Garza’s 1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ Build

I wanted to build a light weight, very capable, reliable daily driver TJ. So I found this 1998 Jeep Wrangler TJ SE 2.5 automatic with some much needed TLC. The previous owner had put it through its paces in what looks to be some good times in the mud. Unfortunately for me this made a lot of cleaning before I could start building.

 

Time for a Savvy  Gas Tank Skid

The TJ needed a new fuel pressure regulator so what better time to drop the factory gas tank skid and install some top of the line all aluminum gas tank skid armor from Savvy Offroad.

This was also the perfect opportunity to upgrade the rear bumper and compliment the gas tank skid. I chose the Savvy Offroad all aluminum rear bumper.

On to the Suspension Lift

I then decided the route I would go with the suspension. The Currie 4″ Rock Jock suspensions have been proven time and time again so this was a no brainer. I chose to use the Savvy Offroad double adjustable aluminum control arms for ease of suspension adjustments. I also opted to use the Fox 2″ aluminum bodied IFP shocks.

Out with the old suspension components!

It was then decided that the stock axles needed some upgrades for the type of use Jeep TJ will see. The rear Dana 35 (YES DANA 35) received 4.88 Revolution Gear and Axle gears, a 30spline Eaton E-Locker with 30 spline alloy shafts.

had a great opportunity to use a high pinion Dana 30 front axle so I opted to build it rather than the stock low pinion Dana 30. The upper control arm mounts received some bracing and we installed Currie  CE-9112M in the housings to replace the stock rubber bushings.  A super cool trick is to flip the driver side tie-rod (more on this later) which requires relocating the sway bar mounts you can see in the pic below.

Stay tuned