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Brplatz's TJ "OPV"

18413 Views 181 Replies 21 Participants Last post by  brplatz, 
brplatz
Brplatz's TJ "Provost"

Current Photo:



PAGE 5 starts the rear end stretch

Bryan did one of these threads to I decided I probably should do one also.

Mid may, after finishing my first year at NMSU, I gave my younger sister my 2001 2wd Xterra, and proceeded to look for a jeep. Doing research I found that I wanted a TJ and found one not much later in Phoenix. After some talks on the phone and many pictures and email, I decided to jump on it. Flew out to Phoenix with my father with some tickets he had accumulated, and picked it up.

First thing we noticed on the ride home, was that it had not rained or snowed in Arizona in about 4 months, but just so happens that it wants to snow, and the Jeeps softop was missing its side windows. Lets just say we came dressed for phoenix weather, and the ride to Flagstaff was cold. Also noticed that due to a drop pitman arm, the Jeep had some of the worst bumpsteer I have ever experienced. White knuckles at 65 for a long, long ride to Albuquerque.

He had put on a Rubicon Express 3.5" Lift and a Tcase drop, evetually replace with a MML or SYE.

This is a photo at Flagstaff, mid snow.


Once I bought it, I knew that the chrome needed to go and fix the bumpsteer. So that was project #1

First chrome to go was the sidesteps and bumpers, as I purchased replacements.


Also bought a stock pitman arm, and a few inner pieces that needed replacing, air vent, shifter boot etc.

Wheeled 4th of July with my Father and his FJ



Then again with Bryan and some other fellow nnmoffroaders

I did consider buying replacement windows for my soft top, but it was Tan/Spice and in poor condition and really wanted black, so I went with a Rampage Fastback Frameless top and man, I love this top. One of the best purchases so far. Also painted the rims, full sanding and cleaning of each rim, 2 coats prime, sand, the 4 coats paint. Came out real nice. Also painted my drums, just cause they looked ugly all rusty.



Also painted the upper sliding doors with a vinyl paint. I was blown away by how close it came out to the top, unless you look extremely close at it, the color looks identical.



Lastly I ordered a locker for the front, Aussie, should be here monday, so this is how she looks as of today.


Hope you like

Brian
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brplatz

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Discussion Starter · #2 ·
Anyway, installed a Locker and Did some lights.

Here are some photos. Got the Aussie all the way in the carrier, then got tired and decided it was bedtime. Would finish tomorow, but going to Ouray for the rest of the week! So sunday Ill finish it all.








Black bear was open till the switchbacks, then because of snow and subsequent mudslides they closed it. Poughkeepsie was open, but my dad didnt want to break his poor Toyota FJ. Hit all the rest of the passes though, Imogene, Engineer, Hurricane, Corxscrew, etc...

Anyway, I decided it was time to wire up my fog lights and do some rock lights. Seemed like a fun project and it actually turned out very well. Picked up a few cheapo lights from Wallyworld and some relays and went to work.





 
brplatz

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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Ok well this should be a large update :laugh:

Somewhere between the last update and now I got some 35" MTR Kevlars, so the D35 had to go, hello 8.8,

This summer I have been working at a local offroad shop. Overland Motorsports.

Cinco de Baja. Our shop was a sponsor, since the race was in Albuquerque. We also had a race rig, but unfortunately we had overheating issues and were unable to compete.


Next picked up a Teraflex oil pan skid, mainly cause it was on sale for dirt cheap and free shipping.



Picked up my 8.8 and plasma cut off all the brackets.

And Clean


And began the 5.9L V8 swap in my boss's Jeep


New MetalCloak Gamechanger came in for a JK! Just thought $5k in suspension parts was worth a picture haha.


Fathers FJ got 35's


Jig for the 8.8 and brackets going on. Yes the jig is a bit makeshift, but it does work very well.


Little diff cover welding, custom protection.



Shop stretch Jeep finished. TJ to LJ conversion.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll32/brplatz/IMG_0747.jpg[/IMG

Built my rock sliders

[IMG]http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll32/brplatz/IMG_0749.jpg



My bumper getting some tube love.




My amateur welding skills.


Washed up

Image uploading. Refresh page to view


Went wheeling



Hiline tube fenders starting soon. Belly up aswell. Going to be saving and planning for some JJs and a 4link/3link.
 
brplatz

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Discussion Starter · #11 ·
Thanks man! I really like it haha. Little tube bending and it worked out well

Shop is dirty today, cleanup, no work shall be done haha
 

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Haha, I told him I was going to sell my china shocks and buy the ones he had from him, LOL.
 
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I thought your Jeep looked familiar. It's really coming along. I was at Overland last week when you were there, but I didn't introduce myself. Hit me up the next time you guys go wheeling, I'd love to tag along.

-Travis
 
brplatz

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Discussion Starter · #18 ·
Thanks! :D

On my hunt for some slop and wobble in my steering I decided on a Durango Box.


Steering is 10x easier but the slop and wobble still exist. I have done the dry steering test to many times to count. No movement whatsoever in anything...... :mad:
 
brplatz

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Discussion Starter · #19 ·
Alright well in preparation for school, I installed a Tuffy Hood lock, ADE security/Killswitch, and a DIY Trunk.

I did a Writeup on the trunk here. http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/how-diy-full-length-tj-trunk-1402774/


Then made myself, my father, and a few friends of ours to the beautiful Ouray, CO.

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Also got some savvy arms and a 8274 winch!


 
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