[Colo-TJ]

I traded my 2002 ford ranger Edge for a jeep tj last summer and have been trying to make it "mine" since. It was a pretty nice rig to start with but was not exactly what I wanted so there in lies the fun. i am overwhelmed with the endless mods that are possible with these things. Especially after doing a couple of other builds with Bronco 2's.
so here I will chronicle the progress thus far as well as ongoing work. there are quite a few things that I have done thus far and alot more yet to do.
OK here is what i started with.

not a bad rig for sure but not what Need for my wheeling style. it has a 3.5" tereflex lift. 33x12.50 15 BFG tires w/American Racing wheels. great foundation to start my build!!

 

[Colo-TJ]

so I found the bumper I was looking for and grabbed it up. It is built by a local fbricator named FessyBuilt. I was real happy to find such a good product locally.
went from this

to this

 

[Xpress]

Looks good. Might want to get that fog light lens level, might give you some interesting lighting that way

 

[Colo-TJ]

sure was happy with the change. So happy in fact that I felt a need to go back over there and get the rear. The one I wanted was a custom order so it was going to take a couple of weeks to put it all together. Tough wait..
picked it up at almost exactly 2 weeks later and got it installed in a few hours.
went from this

Too this

 

[Colo-TJ]

 

[Colo-TJ]

Looks good. Might want to get that fog light lens level, might give you some interesting lighting that way

funny you should say that.... next thing is that I hated the stock Fogs on there. so i went and found some PIAA driving lights and got them put on.

 

[Josh]

sure was happy with the change. So happy in fact that I felt a need to go back over there and get the rear. The one I wanted was a custom order so it was going to take a couple of weeks to put it all together. Tough wait..
picked it up at almost exactly 2 weeks later and got it installed in a few hours.
went from this

Too this

Where can I get that tire carrier and how much? Please get back to me

 

[Colo-TJ]

Next up was I wanted to get something kinda unique so i hit up a buddy that has a grphics company to help me out. I put my jeeps name right on the Hood.

and then on to the rock sliders... I found a guy that makes them up in Colorado Springs (100 miles from me.) still local. i am a sucker for buying stuff locally made when I can.
Went from this

TOO THIS

 

[Colo-TJ]

Where can I get that tire carrier and how much? Please get back to me

http://fessybuilt.com/products/rearbumpers/tjyj.html

 

[Josh]

Thanks cool-tj

 

[Colo-TJ]

Now here I am on the next Mod... This is a big one and going to take some time so bear with me....

Ford 8.8 conversion....just getting going on this so probably going to take a while to get through it. I'll be posting progress pictures and anything else that comes along while this mod is happening.
here is the plan right now...LOL
4.56 gears... ARB lockers... full 4 link rear suspension .... and artec truss.....
follow along if you like. thanks for being a part of it.

 

[Colo-TJ]

Thanks cool-tj

thanks bud.. it looks like you have a good one going yourself!!!

 

[Josh]

Wow 300 thats not to bad when I would spend like 500 from like morris 4x4

 

[Colo-TJ]

Wow 300 thats not to bad when I would spend like 500 from like morris 4x4

keep in mind tha 300 is base bumper. depending on what options you choose the price slides up.

 

[Josh]

I saw that the base bumper was $160, and the bumper/tire carrier was the $300

 

[Colo-TJ]

I saw that the base bumper was $160, and the bumper/tire carrier was the $300

yep but the 300 is for just the bumper and swing carrier. if you want the high-lift mount--xtra jerry can holder---xtra air bottle mount---xtra reciever hitch xtra....and so forth and so on. I'm not trying to discourage you i am just saying add up everything you want if anything. Jerrod is great to work with and very helpfull. call him up and tell him what your looking for and I'm sure he can put it together for you. one thing worth mentioning as well is that he uses press in bearings and not plastic bushings. all hardware is solid.. and weld are awesome. it is worth every penny.

 

[Josh]

I will give him a call when I'm ready for that upgrade for sure I look forward to working with him!

 

[Chris]

Your rig is coming along nicely.

 

[Colo-TJ]

Thank you Chris.

 

[Colo-TJ]

I ended up being a little impatient today and removed all the expolder brackets from the 8.8 and cleaned it up a little. my new truss should be here wednesday according to UPS tracking. I opened up the back and took a peek at the inner stuff as well. supposed to be able to use the factory locker for all the common big gears. since I am going to go with 4.56 I should be able to use it for a while untill I save for the ARB upgrade.