Where do I start??

[wade Quilter]

Hey all, new TJ owner here. I am bringing this bad boy home with me in two weeks and want to go your opinion on where I should start on upgrades/mods/maintenance. The Jeep is in fairly good condition, and almost all original equipment.
I was thinking about plasti-dipping the floor since the carpet is pretty torn up. Then adding a new CD/audio receiver.
What are your thoughts??

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Plasti-dipping would last about a day on the floor before your feet started tearing it up, plasti-dip isn't meant for that kind of use. I'd just install new OE or aftermarket carpeting since it serves as insulation and a thermal heat barrier to keep the big-time heat that radiates out of the catalytic converter located just under the floor pan just to the passenger-side of the transmission hump. I took the carpeting out for a couple offroad trips many years ago and I couldn't stand how hot the Jeep got inside afterward. I'll never take it out again.

The rest of the things you need will be discovered after you take delivery of it. Congrats on the new TJ, that's really a good looking clean Jeep you found!

 

[Chris]

Don't plasti-dip the floor. If you want to do it the right way you'll need to use some sort of bed liner. However, if it was me I would install a good off-road ready carpet like a BedRug, that can be hosed out and take the abuse.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0097JQ2MA/?tag=wranglerorg-20

If it was me, the first thing I would start with would be a lift and tires. Of course that's going to completely depend on what you want to do with it. That's where most seem to start though!

 

[Ahoragi]

What do you intend to use the jeep for? Off roading? 100% daily driver? A mix of both?

After looking at your pictures I feel you should really get some bigger tires on that thing since those fender flares are wide. Wide flares and skinny/small tires cause me to gag.

Yeah skip the Plasti-dip. You'll be wasting time and money. It won't work on floors. The bed rug as mentioned above is a really nice carpet to run. It's on my list.

 

[StG58]

Hey! That's my Jeep!

Did replace the wider flares with stock flares after inadvertently modifying one on the trail.

 

[Ron505]

Welcome! And I agree with the others, don't use Plasti-dip on the floor.

Not to hi-jack, but what kind of fenders are those StG58?

 

[Stinger]

Any road will get you there I you don't know where you are going.

Figure out what you want to do with your jeep and then build to meet those expectations

 

[StG58]

Welcome! And I agree with the others, don't use Plasti-dip on the floor.

Not to hi-jack, but what kind of fenders are those StG58?

AOR hooked me up with those awhile back. Oh, you mean the wide ones? No idea, they were on the Jeep when I got it. The ones in the photo are the ones that got customized on a brush pile.

 

[StG58]

Any road will get you there I you don't know where you are going.

Figure out what you want to do with your jeep and then build to meet those expectations

True this. Headlights and real tow hooks are a pretty safe bet though. Change out all the fluids, grease the suspension, look at the brakes. Lots of maintenance type stuff can be done to bring the rig up to snuff. Then drive it, lots. That'll tell you more about what needs to be done than anything we could tell you. When you find that something isn't working for you, come back and ask what can be done about it. Then make a plan and work the plan.

 

[wade Quilter]

Plasti-dipping would last about a day on the floor before your feet started tearing it up, plasti-dip isn't meant for that kind of use. I'd just install new OE or aftermarket carpeting since it serves as insulation and a thermal heat barrier to keep the big-time heat that radiates out of the catalytic converter located just under the floor pan just to the passenger-side of the transmission hump. I took the carpeting out for a couple offroad trips many years ago and I couldn't stand how hot the Jeep got inside afterward. I'll never take it out again.

The rest of the things you need will be discovered after you take delivery of it. Congrats on the new TJ, that's really a good looking clean Jeep you found!

I didn't think about the insulation barrier that carpeting provides. I think I'll learn more of what the jeep needs once it is delivered as well. Thanks for the response!

 

[Ahoragi]

I've been running without my carpet since I bought the jeep. I haven't had any issues with the heat bothering me mainly because my doors/windows are off all the time (and I ain't out west). It has been in the high 80's the past month though.

I do, however, feel alot of road and jeep noises through the metal.

 

[wade Quilter]

Yeah, I don't know why the previous owner decided to go with such wide flares - especially when the tires are so small. I appreciate all your comments btw. It's nice to know there is a whole Jeep community out there! After reading these comments, I think I will start with checking all the fluids, repairing any leaks (although I'm told it doesn't leak), then replacing the flares and installing the bedrug. I definitely want to take this Jeep off-road but I will take my time after getting it to make sure I'm taking the right steps. Thanks all!

 

[Fusco]

I took the carpets out perm and then applied Herculiner.

Now I can have the doors off until the fall. I remove the floor plugs, if it rains everything drains. Hey that rhymes!

 

[Chris]

I think you have a great canvas to start from! You'll have to keep us updated with your progress on the Jeep!

 

[Markus]

totally off-topic, but looking at the pic of your jeep.... what did you use to mount your hi lift to the front bumper? This is exactly what I’d like to do with mine. Thanks for any help!

Hey! That's my Jeep!
View attachment 5211

Did replace the wider flares with stock flares after inadvertently modifying one on the trail.

lky