[spyder6]

Welcome all to the January TJ of The Month contest.

For those that need a recap of the rules: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/tj-month-rules-regulations-890645/

This month has been interesting. i had kind of expected January to take off with a bang considering it was right after TJ of The Year and people would be excited to get in. unfortunately we rounded out the month with a total of 16 (very good might i add) entries. as long as we can stay above 10 its good, so keep them coming!

as much as i dont want to admit, James (bennettj13) has resigned from his judgely duties due to personal complications and time. we should all let james know that JF is more important than Home Depot - no matter what the hourly rate

with that i have appointed Unlimited04 to be his successor, his duties will start the following month (February)

i think thats it... i dont usually plan these things out just come up with crap off the top of my head. Good luck to all those who made it into the top 10 - and good luck to those who submit next month. let the games begin!

[spyder6]

2005x

kevin grieshaber***
2005X
*
2005 wrangler X
4.0 auto/wOD
D44 with cromoly shafts, detroit locker and 4:56 gears
superior rear axle bolt on truss,
trussed HP30 with cromoly shafts,
vanco big brakes,
4:56 gears, detroit tru trac
"4.5 rubicon express long arm upgrade
"1BL
currie antirock
tom woods drive shaft, MML, SYE
RE heavty duty tie rod
"35x12.5x15 BFG KM2
Allied racing beadlocks 32 bolt
PSC front "3 tube fenders
PSC rear tube fenders
flush mount tailights
warn front/rear bumpers with swing away
warn sliders
rockhard bolt on cage with welded rear spreader bar
bedlined tub
raingler side nets
neoprene seat covers
*
Basically the jeep was a spur of the moment buy.* in June of 2005 my father had passed away, the plan was to take his truck and make it into a show truck, well after working in the truck and doing a few shows it became a chore to keep it clean then sit at the shows for 9 hours to just win a plastic trophy.* then one day i stubled across jeepforum.com, started to read the forums and decided life was to short to do something i wasnt happy in doing.* so 2 weeks after i found this site i bought my first jeep.* basic wrangler X stripped down.* i wanted something i could build and build strong.* its been on going, and Oct. 4th will be the 4 year anniversary that i bough the jeep.* future upgrades include rubi 241 TC, triangulated 4 link rear.* on to the pics, thanks for considering me for ROTM
*




alex71

Name: Alex Hensley

Username: alex71

Mods:
2001 jeep TJ Sport
4.0
nv3550
np231
Waggy 44 front- welded, warn hubs, 4.88's
Ford 8.8 rear- lockright, 4.88's
3-link front/triangulated 4-link rear
Stretched to 101" (5'' rear and 2'' front)
1.5" dom steering with 3/4 heims
warn X8000i winch on curry front bumper
Full cage
Homemade tube fenders
Modified poison Spider crusher corners for stretch
AtoZ Rockers
35" BFG KM2s on steel wheels

Future mods:
Warn 9.5ti
Chromoly shafts for front
Hydro assist


Story:
I have had the jeep since i was in high school. I have been hooked on it ever since.* I have build just about everything on it from the cage, fenders, suspension, axles,...etc.* The whole goal with the build it to keep it as low as possible with the biggest tires.* It is still me DD so i have tried to over build it so i could wheel it like i want to without having to worry how i am going to get home.* Almost anything on it can be repaired enough to get you home.

Pics:





meloyelo

Name: Shaun Liomin
User Name: MeloYelo

Mods:
2002 Wrangler Sport 4.0L manual transmission
D44 rear axle with ARB, Yukon axle shafts, 4.56 gears & Rockcrusher diff cover
HP D30 front axle out of a '94 XJ with Rockcrusher diff cover
York OBA and 2.5 gallon air tank with regulator to power ARB
AGR Steering Box and Pump
Optima Red Top battery
TnT tube fenders and corners
Warn rock sliders and steering box skid
OR Fab Sport Cage with floor tie in kit
BesTop Oversize Tire carrier
Currie HD steering system
(5) Mickey Thompson 35" MTZ
Cobra 75 wx st*CB with firestick antenna
TerraFlex ST3 3" suspension lift with SYE
Smittybilt XRC8 8,000lb winch on Harbor Freight TJ winch plate
BesTop full soft doors for summer time
*
Story:
I purchased my Jeep back in 2003 and all it had was the suspension lift, SYE, tire carrier and 33" BFG All Terrain tires.*Over the years this has been built to compliment my driving style and budget.*
*
In 2008 I was wheeling the Green Day trail out in Moab and ended up damaging the carrier bearing in the stock LP D30. Once I got home I hit the local junkyard and picked up a HP D30 out of a 1994 XJ. Re-geared and installed with the help from my 4WD club.
*
*I added the winch prior to going out to Moab this past May and after flopping on Hells Gate I purchased the OR Fab sport cage for more security.
*
Thank you for your consideration.
*
Pics:




newracer

Name: Michael Castell
Username: newracer
*
99 TJ Sport
*
36" x 13.5" IROKs on 15 x 8 Champion beadlocks
Front Axle- *High Pinion Dana 44,*ARB*Locker,*4:56 gears, Chrome Moly*shafts,**Yukon Super U-joints. 3/4 ton Warn locking hubs, custom heavy duty drag links, tie-rods. Crane diff cover, and custom truss.
Rear Axle-*Super 44 (33 spline Chrome Moly shafts),*ARB Air Locker,*4:56 gears. Blue Torch Fab diff cover
Rear axle is pushed back 5"
4.5" Teraflex LCG with a custom built four link system in the rear.
1" body lift and MORE heavy duty motor mounts with 1" lift
TeraLow 4 to 1.
TerraLow SYE
Terraflex Belly Up skid plate
Warn 9000 winch, Roadless Gear In-cab control and wireless control
Poison Spider Customs*front Stinger, Tube fenders, Rocker Guards and Crush Corners
Nth degree oil pan skid
Wilderness rear bumper, tire rack, CO2 mount, Fuel can mount,*and cargo basket.
SWAG Offroad drop down tailgate conversion
The stock gas tank was replaced with a RCI*fuel cell and a custom 3/8" steel skid plate built around it.
Raingler netting
Tuffy center console and rear seat under drawer
OR Fab sport cage.
*




Lgriffith

Mods:
- 2.5" Old Man Emu, with all 8 Rubicon Express short arms, .75" in the front.
- 1" body lift/motor mount lift.
- 33/12.5/15 MTZ's on Cragar steelies.
- 4WD rear bumper/tire carrier, Rokmen belly up, engine, and seering*skids, Rock Hard sliders, Riddler D30.
- KC lights on windsheild brackets, Flowmaster 50, Rubicon flares, JKS discos, Cobra CB.
- Savvy Offroad front bumper.
- Tom woods cv shaft and Sye

Future Mods:
- Currie w/ tie rod flip
- Novak shifter
- Complete my suspension
- More skids
- Front Tubes
- 4.88's, front locker
Story:
I'm 17 and this is my first car/jeep and daily driver. Got it with 9500k on it and plan to have it for a very, very long time. Came slightly modded (2.5" lift, 32's, rear bumper, bushwackers...), but has changed greatly over the*past year. All the mods have been done myself with help from my brother (mg2000xj) and our friend Brian; on a 17 year old, high schooler's budget. I wheel at Rausch Creek OHV park in PA, and am part of the Baltimore 4 Wheelers. I take as good care of*my jeep as*possible, but wheel it pretty hard at the same time. My entire build is based on my plan to build a fully capable jeep, while still keeping it looking good, and street legal*as well. Every mod i've done has function, looks, and it being my DD in mind, and is built specifically to my needs.
*
All new pictures taken on a 1/15 wheeling trip.

*

*

[spyder6]

2006sport

Name: Zachary "BIG BLACK" Cropper****

Username: 2006sport****

Mods (optional): 2 inch*BDS suspension*lift but got 2.5. 31x10.50R15 Goodyear Duratracs, JKS adjustable rear track bar, Hella 500 driving lights, UPOL raptor, Delta quadbar headlights. Black headlight bezels, Alpine CDE-102 headunit.*
lined tub, Poison spyder customs steering skid plate.

Story (optional): Always wanted a Jeep ever since my buddy got one 3 years ago. I wheeled my 4runner for a while and realized that wasn't enough.* January 9th 2009, I got my baby and it's been awesome ever since. *I have been bitten by the bug hard and it shouldn't be going away anytime soon. *Bear with me, i have no action shots because we didn't have a dedicated photographer whenever we went out so all I have is these poser shots. My favorite ones. At least it's dirty this time.*

Pictures:







Unlimited04

Name: Mike
Username: Unlimited04
2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with:
31" BFG ATs, 3.73s, 4.0L/42RLE/NV231J
Diehard Platinum P4 battery
63mm Ebay throttle body

JeepMedic engine skid & tummy tuck
Riddler diff covers front and rear
Kilby Steering box skid, Gas tank skid & Body Clamz
Skid Row radiator skid
JKS 1.25" BL, Currie 1" MML
EBC pads & Centric Premium rotors
Springs: OME 2.5" - 933 front, 949 rear
Daystar 0.75" spacers in front
Shocks: OME N66 & N67
ZJ V8*tie rod
JKS adjustable front and rear track bars
JKS front sway bar discos with Homemade*storage cams
Skyjacker steering stabilizer
Bumpstops: Homemade 23mm front and 20mm OME rear
Homemade 6061-T611 aluminum t-case drop
Poison Spyder Customs Trail Cage with custom additions
'knoblockbumpers' front and rear bumpers w/ homemade-ish tire carrier
Homemade GPS mount, CB mount, antenna mount & third brake light
Rokmen sliders with internal reinforcements
Zone Off-Road cam bolts in front
Homemade 42RLE trans temp setup
*
Coming soon:*TrueTrac's front and rear, HP D30, 4.88s & 33s, off-road trailer, NV241J, Rokmen control arms.
*
Pictures:
*




pmccoy9876

Jeep Name:* 'No Solution'

Owner Name:* Phil

Username:* pmccoy9876

Mods:* Suspension:* Rubicon Express 4.5" Extreme Duty Long Arm Suspension Kit
************ Tires:* 35" BFG KM2s
************ Drivetrain:* Front: F-150 High Pinion Dana 44, Narrowed to 61.5", 4.88 gears, Detroit EZ locker
******************************** Rear:* Ford 8.8, 4.88 gears, OX Locker
******************************** Transfer Case:* NP231J, AA SYE, Tom Woods Driveshaft
******************************** Powerplant:* 1996 Jeep Cherokee 4.0, Firepower Ignintion/Wires, Screamin' Demon Coil
************ Steering:* Hi-steer Chevy Dana 44 knuckles
****************************** Custom tie-rod/drag link, johnny joints at all ends
************ Interior:* Herculined tub interior
**************************** LED gauge cluster light mod
**************************** Home-made Grenade Shifter
**************************** Insignia head unit/ soundbar speakers
************ Intake:* ARB Safari Snorkel
************ Recovery/Safety:* Warn M8000 Winch
******************************************** 5 lb Badger Fire Extinguisher
******************************************** Midland CB radio
************ Armor:* Rubicon Express Transfer Case Skid/Transmission mount
************************** Steering Box Skid
************************** OX rear differential cover

Story:* I got the Jeep back in 2006, the summer after I graduated High School.* I knew exactly what I wanted, and waited all summer to find exactly that Jeep.* I enjoyed it for the summer, as if was, but then began to tinker with things that were simple to fix (such as the carpeting.)* Prior to owning the Jeep, I had never even changed the oil or a wheel on a car ('Novice' does not even begin to describe my experience,) but I had learned a little bit from friends and relatives who were into cars.* The longer I had the Jeep, the more I found I was able to do using the Haynes manual, common sense, and of course the wonderful Jeepforum.com community.* Needless to say, in the past four years, my skills and knowledge have progressed considerably (though I'd consider myself 'average' at this point, because there's still a LOT to learn.)* December of 2009 was my first BIG project, putting on the lift kit, which went well.* A year later, I can now weld and have put new axles under the jeep, done an engine swap because the old one had a piston shatter in the block, and recently tackled the heater core.

**** Ask anyone that knows me, and the Jeep would most likely be the first thing they would associate with me.* It has truly become part of my life (needless to say, part of my wallet) and I have really enjoyed being part of the unique Jeep community.* The friends that I have made and the experiences that I have had have been amazing, and I can't wait to keep building the Jeep in the future (I don't know that it will ever really be 'done,') using the skills that I have acquired thus far.*

**** I won't bore you here with ALL the details of my story to this point, but if you would like to see them, here is my build thread:* http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f22/no-solution-build-thread-842712/

Pictures:






erikpl

Name:* Paul Erickson
Username: erickpl
Mods:
Stock it is a 2.5L with AX-5 manual transmission
*
My build includes:
*
Axles:
D30/35 combination (remember is a 2.5L)
4.88 gearing
33x12.5” TrXuS MT’s
ARB rear locker
Lockright front
*
Suspension
JKS front/rear trackbars
JKS quicker disconnects
JKS 1” BMML and 1.25” BL
OME HD suspension
.75” spacers up front
ZJ Tie rod conversion
*
Armor:
Toys by Troy Steering skid
Toys by Troy rockers
Toys by Troy rear side sliders/corners
Skid Row Engine Skid
Kilby Gas skid
Jeeperman bumper with tire carrier in back
Jeeperman front bumper with custom fab (by me) grill hoop and stinger
*
Recovery and Safety
Warn 9.5ti winch
Recovery straps, shackles, and snatch blocks
Hi-lift jack mounted with McMaster car pipe clamps in back (under padding covers)
Fire extinguishers
CO2 OBA
*
Adding lighting improved onroad visibility around town, and helps with any night riding.
*
Auxillary lighting:
IPF housing replacement with H4 bulbs
IPF 968’s on bumper (100w)
IPF 968’s on windshield (100w with stone guards to stop glare)
Custom rear backup lighting
LED rear taillights with Light ‘n Boltz for license plate illumination
*
Interior
To be a daily driver, it had to be comfortable all the time, and that means the interior needed some help.* Added XM radio, a CB (for weather and trail riding), Alpine stereo with dual amp, Kicker 6x9’s in the sound bar, and MB Quart 5.25” speakers in front.* Additionally, I’ve installed all lighting switches using a second switch bezel and Carling Contura switches for a stock look that matches the ARB switch setup.* For the times when I’m riding solo or with one passenger, I have a truck cover I can use for the back to keep gear secure that locks down with turnbuckles.
*
Story:
This Jeep started out as my daughter’s Jeep.* She quickly showed that 2.5L of raging fury was too much for her, so we put her in a Honda.* The Jeep became mine and the build began.* It was designed from the get-go to be something I could drive daily and take to/from the trails.* That meant keeping it moderately sized so my family can climb in, and being comfortable.* It has had to handle the high temps of southern California’s high desert as well as the frozen mud in the southeast.* All stock systems still operate very well, testifying to how well it has held up.* It’s been a slow build.* Having to pay 4 college tuitions takes its toll!*
*
It has been offroaded in California a bit (Camp Jeep and the Mojave Desert), but most wheeling has taken place in the tighter confines of the southeast – Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky.*
*
Reliability and durability were key and this build has been showing that a decent mild to hard wheeler can be done, even with a 2.5L without sacrificing on-road capabilities and comfort.* The 2.5L is not a hardcore engine, but with proper gearing, has been GREAT in town and on the trail while being adequate on the highway.* It’s not as extreme as some Jeeps I’ve seen, but my goal has been met.* I can get out into some great areas safely and securely, wheel enough to get the blood pumping, enjoy time with family and friends, and bring it back home intact (for the most part).*
*
It has survived run-ins with trees, boulders, and other Jeeps.* It has survived a flop despite a shattered windshield frame.* It has survived me!
*
As you can see, most parts were bolt on.* Recently, I’ve been starting to fab my own parts with the help of a friend with benders and welders.* The Jeeperman bumper was damaged in a Jeep run-in on the trail, so we built a custom Jeep grille hoop and tied it into a modest stinger with forward cant for some additional protection.* We have plans to fabricate our own belly-up pans and adjustable control arms.
*
Pictures:



*
I’m working on getting on the trail to get more current photos with the latest mods, but my son is currently driving it for his work and college classes.* He works on weekends, which makes taking out to the trail is a bit tough! L* This Jeep has taught me a lot about vehicle operations, maintenance, and repair.* It has given me confidence when driving on the road as well.* I never thought a Jeep would be an educational process, but it truly has taught me more about working on machines than I ever thought I’d learn.* 6 years ago I never would have dreamed about swapping radiators, fixing water pumps, or pulling axles as no big deal.* But it has given me SO much education that I could NEVER part with it.

redbob2323

Name: Bob Der
JF: redbob2323

MODS:
98 Jeep TJ 4.0 6cyl.
4" Rough country x series lift
33"x12.5" Dunlop mud rovers
15" steelies
Advanced Adapters Slip Yoke Eliminator
Tom Woods custom drive shaft
Skyjacker steering stabilizer*
JKS quicker disconnects
Cassidy's custom creations (C3) front stinger bumper
C3 rear bumper/ swing away tire carrier
C3 rocker guards
CB/PA system
tomtom GPS
seat risers
Carr light bar
4, 130W*beam*lights on light bar
2, 55W fog lights on windshield
alpine head unit
pioneer speakers in speaker bar
Custom in-seat stealth sub box
2, 10" 600W Audiobahn subwoofers
600W Scosche amp
custom flush rear lights
eight ball and Coors light tab shifters


FUTURE MODS:
long arms,*sport cage,*herculiner,*1 ton steering, tube fenders, winch, dana 44's, lockers, 4.56, belly up, gas tank skid plate, and *35's

STORY:
I am 19 and going to college so this is a budget build that takes up most of my life. *I got into Jeeps and offroading when my friend (imjustbumin) got a cj7 with a V8 as his first vehicle and I would ride with him all the time. *So when I turned 18 in May of 2008, I used my life savings to buy my very first vehicle, forest green 98 jeep wrangler 4.0 with tan soft top. Since then most of my time and money goes towards the jeep's gas, modifications and*insurance*(and school), I do all the work myself in my barn and don't believe in paying someone to do something that I can do myself. *I bought my lift the first summer I had the jeep and road around with the small tires for a couple months until I could afford the 33's. *Everything else was slowly added on and was bought/built by me except the SYE which was a gift. Adventures are always more fun in the jeep. *I get about 12 MPG and love every drop of it! *

PICTURES:




*

[Jeffro06]

Voted! Good luck!

[EugeneTheTJ]

crawled and voted.

Sorry Zach but I got to go with

2005X for the win.

Without his cardomain page I wouldve never found JF. Oh yea, his Jeep is pretty nice too

[Unlimited04]

nice line up this month.

i'm going with newracer...he's been up there a lot and he's got a sweet rig

[LGriffith]

Once again, just happy to even be in the top 10. Some good rigs this month; a more diverse group. Hmm, who to vote for...

[MudDuck99]

voted !

[99TJSahara]

Unlimited04 gets my vote

[256ChiliPepper]

erikpl got my vote. Us 4 angry squirrel abusers got to stick together!

[spyder6]

please remember to crawl this everyone!

[2006_Sport]

Haha wow, im honered to even be in the top 10 with these guys. Thanks for the chance!


I'm gonna give my vote to unlimited04. I like his rig, subtle yet capable.

[spyder6]

you're welcome

[1997_Sport]

I voted for Zach, I am glad he made it. I was getting annoyed of his monthly *****ing. lol

[Kuchmeister]

I voted for Zach. I figured if he didn't get some motivation from this, his build would go EVEN slower!

I have followed his build and like the direction he's going with the Jeep.