After riding around with a buddy in his 2020 JT, I had the bug to start adventuring off-road in harsher environments than my '02 Subaru could handle. I got my sights set on owning a TJ, and building it up just a smidge.
A couple weeks later I went to look at a stock stone white 2003 X, with a manual transmission. Frame was solid, very little surface rust on the tub from the bottom or under the carpets, had lived most of it's life between San Francisco and LA. On the downside, the rear pinion bearing was noisy, it had a steering shimmy at speed, was at 138k miles, and it had 3.07 gears in 35/30 axles. However, the seller came down in price easily, and I get emotionally attached easily, so the little white Jeep that had seldom ventured off the pavement came home with me a few days later.
I took care of the vent control (broken vacuum line) and steering shimmy (new drag link and ZJ upgrade tie rod) and took it down to Hollister HIlls SVRA to see how it did. Honestly, I was really surprised at what the stock TJ on 225/76R15 highway rubber could do. I had a blast, and that night the orders started.
Next to my trail buddy/work colleague's JT:
Already installed:
BDS 2" springs all around (adding 0.75" leveling spacers up front one night this week)
1.25" Savvy body lift
1" motor mount lift
Currie anti-rock (a bit overkill for a 2.5"-ish lift, but I like the look and got it used for <$300 in fantastic condition)
JKS front trackbar (also obtained used for a great price)
Savvy engine skid
Over the next two weeks:
-33x10.50R15 tires on the stock Ecco wheels, with ~1" wheel spacer/adapter. I really like the Ecco's, and they've got pockets where the studs would protrude so a spacer will work fine. I considered 33x12.5R15, but I'll be mostly on dirt roads and rocks and don't think I'll see much benefit. Always open to other opinions, of course!
-4.56 gears
-Zip locker in the front axle
And ASAP:
-Sliders. Savvy is pricey, but seems like best option (especially considering the 60-90 day lead time for JCR at the moment.)
I have a 3.73-and-up carrier for the rear axle for the 4.56 gear install, although I'm considering just spending the money now and putting in a selectable locker now, like I am with the front. Opinions on just the front locked versus both axles, on 33" tires? (If I lock the rear, I'll also be installing a Super 35 kit from Revolution. I really don't plan on going past 33".)
Within the next month, I'm also doing the full frame protection regimen of air clean/pressure washing/Eastwood internal, followed up (after the Eastwood cures) with fluid film. I work with electric aircraft, and I have dreams of electrifying this thing after I've squeezed another 100k out of the 4.0, so I really want that frame to stay solid.
A couple weeks later I went to look at a stock stone white 2003 X, with a manual transmission. Frame was solid, very little surface rust on the tub from the bottom or under the carpets, had lived most of it's life between San Francisco and LA. On the downside, the rear pinion bearing was noisy, it had a steering shimmy at speed, was at 138k miles, and it had 3.07 gears in 35/30 axles. However, the seller came down in price easily, and I get emotionally attached easily, so the little white Jeep that had seldom ventured off the pavement came home with me a few days later.
Next to my trail buddy/work colleague's JT:
Already installed:
BDS 2" springs all around (adding 0.75" leveling spacers up front one night this week)
1.25" Savvy body lift
1" motor mount lift
Currie anti-rock (a bit overkill for a 2.5"-ish lift, but I like the look and got it used for <$300 in fantastic condition)
JKS front trackbar (also obtained used for a great price)
Savvy engine skid
Over the next two weeks:
-33x10.50R15 tires on the stock Ecco wheels, with ~1" wheel spacer/adapter. I really like the Ecco's, and they've got pockets where the studs would protrude so a spacer will work fine. I considered 33x12.5R15, but I'll be mostly on dirt roads and rocks and don't think I'll see much benefit. Always open to other opinions, of course!
-4.56 gears
-Zip locker in the front axle
And ASAP:
-Sliders. Savvy is pricey, but seems like best option (especially considering the 60-90 day lead time for JCR at the moment.)
I have a 3.73-and-up carrier for the rear axle for the 4.56 gear install, although I'm considering just spending the money now and putting in a selectable locker now, like I am with the front. Opinions on just the front locked versus both axles, on 33" tires? (If I lock the rear, I'll also be installing a Super 35 kit from Revolution. I really don't plan on going past 33".)
Within the next month, I'm also doing the full frame protection regimen of air clean/pressure washing/Eastwood internal, followed up (after the Eastwood cures) with fluid film. I work with electric aircraft, and I have dreams of electrifying this thing after I've squeezed another 100k out of the 4.0, so I really want that frame to stay solid.
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