Thus retroactively begins the build thread of Toby the TJ!
Start point:
1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ with 110,000 mi.
3" (maybe 2.5"?) suspension lift
31" BFG AT2s
Alloy wheels in OEM style
Current:
Still a '97 TJ
33" BFG AT2s
XD Alloy wheels
One of the first mods was lighting and a CB. What better way to run lights from the battery via alligator clips attached to cut and hammered flat copper end pipes?
Months later I conceded that I was playing with fire and worked on a less sketchy wiring setup with a Blue Sea Systems fuse box which was linked to the positive battery terminal via marine terminals and wing nuts for toolless removal.
Here's the classic powerpoint wiring diagram for my electronics as of March 2017:
After the wiring shenanigans began, it was game on. This is a Jeep, it must be fixed better. My buddy mocked up a bumper I had in mind and picked up some round stock Turns out it was piping and not tubing, so the pipe benders in town couldn't bend it but worry not.
In place of a tube bender we cut v-notches with an angle grinder and deadlifted the pipes to close the gap, which was filled in with a weld.
The brushguard bumper was attached to what was left of the stock bumper by welding it to a 1/4" steel plate and putting 4 3/8" bolts through the assembly.
Now for the headlights - swapped out the stock bulbs for some KC H4 Halogens. For the price (around $90) and ease of install it was definitely a worthwhile upgrade. Those KCs put out a pretty crisp light pattern. Thoughts on putting in LED/HIDs for the headlights? If I do, it wouldn't be the Amazon broke college kid lights but rather a solid set from a reputable company.
As we all know, each square inch of chrome takes 5hp, so being a good jeeper, later on the black rattle can came out to fix the shiny bezels.
Start point:
1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ with 110,000 mi.
3" (maybe 2.5"?) suspension lift
31" BFG AT2s
Alloy wheels in OEM style
Current:
Still a '97 TJ
33" BFG AT2s
XD Alloy wheels
One of the first mods was lighting and a CB. What better way to run lights from the battery via alligator clips attached to cut and hammered flat copper end pipes?
Months later I conceded that I was playing with fire and worked on a less sketchy wiring setup with a Blue Sea Systems fuse box which was linked to the positive battery terminal via marine terminals and wing nuts for toolless removal.
Here's the classic powerpoint wiring diagram for my electronics as of March 2017:
After the wiring shenanigans began, it was game on. This is a Jeep, it must be fixed better. My buddy mocked up a bumper I had in mind and picked up some round stock Turns out it was piping and not tubing, so the pipe benders in town couldn't bend it but worry not.
In place of a tube bender we cut v-notches with an angle grinder and deadlifted the pipes to close the gap, which was filled in with a weld.
The brushguard bumper was attached to what was left of the stock bumper by welding it to a 1/4" steel plate and putting 4 3/8" bolts through the assembly.
Now for the headlights - swapped out the stock bulbs for some KC H4 Halogens. For the price (around $90) and ease of install it was definitely a worthwhile upgrade. Those KCs put out a pretty crisp light pattern. Thoughts on putting in LED/HIDs for the headlights? If I do, it wouldn't be the Amazon broke college kid lights but rather a solid set from a reputable company.
As we all know, each square inch of chrome takes 5hp, so being a good jeeper, later on the black rattle can came out to fix the shiny bezels.
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