that you also did with the upgrade?
We have three now, long story. (2) 2003 & 2006
I'm starting to make our third TJ road worthy. I bought a 2006 TJ automatic w/ 100,000 miles for $11,000, 4.0L, to use as my daily driver. I bought both of the 2003 TJ's for $9,000 3 years ago. The frame and floor pan is in pretty good shape for being 17 years old, almost rust free & spending time in Chicago IL & Springfield Mo. The control arms, calipers, and most of the important stuff are pretty rusty, crusty, and needs replacing. Oh boy does this TJ need love, she wobbles, bobbles, and is kind of unpredictable, however the dam thing idles smooth, accelerates well and has a lot of potential. I'm doing this TJ in three phases, 1st suspension & steering, 2nd going and stopping, 3rd, bodywork, interior / exterior upgrades you know the cool factor. There is rust in the usual body areas that will need addressed, and since I just retired from the police department and I have watched 100's of hours of "SprayWay Customs' body & paint on youtube, I am now convinced this body work thing is right up my alley. (FML) Side note, the sprayway custom guy is one of the best internet instructors I've seen, amazing work, he is in Alabama, wish he was in Illinois.
So I just joined the Forum as a member, I've been getting tips, guidance and questions answered for years from all of you, so today I became a member of the forum. Now before everyone tosses me out, both of our 2003 TJ's have teraflex suspensions, 2" lift, upgraded wheels, headlights, bumpers, stereos, speakers and a list of crap. Had to treat both kids equally. But I'm only 5'10" & 54 years old, and these fuckers are hard to get into........ so I'm keeping my TJ kind of stock height.
So I am going to do this fantastic ZJ / TJ upgrade to my suspension that I learned about on this forum. I am also going to repair / replace everything from the Front hub wheel bearings to the rear of the suspension. I will try to document the entire process, post costs, part numbers, ect. I am using Moog parts and have ordered them from Moog Steering & suspension web site.
I have already ordered my parts, I'm under $1,800 in parts, but I have not purchased my Power Stop Extreme brake kit yet. My thought process is this, I want to pull the band aid off once, do it all now, since its all coming apart. This TJ will run & drive like the day it was built, and it will basically be a new functioning wrangler, all in for under $15,000. This seemed like the better option than finding a newer model used anything. Cant find anything here in the suburbs for less than $15,000.
So the TJ project starts as soon as the parts get delivered. Updates coming soon.
If anyone has done the TJ to ZJ conversion I would like to know what you think of it after driving for a while.
-Any issues
-Pros vs Cons
-Anything you wished that you also did with the upgrade?