Modifications to my TJ
Knowing my TJ in standard trim would never satisfy my requirements, I set about a project of modifications that I doubt will ever be finished.
But listed below are the modifications that have occurred to date. (Note this does NOT include the repairs).......
4½" Suspension Lift |
Coils - Originally I lifted 2", but with the extra weight this became 1"........ I wanted & needed more. So a custom/hybrid 4½ lift was the solution. The 4½" higher coils are custom made locally, then there's 1.75" coil spacers in the front to compensate for the bumper & winch. Arms - Rubicon Express long arms (both lower & rear upper), Rusty's adjustable control arms (Front upper). The long arms give an incredible improvement to on-road handling, also have several geometric benefits off-road. Shockies - Initially I had Rancho RS500's, but these were too short for my lift so now I've moved to Old Man Emu (OME) long travel shockies(N66/7L). I've clearanced the rear lower coil buckets to prevent them impacting against the shcockies and damaging the shockies. I am again finding the shockies too short so I will shortly be looking for new longer shockies to use. I also currently employ a Rancho RS5000 steering stabiliser. Other - Teraflex Gen II sway bar quick disconnects for the front and custom made rear sway bar links. |
2" Body Lift |
From Performance Accessories. If I had my time over I'd probably opt for just a 1". I also have a 1" Snake Racing Motor Mount lift. |
4.56 Diff Ratios |
Just to bring the performance back to stock allowing for the 35" tyres the 4.56 ratios are a perfect match. And the Stock 3.07 was a JOKE. |
LockRight - Front | WOW real traction improvement. Highly recommended. Although I did need to source a new front carrier when I moved to 4.56 ratios - I got one from a ZJ. Yes completely invisible on-road. |
ARB Locker - Rear | The factory TrashLok was ok, but just didn't really cut it compared to a real locker. Plus I got the onboard Air compressor with the ARB. |
Hardtop | Factory Soft-top with the mandatory non functioning zippers. Also now have a Factory hardtop to keep the missus nice & warm in winter. |
6" Flares | Xenon. They seems to be holding up to the abuse quite well so far. Purchased from OnAll4 Equipment in Sydney. |
ARB Front Bumper | Purchased from Traction4 in Sydney. Has winch mount & 2 recovery rings built in. Improves approach angle. It has been custom modified to accept a high mount winch, Also extensive grinder trimming allows room for the larger tyres & improved approach angle. Extra light tabs welded on. |
Rear bumper | Custom made by SMI Fabrications from 3/8" powder coated steel. Includes 2" square hitch & 2 rated tow eyes. Improves departure angle. The top is covered by 3 mm alloy tread plate. It was specially made to cover the 2" gap from the body lift. |
Warn M8274 winch | The high mount winch I got from the trading post for a ripper $750! This has a fast spool speed and is ultra tough - plus when I get extra $$$ I will upgrade to a 4.6hp motor. The solenoids are mounted under the bonnet to keep it away from water & crud. |
Driveline |
Advance Adaptors Heavy duty Slip York Eliminator (SYE)- This shaft replaces the stock transfer case rear output shaft (I'd already broken one). It's rated at 50% stronger than stock and allows for nearly 50% longer rear driveshaft. All of this also means that the transfer case no longer needs to be lowered to counter driveline vibrations. Purchased for Rusty's Offroad in USA. Custom Driveshafts - With the AA SYE I needed to replace the stock driveshaft. Worse my front driveshaft CV joint died - so custom shafts were made by Metropolitan Driveshafts Sydney. These were also tailored to suit the lift. Both shafts have uni-joints at each end, I figure these are easier & cheaper to replace when they wear out than the CV style. |
Rims |
15x8 Beadlocked Rims (Off-road) - Black American Racing AR767 beadlocked. Awesome for running very low pressures without risking losing the tyre bead. 15x8 Rims (On-Road) - American Racing AR767. These steel rims are perfect for running street rubber. |
Tyres |
36x12.5 TSL (Off-road) - TSL bias ply Super Swampers for Off-road duties. I love these tyres and would run them ALL the time except they are expensive & wear too quickly.....Next up I'm thinking 38x12.5 TSL's. 35x12.5 M/T's (On-Road) - Pro Comp Mud Terrain's - so far very happy with them. They work well on road and light trail duties, but I do worry about the side walls at very low pressure. |
Skid Protection |
Rubicon Express Long Arm Belly Skid Plate - Made from 8mm steel it's a solid bit of kit. Also it lifted the stock t/case clearance by 30mm. Snake Racing front diff guard - actually I won it in an Offroad pics comp - Cool huh :-) Very solid and has taken a few solid hits. Snake Racing Steering Box Skid Plate - take s a solid hit rather than smacking the steering box itself. |
Upgraded lights | 55/60w
H4 Xenon discharge inserts for stock lights extremely clear light.
100w Light Force RMDL170 driving lights – these will light up 700m of bitumen. 100w cheapo driving lights for rock lights for good vision when night driving . Plus a 60w rear mounted work light (it hangs off my Kaymar Hi-Lift mount). |
Battery | Optima yellow top - Deep cycle loads of grunt in this sucker. and doesn't complaint if I let it sit for weeks on end unused. |
Rocker Guards | Custom 5 mm Diamond plate on rocker panels to protect from dents, rocks & clumsy passengers climbing aboard. |
AM CB radio | Uniden 520XL & Mobile1 antenna (Australian Made). |
UHF CB radios |
Uniden & Mobile1 antenna (Australian
Made). Uniden UH042 handheld UHF CB plus voice activated headset. |
Recovery Gear | HiLift jack (& Kaymar mount), snatch straps, drag chains, winch extension, tow rope, various shackles, shovel, axe, tree protector, snatch blocks & FIRST AID KIT !! |
Removed OEM | Clutch interlock defeat, door sensor rear seat, carpets & factory decals (except Jeep) |
Future modifications
My short to medium term plans are:
Snorkel, Side Steps, Warn freewheeling hubs, Cargo Barrier, TPS
& Alternator mud shields, raised Fuel Tank, Dual Batteries, Custom
swing-away tyre carrier, new headers & exhaust
system, 6point roll cage, York engine driven compressor 7 tank, long range fuel
tanks….. Plus whatever small additions the budget committee (youknowwho)
allows :-)
My long term plans are (after I
win Lottery):
Chevy 350 LS1 engine, NV4500, Atlas
II, High Pinion Dana60's front & rear, onboard shower, GPS & onboard
welder, HF radio, Fridge, Recaro sport seats
....ahhh heck this list is so long that I couldn't be bothered to type it.
As I get more time, & things completed, I will upgrade this page. Anyway if you have any questions or comments I'd be happy to hear from you. Just email me.....
Comments? Well hey then drop me an email & let me know.