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the UTwj Build and other crap

121K views 1K replies 55 participants last post by  Diggerdale440 
#1 ·
well I bought this Jeep as my third (5th if you count my wifes 2). I had a 96 XJ whe I was in highschool that I put a skyjacker 3'' lift and 31's on. It was very basic but I immediately fell in love with it and love beating the crap out of it. Sometime during my years at the University of Tennessee I sold it and bought a 97 ZJ. Being a poor collee kid limited my funds so the ZJ stayed stock until about 3 years ago when it was totaled. For some reason I went and bought a charger that I drove for about 2 years. Terible decision. I just realized I am a JEEP guy and had to get one back. When I began looking for what I wanted to build I new I wanted it to look like a street queen but perform like a real rock crawler. I began searching forums for ideas and settled on the WJ. It was a luxury vehicle but still had solid axles. I like the WK but could bring my self to go IFS and new I didnt have the experience to do a solid axle swap (maybe one day!). I was really inpired by THEKSMITH's jeep I had seen on here. Anyways, I never really intended to make a build thread but now I just kinda want a way to keep track of all I do and maybe help inspire someone else like this forum did for me. I am NO mechanic and had almost ZERO experience working on cars before this. I bought my WJ with the intent to build it myself and learn as I do it. My goal will be to do as much as I feel I can on my own and hopefully build a pretty bad crawler one day that can still win some local car shows ;) All right, lets get to it. Like I said, i didnt intend to do this when I started working on this thing about a year ago. This first post will mostly just be pictures of what all I have done to this point so I can pick it up from here. Hope you like it. All input is welcome.
 
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#202 ·
well i just decided a need a DD. after Christmas, I should have the WJ built pretty well and will put throwing any more money into it on hold for a while. I'm going to start saving some change and keeping my eye out for a 5.9 ........i NEED a new toy!!!!! it just going to be a street queen (no lift or anything, just a really nice comfortable daily driver)
 
#204 ·
check page 4.....look closely :gunfight:
 
#206 ·
#208 ·
The WJ is actually a great double duty rig. even at 6'' and 33's it handles 70 on the highway just fine. I just have alot of reasons to retire it that make sense for me.

I drive 60 miles a day (more on the days my sone goes to daycare) so thats ALOT of miles im putting on it each year. It already has 108k on the engine. But more importantly is the hard miles im putting on all my steering components, tires etc....
My insurance currently does not cover the 8k or so I have in aftermarket parts on it. If I totlaed it, some parts could be saved but alot would be a total loss.

And the big reason is trail damage. Being a DD, when I break parts (no matter how expensive) they must be replaced RIGHT AWAY to get me back on the road. Having this as a trail rig 90% of the time takes care of that. If I break something expensive and cant pay to fix it, no big deal it just means I cant wheel till I have the money. Right now it would mean I cant get to work.

But in general, id personally recommend the WJ to any jeep owner looking for an all purpose rig....if you get your hands on one you wont regret it :cheers2:
 
#210 ·
thanks man
 
#211 ·
got my Cobra 19DX and 5' fire stick.......hope to get it mounted tomorrow
 
#212 ·
I might have missed it but where are you mounting the fire stick?

I have been considering getting a different antenna. I have mine mounted up front opposite of the radio antenna. I have the Wilson Flex 4' antenna and had some issues getting it tuned. It isn't perfect but it's better than it was. I find it strange that I'm only picking up probably a half mile to a mile on the interstate. Anyways, just curious where you're mounting yours.
 
#213 ·
just gonna fab a braket and mount it to the body right above the rear tail light (like most do)...then I gotta get creative with how I run that huge wire. I have so many wires stuffed under my door sills from my sub and tv's. I may have to find another way to run it......
 
#214 ·
I know it's not the most logical solution but above the headliner perhaps? It is another route if your door sills are 'full'...
 
#215 ·
ok, well got the Christmas bonus check. Now I cant decide. I had it down to RCV's which would pretty well complete the WJ for a while after I install the few things i'm getting for Christmas. However, I have really been wanting a ZJ as DD. I'd love a 5.9 but they are soooooo rare around TN. However, I found a pretty sweet '95 ORVIS for only $2900. Its only got 123k on the clock and the interior looks in great shape from the one pick.....I can jump on it now and pat cash without picking up a payment and retire the WJ......what to do what to do. Come on guys. give me some advice.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/3407946649.html
 
#216 ·
Looks like a clean ZJ but if you really want the 5.9, I'd wait and do some intense searching to find one. Don't settle.
 
#219 ·
haha...thats a plan. Any advice on it in general? How does the trans hold up on these? Im still considering a 5.9, but I know I dont really NEED it and I'd blow a ton of money on gas. I just really want a nice DD that I can depend on. It would be a very mild build for mainly cosmetics and comforts
 
#220 ·
No transmission issues. Haven't had any TC issues, even with the 249. I've got an oil leak and a little loss of torque on the low end. No issues towing or anything like that. Seriously, I'm a big fan of it. It is hard to find parts though. Which is why I was excited for a low mileage, clean version. So much so I was trying to figure out what I could scrape together and came up with only $1800 without selling a kidney
 
#221 ·
well dang man....now id feel like i'd be stealing your true love from you :confused:
 
#223 ·
oh, it would definately be pampered. maybe throw on a body matched 5.9 grille and front bumper cover? that way I could get the fog down in the bumper and off the grille (dont like that look too much). Oh man, the wheels are turning already. I'm going to need a 2nd job :rofl:
 
#225 ·
after looking at it your probably right.....of course with a litle fabbing almost anything is possible :)
 
#227 ·
meh....me neither. but I love to learn
 
#229 ·
its just the interior thats hard to find parts for right? other than that its basically a limited?
 
#231 ·
as long as the interior is in good shape then I wont be too worried about the replacement parts
 
#233 ·
haha....alright man, well i think the wife has given the ok. so im gonna try and find a time to see it this week.
 
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