[98tjsahara]

Ok, I got my Jeep as a highschool graduation gift in May of '07. It is a 1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara 4.0, 3sp auto, D35, 3.07's. I'm 18 and dont have much money for doing mods to my Jeep but I have been able to do a little here and there. So here is my build for anyone who is interested.

First day home. Dont laugh at the ramps. Jeep is on 15x7 grizzly wheels and 235/75 BFG a/t's.



Had to fix a few problems the PO left for me. So, I bought a Bestop Sailcloth R.A.T. w/ tint.

old



new

[98tjsahara]

After the soft top, I had to get the transmission rebuilt. But no pics of that, I took it in to Mr.Transmission. So, after the soft top and fresh transmission, I put some tow hooks on.

Old (PO only had 1 bolt in each hook )

New.



Next up: Test Jeep against Honda. (was not my fault, she failed to yield at a stop sign)

You can see in this pic, the top of her wheel/tire is bent inward.

tow truck in background had to pull us apart because my bumper was hooked inside her fender.

my damage.

[98tjsahara]

Moving on. I dont have any experience with spray paint (except for making flamethrowers out of them) but I decided my side mirror was so bad that even if I messed up, it would probably look better than before.

Before. (not a good pic, but best I have.) you can see how bad the paint is chipped.

After my half *** paint job. (drove for about 1k miles before I took a pic, thats why its so dirty.)


Now I wanted to do something about my wheels and tires, at first I was just going to put 31's on the 15x7 Grizzlys, but I've always loved the look of the Ravines and knew I would need 15x8's for bigger tires in the future. So I found a guy here on the JF (jpumpkinn) selling his Ravines w/ stock 30" GS-A's @ 12k miles and we made a deal.

During (front 2 tires/wheels on)

3 down 1 to go!

Tadaa!


So thats all I've done to her as of 9-24-07. Heres a couple more pics I took today.


My poor fender. Should be getting it fixed next week with the insurance money.

[98tjsahara]

I'm always open for suggestions on what to do next. So if anyone has any reccomendations, let me hear them. As of now I have $550 to spend on it, then when my paintball gun sells I'll have $750 to spend on it, then when my old wheels and tires sell I should have around $950 or so. As of now I'm thinking 2" BDS lift and Disco's next. Then this summer some wheel spacers and 32's when I get the money.

[connordanny]

What about getting your pass side fender fixed?
A 2" RE BB is about $200

How about switching the BFG's on to your new rims?
The stock GSA's leave much to be desired.

[4x4grey88]

I would not worry about transforming your Jeep over-night. At least you have a Jeep. I think that we all started out with a stock Jeep and worked it up to what we have now (and will continue to 'up-grade' ). You will find out that you can do allot on the trails even with a stock Jeep.

Most people increase the suspension and wheels before the engine.

I can only hope that you enjoy the Jeep and the Jeep community.


Happy Jeepin



P.S. If you had higher tires you might have drove over that Honda LOL

[Higgs98XJ]

its the little touches to make it a nice, clean lookin jeep. You're off to a great start. Like these guys said, u dont need much at all to make it urs, or do work out on the trail. The previous suggestions sound good

-def try to get those BFGs on the Ravines (if they're wide enough)
-def fix the fender and missing foglight (try to find a dude parting out)
-match the tint on ur front windows to the rear
-when u decide to lift it, wait til u have the money to get the tires at the same time

[Higgs98XJ]

dont get wheel spacers. I've heard the hubs have a harder time holding the torque and run the risk of ur wheels just sliding off. Wheel and tire shops wont touch ur wheels.

[98tjsahara]

Originally Posted by connordanny

What about getting your pass side fender fixed?

It should be getting fixed some time next week.

Originally Posted by connordanny

A 2" RE BB is about $200

I would like to get a lift with new springs, considering mine are almost 10 years old.

Originally Posted by connordanny

How about switching the BFG's on to your new rims?
The stock GSA's leave much to be desired.

The BFG's were only 29" tall and about 9.1" wide. I like the fuller look the 30x9.5 GS-A's give in the wheel well.

[98tjsahara]

Originally Posted by Higgs98XJ

-def try to get those BFGs on the Ravines (if they're wide enough)

Rim width range on the old 235/75-15 BFG's is 6"-7".

Originally Posted by Higgs98XJ

-def fix the fender and missing foglight (try to find a dude parting out)

We have already arranged to get it fixed at an auto-body shop. But my dad said we could have them put a new bumper on it. I'm thinking LoD.

Originally Posted by Higgs98XJ

-match the tint on ur front windows to the rear

Hmm, never really thought about tint. I'll have to check into it.

Originally Posted by Higgs98XJ

-when u decide to lift it, wait til u have the money to get the tires at the same time

The main reason I wanted to go ahead and get the lift w/o the tires is because my Jeep is still running the stock shocks and they are shot. I still havent decided.

Originally Posted by Higgs98XJ

dont get wheel spacers. I've heard the hubs have a harder time holding the torque and run the risk of ur wheels just sliding off. Wheel and tire shops wont touch ur wheels.

Well, I plan to keep the Ravines untill they are no longer useable. I like the look of stock wheels with bigger tires. If the tire shops will not mount them then I will just have them balanced and then mount them myself. Might be a PITA having to occasionally check to make sure they are still tight, but for me its worth it.

[Mrwazmo]

Looks great man...keep working and posting.

[trav_k1234]

every new jeeper has to take baby steps (including me). looks good i am in the process of ditching my GS-A's and getting BFG AT also. I think they look great and good for DD. I am going to go 31's. but I have a 2" bb

[redcj576]

looks good man,keep us informed about the new stuff on the jeep

[98tjsahara]

Got bored today so I took a few more flex pics. Tried to unbolt the factory front sway bar but didnt succeed. I have really been wanting to take my Jeep out somewhere and find out what it is capable of, but it is almost impossible to do around here legally. I'm gonna give a call to my uncle Tony, he's got a few thousand acres, but its mostly farm land. Me and my cousins used to ride our dirtbikes out there.

Here they are...

[98tjsahara]

Well, finally got around to taking my doors off. Sprayed them with PB blaster the day before, then again in the morning. So at lunch time when I went to remove them they came off smooth as butter. On the downside, when my dad got home he made me put them back on because he says there is no protection with the doors off. I'm still in the process of convincing him to let me ride with them off.



And the mirror I fabbed up to keep me legal.