What did you do to your TJ today?

(My apologies up front. I posted this to my build thread and in the general forum. But have been waiting for weeks to be able to post something in this thread.)

So I got the ugly ass flares painted. And the 80's fat side steps removed (some like these. Just not my preference. I'll put some small side steps on later). Before and after pics below.

I used less than one can of SEM adhesion promoter and one can of SEM trim black. I prepped them with Dawn, then hit them with grey automotive scotch brite pads and water to get the black dye I tried to use on them off. Then wiped them down with acetone. One coat of adhesion promoter. And 3 to 4 light coats of the SEM trim black. They turned out beautiful. And being in Socal none of the fittings or nutserts were a problem. Not a single spinning bolt.

I also used aftermarket spray can nozzles. They're meant for art. But can be found on ebay for cheap. They are way better than stock spray can nozzles. Adjustable fan and it really lays the paint down on whatever your painting EVENLY. I save alot of paint with these too. As there is way less overspray. Most of it ends up on the part and not circulating through the air.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=253074790739
I'm so happy to have these done. This was the one major thing bothering me about the Jeep since day one. Those blue/grey sun bleached flares just made the whole Jeep look like crap imho. Very happy to have it done.

Also since before pic - late model 03-06 seats, new Rampage soft top, new wheels and tires, and full doors. And about a grand in new suspension parts and mechanical repairs.

Before all of my improvements to date:


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After:


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Man that Jeep is glad you came along ...nice work .
 
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Was planning on installing my MetalCloak control arms today but when I went to remove the rear uppers I found the offset washers on my G2 assembly had shifted on one side. It appears the spot welds had broken and allowed the washer to move and splay the two sides open, loosening the bolt. I hammered the sides back, clamped the washer in place, and welded the sides. The bolt was trashed so I put new ones in.

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This man is one of several seriously good wrenches we have on this forum .
 
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Chris , forgive my back to back posts .

Catching up on everyone , have the flu , E. coli and Campylobacter all at once ...sick is not the word.
 
Man that Jeep is glad you came along ...nice work .

Ya. It was a sun bleached sh*t pile when I bought it. Only paid 6k for it. In LA that's cheap! The good thing is she runs good. Everything I'm doing is cosmetic really. Eventually I'd love to put an OME 2" lift on. But no rush. When funds allow. Plenty of cosmetic things to fix. Next is painting the bumpers, sound deadening and putting the new ACC carpet in.
 
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I've got hands and arms covered in scratches but mine is in and working. What did you buy for a radiator?

It's made by cooling care. All aluminum radiator. It's funny because Amazon says it doesn't fit my vehicle, but his description says it for my jeep. Anyways, got it all finished and seems to be working great. Only issue was the fan shroud holes are fine thread and the factory screws won't work. Had to break out the screw assortment box and improvise. Overall, great looking product. I'll include the Amazon link and try to add some photos when I get home.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GW74B36/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
It's made by cooling care. All aluminum radiator. It's funny because Amazon says it doesn't fit my vehicle, but his description says it for my jeep. Anyways, got it all finished and seems to be working great. Only issue was the fan shroud holes are fine thread and the factory screws won't work. Had to break out the screw assortment box and improvise. Overall, great looking product. I'll include the Amazon link and try to add some photos when I get home.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GW74B36/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Ahh, you have a 4 cyl. I'd bet that radiator wouldn't fit as well in a 4.0l. It looks to be about as thick as my Northern was.
 
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What I've done recently is add a Poison Spyder front bumper. I bought it in bare metal to save a little bit of coin and painted it myself turned out to be a fun project. I etched it and then I washed it off really good. 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of flat black. I had a small run on the bar and couldn't stop myself from trying to pick it out. I ended up having to sand it down and fall back and respray it again. Turned out good.
I'm a bit of a procrastinator I been meaning to put this on the form. Eventually I'm going to have to pick up a wench. Right now I'm just trying to get away from the milk jugs in stock bumpers.
The rear bumper will come next. I found a smittybilt rear bumper& tire carrier. Coming soon
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What I've done recently is add a Poison Spyder front bumper. I bought it in bare metal to save a little bit of coin and painted it myself turned out to be a fun project. I etched it and then I washed it off really good. 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of flat black. I had a small run on the bar and couldn't stop myself from trying to pick it out. I ended up having to sand it down and fall back and respray it again. Turned out good.
I'm a bit of a procrastinator I been meaning to put this on the form. Eventually I'm going to have to pick up a wench. Right now I'm just trying to get away from the milk jugs in stock bumpers.
The rear bumper will come next. I found a smittybilt rear bumper& tire carrier. Coming soonView attachment 103552View attachment 103553View attachment 103554View attachment 103555View attachment 103556View attachment 103557View attachment 103558View attachment 103559View attachment 103560

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Haha, don't know how I got all the pictures sideways.

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What I've done recently is add a Poison Spyder front bumper. I bought it in bare metal to save a little bit of coin and painted it myself turned out to be a fun project. I etched it and then I washed it off really good. 2 coats of primer and 2 coats of flat black. I had a small run on the bar and couldn't stop myself from trying to pick it out. I ended up having to sand it down and fall back and respray it again. Turned out good.
I'm a bit of a procrastinator I been meaning to put this on the form. Eventually I'm going to have to pick up a wench. Right now I'm just trying to get away from the milk jugs in stock bumpers.
The rear bumper will come next. I found a smittybilt rear bumper& tire carrier. Coming soonView attachment 103552View attachment 103553View attachment 103554View attachment 103555View attachment 103556View attachment 103557View attachment 103558View attachment 103559View attachment 103560

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What is the point of the tube stretching out and above the bumper?
 
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Had taken all the carpet out, wanted to go with bedtred but budget doesn't allow right now..

Sooo.. I took them to the spray car wash.. used borax and comet and covered them completely..

Then used the degreaser setting on the spray wand.. then the soapy foam brush, then power soap and finally the rinse... Oh and I poured a bottle of car wash soap over all of them.

Strange it took so long to rinse all the soap out. Hmmm

They didn't come out new looking, but cleaner than I ever seen them..
I had just sprayed the Eastwood rust converter rubberized under coating over the entire interior tub.. and put the carpet back over it. Much quieter..
 
Had taken all the carpet out, wanted to go with bedtred but budget doesn't allow right now..

Sooo.. I took them to the spray car wash.. used borax and comet and covered them completely..

Then used the degreaser setting on the spray wand.. then the soapy foam brush, then power soap and finally the rinse... Oh and I poured a bottle of car wash soap over all of them.

Strange it took so long to rinse all the soap out. Hmmm

They didn't come out new looking, but cleaner than I ever seen them..
I had just sprayed the Eastwood rust converter rubberized under coating over the entire interior tub.. and put the carpet back over it. Much quieter..

I'm not sure how much cheaper it is. But ACC carpet is cheaper and way thicker carpet than Bedrug. It's more of a luxury brand. And bedrug is more for off roading. As it's easier to wash and dry. More like an indoor outdoor carpet.

Here's a post about it. Check out the link for ACC for samples. Order free samples as colors don't match the pics. And buy from RockAuto link. It's the best price.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-for-black-jeep-acc-luxury-jeep-carpet.18811/
 
Used my newly purchased cheap freon sniffer to find the high side a/c port valve core leaking. Replaced it, charged up the system and now we wait to see how long it lasts.

Also, popped out the left center vent. Hitting bumps would make it move down. I had put some fingernail polish on the pivots (old bowler's trick) to tighten up the unit, but it didn't work very long. So, some super glue and baking soda (model car mod trick) to truly tighten it up.

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