My 99 TJ Sport
This
was to be my first new vehicle, so I wanted to order it right from the factory. I
logged on to a Jeep web site so I could go through all of the available factory
options. Comparing these options with what was available after marked. I ended
up ordering it loaded with all the goodies including; 4.0L, manual transmission,
convertible top with half doors, A/C, leather rapped steering wheel with pulse
wipers, cruise control, fog lights, 19 gallon fuel tank, 30-inch wheel package
and a Dana 44 rear axle. I decided not to get it with floor mates, entry steps
or a nicer stereo, but did get the overhead sound bar. I would get these items
after marked.
When
I got the Jeep, right away added all the following;
I
decided to wait until the tires wore out before upgrading with the other
modifications.
Well,
a couple of years later still having about another year’s worth of tread left
on my stock tires. I decided I couldn’t wait any longer.
So
I ordered and installed all of the following:
All of the modifications
were easy to do myself, but it was lot more fun having a girl friend who likes
to get right in there and help me out on everything. Thanks Dottie
Links to some of my upgrades
The
loss of power and poor fuel mileage was the results of the lift and larger
tires. (Mainly the tire size) This was to be expected. Due to the money
limitations, the other updates will have to wait.
So,
with a little more money built up in my Jeep fund, I started with the
modifications, I replaced the shock air filter/intake for a K/M filter and
intake system, I also replaced my stock exhaust for a Barlo system (Header &
Cat back system) Awesome improvement! I changed the air filter/intake first so I
could see the difference between the upgrades. The air intake was by far the
biggest improvement.
My
next step for restoring my horsepower and fuel mileage, will be re-gearing my
axles from 3.73 to 4.11.
I will also install a
manual locker in the front, made by Oxtrex. This locker should be available in about 6
months. I drive the TJ both on & off-road, living in a area that sometimes
gets a lot of snow through the winter months. So, an automatic locker’s like,
Lock-right or Powertrax would not work out for me. I liked the idea of locking
it only when necessary and keeping it unlocked to all other conditions, such as
street driving or slippery conditions like snow and ice.
This
is on the table for the next phase of upgrades.
See pictures of my 4-wheel adventure in Utah
