Found one! New TJ owner

HuskerJeep

HuskerJeep

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Jan 17, 2019
Messages
269
Location
Omaha, NE
Hey everyone, first wanted to say thanks for the help so far. I posted a few possible TJ's during my search with some questions and got great answers here. In the end, I ended up with a '98 Sport 4.0L, 5 speed manual with 101k miles. Spent it's whole life in California and is very clean (especially since I'm in NE and we have lots of salty roads). Only downside is that the maintenance history is unknown since it was bought/sold at auction, and it wasn't logged through CarFax.

This will not be a daily driver, I'll keep it away from the salt/snow, but will mostly be to run around town and some light trails out in Western NE and maybe over to Colorado sometimes.

Here are my intial plans to get it started off with a solid base, let me know if I'm missing something basic here:
  1. Change out all the fluids. Big thanks to @Chris for his fluid capacity thread and all the other threads I read through to get this info.
    1. Engine Oil (Valvoline 10W-30 with Mopar filter)
    2. Transmission (Redline MT-90)
    3. Differentials, I have Dana 30/35 no traction devices (Lucas Oil 75W-140 & Lube Locker Gaskets)
    4. Transfer Case (Mopar ATF+4)
    5. Brake Fluid (Lucas Oil DOT 3)
    6. Power Steering (Lucas Oil Power Steering Fluid)
  2. Apply grease to the 7 front end zerks
  3. Apply Fluid Film inside of frame and all other major components underneath
  4. New Battery (Odyssey 34-PC1500)
  5. New Spark Plugs (Autolite APP985)
  6. New Muffler (leaning towards local shop, looking for quiet)
  7. Debating on the full coolant system replacement
Some of the fun stuff:
  1. New Wheels & Tires
    1. 15x8 Mamba MR1X (4.5" BS)
    2. 31x10.5R15 General Grabber ATX
  2. Teraflex 2" BB
  3. New Shocks (Rancho RS5000x) & Steering Stabilizer (RS5407)
  4. New Headlights (leaning toward the WHDZ Truck-Lite clone after reading through CodaMan's thread)
Lots of garage time coming up!

Listing_4.webp


Listing_5.webp
 
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Damn, that thing looks clean!

How does the underside look?

Nice call on keeping it away from the salt and snow too!
 
Nice! With halfies!

Great plans too, I think it's a great idea to give it a maintenance rehaul on fluids and consumables when you get a used vehicle, particularly one with some age and mileage like our TJs. I've still got a few things to do you have on your list there.

One thing I'll say myself is my plans are to change out the lights as well. I like the Truck-Lites because of a more "classic" or OE look, and we all know the stock ones suck. That being said, it's tempting for me to go with the knock-offs like you say you are when it's $100 versus $300. And while "Made in America" makes me feel good (and I'll pay a reasonable premium for it), so does saving $200.

However one thing that's really making me change my mind to go with the relatively pricier Truck-Lites is they use glass as opposed to plastic that the knock-offs use. If that doesn't bother you then go for the Chinese ones, but personally I prefer glass and will eventually cough up the extra scratch to go with them. It's like a steel versus plastic grille, I mean what sort of Jeep has a plastic grille?
 
danof76 said:
Nice! With halfies!

Great plans too, I think it's a great idea to give it a maintenance rehaul on fluids and consumables when you get a used vehicle, particularly one with some age and mileage like our TJs. I've still got a few things to do you have on your list there.

One thing I'll say myself is my plans are to change out the lights as well. I like the Truck-Lites because of a more "classic" or OE look, and we all know the stock ones suck. That being said, it's tempting for me to go with the knock-offs like you say you are when it's $100 versus $300. And while "Made in America" makes me feel good (and I'll pay a reasonable premium for it), so does saving $200.

However one thing that's really making me change my mind to go with the relatively pricier Truck-Lites is they use glass as opposed to plastic that the knock-offs use. If that doesn't bother you then go for the Chinese ones, but personally I prefer glass and will eventually cough up the extra scratch to go with them. It's like a steel versus plastic grille, I mean what sort of Jeep has a plastic grille?
Click to expand...

I didn't know that about the glass/plastic. I'll definitely consider that before I buy, thanks.
 
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HuskerJeep said:
I didn't know that about the glass/plastic. I'll definitely consider that before I buy, thanks.
Click to expand...
If you're just looking to improve over the OEM and still be budget friendly, you can do the hella E code conversion lights and then replace the bulbs with something more your liking. You can also get higher wattage bulbs and beef up your wiring.

https://www.quadratec.com/products/...r38NP6jsWXoPCqCX-4paxiFrDuMPDNyhoCyLgQAvD_BwE

That's the housing but I've found 2 housings and 2 bulbs for about 100. They're glass lenses.
 
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We are going to need the keys to test it this weekend , drop it off at Chris's house Friday .
 
Very nice! I would consider having it undercoated/rustproofed even if you do it yourself. I would also consider changing the water pump and thermostat just to be on the safe side.
 
That is one clean TJ brah! You have a solid plan. Consider the coolant system upgrade soon. 125K seems to be the magic number for many when things start failing. Get a Mopar radiator. do NOT go parts store here. New hoses, thermostat, water pump will be in order. Steering components and arm bushings will need to be looked at as well.
 
ZEN357 said:
Very nice! I would consider having it undercoated/rustproofed even if you do it yourself. I would also consider changing the water pump and thermostat just to be on the safe side.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm seriously considering an entire coolant system refresh.

bobthetj03 said:
That is one clean TJ brah! You have a solid plan. Consider the coolant system upgrade soon. 125K seems to be the magic number for many when things start failing. Get a Mopar radiator. do NOT go parts store here. New hoses, thermostat, water pump will be in order. Steering components and arm bushings will need to be looked at as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll stick to OEM where I can.
 
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