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Finally! - 2000 TJ Slow Build... (very slow...)

82K views 602 replies 65 participants last post by  kennyboobear 
#1 ·
Finally! - Silverstone 2000 TJ

Well I've been wanting to make a build thread for ages, but haven't really had much going on with the Jeep to showcase other than my "custom" Audio/Visual system as well as a few little interior tweaks, Ie.) The Jeep badge/plaque on my glovebox. But I finally got my first real parts that I can showcase... putting them on this weekend ....
Day I bought it

Since the netbook is now (and has been for a year) in place of the CB, am currently planning to relocate the CB to the inside of the Console.

This is currently mounted on my dash, acts as GPS/Movie/Music/Portable Computer station thing.

Lastly a poser shot for kicks..


New Corner Guards with steel flairs... Can't wait to get them on


Currently: As of July 2012

 
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#31 ·
Another quick update:

Started painting the Savvy bumper today because I didn't like the smoothe medium gloss finish that was on it. Sanded it down a good bit and got started, too hot to finish it up though so will wait for a day in the 80's versus today being 103 + heat index.



Needs a little more sanding and probably 2 or so more coats to be completely consistent. Using the same texture coat I used on the hard top. Will say one thing though, the stuff is durable. Sanding away at spots that I wasn't happy with is a task to say the least. Just doesn't like to come off.
 
#36 ·
So the sliders arrived today. They're heavy, sturdy, welds seem good. Few chips on the paint but that doesn't bother me because I intend on hitting it all with a coat of matte black textured rustoleum anyhow. Now just waiting on the fenders and lift, then September to get here so I can get the Jeep back from Dallas and get all this crap thrown on it and out of my living room haha



 
#38 ·
Hopefully I'll get to use mine come the later part of September haha, better those than the factory gas tank skid... again... Think I added an extra dimple to it last run :shhh:
 
#40 ·
Yea, gonna order a PSC tank skid after I get the lift and tires on. I figure it's the same price as everything else, and hell, PSC is good stuff.

Decided to scrap the RC X-Series 2.5" idea over the last day or so. Ultimately decided on the Heavy Duty OME 2 ½" and gonna get a set of Currie adjustable upper and lower CAs at a later date.

Costs less up front, more in the long run though. But in the end, I'll have a much higher quality suspension setup (though I must say I am quite impressed with how RC has been improving their quality.) I'd just rather not risk premature breakage/sag etc. by spending the extra buck up front, instead of spending it anyways to replace parts that failed on the trail. Much easier to do it all in one go than to replace it over and over and without the luxury of a garage/proper tools haha.

Intended on running an SYE regardless of suspension setup so the fact that I'll be adding the SYE isn't going to cost me anything more than I had initially intended on spending. I figure in the long run I'll be shelling out around 6-800 more but, if it gives me that extra peace of mind, I think it's worth it. :2thumbsup:
 
#42 ·
So.... Finally got my goodies on! Now to get the flat fenders, winch plate and winch on :D

Rick's Jeep on the left, and mine with the new stinger bumper on the right


The sliders, also take note of the massive difference in height. He's running the RE LA with a 2" body on NITTO 35x12.5 tires paired with pro-comp 16" wheels. It's quite an animal.


The Savvy bumper :2thumbsup: also note the freebie class 3 hitch that Rick donated to me!


And from the front again.


Close up on the rear bumper


From the rear corner.


Rick working Diligently.


And a slightly wider angle


Found a visitor on my rear tire too..


Had to do a little modification to the brackets for the rear bumper, but everything lined up great! All in all, I'm happy! Just a side note, contrary to other people's experience, the Smittybilt Stinger bumper lined up perfectly. Was the easiest part of the whole Saturday project. Sliders were fairly simple as well, but cutting those damn body supports simply sucked! Enjoy!
 
#43 ·
Edit: Am left with a difficult and vexing decision here. Still certain I want to flat/tube fender it, though part of me wants metalcloaks. I can't help but think how bad *** they look, but then again, I'm not certain it would look right/match the rest of my armor... That and the fact that with the appropriate flare, they'd be over twice the cost of the standard flat fenders I'm aiming for. Damn you money, quit burning a hole in my pocket!

Opinions? Ideas?
 
#44 ·
wow... looks good and im loving all the armor. i had that bumper in mind and now that ive seen this i think it looks sharp my mind is set! those sliders and rear corners look great too. nice jeep!
 
#45 ·
oh and as far as tube fenders go.. i got some Smittybilt XRC tubes with the 3" flare a couple of wees ago i just havent gotten to put them on yet. they are the same finish as the bumper you have and look sturdy, i think they would go well with you current mods.
 
#46 ·
Thanks and yeh, kinda what I was thinking. However, the added benefit of more clearance with the metal cloaks is awfully tempting. You'll have to let me know how you like em once you get them installed, might help me make my mind up :cheers2:

On the front bumper, it's extremely sturdy, though I will say there are a few spots (2 spots to be precise) on the welds I personally wouldn't have been happy with had they been my own personal welds. That said, beggars can't be choosers. Once I get myself my own little welder I'll probably go over all the welds and hit spots I'm not satisfied with. Despite that, though, I'm 100% certain this bumper would hold up against just about anything thrown at it. It is VERY rigid.
 
#48 ·
Have drafted up a detailed expense and idea of what I want/intend of dropping into it in various stages. It's possible I may run into a bit of money soon allowing me to drop 5-6 into her before December, but of course, can't count my chickens before they hatch. In the event that DOES happen, though, this is a basic idea of the direction I'll be going in. And yes, I intend on doing all my own work, so labor isn't factored into the cost.

Also bear in mind, the prices I've attached to the "Done" category is what I paid for all these things, not actually what they retail at.

Done
Stage 1
Hard Top - 500.00
Smittybilt Rear Full Corners - 224.99
3" Flare - 119.99
Smittybilt XRC Stinger Bumper - 199.99
Smittybilt XRC Rock Slider w/Tube Step - 219.99
Savvy Rear Rock Crawler Bumper - 275.00
Shackles x 4 - 39.99
Grab Handles x 2 - 31.98
Infinity 4x6 Speakers - 79.99
Polk DB 5 ¼" Speakers - 89.99
Rockford Fosgate 10" in Ported Rockford Box - Free
Power Acoustik 4ch 600w Amp - 25.00
Hella 500FF Driving Lamps - Free
Optima Red Top - 60.00
To Be Done
Stage 1
Smittybilt Tube Fenders - 299.99/399.99
Alloy USA 4.56/4.88 Regear - 183.99 x 2
Poison Spyder Gas Tank Skid - 249.99
Goodyear Wrangler MT/R or BFG KM2s 33x10.5 or 35x12.5 - 649.99-849.99
OME 2" Heavy Duty Lift - 695.99
Rough Country Quick Disconnects - 69.95
Rough Country 1 ½" Wheel Spacers - 59.99 x 2
Stage 2
Smittybilt XRC8/XRC10 Winch - 299.99/399.99
OR-FAB Sport Cage - 339.99
Floor Mount - 76.99
Streamer Bar - 69.99
Across the Dash Bar - 72.99
PUREJEEP Steering Box Skid - 49.99
Riddler D30/D44 Covers - 99.99/109.99 x 2
Aussie D30 Locker - 249.99
OX D44 Locker - 839.99
Slip Yoke Eliminator - 249.99
Currie/Rokmen (or similar)Upper & Lower Adjustable Control Arms - 849.99-899.99
Rough Country (or similar) TT - 259.95

Totals
Minimum - 7850.61
Maximum - 8320.61

Total So Far - 1836.91

7850.61 - 1836.91 = 6013.70 (until build completion on the low end)
8320.61 - 1836.91 = 6483.70 (until build completion on the high end)
(+-) Extra Expense Overflow - $500

Cost Until Completion of Stage 1
2753.87
Cost Until Completion of Stage 2
3729.83
 
#49 ·
Lookin' good. I'm not a big fan of the stingers, but I'm sure it will fit when you have the lift. Armor is definitely the right choice when starting if you are going to go offroad. I wouldn't want to have to replace parts when you are trying to build up.
 
#50 ·
Yea, I originally was gonna do lift and tires first, but decided since I actively wheel on stock suspension, I better start by protecting everything first, then build up it's actual trail capability second. Will decide by December what I'm gonna do with the fenders, metalcloaks or smittybilt tubes... tough decision haha

As for the stinger, it looks naked right now without a winch, but once I get that on and pop some tabs on it for my hella driving lamps, I think it'll spice it up a good bit :D
 
#52 ·
See, that's just bad luck. Now that someone's paying attention, I'm bound to FUBAR the whole build :rofl:
 
#54 ·
So since I was fairly confident I'd end up with a 1" BL and 1" mml at some point as a result of a TT and for the added tire clearance amongst other things, I ultimately decided 2 - 2 1/2" of lift wasn't enough for me running a DD/Weekend Warrior. So.... Have changed my mind on the lift.

Am now going for the Currie 4" with the anti rock and a set of 4 rs9000xl's by Rancho, with that handy little wireless controller they have for it. I figure it will give me ample tire clearance, and I'll default off with an awesome set of UCAs and LCAs as well as the antirock. Seems win win to me, though 4" is a bit higher than I wanted to go. Then again, I was probably going to end up there with the BL/MML anyways, so at least now all of it will be suspension lift :D

Also, this weekend I threw some windshield mounts on and relocated my Hellas to the windshield as well as put some new door skins on the upper halves of my doors. The factory ones needed to go, they finally went kaput after 11 years of service.

They seem to need to be aligned, I read that unbolting the hinges, aligning and shutting the door, then re-bolting the hinges should cure the issue, so I'll give that a whirl when I'm back in Dallas towards the end of the month to pick her up before the move to Colorado. At that time, I'll also take some picture of those 2 little tweaks I made :2thumbsup:
 
#56 ·
Danke, though mine didn't really progress much for the first 2 years. It's just the last 3 months, a lot of extra money has been come by. Will be lifting and going with 35s as well as regear as well as the metalcloak front fenders (still haven't decided on arch or overline, they're both the sex.) Am also gonna throw a winch on the bumper, all likely before January. So since September everything has more or less flown by :shhh:
 
#57 ·
plans sound good buddy. whats up with the fulton county plates? i lived in fayetteville for 14 years. were moving back to GA, either coweta or henry county as soon as i graduate this june
 
#58 ·
lol, lived in Alpharetta from 07-09. Company moved me back to Louisiana for a year, then to Oklahoma City in March of this year. Haven't seen an increase in pay since 09 but they keep relocating me, so I was basically like okay well, I'm half way to Denver, time to go somewhere I'll enjoy on my own accord. Company suddenly wanted to give me an increase in pay but meh, hell with them. Not taking a counter offer, will be much happier in the hills and rocks anyhow :2thumbsup:

Be honest with ya though, I loved it out there north of the Chattahoochee, it's absolutely gorgeous. Lot of great people out there too. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did :D
 
#59 ·
Think I'll be ordering the Tom Woods Shaft/SYE and Currie 4" w/anti-rock this afternoon. Will keep you posted/updated on the status of that. Might get the shocks ordered as well :2thumbsup:

Edit: Ordered Metalcloak arch fenders tonight, along with 1 1/2" wheel spacers. Ordering the lift, shocks, TW Shaft and SYE on Sunday. Damnit, December can't come soon enough!
 
#60 ·
Me and brown Santa, we got a thing going on. He brings me gifts on a daily basis :2thumbsup:



Spacers came to me at work yesterday, shocks were waitin' on my porch today. TW Shaft, SYE and Currie lift package should arrive before the end of the week, Metalcloaks are scheduled for Thursday, Kittyhair for my hard top repair work arrives tomorrow and then the Currie adjustable track bar arrives some time next week. Christmas is comin early :D
 
#63 ·
Yea, I had the money and decided I didn't want to leave it up to the steadiness of my hands with a sawzall as to whether they would look good or not :rofl: Ultimately decided Metalcloak was the way to go

Can't wait to see the metalcloaks on.
Me too haha :2thumbsup:
 
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