This is my first attempt at a Build thread so bear with me... I figured I probably should start one more or less for myself so I can remember all the things I have done, should have done, should NOT have done :brickwall: and what not. So here it goes, and in no particular order as Im just gonna update as I remember.
So Ive owned my 98 TJ since 2003, but only recently (last few years) started to build it up slowly as time and funds allow.
Ive wheeled it quite hard over the years and am extremely impressed with how well it has done. Of course I have been stuck numerous times but ive also been on trails where CJ's with 6"+ of lift and 35's had trouble and I still made it. :cheers:
This was my DD since spring of 2003 - fall 2008 so nothing too drastic of changes occurred in that time frame. Ill update with pics as I find them, although most of the work was done before I ever thought about taking pics to make a build thread. So bear with me and enjoy! :cheers2:
lol, sorry haven't been on here in a while. Searching for a place to live with a garage so i can work on it... Haven't had much time to work on the jeep lately.
Finally went and started the Jeep up. Had to put a battery pack on it but as soon as I did it started right up. She drove a little stiff, got some clunks to figure out but she made it to my new place. Now I have to figure out why my turn signals/wipers/radio doesnt work. None of the fuses are blown but they dont even attempt to turn on or kick over. Its always something....
I pressure washed the engine bay, TONS of dried mud on there from last year. I noticed my radiator was bubbling and starting to overheat, found lots of mud stuck in the fins so washed that all out. I did that a couple of days ago so Ill start it up again tonight and run it a little bit to see if that helped. If not, Ill have to find another solution.
Temporary fixed my radio/turn signal/wiper issue. It was a loose wire in the ignition. I did some reading up on it and Ill probably have to replace it soon to prevent this from happening again. But for now it works. Ran her for a while and sounded good, no other major issues I have found yet. Now just get inspected and be able to drive on the road again (legally!)
I was wondering how you like those lff road lights by your mirriors. We have alot of wild hogs moving into my father in laws pasture and they really tear the land up. I was looking at getting some lights to mount up there for shinning fields at night( it is legal for hogs in Georgia as they are considered a nuisence here). I jus twant to make sure that i do not spend a bunch of money and do not like the results.
I was wondering how you like those lff road lights by your mirriors. We have alot of wild hogs moving into my father in laws pasture and they really tear the land up. I was looking at getting some lights to mount up there for shinning fields at night( it is legal for hogs in Georgia as they are considered a nuisence here). I jus twant to make sure that i do not spend a bunch of money and do not like the results.
I like them and they are very bright! You cant use them as a movable spot light unless you did some sort custom work to make them rotate (beyond my capabilities). I guess you could mount them pointing in different directions and use them that way as well. I like them and they don't give off too much glare off the hood as some people posted about. I use them on back roads and such, I use them on occasion on regular roads but make sure to shut them off before cars come as they are considered "off-road" lights and are illegal for highway use.
Wow its been a while since ive been on here. Been busy with my 3 jobs and all the house projects that need to be done. I still haven't gotten a winch or fixed my ignition switch. But those are spring time projects now as the winter season has approached. Jeep is parked in the garage buried in junk from my old house. Again, this spring im doing a cleanout/yardsale so that should open my garage back up from a 1 bay to a 2 bay garage and give me some room to work on stuff.
Oh I have made a list the other day for the Jeep. Its about $5000 for everything I want to do to it. 1st things are a ignition switch, Rocker panels, winch/winch mount. I would like those installed prior to Go Topless Day in may. Then its just a matter of money and time for the rest of the projects.
Went down to Bond Auto today and picked up a Ignition Actuator pin and a set of Torx Security Bits. Now just have to make some room in the garage to work on the Jeep. Probably won't get to it for another few weeks but that will give me time to pick up a few more things to install.
Last few times I drove my jeep it started to sputter when I was going down the road about 30-35mph. I kept going and it eventually restored but would do it in 3-5 second bursts every few miles. Did some research on here and most of what im finding is the answer is the fuel pump. I priced them at Bond Auto and its like $240 for the whole sending unit and pump. I might as well buy a gas tank skid plate and install that while im at it!
Im still slowly filling my garage with tools and what not as well. My girlfriend got me a nice tool box set and I also got an old set of lockers for storage too. The locker handles need some work and it will look great with a fresh coat of pain. I have a small workbench now but Im thinking of building a bigger one. Id also like to get a good size air compressor and a table grinder.
Some pics to follow, I haven't taken any at the moment.
I ordered a bunch of switches from otrattw.com and also ordered a second lighter dash bezel. Then I can remove the ash tray and put this piece in and have a space for 6 switches. I will probably modify the lighter area and make a space for a few smaller switches as well. I also went and bought some 55w fog lights. Im going to install a pair on my rear bumper attached to my reverse lights. The other pair im going to wire up underneath the jeep for some rock lights. Im going to try and waterproof them as much as I can with some silicone before installing them.
My switches are on their way, should be in my mailbox tomorrow! My dash bezel came in and I also picked up rotorcap and plug wires. I already have a set of champion spark plugs to put in, just need to gap them first.
I got the next few days off so Ill be slowly working on stuff in the garage and hopefully get to start wiring and installing the lights and hopefully get started on my switch panel. Ive been studying wiring diagrams for jeeps and I think I got a good grasp on how to do it. Im also going to look at trying to mount the relays under the hood so they look all nice and not wires everywhere like they are now.
I turned on the lights the other day and they were pretty dim, so im also thinking about getting a new battery as the one that is currently in it is about 5-7 years old. I figure a new battery would be good especially since ill be adding more lighting. Also been thinking about getting a higher output altenator out of a dodge durango as I hear they are a direct bolt on... we'll see how money flow is as of next week... right now its about maxed for this pay check. (It probably doesn't help that I just picked up a new SR.556!!!)
Switches didn't come today but I did end up going and buying a 1998 Dodge Durango 136 amp alternator. I figure if I just keep buying one part at a time, I'll have this thing all fixed up in no time!
Replaced the alternator, spark plugs, wires & distributor cap today. Some of the spark plugs were pretty nasty, I'm glad I decided to replace them instead of running them like that. [URL=http://s818.beta.photobucket.com/user/Holm-z/media/100_1616.jpg.html]
I tagged all the plug wires and labeled the cap with the firing order. Hopefully this minimizes the chances I screwed up!
Its a 1998 Dodge Durango 136amp alternator. I switched the pulleys over but other than that it was pretty easy.
Replaced my ignition actuator pin today. When I got to the old one, it wasn't broken... Ive been having some intermittent issues with my turn signals, wipers & radio and when I wiggled my key in the ignition they would come on so I thought the pin was broke. So im not sure if that was the cause now I have my battery disconnected from the other day when I put in the alternator. Im going to get a new battery this coming week so ill find out then if i fixed it or not.[URL=http://s818.beta.photobucket.com/user/Holm-z/media/ignition1.jpg.html] [URL=http://s818.beta.photobucket.com/user/Holm-z/media/ignition.jpg.html]
Also my switches came in today as well. Hopefully Ill start wiring and trying to install them this coming week too.
I used the Dremel to rough cut out the ashtray then used a small hand file to clean it up.
I also cut out a small piece of plastic to cover the 2nd cigar lighter hole. Im just gonna superglue the back of it to the bezel, in the future Im gonna add a switch or two to that location but for now ill leave it until I find more accessories.
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