Project FOOL's GOLD 2003 tj

[7391k5s]

A lil background on my search before I dive int the build specifics. I looked for several weeks looking for a tj rubicon or a LJ sport or rubicon. I stumbled on this jeep on the forum and it seemed like a good deal Its a 2003 sport with 67k, long arms, and a Gr8top. I'm calling this "project Fool's Gold" for 2 reasons 1. the blatantly obvious reason Its gold! Inca gold pearl to be exact 2. No one else seemed interested in this jeep!! So am I that fool? It needs ALOT of work due to years of neglect and the western NC weather. I found it odd cause at the time several people were getting excited over 97ish 2.5L TJ's for around 2500-3500 some without titles! This jeep was less than 6 grand and with a KBB of 12,500. I figured I'd at least have easier time selling it later with a better book value.
The specs
4.0L,auto,Rough Country 4in long arms,gr8top,bald 33's d30/35 open

The Bad
-frame chipping and rusting
-exhaust leak and muffler cut off
-Ghetto fabworks roll cage welded by ray charles
-Rock slider are now Rust sliders
-axles are open and weak (who longarms a open/open jeep anyways?
-no SYE (seriously?)
-shocks are shot
-Dodge durango seats bolted to pieces of a stop sign (yeah)
-Tub is lined with bed coating, wal-mart color place gloss black, undercoating, monkey spit, mud, rattle can paint.
-Mtr mud slicks

The plans
-clean up the chipping undercoating and repaint/Full armor/BTF cage/paint the top/lower it with 2.5 coils and add a 1in body lift and build my own flat belly skid/build a bare 44 front housing 4:88s and 44 or 8.8 rear/35in km2's (I work at michelin so these are free!!/small stretch 3-5in/re-coat interior with monstaliner or herculiner/ along with several other mods and upgrades that Im sure will pop up.

 

[7391k5s]

My starting point

 

[7391k5s]

Rust

 

[7391k5s]

Removed the rusty rockers, some of the decals and gave her a bath. Then I got bored.

 

[7391k5s]

Pic of the god awful sliders!
UPS has arrived!! Blue torch cage, rear tire carrier, and corner guards!
Time to clean up the rear of the frame. Remove rust prime and repaint. Then I'll install the rear bumper.

 

[reznory]

Watching this build. Looks like you got a good deal.

 

[StretchASU]

That thing has been up here in Boone for years. That explains the rust. Solid starting point though man. good luck with the build.

 

[frankenyoter]

I had no idea Ray Charles could weld!

Good luck with the build.

 

[Chris_Keziah]

Those sliders def had some serious cancer. Looks to be a good start.

 

[7391k5s]

-Rear frame section stripped and repainted
-rear bumper/tire carrier installed
-umm ok I got bored and the jeep didn't come with a spare lol
A lot of the work I did today I don't have pics that's are too interesting such as new gear oil, changed the fluids to synthetics, removed rear flares and fender wells and lots and lots of sanding.

 

[Jason W.]

Nice, simple, capable, I like it

 

[7391k5s]

Nice, simple, capable, I like it

thanks! I didn't make any progress today but yeah I'm trying to keep it simple I needed a second vehicle and I've been itching to wheel again.. I'm in sc so I doubt anybody here has ever seen me on the trail unless it was back in the day at tellico... Here's some of my past toys. Ranging from 1999ish to last year

 

[7391k5s]

I'll get some real work done fri-sun on the "nugget" (my other name for this tj)

 

[7391k5s]

Visit to the scrap yard was a HUGE success!!!
List of items
1. Tj Dana 44 3:73 rear with bad spider gears
2. Stock black tj cage hoop to weld my blue torch kit to.
3. Rear storage thingy from a 01 Sahara
4. Stock exhaust (mines cut off behind cat)
5. Dented fenders to cut up for tube fenders
6. All hinges from a gloss black 02 Sahara including kc light mounts
7. Stock dash (mines cut for cage)
How much? How's $150 and my good front fenders?! I couldn't be more happy

 

[Chris_Keziah]

That storage thingy is pretty badass.

 

[Tech11]

Another gr8top jeep. Oh my.

 

[7391k5s]

Actually it's a Collins bros top from the info I got from Keith at Rubitruxs today.. Sorry to disappoint

 

[7391k5s]

Picked up a rubicon 44 front housing today! The previous owner bent his 30 front and bought a bare housing from jeep put his stubs and outlets on it and drove without inners, carrier or gears for about 5k then just put a junkyard 30 in to sell it. I've got 650 bucks in the pair of 44's glad to have set together!!! I'm thinking 4:56 or 4:88 spool in the rear and ARB or OX in the front. If anyone has any advice I'm all ears.

 

[7391k5s]

Removal of ray Charles fab roll cage to install BtF cage

 

[7391k5s]

Last night getting started and this morning the semi finished product. I only tacked it together cause my welder has flux wire on it. Gonna drop it off to let a buddy tug it up today.

 

[7391k5s]

Tig*

 

[7391k5s]

Only update as of now. I traded a $75 gift card for 4wd.com for this Ramsey rep 8.5 winch with mounting plate. I got the gift card for complaining about a small scratch on my tire carrier lol.. My Nemesis aluminum armor should be here by the weekend. I got the titan tub armor and Orion corner guards.

 

[7391k5s]

The winch

 

[7391k5s]

Got my Nemesis industries corner guards installed today and I would have the rockers too but they messed up and sent me jk stuff. Despite the error I am still very impressed by their products!

 

[7391k5s]

I also traded my DD audi for this 98 Sahara last week. I doubt it will ever have a build thread though prob gonna add a sye, new front bumper, and just drive it.