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In mid-June 2000 I completed several major modifications to my Jeep, which I refer to as my Summer 2000 (or S2K) Build-Up. I did the vast majority of the work over a L-O-N-G weekend, starting around 2:00 p.m. on Friday, the 2nd, and finished up midday Wednesday, the 7th. Remember, my TJ is my daily driver, so when the Jeep is in pieces, I’m out of a ride! The original plan was to install a slip yoke eliminator in my transfer case on Friday afternoon, replace the rear axle on Saturday, the front axle on Sunday, and drive to work Monday in 4WD (actually "front" wheel drive) while waiting for my new rear drive shaft to arrive. Well, it didn’t exactly work out that way! Read on. The story begins with my decision to replace my rear axle, and then goes in
several different directions after that! Just click on the
As promised, we’re back to where we started the S2K Build-Up story. It was quite a learning experience for me, but I’m glad it’s over! As for highway performance, absolutely smooth as silk. No vibrations, no shimmy, no nothing. My gear choice was perfect. I can cruise at 70 mph in 5th gear, turning just a little over 2500 rpm! The new tires are smooth and super quiet. I put my "new" Jeep to the test during two trips to Colorado during the next few months and it performed flawlessly on the trail! This was an expensive build-up for me, but worth every penny in my opinion!
1997 Jeep Wrangler Sport (Jul 97): I purchased my TJ in July 1997 from a dealer in Cincinnati, Ohio. The original owner drove if for 6,000 miles before he realized it was too small for his family of four (duh!). It must have been a yuppie mid-life crisis-type of thing. Anyway, he traded it in for a Grand Cherokee. As a result, my price was automatically a few thousand less than what I would have paid for a new vehicle! My TJ is flame red with black soft top and gray vinyl interior. It has the 4.0L in-line six with factory air conditioner, 5-speed manual tranny, 19-gallon fuel tank, open diffs, am/fm/cassette, and center console. Click on the various links below (listed in alphabetical order) for details on all the stuff I've added over the past few years. At the top of each page you will find a table with my Ease of Installation and Product Usefulness ratings. Here's are the rating scales (all should be self explanatory):
Question Often Asked by New Jeepers: "I just bought a new TJ and I want to build a trail rig; but it will also be my daily driver. What modifications should I make?" Typical Answer By Someone Who Means Well: "Suspension/lift system (4.5" min), large mud tires (33" min), lower gears, lockers (pref ARBs), 9,000-lb winch, etc., $$$, etc., more $$$!!" Click here for My Top 10 List of
"first" mods to do to your Jeep
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button wherever you see it. It will lead you through my whole S2K build-up in
sequential order, then drop you off right back here. So without further ado, go
ahead and click the button below to start the tour.
Copyright 1998 - 2008 Ó by Glenn Bontly