Jon's TJ

This is some info about my 1997 Jeep TJ. I bought a Jeep because I've always wanted a 4x4 truck. The TJ offers the benefit of 4 seats and, of course, the classic Jeep charisma. There are many places to go wheeling in Idaho, and it's great to have a vehicle that will take the whole family. I love performing all of the maintenance and installing my own modifications. That's another reason I bought a Jeep, they're so easy to work on! I would like to thank the great people on Jeep Forum for their knowledge regarding TJs. It's a great place to hang out and learn.

Specifications

Modification Log

3/2005
Removed the worthless factory side steps and put on the Rokmen rocker guards.



4/2005
Added the Rock-it Man rear bumper.



4/2005
Painted my faded fender flares using Krylon Fusion Satin Black paint. Much Better!



5/2005
Added the Rubicon Express 2" Budget Boost.



 



8/2005
5 New Shoes (Kumho MT 31x10.50x15")!



5/2006
1" Performance Accessories Body Lift



7/2006
Procomp 1069 Wheels



11/2006
Skid Row Engine Skid



12/2006
Mike Green LCA Skids



12/2006
Chopped Front Bumper



12/2006
Custom Tire Carrier



12/2006
Rockcrusher 30 Diff Cover



12/2006
MV-50 Compressor


2/2007
Dana 44 Rear Axle Swap

The donor vehicle was a 2004 TJ Unlimited that had an engine fire. The Dana 44 is a major upgrade from the Dana 35 that came stock on my Jeep. A few differences: 30 spline vs. 27 spline axle shafts; Stronger housing; Stronger Gears; No C-clips; Disk Brakes; Trac-Lok Limited Slip.



4/2007
Gen-Right Crawler Gas Tank Skid



8/2007
OME Nitrocharger Shocks & Bestop Seatcovers



12/2007
Solid D44 Diff Cover



12/2007
33 Engineering Hand Throttle



5/2008
D44 ARB






7/2008
D30 ARB



1/2009
Custom Belly-up Skid



1/2009
P.O.R.C. SYE



Ready and willing helper!






1/2009
Custom Adjustable Control Arms












1/2009
Custom CV Driveshaft






4/2009
33x12.5x15" BFG MTs - Finally!



5/2009
Custom Engine Skid









6/2009
HP 30



7/2009
4.88s!



Photos

When I bought it in 10/2004 - this is actually the picture from the seller's add.



Quick, get a picture while it's clean!



Hmmmm...black wheels???



Good flex by Arrowrock Dam.






Near Silver City, Idaho - 7/23/2006



Reynolds Creek - 12/9/2006









Reynolds Creek - 1/21/2007



















Lost Trail - 4/20/2007








Meatgrinder - 11/15/2008

































HBRK Fun Krawl - 5/16/2009

All of the pictures can be viewed here.









Two Headed Dragon - 5/24/2009

This was a fun trail. It's almost beyond what I can handle though. I had the smallest rig, yet I made it up on my own. There were several rigs on 37s that had to winch or be pulled. I gave a tug to the YJ on 35s that was behind me :) I thought I made it out with nothing more than new scrapes on my belly, but I ended up losing a u-joint cap on my front driver-side axle a few days after the run. That in turn took out the oil seal. It didn't matter too much because I was putting in the HP30 anyways.

All of the pictures can be viewed here






Chili's Shakedown Run - 8/29/2009

We didn't get to do too much because Chili's clutch slave cylinder was giving him trouble. Kind of hard to rock crawl without a clutch!

























Sinker Creek - 9/7/2009

This is a cool place that is apparently dynamic from season to season. You could see where the water line would be when the reservoir is full. There were some cool sedimentary rock formations, cliffs, and more water than I have ever driven through. I could imagine what this place looks like during the run off.