Who are into JEEPS - Older TJ series?

[mcmxi]

To my knowledge it is the DANA 35's
Here it is after some original rims changes

You have a 4.0L Sport like mine but with the black factory top. Mine was tan as you can see in my photos. They are amazing vehicles and no doubt you'll enjoy it. What do you plan to do with it?

 

[85Hokie]

I've had three Jeeps. First was a retired military jeep titled in 1946. It had a small brass plate that indicated it was manufactured by Ford for the Willys Overland Co. Next was a 67 Wrangler, then a 95 Wrangler. They were fun, but the acronym JEEP (Just Empty Every Pocket) seemed to be true for me.

Yeah - Amazon and Quadratec are consuming a good bit of $$$ - but at the same time - as cheap as I bought this and me doing a little here and there - I'll make bank IF I decide to part with it.

 

[85Hokie]

You have a 4.0L Sport like mine but with the black factory top. Mine was tan as you can see in my photos. They are amazing vehicles and no doubt you'll enjoy it. What do you plan to do with it?

You know - what to do with it???........ every car/truck I have had over the years was a stick shift - only drawback to them is trying to eat and drive!!!!!!

A buddy of mine last year has always been a motorcycle rider, I sat him on a jet ski and he had to have one - so he bought one. About a month ago, he asked me if I knew anything about JEEPS.... I said I know they made a bullet proof engine (4.0 liter I6) ........ so as he was looking on MP, I started to look at all the stuff.....

then it dawned on me - my 80 year old neighbor has a daughter that is very sick and can no longer drive, there was a jeep in the driveway that never moved. SO I asked her if she would like to sell - and before I could finish the sentence she said yes. I look it over ..... 5 speed, check, 4.0 check, inside mint, check - outside needs a good cleaning - no dents, little surface rust ....... and the kicker was 67,750 miles on the meter. I ask what she needed for it .......... KBB had anywhere from 5 to 9 k......... I offered 5k and she jumped on it!!!!

What am I going to do? Rock climb - no way. Offroad - naw, open it up a bit and enjoy the sunshine - YES.

I am not going to trick it out much , tires and rims are good now - changed those now.

It needs a radio and speakers ----- got em coming
Needs a hitch - working on that now.

I did add a $30 new "grill" face -

I' ll do a little more - looking into "bumpers" and whatnot........

I hope just to have a little fun with it !!!

 

[RCW]

'Hokie - - sounds like you did well.

They are a lot of fun in nice weather.

 

[Botamon]

Been a Jeep owner for many years.

My 1998 Sahara, with my partner riding shotgun:

My 2006 Rubicon (last of the good I-6 engines) I'm in currently. It may be 17 years old but only 50,000 miles on the odometer.

 

[mcmxi]

he asked me if I knew anything about JEEPS.... I said I know they made a bullet proof engine (4.0 liter I6) ........ so as he was looking on MP, I started to look at all the stuff.....

What am I going to do? Rock climb - no way. Offroad - naw, open it up a bit and enjoy the sunshine - YES.

I am not going to trick it out much , tires and rims are good now - changed those now.

It needs a radio and speakers ----- got em coming
Needs a hitch - working on that now.

I did add a $30 new "grill" face -
View attachment 98477
View attachment 98478


I' ll do a little more - looking into "bumpers" and whatnot........

I hope just to have a little fun with it !!!

That grill insert is nice! Yep, the 4.0L engine is absolutely bullet proof but thirsty. Changing from the factory 3.07 ratio to 4.56 made a huge difference to on and offroad performance with no real change in fuel economy.

A nice upgrade is the NV231 transfer case cable conversion kit. I installed one of these kits about six years ago and it's much nicer than the factory set up if you shift in and out of 4WD a lot. Novak is one of my "go to" suppliers when it comes to the Jeep.

https://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/shifters/sk2x/sk2xc/

By the way, it appears that you have a better transmission than me. I have the AX-15 but you have the NV3550.

• 1997–1999 (4.0L) – 5 speed AX-15 manual
• 1st: 3.83, 2nd: 2.33, 3rd: 1.44, 4th: 1.00, 5th: 0.79, R: 4.22
• 2000–2004 (4.0L) – 5 speed NV3550 manual
• 1st: 4:01, 2nd: 2.33, 3rd: 1.39, 4th: 1.00, 5th: 0.78, R: 3.57

One of the many things that makes the Jeep TJ such an amazing platform is the aftermarket support for just about anything you could want. I plan on having my Jeep TJ for another 20 years!

 

[RCW]

Hokie - is this one a hard or soft top?

If you’re looking for mostly fair weather cruising, sometimes I wished I had a Bimini-type top. Thought might be easier than rolling up or completely removing my CJ’s ragtop.

 

[mcmxi]

Needs a hitch - working on that now.

I' ll do a little more - looking into "bumpers" and whatnot........

I have a SmittyBilt rear bumper/tire carrier/receiver that has been very good for many years. I have a B&W multi ball drop hitch that I use to pull around a CargoPro aluminum trailer, concrete mixer, log splitter etc.

The factory system of having the spare on the tailgate is ok (not great) for the factory wheel/tire but if you ever move to bigger wheels and tires (I run 33s) the tailgate hinges will take a beating. A tire carrier is a good idea.

Smittybilt Jeep Bumpers & Tire Carriers

Choose from the latest models and best name brands in quality exterior parts including off road bumpers, tire carriers, and winch mounts. All components are built for added protection, convenience, and style unlike anything else available for trucks, Jeeps, or SUVs. Your Jeep has solid...

www.smittybilt.com

 

[mcmxi]

Hokie - is this one a hard or soft top?

If you’re looking for mostly fair weather cruising, sometimes I wished I had a Bimini-type top. Thought might be easier than rolling up or completely removing my CJ’s ragtop.

He shows a soft top in an earlier photo. I agree re a Bimini type top. That's what I run all summer and sometimes into the winter too! I have a Bestop hard top that's easy to get on/off and makes cold weather driving more enjoyable.

 

[RCW]

mcmxi - yep my bad. I missed that pic of the soft top. Thanks.

My soft top could be rolled up several ways, but sometimes was easier to take it off. Looks like TJ’s are similar.

That’s why I often wished for the Bimini. Got soaked by a couple thunderstorms….

Hard doors can come off too?

Looks like a nice rig!

 

[85Hokie]

Pull all of the faded plastic (bumper endcaps, wheel flairs) and hit them with heat from a small propane torch or heat gun. It will bring them back to black.

I had a couple of students mention this ...... I took off one of the factory bumper "ears" and hit it with the heat gun on high - I was blown away at the result.

From a dirty gray white to instant black in 3 minutes......... impressive!!!!

 

[#40Fan]

I had a couple of students mention this ...... I took off one of the factory bumper "ears" and hit it with the heat gun on high - I was blown away at the result.

From a dirty gray white to instant black in 3 minutes......... impressive!!!!

And to answer your previous question, no, I wouldn't add anything on top.