Suggestions for my new TJ?

[Thomas TJ]

I recently bought a 2003 wrangler sport (4.0L 5 speed). All seems to be well with it that really matters but there are a few quirks (as expected). My main thing is that the entire interior floor is bedlined/rhino lined whatever you may call it. It’s not awful but I think I’d prefer carpet with rubber floorpan liners. Regardless, I’m buying rubber liners for the floor pans and using them over the bed liner for now but I am thinking of eventually stripping the bed liner and installing some carpet. Any thoughts on how this would go and if it’s worth it? The rest of the interior is in nearly perfect stock condition but I’d like to upgrade the speakers eventually, any recommendations? Looking to stay under $400. Got a few pictures of the exterior attached, but the Jeep is currently getting tuned up and getting a been throttle position sensor in the shop (I have no mechanic experience on cars and know the mechanic pretty well). Any other suggestions for things I should do to my Jeep? I am planning on:
New tires
Rubber floor mats (weather tech)
Fire extenguisher on roll bar
New speakers
Front seat covers or refurbish seats
Mirrors for going doorless
Grab handles

Thanks!

 

[NDSpeed]

Why strip it at all? Would the carpets not install in over the bed liner.

Back when I had carpets, I’d just remove them prior to any seriously dirty wheeling. Wash the tub out then reinstall after it dried out.

 

[Alex01]

Why strip it at all? Would the carpets not install in over the bed liner.

Back when I had carpets, I’d just remove them prior to any seriously dirty wheeling. Wash the tub out then reinstall after it dried out.

X2. Makes no sense to strip the Bedliner. If anything it will add a minimal amount of sound deadening. New carpet will fit over it no problem and if you do have issues add some velcro tape to hold it in place.

Great looking jeep BTW and welcome to the forum.

 

[Thomas TJ]

Why strip it at all? Would the carpets not install in over the bed liner.

Back when I had carpets, I’d just remove them prior to any seriously dirty wheeling. Wash the tub out then reinstall after it dried out.

I thought about that but I thought the carpets mounted to some mounts on the floor and it looks like there aren’t any on mine. So do the carpets have to connect to some mounting points on the body? I’m not exactly sure if the previous owner stripped some things before bed lining it. If

X2. Makes no sense to strip the Bedliner. If anything it will add a minimal amount of sound deadening. New carpet will fit over it no problem and if you do have issues add some velcro tape to hold it in place.

Great looking jeep BTW and welcome to the forum.

Oh I didn’t realize the carpets could fit over the bed liner. I thought that there were mounting points for the carpet that the previous owner stripped but I haven’t looked into it too much. I guess I will look into replacement carpet sets because I think it’ll really make the inside look and feel better.

 

[Bionic_Scorpion]

Nice jeep. I'd look at the CalTrend seat covers. They are really nice, fit well and are highly recommended on the site.

I have a set of Grabar grab handles and love them. Far better than the nylon ones you velcro onto your roll bar. You might want to check them out as well.

 

[Plumber1]

Nice Jeep to start with very clean. The carpet does not mount to anything it just lays there, some parts have snaps that hold it together. If you plan on doing any off road think about ditching the Nerf Bars and replace them with Rock Sliders. The area below the doors is one of the weak spots for trail damage, and as a plus you will pick up a couple of inches of clearance for free. As far as mirrors I use these that you can get from a Harley Davidson Store and the work great.

 

[Jim King]

Very nice looking Jeep.
I put Weathertech floor liners in that cover the entire front floor, easy to pull out to dump sand or water and clean. Then you wouldn't need carpet.

 

[Goatman]

Removing the bedliner could be damn near impossible. Just let it be. Use some velcro under the carpet to hold it down if necessary, but probably won't be necessary. The heavy floor mats should hold everything in place.
Welcome to the Forum! Lots of great info and great guys/gals here.

 

[NDSpeed]

I thought about that but I thought the carpets mounted to some mounts on the floor and it looks like there aren’t any on mine. So do the carpets have to connect to some mounting points on the body? I’m not exactly sure if the previous owner stripped some things before bed lining it. If

Oh I didn’t realize the carpets could fit over the bed liner. I thought that there were mounting points for the carpet that the previous owner stripped but I haven’t looked into it too much. I guess I will look into replacement carpet sets because I think it’ll really make the inside look and feel better.

Factory carpets are held in by two push snaps under the seat and a simple plastic push cover onto a threaded rod well above the gas pedal. Not much that really holds them in.
Can be a pia to get it under the cup holder or center console.
Otherwise no need to remove the liner. Enjoy the extra bit of sound deadening.

 

[Thomas TJ]

Thanks everyone for the nice replies I’m gonna look into just putting carpet in over the bed liner and after I get new tires putting on some rock sliders to replace the nerf bars. Also I just posted about an issue I’m having with my tailgate if anyone knows anything about a stuck tailgate let me know. Glad to be a part of such a good community.

 

[mastergunnera8]

Hmm,IMHO keep the bediner, net or bar doors, bikini top and sound bar..what a great looking truck!!!

 

[Hopper]

My suggestion is to go ahead work on accepting the fact that your $450 budget will soon be $4500

 

[AndyG]

Rugged Ridge entry guards, clean the seats , and mail me the other 375.00. I'll help you save up and show you how to do some real financial damage.

 

[Rooscooter]

Nice rig! There is are a few long threads here on upgrading the sound systems in these TJ's. You say you want new speakers but I'd start with replacing the head unit. The existing speakers can sound a lot better with a good modern clean amp. if that's not enough for you then do the speakers. Then add a bigger amp.... than a huge sub..... then rainbow lights... oh... wrong forum...

 

[cpwolf]

https://www.kikbaxoffroad.com/
I've got a set for both of my Jeeps now, mirrors that drop in super easy, and they are bubbled mirrors so you get a much wider view. I've run 2 different sets of doorless mirrors before this, both were a pain in the A to deal with, on and off etc. You don't have to use the foot peg on these if you don't want.

 

[TJ2]

$450 huh? I assume you are young and so, music enhancement is necessary.

And so I would wait and wear off the tires in exchange for other quick mods cost.
New stereo is what I would buy first if I were you (only bec. of the phone sync).
The center console bass will be next to go, won't last long.
Need a sun shade if you strip down naked a lot.
Set of door guard sills is also functional.
A 5 lbs. extinguisher is useless.
Some side mirrors.

 

[jeepguy03]

I have Polk Audio Marine speakers in my TJ, they sound pretty good. I have an earlier TJ without the subwoofer in the console, and my rear storage space is more useful to me than a sub box, but the audio system still sounds good.

I'd also upgrade the headlights, the stock headlights are about as bright as candles.