Excited to say that I'm the proud owner of a new to me 2001 TJ Sport 5 speed. I've always wanted a Jeep, but somehow, never managed to commit to buying one until now. I've been a long time VW fanboy owning several of them over the years, meticulously adding modifications that add to the overall driving experience over strict HP performance. Looking forward to applying that same doctrine with the TJ (let's face it, there aren't much performance gains to be made anyways) and creating an exceptional rig tailored to suit my needs that handles great both on road and off.
After looking for about two months, I found a rust free TJ that was posted online one morning at a dealer that I had just visited the day before looking at a high mileage JK Rubicon 3.8L. They said they were still prepping the TJ and were getting the listing ready. Well, as luck would have it, the listing only lasted about 30 mins. I made my way over (again), took a good look at everything as best I could. It was clean. Real clean. I ended up leaving with the keys an hour later.
The TJ has some "tasteful" modifications and a recent service done at the 100k mark (timing chain, clutch, throw out bearing, water pump, belts). I bought it with 127k as it sits in the picture below with all the mods listed. I appreciate the little details in the previous owner's build. For instance, the upgraded sound bar and double din radio, Bushwacker fenders with LED blinkers, Bilstein 5100's, and a DIY sound insulation install. All neatly installed with wires loomed and tucked, sound mats cut perfectly to the tub, etc... They cared for the TJ, did things methodically, and that in itself, gave me enough confidence to know that this was the Jeep for me.
So without further ado, here she is the weekend after I got her!
Mods that came with the Jeep
Driveline
I've had to get used to driving a manual with auto lockers. That's been an experience for sure! I don't daily drive the rig. I mainly use it for quick errands here and there and take her straight to the trail head. I'm still getting used to the combination of pedal feel + added backlash due to the lockers + engagement/disengagement points upon acceleration and coasting. It's been fun. I learned very quick to be careful driving on a snowy hillside trail.
Not going to lie, she rides like a bucking bronco on the road sometimes going up driveways, going over bumps, or accelerating in turns (also learned not to do that with lockers). But that's just the way she rides for now. I can't help but smile every time I take her for a spin. I would like to smooth out the ride in due time and am leaning toward the full 4" Currie short arm kit in the future unless folks have other recommendations on the forums. I'm all ears.
On the trail, she does amazing! Made it through the Iron Clads trail just outside Boulder no sweat. Had a great time. Plenty of clearance. The lockers really shined there. Felt like she was in her element, though, it was still really bouncy at times.
Well, onto the build!
First course of action was removing that K&N filter!!!!
It's gone. Went with a Wix paper filter. May be switching to AC Delco moving forward based on threads in this forum. Keeping the K&N filter just in case. I did notice a very slight decrease in low end power after replacing the K&N with a paper filter as well as a slightly decrease in depth of tone in my exhaust. All non-scientific. With the K&N filter in place, I was able to slowly release the clutch and easily climb over the hump in my short driveway to get into the garage without hitting the gas. No shudder, just smooth power. I was actually quite impressed with the Jeep's ability to do that. With the paper filter, when I approach the same hump and release the clutch, the engine struggles a bit and RPMs dive low enough that it triggers the "hit the gas so you don't kill the engine" reflex. It'll eventually make it without the gas, but just shudders a bit more.
Next were fluids!
After looking for about two months, I found a rust free TJ that was posted online one morning at a dealer that I had just visited the day before looking at a high mileage JK Rubicon 3.8L. They said they were still prepping the TJ and were getting the listing ready. Well, as luck would have it, the listing only lasted about 30 mins. I made my way over (again), took a good look at everything as best I could. It was clean. Real clean. I ended up leaving with the keys an hour later.
The TJ has some "tasteful" modifications and a recent service done at the 100k mark (timing chain, clutch, throw out bearing, water pump, belts). I bought it with 127k as it sits in the picture below with all the mods listed. I appreciate the little details in the previous owner's build. For instance, the upgraded sound bar and double din radio, Bushwacker fenders with LED blinkers, Bilstein 5100's, and a DIY sound insulation install. All neatly installed with wires loomed and tucked, sound mats cut perfectly to the tub, etc... They cared for the TJ, did things methodically, and that in itself, gave me enough confidence to know that this was the Jeep for me.
So without further ado, here she is the weekend after I got her!
Mods that came with the Jeep
Driveline
- Dana 30 front with 4.88 gears and Power Trax Grip Pro Limited slip differential
- Dana 44 rear with 4.88 gears and Power Trax No Slip Locker
- Slip Yoke Eliminator Kit mounted at rear of transfer case
- I had to have the rear driveshaft shortened just a bit as it seemed a bit too long
- 4" lift (unknown). Has 2" spacers at the top of the front coils. Seems like the kit was probably being pieced together over time
- JKS front quick disconnect sway bar links
- JKS front lower control arms
- JKS rear lower control arms
- Bilstein 5100 shocks
- 35x12.5x15 Mickey Thompson Baja MTZ P3
- American Racing 15" steelies
- Edge throttle body spacer
- K&N air filter
- Hooker black heart header
- Banks monster exhaust
- Front bumper stubby mod
- Front grill guard (unknown mfg)
- Bushwacker fenders with LED blinker and DLR
- Rock guard (unknown mfg)
- Trailer hitch
- OR-Fab rear tire carrier
- KC Windshield mounted ditch lights
- Pioneer Double Din Radio
- Upgraded sound bar with Kicker speakers
- Kicker speakers up front
- Subwoofer delete!!!! LOL. (This was the one thing I think he took with him unfortunately)
- Sound deadening / insulation with foil bubble reflective barrier (primarily used in RVs)
I've had to get used to driving a manual with auto lockers. That's been an experience for sure! I don't daily drive the rig. I mainly use it for quick errands here and there and take her straight to the trail head. I'm still getting used to the combination of pedal feel + added backlash due to the lockers + engagement/disengagement points upon acceleration and coasting. It's been fun. I learned very quick to be careful driving on a snowy hillside trail.
Not going to lie, she rides like a bucking bronco on the road sometimes going up driveways, going over bumps, or accelerating in turns (also learned not to do that with lockers). But that's just the way she rides for now. I can't help but smile every time I take her for a spin. I would like to smooth out the ride in due time and am leaning toward the full 4" Currie short arm kit in the future unless folks have other recommendations on the forums. I'm all ears.
On the trail, she does amazing! Made it through the Iron Clads trail just outside Boulder no sweat. Had a great time. Plenty of clearance. The lockers really shined there. Felt like she was in her element, though, it was still really bouncy at times.
Well, onto the build!
First course of action was removing that K&N filter!!!!
It's gone. Went with a Wix paper filter. May be switching to AC Delco moving forward based on threads in this forum. Keeping the K&N filter just in case. I did notice a very slight decrease in low end power after replacing the K&N with a paper filter as well as a slightly decrease in depth of tone in my exhaust. All non-scientific. With the K&N filter in place, I was able to slowly release the clutch and easily climb over the hump in my short driveway to get into the garage without hitting the gas. No shudder, just smooth power. I was actually quite impressed with the Jeep's ability to do that. With the paper filter, when I approach the same hump and release the clutch, the engine struggles a bit and RPMs dive low enough that it triggers the "hit the gas so you don't kill the engine" reflex. It'll eventually make it without the gas, but just shudders a bit more.
Next were fluids!
- Redline MTL for the NV3550. It helped quiet up the trans a bit. Shifting is about the same as before but get's smoother quicker, if that makes sense. Doesn't take as long to warm up I suppose
- Brake fluid flush
- Valvoline Synthetic Blend motor oil on sale! w00t! Haven't decided on a long term oil for the 4.0 yet. Recommendations welcome.
- Purolator One filter
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