[ShinySideUp]

So I'll probably get my first TJ later this week. What should be the first thing I buy next? Not (necessarily) a mod (although new bumpers and skids are high on my list). And tires will be in the works within a month or so.

A Chilton's Repair manual? (Do they still make them?)

I have a fair set of tools and the willingness to learn. And part of the reason I'm buying the Jeep is so I can wrench on it.

Separate issue: anybody know the size and threading for the gear shift and transfer case shifter? A new knob is a cheap way to say, "I love you!"

[2jhanna]

I know it is hard, but I tried not to jump into moding and buying anything to quickly. If this is your first wrangler, take time to know it and research. Read this forum everyday. There are a lot of guys who have spent money, only later to spend more in the same area. And, yes, you can still get DIY repair manuals.

[XJK]

armor and recovery are your best friends.

chiltons/haynes manual will pay for itself ten fold. i know mine has.

-Kyle

[XJK]

Originally Posted by 2jhanna

I know it is hard, but I tried not to jump into moding and buying anything to quickly. If this is your first wrangler, take time to know it and research. Read this forum everyday. There are a lot of guys who have spent money, only later to spend more in the same area.

x2, do your research, make sure you do it right the first time to prevent doing it a second time.

-Kyle

[skyywelker]

I am trying not to get into things too fast as well as I have also just got my first TJ.

The first thing I bought was a T-25 Torx bit to remove the floaties!

[chipda2nd]

Nice thread, I myself just got a TJ back in november. Solar Yellow! '05. Anyway, I find the world of modding quite wondrous... and expensive. Since I'm really new to Jeep I plan on taking my time and doing the research before I do anything where I need to put money into this thing. Don't get me wrong, I love it and I can't wait - but I've a wedding to save for!

Like the OP, are there any quick, 'cheap', things I can do to aesthetically make this baby look better? I've seen a few places where a few folks were taking the caps off the end of the front bumber?

And congrats everyone on their new purchases! (even to myself) I love my Jeep and can't wait to explore all that it has to offer! I've lurked these forums for months now, and am finally posting.

Thanks everyone for their input on each and every post. This place rocks!

(didn't mean to threadjack! sorry!)

[07MustangGT]

I am in the same dilemma myself...just got an '01 TJ. I am thinking of a spare tire cover, oh I already put in a Pioneer CD player (knock on wood it doesn't get stolen), and I was thinking about a shift knob as well. Try www.koolknobs.com for some awesome ideas, that is probably where I'm going to get mine. Let us know what you decide on doing.

[MusicMaverick]

Originally Posted by 2jhanna

I know it is hard, but I tried not to jump into moding and buying anything to quickly. If this is your first wrangler, take time to know it and research. Read this forum everyday. There are a lot of guys who have spent money, only later to spend more in the same area. And, yes, you can still get DIY repair manuals.

Yeah, when I bought my TJ last summer, I took it into the shop and dropped $800 in just repairs. (Brakes/Rotors, and a handful of other things that probably could have been avoided at it not been owned by a 20-something ditz.... altho sooo hot)

It'd suck to have bad *** looking bumpers on that Jeep while it sits in the driveway til you can afford to replace something like a blown gasket

[BWR]

JK here...but my first true bought mod was getting some window channel visors from weathertech...completely changed the howl & wind that was coming in with the indow cracked down an inch or two: Great money spent.

[Chilly]

I just got a 05 LJ back in December and my first purchase was tune up and brakes. I was also able to find a $800 FabFours stinger on Ebay for only $250 so I had to grab that.

[cincyjeeprs]

AAA membership.

[XJK]

Originally Posted by cincyjeeprs

AAA membership.

Has come in handy many a times, although I would suggest the gold version

[carpekd]

First thing I bought was a new top

[paulthejeeper]

The first major mod I bought was a 4" lift kit and 33" tires and wheels... Cost me $1400, and installed myself...
I knew what I wanted for my TJ, and I felt this mod was the framework for all other mods to come...

[Niteshooter]

First purchase for me was a stereo cassette deck (87) because the Jeep didn't have a radio. Once I had some $$ I went for wheels and tires.

AAA already had and I made good use out of it when I had a 77 CJ-5.

Kevin