Hello everyone! Thanks to L J for pointing me in the right direction. I'll be using this as a sort of rolling history to document the build. I won't be able to post any pictures for a few months, but I am excited to at least get the list out. I'll be ordering my {PHASE 1} stuff and hoarding it appropriately. Any criticism and/or advice is welcome. I am fairly new to this hobby, but don't hold back. I'll be doing all the work myself with the help of some friends. I'll also be uploading all of my mistakes. I figured it would be smart to wait to order the lift and tires. That way they can arrive when I'm home and I can verify everything. The other junk I'm pretty confident in just ordering.
The List
{PHASE 1} - Immediate attention. Everything I 'think' I need to start slowly venturing out on camping trips. Baseline fun ready kind of stuff. I already have enough put back for a motor/transmission/differential(s) swap. Until then we ride.
{PHASE 2} - This is the dial in kind of stuff. Adjustable everything. Nothing on it is adjustable at the moment so I feel pretty confident in riding on it for a little bit at least. The rear drive shaft has exploded on it twice with the previous owner. I am 90% positive that is due to the lack of a SYE kit. Since I'm dropping the lift I 'think' I can push it off a little. If not, I'll be bumping the SYE to {PHASE 1}.
{FINAL PHASE} - This is the quality-of-life upgrades. Stuff that I want and don't need. Purchasing and installing these will signify the completion of my ideal baseline, however, I look forward to tinkering with it for the rest of my short life. This list is living. I'll add, takeaway, and completely redo it pretty often.
Suspension and Lift Kits
The List
{PHASE 1} - Immediate attention. Everything I 'think' I need to start slowly venturing out on camping trips. Baseline fun ready kind of stuff. I already have enough put back for a motor/transmission/differential(s) swap. Until then we ride.
{PHASE 2} - This is the dial in kind of stuff. Adjustable everything. Nothing on it is adjustable at the moment so I feel pretty confident in riding on it for a little bit at least. The rear drive shaft has exploded on it twice with the previous owner. I am 90% positive that is due to the lack of a SYE kit. Since I'm dropping the lift I 'think' I can push it off a little. If not, I'll be bumping the SYE to {PHASE 1}.
{FINAL PHASE} - This is the quality-of-life upgrades. Stuff that I want and don't need. Purchasing and installing these will signify the completion of my ideal baseline, however, I look forward to tinkering with it for the rest of my short life. This list is living. I'll add, takeaway, and completely redo it pretty often.
Suspension and Lift Kits
- {PHASE 1} 2 Inch Lift Kit: (Old Man Emu 2 inch Wrangler TJ 2 Door (97-06) Suspension Lift Kit OME Nitrocharger Plus – Mudify) Includes front coil springs, rear coil springs, front nitrocharger sport shock, rear nitrocharger sport shock, steering stabilizer, coil spring trim packer, track bar relocation bracket, gearbox packer kit, and bump stop spacer kit. [$1,310.65]
- {PHASE 2} Front Track Bar: (TJ/LJ Jeep Wrangler Solid Chromoly Front Track Bar) Includes front durotrak heavy duty adjustable track bar. [$279.00]
- {PHASE 2} Rear Track Bar: (TJ/LJ Wrangler Track Bar, Rear) Includes durotrak heavy duty adjustable track bar and drop bracket. [$299.00]
- {PHASE 1} Front Bump Stops: (Jeep Wrangler Bump Stops; Front (97-04 Jeep Wrangler TJ) - Free Shipping) Includes bump stops. [$48.99]
- {PHASE 1} Rear Bump Stops: (Jeep Wrangler Bump Stops; Rear (97-06 Jeep Wrangler TJ) - Free Shipping) Includes bump stops. [$48.99]
- {PHASE 2} Slip Yoke Eliminator and Shaft Kit: (RT Off-Road RT24004 RT Off-Road Slip Yoke Eliminators | Summit Racing) Includes tailshaft housing, transfer case main shaft, universal joint, and the driveshaft. [$551.99]
- {PHASE 2} Adjustable Control Arm Kit: (Control Arm Set - Front and Rear- Jeep TJ/LJ) includes front and rear, upper and lower, adjustable control arms. [$649.99]
- {PHASE 1} Tires: (Milestar Patagonia X/T 31 X10.50R15 LT 109Q C1 BSW | Discount Tire) [$685.00]
- {DREAM TIRES} Some KO2 or KO3s. I just can’t stop thinking about them. However, that is probably going to be a retirement gift.
- Stock Wheels: Using stock alloy wheels. Will change to steel if damaged.
- {PHASE 1} Brake Lines: (Rusty's Brake Hoses - Stainless Steel - Front and Rear (XJ,TJ,ZJ,YJ)) Includes front (passenger and driver) and rear brake lines. [$124.00]
- {PHASE 1} Coil Pack: (JEEP WRANGLER MSD Ignition 82738 MSD Blaster OEM Replacement Coils | Summit Racing) [$177.95]
- {FINAL PHASE} Front Bumper: (Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ/YJ/CJ Front Receiver Bumper) Includes gear box skid and shackles. [$1,094.80]
- {FINAL PHASE} Rear Bumper: (Rock Hard 4x4™ Patriot Series Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier for Jeep Wrangler TJ, LJ, YJ and CJ 1976 - 2006 [RH-2001-C]) Includes receiver, high lift jack with mount, frame brace kit, cargo basket, driver and passenger jerry can mount, hi lift jack handle keeper, 3rd brake light, and shackles. [$2,344.69]
- {FINAL PHASE} Fuel Tank Skid Plate: (Rock Hard 4x4™ Gas/Fuel Tank Skid Plate for Jeep Wrangler TJ/LJ 1997 - 2006 [RH-3008]) What you see is what you get. [$449.95]
- {FINAL PHASE} Winch: (OPENROAD 10,000lbs Electric Winch with Synthetic Rope-Panther Series 3 – Openroad4wd) Always randomly on sale going with the “base” price. [$479.99]
- {PHASE 1} Fuel Neck Filler Bezel: Omix-ada. Old one cracked and nasty. Not really going to provide links to the super common stuff. [$23.99]
- {PHASE 1} Front Door Hinge Pins: Market Place Auto Parts. I’m like 20% sure my door won’t fall off. [$21.95]
- {PHASE 1} Fender Flare Kit: Omix-Ada 6 piece Factory Style Fender Flare Kit. Old ones are pretty roughed up. [$179.94]
- Running Boards: Keeping the factory ones until I see a need for something beefy. Going to clean them up though.
- {PHASE 1} Seats: Straight up replacing them with some Tanaka seats off of ebay. These things are expensive. [$458.88 plus $120.00 shipping]
- {PHASE 1} Floor Mats: Probably going to be a generic rubber mat. Something that fits well. Little remains of the OEM carpet.
- {PHASE 1} Head Lights: (7" H4 DOT Halogen Headlights - Driving Beam - Pair - Universal / 97-06 Jeep TJ) Includes bulbs, housing, and plug. [$143.99]
- {PHASE 1} Fog Lights: I can't find the direct fit KCs anywhere. Went with two of the Six-inch 55w Hella 500 series driving lights. Tinkering with the angle will give me the desired effect, I hope. [$100.52]
- {PHASE 1} Recovery Kit: Old recovery kit I…tactically acquired during a deployment. Includes a pioneer tool, a little snatch block, kinetic rope, and receiver points. Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
- {FINAL PHASE} Hi-Lift Jack: Going with one of these for the versatility. I know they are a little more dangerous, but from what I’ve seen being careful and knowing what you’re doing mitigates most of the risk. Rolling it up with the purchase of the rear bumper.
