What does a new to me TJ owner do first?

[arizona98tj]

Pull the build sheet. It tells you how the Jeep was equipped when it left the dealer. That's how I found out I have a Dana 44 rear.

The Dana 44 differential housing is shaped like an apple. The Dana 35 housing is oval shaped. If you're not the original owner, a diff sheet may not reflect what is currently in the vehicle due to a repair or upgrade by a prior owner.

 

[arizona98tj]

Here is another maintenance page worth bookmarking for the DIY TJ owner.

 

[jimsmith29841]

Alright I’ve had my tj for a month now and have put a few things in like leds and new head system. I do plan on lifting and linexing it early next year. But now what? What do I need to do to make sure its running at its best? I’m new to Jeep’s and working on vehicles in general so please keep that in mind when pointing me in the right direction. It’s a stock 05 sport in fantastic shape and is my DD and dog/beach mobile.

Some of the first things I did:
Flush Cooling System
Changed OIL.
Replace Rotors,pads,calipers.
Flushed Brake lines.
New Coil springs
New Bilstein Shocks (it rides so nice now)
Get a shade for the top so riding around in the sun isn't killing you.
Winch(it was on sale, so had no choice)
New hood latches,,most likely your rubber is deteriorated.
Quadratec Floor mats...
Made an extra transponder key, mine had only one. Would not want to find myself losing the only one in the middle of nowhere.


I just got my TJ about 2 months ago and its my first Wrangler.
Loving it.

 

[Ohio Kirk]

Great thread and welcome! I, as well am new to the TJ, have a YJ for 22 years, not even close to the same types of issues. Loving all the info all the others have shared here!

Good luck and I look forward to more of your posts!

 

[dlm1450]

Thanks to Lucee for starting this thread. I am a new wrangler owner embarking on an intense rebuild of a 2004 LJ. I just finished removing the front fenders and plan on performing most of the work detailed in this thread. What about gaskets? I'm already planning on replacing the oil pan and valve cover gasket.

1. What about the rear main seal?
2. Any other seals and gaskets I should replace while I've got this beast torn apart?

 

[Tigger09]

All good advice but I'd suggest you drop the top and smile while you drive it.

Congrats and welcome.

 

[KCsTJ]

Thanks to Lucee for starting this thread. I am a new wrangler owner embarking on an intense rebuild of a 2004 LJ. I just finished removing the front fenders and plan on performing most of the work detailed in this thread. What about gaskets? I'm already planning on replacing the oil pan and valve cover gasket.

1. What about the rear main seal?
2. Any other seals and gaskets I should replace while I've got this beast torn apart?

I wouldn't touch the RMS until it starts to leak... maybe you will get lucky and yours won't leak.
If it needs to be replaced, it will let you know... by leaking.
My point is, it's typically not a DIY PM project.
I'd hold off on the oil pan gasket, unless it leaks now.
Sometimes just snugging down the bolts will do it on the oil pan and valve cover bolts.

 

[billiebob]

is my DD and dog/beach mobile

That is the first thing, deciding on how you will use it should drive everything you do.

 

[billiebob]

there is NO shame in leaving it stock!

Exactly !!
Wranglers are incredibly capable stock.
Often changes just create a weak link to break.

Beach, Dogs, Topless..... Pet restraint might be the best first issue.

Lets see that dog.

 

[Cheetokps]

Welcome
I don’t think I saw transfer case fluid. I’d change that too. There is a thread here somewhere on which plug to NOT loosen when changing it ant to make sure you can get the fill plug loose before draining. I had no troubles, it was all easy.
Take a close look at the front axle universals out near the wheels, mine were shot.
Brake fluid is pretty important and not hard to do.

Do you have to remove the skid plate for this or is doing the easy way and just letting it spill out fine? I tried to do it the right way and the 6 bolts on the sides were all rusted to hell and stripped, for some reason there were hex bolts instead because the p/o must have installed a cheap spacer.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Do you have to remove the skid plate for this or is doing the easy way and just letting it spill out fine? I tried to do it the right way and the 6 bolts on the sides were all rusted to hell and stripped, for some reason there were hex bolts instead because the p/o must have installed a cheap spacer.

No, It's directly in front of the skid for your 02'.

 

[Dunkut88TJ]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[Hokahay]

Looks like a a really nice one , you will enjoy it .

Get everything greased that can be , keep the salt and sand washed off , and try to keep that Florida sun from cooking it!

Looks really nice!

And the Jeep looks good too!

 

[Ephry73]

...and let me just be the Outlier here and say that there is NO shame in leaving it stock! You can add slightly larger tires (31X10.5) and a modest coil spring spacer lift and still be "in the club"...

I always liked my CJ with the 31s! She's in Daytona though, and well, the chance of driving it on the sand is always great. Enjoy it! I miss FL and the A1A so much!

Welcome to the Madness!!! Routine maintenance is always a first as mentioned here, but cannot be stressed enough. Specially In areas that will be of safety(brakes, cooling system and electrical) These jeeps are fairly stubborn when it comes to quitting, but also very susceptible to corrosion. Going over the frame and ensuring that things are checked and corrected as well as preventative maintenance to ensure you CAN take it to the beach and have it survive are key. That sea spray and salt in the air can do wonders if not taken care of. Avoid the store bought undercoating cans, and use something that doesn't dry or is self healing. Will pay greatly in the future.

This fluid film doesn't smell the best when first applied, but once set it will be a good investment. Reapply after those storms and crazy heavy rains, and you will be set.

 

[Mudflat]

Welcome to the forum first off. It's nice to see a female TJ owner (especially since all the female's I see are driving JKs)!

It looks like your TJ is in excellent shape. However, given how old our TJs are, even if the mileage isn't high I always recommend a cooling system overhaul (see here: Jeep Wrangler TJ Cooling System Overhaul FAQ), because cooling systems are probably one of the most common things to fail on older vehicles.

But other than that, I'm not sure there's much you need to worry about. As preventative maintenance you could replace the spark plugs (see here: What are the best spark plugs for my Jeep Wrangler TJ 4.0?) and replace the O2 sensors as well (see here: The Official Jeep Wrangler TJ Oxygen (O2) Sensor Thread) as those are all items that should be replaced as part of routine maintenance anyhow.

X2 on the spark plugs. ‘One of the easiest things I’ve done on any vehicle. Use Autolite Irridium XP 985 plugs & you will never have to change them again.

 

[Mudflat]

I always liked my CJ with the 31s! She's in Daytona though, and well, the chance of driving it on the sand is always great. Enjoy it! I miss FL and the A1A so much!

Welcome to the Madness!!! Routine maintenance is always a first as mentioned here, but cannot be stressed enough. Specially In areas that will be of safety(brakes, cooling system and electrical) These jeeps are fairly stubborn when it comes to quitting, but also very susceptible to corrosion. Going over the frame and ensuring that things are checked and corrected as well as preventative maintenance to ensure you CAN take it to the beach and have it survive are key. That sea spray and salt in the air can do wonders if not taken care of. Avoid the store bought undercoating cans, and use something that doesn't dry or is self healing. Will pay greatly in the future.

This fluid film doesn't smell the best when first applied, but once set it will be a good investment. Reapply after those storms and crazy heavy rains, and you will be set.

I just got a tip from a friend. He said to hook up your lawn sprinkler & place it under your Jeep in your driveway for 20 or 30 minutes & then move it forward or backward a little until the undercarriage has been rinsed for an hour or so.

 

[Brianj5600]

LOL, the thread is almost 2.5 years old. Last seen December 2019.

 

[Hokahay]

LOL, the thread is almost 2.5 years old. Last seen December 2019.

I was just being colorful. I knew the thread was dead.

I wonder if she still owns the jeep.

Or if the shine came off the ball.

 

[Brianj5600]

 

[Cheetokps]

X2 on the spark plugs. ‘One of the easiest things I’ve done on any vehicle. Use Autolite Irridium XP 985 plugs & you will never have to change them again.

The APP985's are on sale here for $12 for a pack of 4, I'm thinking of getting those instead because it seems like a great deal