Hey everyone,
Starting a thread to track the build on my new to me 97 TJ, rocking the rare lapis blue color with only 67K miles, powered by the legendary 4.0L paired to an AX15. The previous owner already added some solid mods—including a Super 44 rear and Super 30 front axle setup, front and rear ARB air lockers, 4.56 gears, aftermarket front and rear bumpers, and a roll cage, according to some receipts—so it’s got a strong foundation to work from. Big thanks to them for getting things started!
The theme of this build is “Low & Slow”
- Low – because we’re out here disrespectfully lowballing and hunting for good deals on quality parts. If it ain’t a steal, it ain’t the move.
- Slow – because good deals take time, and this ain’t a race. Patience pays.
Who knows what the final build will look like—maybe a stretched TJ on tons? But for now, the goal is to create a reliable daily driver that can run 35-inch tires. To get there, I’m planning a 4-inch suspension lift, with a 1-inch body lift if needed, and aftermarket fender flares to help with clearance and fitment. I’ll do my best to explain why I choose certain parts, but a lot of it will come down to price and availability.
If you have any leads on parts, or if you’re selling anything that could fit this build, feel free to reach out via private message—I’m always looking for deals. I’ll also be tagging anyone who helps out, so don’t be surprised if you’re in the mix!
I’ll be posting regular updates as parts come in and the work progresses. Thanks in advance for following along and helping out if you can! Hopefully this thread can also be helpful to anyone working on a similar build and trying to get the most out of their TJ without breaking the bank.
