What does it take to own a TJ?

[AndyG]

I had several older vehicles (66 Mustang, 73 Scout, 79 CJ7) and while I did some stuff on them I never got in very deep. And on the rare chance I tried something more advanced, it went sideways and caused the thing to sit in the garage, broken, for a year or more. Like when I tried to upgrade the distributor on my Mustang. Popped the old one out, went to drop the Pertronix unit in...wouldn't fully seat. Old one wouldn't seat either. And that's how it sat for probably 18 months. I eventually solved it, but was again scared to touch it further. Plus with a nice older mustang the odds of me de-valuing it were pretty significant.

I've only had my TJ for going on 3 years, but there isn't really any project I won't attempt (other than body work or any sort of rust repair). Just takes a little courage and a lot of YouTubing.

This is a good post- you can do so much to these without touching the engine or risk disabling it.

 

[Nickgsjeep]

If anyone on here has the right to say that you do - we love what you can do with one.

I was thinking mostly of the guy who just can’t tolerate a single leak, noise, scratch or thinks he can drive it endlessly and it just magically performs flawlessly, forever.

Maybe a better term I could have used was to have realistic expectations. Then you can move on to making it what you want it to be.

Which brings me to another point….that journey of transformation is so rewarding.
Then owning and enjoying that same Jeep is a great experience. It’s truly your own.

Well said!

 

[AndyG]

My TJ was going to get a lot of upgrades. The PO did a lift on it and that's about it. I'm doing minor things such as switching out the headlights and putting in a stereo system. Other than that, I've decided to not really do too much to it and keep it fairly stock. I'll do some minor to moderate offroading, but I have no aspirations to make a rock crawler rig.

One thing I have seen……with Jeeps, dirt bikes, etc…..is people just start “changing stuff.” Why? One reason is because it’s easy and because everybody does (so to speak). It is a wise idea to sit it out til you know what you need and want, what comes with changes, and the cost entailed.

 

[SPECWAR]

One thing I have seen……with Jeeps, dirt bikes, etc…..is people just start “changing stuff.” Why? One reason is because it’s easy and because everybody does (so to speak). It is a wise idea to sit it out til you know what you need and want, what comes with changes, and the cost entailed.

True, however I see a lot of “ monkey see-monkey has to do “.

 

[tr21triton]

Cold Air Intake- to get a massive HP boost.
Angry Bird grill- to look really assume driving it.
Cheap oil and filter- because it really does not matter what you use.
Lots of Metalcloak parts- because they are the best.
Amazon Prime account- so you can buy those sweet Made In China parts shipped for free.
Local mall- so you have somewhere to drive your sweet ride and look assume.

At least that is what I’ve gleaned from following this forum.
NOT!

you left off a snorkel ! for when the water pools up between the speed bumps in the walmart parking lot !

 

[tr21triton]

I’m just down the road from the Wheels through Time motorcycle museum, Maggie Valley. Bikes are everywhere.

well stay there I might need you to pick up a LJR for me !

 

[JasterMereel42]

One thing I have seen……with Jeeps, dirt bikes, etc…..is people just start “changing stuff.” Why? One reason is because it’s easy and because everybody does (so to speak). It is a wise idea to sit it out til you know what you need and want, what comes with changes, and the cost entailed.

I've only changed a few things:

1. Put in a new stereo because the factory one didn't work
2. Replaced the chrome headlight bezels with matte black ones
3. Replaced the factory headlights with LED headlights

I want to put in an amp and new speakers. I also want add a grill cover like this. No, I don't want one of those angry face grill covers. After that, I will stop making changes for awhile and see what just pops up over time.

 

[AndyG]

well stay there I might need you to pick up a LJR for me !

Please tell me you found one.

 

[b622r]

Little bit of patience...know when a project is beyond you...and have a good mechanic nearby. The stuff that breaks is so well documented here there are no real suprises.