1999 jeep tj my build thread

[armyman89]

so i started out with a 1999 jeep tj with the 2.5L with a 6in lift and some horrible tires got a good deal on it my first step was to beef up the front end. so i started out with rugged ridge steering from drag link to tie rod and ends. next i added a JKS adjustable track bar,4brand new rough country 9,000 shocks. next 4 adjustable upper and lower control arms with johnny joints,next was a stronger steering gear box. next was making some tyep of box that i could bolt to the body of the jeep and lock closed so i had an old plastic tool box that i bolted to the floor next to help with drainage inside the jeep i drilled holes near the back door incase water got in the back or if i needed to wash out the jeep it would drain.
next i rebuilt my rear end i found that it had a track lok LS stock so i kept that and added stronger axle shafts new pinion and ring gear and new bearing and races and seals with new ujoints. next to keep the bugs out of my vents when ihad the top on i added window screen and a dryer sheet to help filter the incoming air so my allergies wouldnt be so bad and i used the same window screen on the stock airbox to keep chunks of mud and bugs out of my airfilter. then i built my front bumper so that it could withstand tress and whatever else i put in front of it

 

[armyman89]

 

[JeepN95YJ]

next i rebuilt my rear end i found that it had a track lok LS stock so i kept that and added stronger axle shafts new pinion and ring gear and new bearing and races and seals with new ujoints

Did you get mud in the rear axle or the PO? Were the clutch discs still good in the trac-lok?

 

[armyman89]

it was the PO and everything was still good

 

[armyman89]

does anyone have any ideas what else i can do to make the jeep more travel friendly? any ideas im open to for more storage space and whatnot also im looking for a snorkel but i cant seem to find one for my 2.5L it seems like all they make them for are the 4.0s

 

[nkorep2]

I dont think it matters whether you have a 4.0 or a 2.5, the snorkel would be the same. Maybe Im missing something, but even if it was able to use a different one, I dont see why a 4.0L snorkel wouldnt work. What do you mean when you say, "Travel Friendly"? Cause if you're talking really long distances, Id imagine that much lift may become a pain. You may want to look into a Hard top to reduce noise. Depending on what you drive through, Ive heard of people using sound deadening insulation. If you travel along often, a winch would be a good idea.

 

[armyman89]

i know i need to change my shocks out i just bought cheap ones to tide me over other than that the ride is smooth i have dapend some of the noise by spraying some header paint on the floor with a covering of rubberized sound deadener

 

[jeffy]

I dont think it matters whether you have a 4.0 or a 2.5, the snorkel would be the same. Maybe Im missing something, but even if it was able to use a different one, I dont see why a 4.0L snorkel wouldnt work. What do you mean when you say, "Travel Friendly"? Cause if you're talking really long distances, Id imagine that much lift may become a pain. You may want to look into a Hard top to reduce noise. Depending on what you drive through, Ive heard of people using sound deadening insulation. If you travel along often, a winch would be a good idea.

The placement of the TB is different between the 4.0L and the 2.5L. IIRC the 2.5L is further back.

I agree that if you want it more road friendly, getting rid of the budget boost would help. I would have also consider skinny 33's which will really help the 2.5L. If you went with more wheel offset you wouldn't need those wide flares which also helps with the aerodynamics. You'll lose 9lbs from each tire as well which helps reduce the unsprung weight. The 2.5L needs every help it can get. If it has stock 4.10/4.11:1 gears then a gear change would help both on and offroad. Also make sure the speedometer is calibrated as that will screw up your air/fuel and timing maps.

A hardtop is about 4" shorter then the soft top and 2" taller then no top. Even though they are heavier they do cut through the wind a lot easier.

I'd probably remove the ********** bar but some people like those.

 

[JeepN95YJ]

The placement of the TB is different between the 4.0L and the 2.5L. IIRC the 2.5L is further back.

The ARB snorkel attaches to the airbox, not the throttlebody. The airbox for the 4.0 and the 2.5 are identical and in the same location.:snorkel:

 

[armyman89]

so a snorkel for the 4.0 would fit my 2.5? i dont want to drop 375bucks to find out it wont fit. i am running 4.33s in front and rear now without problems i need to upgrade my shocks the ride isnt rough persay but its not smooth. if this was yalls jeep and setup just like it is what would yall do to it?

 

[nkorep2]

If money wasnt a barrier. Id drop the lift down to like 4inch max. 33x10.5 inch tires, powertrax up front, OX in the back with a D44. Hard top. Removable winch with a front hitch mount. Above tire cargo rack. ARB snorkel. Rocker Guards and a tummy tuck.

 

[armyman89]

here are some more pics of my jeep this was right after i got it with some bald tires

 

[armyman89]

money is kinda tight right now im looking at doing a tummy tuck with cv drive shaft and a ford 8.8 with powertrax in the rear.