Nate's 2002 TJ, Not so simple anymore by gst95dsm

10 minute(s) of a 391 minute read

I'm never any good at photo editing but I was sitting here messing with this one…. I think it came out good.  

Before….



After….

1-31-2014

My build has gone stale!  

It's pretty cool to be in a build lull, I haven't been able to pull away from the darn thing in about a solid 2 years. I've been to the gym and riding my bike every day for the last few weeks, truck is nice and clean, wife's car detailed. Haha…. damn jeep was taking over and it was time to step back.

I am having a bit of fun scouring craigslist looking for Tate's jeep. Looks like the end of March i'll have around 4k saved up to make a purchase. Looking for a 4cyl. 5 speed or obviously a running 6cyl if ones shows up in our price range. Were going to make it a simple, reliable, 33" build. If he decides to take it further that's up to him. I CAN'T WAIT to start his build thread.

Tomorrow I'm doing a budget boost and body lift on a nice little stock 01 for a buddy who bought it to flip. Gonna make a little KOH money on that deal.

So Whitelightening is just chilling waiting for KOH, then some Sierra wheeling later this month. But no mods planned until Tate's jeep is purchased! Unless I break something.

2-5-2014

Posting from my tent at KOH, met up with Jay and Mike and crew. Had a great time bsing and talking race strategy. Spirits are high for tomorrow. If I don't freeze to death tonight it'll probably be a good day tomorrow.

2-10-2014

I don't think I can go to another KOH, the post KOH depression….. along with really dumb thoughts of trying to put a car together to compete are really hard on me!  

2-11-2014

After just now re-reading the rules. No way in heck a stretched TJ should be legal under the rules. Not even outboarding the shocks and notching the frame should be legal. I wish I would have looked at some of the stock class builds a little closer now.

2-15-2014

Doing a somewhat thorough interior clean and under body inspection / clean today. W/L got rained on on the way home from KOH with no top so my life is basically ruined.  

I'm still impressed with how well that raptor liner is holding up and also how well it cleans! I honestly don't spend much time cleaning the inside so this was much needed.

2-16-2014

Reading through the Ultra4 stock class rulebook (again). Man it seems like A LOT of stock class builds ignore a lot of the rules. No air bumps,  doors that open and close (including the tailgate), and the only holes you can cut in the body or tub should be for cage bars to pass through. Hmmmm….

3-21-2014

Stock class build dreams fading..... Bad tax year for me. If it happens it'll be a 3 year goal. I just don't know if it will be worth missing those years of wheeling with Tate and the sacrifices it will take to get it done. I'm honesty leaning towards it not. I'm still buying the jeep soon. But it might be a roadworthy 4cyl. And not a project 6cyl.

4-4-2014

4am here.... Just got home from a 13hr round trip to pick this guy up. It's a little rougher than I'd hoped but still a running driving TJ. Gonna take weeks, maybe months just to get it cleaned to my standards. It's OK though, nothing but time now that it's actually purchased. It was awesome experiencing that with my son. He is usually pretty jaded about me buying cars and bikes, but he was genuinely thrilled going through this today.  

It's a 97 4cyl. Auto. Yes I know the weakest possible combo, but I know the auto will be better wheeling, and hey as a new driver the slower the vehicle the better IMO on the street. My good friend has one just like this and gets around just fine so I'm happy with the drivetrain. I was sad to see its not original paint, it's a cheapie job but it looks to be a decent one. Single stage though. At least it's black so once it's covered in rattle canned armor it'll be all good. Haha

Anyways I guess I should sleep. I can't wait to wash it, it's filthy!

Keep an eye out for Tate registering and starting a build thread later today! I'm trying to get him excited about joining and participating on here.

Dang thing cleaned up to a solid 5 footer today. Took a lot of elbow grease but it looks pretty nice and is really straight. Had some hard water spots on one side that I'm still working on but they are mostly gone.  Clay bar, rubbing compound…. time. Overall the paint is decent. Id like to maybe repaint the hood sometime, it's a little rough, but other than that it's all acceptable.  

I let Tate drive it around the block a few times, and he loved it.

4-12-2014

BAM, I don't usually do many stickers but this one is pretty badass! Thanks Beasley!

Drove Tate's rig around for about 30 miles today. Seems like everything is running perfect now. The IAC even cleared up. No check engine lights either. I ordered a stock intake today on Ebay so I can get rid of this insanely ghetto aftermarket one on it now. Gotta say I love having two jeeps in the garage! To bad for my truck….. having to live outside until I buy my next house…. with a 3 car garage minimum!

4-29-2014

Here's a little build list I just made up. Thoughts???


From summitracing_sales ( 643882Green Shooting icon for feedback score in between 500,000 to 999,999)
Alloy USA Performance Rear Axle Kits Dana 35 27-Spline 12200
Alloy USA Performance Rear Axle Kits Dana 35 27-Spline 12200
Condition:
New
Quantity:
$262.97
Expedited (3 business days)Expedited Shipping
eBay FAST'N FREE
FREE

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Cragar Soft 8 Black Steel Wheels 15"x8" 5x4.5" Set of 4 Fits Jeep Wrangler YJ/TJ
Cragar Soft 8 Black Steel Wheels 15"x8" 5x4.5" Set of 4 Fits Jeep Wrangler YJ/TJ
Condition:
New
Quantity:
$233.28
Standard (4 business days)Standard Shipping
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From e-autogrilles ( 47801Turquoise Shooting star icon for feedback score in between 25,000 to 49,999)
87-06 Jeep YJ TJ Wrangler Front + Rear Rock Crusher Bumper Combo+ 4x D-ring
87-06 Jeep YJ TJ Wrangler Front + Rear Rock Crusher Bumper Combo+ 4x D-ring
Condition:
New

Add 1 more to qualify: Extra 5% off when you buy 3+
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Quantity:
$337.00
Standard (2-6 business days)UPS Ground FREE

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97-06 Jeep TJ Wrangler Armor Rock Slider Rock Crawler Guard W/O Step
97-06 Jeep TJ Wrangler Armor Rock Slider Rock Crawler Guard W/O Step
Condition:
New

Add 1 more to qualify: Extra 5% off when you buy 3+
See all eligible items
Quantity:
$155.95
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From staticz2229 ( 24417Yellow Shooting star icon for feedback score in between 10,000 to 24,999)
Dana 30 Yukon Spartan Locker - 27 Spline - SL D30-27 - Posi - Locker Axle - NEW
Last One
Dana 30 Yukon Spartan Locker - 27 Spline - SL D30-27 - Posi - Locker Axle - NEW
Condition:
New
Quantity: 1
$255.00
Standard (2-6 business days) UPS Ground FREE

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From 4.wheel.parts ( 14067Yellow Shooting star icon for feedback score in between 10,000 to 24,999)
Jeep Skid Plate: Rugged Ridge Steering Box Skid Plate 97-06 TJ Wrangler 18003.12
Jeep Skid Plate: Rugged Ridge Steering Box Skid Plate 97-06 TJ Wrangler 18003.12
Condition:
New
Quantity:
$44.99
Standard (4 business days)UPS Ground
eBay FAST'N FREE
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Smittybilt XRC8, 8,000 lb. Winch - 97281
Smittybilt XRC8, 8,000 lb. Winch - 97281
Condition:
New
Quantity:
$299.99
Standard (4 business days)UPS Ground
eBay FAST'N FREE
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Jeep Tie Rod Assembly: BigDaddy Offroad Tie Rod 1997-2006 TJ Wrangler TR100TXZ
Jeep Tie Rod Assembly: BigDaddy Offroad Tie Rod 1997-2006 TJ Wrangler TR100TXZ
Condition:
New
Quantity:
$89.99
Standard (4 business days)UPS Ground
eBay FAST'N FREE
FREE

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From levelingsolutions ( 14946Yellow Shooting star icon for feedback score in between 10,000 to 24,999)
Jeep Wrangler TJ Front & Rear Bump Stop Extender Kit
Jeep Wrangler TJ Front & Rear Bump Stop Extender Kit
Condition:
New
Quantity:
$25.00
Expedited (2-4 business days) USPS Priority Mail
eBay FAST'N FREE
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From 4wheel.drive.hardware ( 6079Green star icon for feedback score in between 5,000 to 9,999)
4 BF Goodrich Tires 33x12.50R-15LT, Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 Tire - 45738
Last One
4 BF Goodrich Tires 33x12.50R-15LT, Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 Tire - 45738
Condition:
New
Quantity: 1
$967.96
Standard (4 business days)UPS Ground
eBay FAST'N FREE
FREE

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From jeeperz-creeperz ( 14795Yellow Shooting star icon for feedback score in between 10,000 to 24,999)
JKS 2001 Quicker Disconnects, Jeep TJ Wrangler with 2.5"-6" of Lift
JKS 2001 Quicker Disconnects, Jeep TJ Wrangler with 2.5"-6" of Lift
Condition:
New
Quantity:
$157.50
Standard (5 business days)Standard Shipping FREE

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From trends-auto ( 55754Purple Shooting star icon for feedback score in between 50,000 to 99,999)
PERFORMANCE ACCESSORIES 951 1" BODY LIFT KIT 1997-2006 JEEP WRANGLER TJ
PERFORMANCE ACCESSORIES 951 1" BODY LIFT KIT 1997-2006 JEEP WRANGLER TJ
Condition:
New
Quantity:
$98.60
Standard (6 business days)Standard Shipping FREE

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From 4x4everything ( 677Purple star icon for feedback score in between 500 to 999)
BDS 2" Suspension Lift Kit# 417H Jeep Wrangler 1997-2006 4WD
BDS 2" Suspension Lift Kit# 417H Jeep Wrangler 1997-2006 4WD
Condition:
New
Quantity:
$414.00
Standard (5 business days)UPS Ground FREE

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Subtotal (13 items):
$3,342.23
Shipping to 93723-8119:
FREE
Sales Tax:
$179.74

Total:
$3,521.97

Pretty easy to spend that kinda money haha. I know I can probably shop for hours and save a little here and there and I know I can get some of these things in other brands..... but I'm honestly looking for easy shopping, bolt on, finished products. Little to no fab work or painting.