The Jeep Expeditions Group™ - Exploration, Education, Conservation & Preservation.......... Live The Adventure

The TJ Wrangler came out in 1997 as the more refined and advanced Wrangler and the replacement to the YJ.

If this CJ was the 1st Generation then the TJ would be the 3rd Generation. Given that CJ was produced and improved upon for over 40 years, the YJ that replaced it was built for 10 years and the TJ only 8 years until it was replaced by the now current JK model.

There is lots to be said about the TJ which sold over 603,303 units (the YJ Sold 632, 231 units, the CJ5 sold about 603K units and the CJ7 about 379K units). It brought back round headlights, it had more technology and safety features. The dash was more �car like� and the HVAC system was the best yet in a �little� Jeep. The most talked about change though was its coil spring suspension on all 4 corners.

When it 1st came out I remember reading that it had the �Grand Cherokee� suspension. I had a few Grand Cherokees by then and thought that it must ride pretty smooth and have good potential for flex but at that time I was still �old school� and was too busy with my 92 SOA YJ and my 82 CJ8 Scrambler. Why did I need one of these �trendy Jeeps� as some referred the TJ to, I had a �yuppie Jeep� that could RTI as good as any TJ (900-1000) and my classic Scrambler.

My 1st trip to Moab in 2000 was with a few guys with both YJs and TJs. This was the 1st time I had seen TJs in anything other than east coast mud and sand and I have to tell you I was impressed. Most of the guys had 3 to 4 inch lifts and 33� tires. My YJ had about 8� of lift via SOA and springs and 35s. I also had the opportunity to talk to a few members of the Red Rock 4 Wheelers, the local Jeep Club in Moab about Jeeps while I was there. It seemed that the general consensus of most of the guys there was that the TJ makes a great all around, multi-purpose Jeep and is best lifted 3-4 inches and sheathed with 33� tires. Ok, it made sense, lower center of gravity is good especially in off-camber situations and the TJs I was running with in Moab had no problems at all on any of the trails we were on including Hell�s Revenge.

So I contemplated a future TJ project for me using the advice and information from my Moab adventure. At that time I wondered if I could put a classic CJ dash in the TJ (I thought and still do think that the TJ dash is too car like (love the HVAC system though) and it seems to take away leg/knee room because it juts out at least 4 inches or more than the YJ or CJ dash. I even did some research about putting a CJ tub and front end on a TJ so to have a CJ dash. Well a CJ project was still a few years off for me and the time between would find me working on other projects on older, �classic� Jeeps.

So now I find myself living in AZ. Where did all these TJs come from I thought the 1st few times out on the trail. As 2002 moved on to 2008 it seems as if there are less YJs and CJs on the trail, way less. In 2006 Jeep Expeditions was formed and on our 1st trip on the Devil�s Highway I would bet that 80% of the Jeeps were TJs. TJs of all sorts, stock, budget lifted, 3�, 4�, 5� and more. Tire sizes anywhere from 29� to 37�. I wondered what happened to all the CJs and YJs in the world while we rallied at our meeting spot. There was even this newcomer to the Jeep world traveling with us, the new JK Wrangler, a very nicely modified one too.

As things would have it I found myself early in 2008 wanting to start a Wrangler project. I started asking around and looked at JE members rigs and watching how they performed on the trail. I had thought that I might go with something really crazy: a 95 YJ, putting a CJ front end and dash in it and a custom 4 link, coil over suspension. I could have the classic looks that I have always liked in the CJ, the �better� in my opinion YJ tub and frame and a killer suspension. Then one day my good friend Jim stopped by and asked me if I was still looking to do a Wrangler project and told me he had the project for me, his 99 TJ Sahara. Jim was going to buy a Currie built Jeep, one that had traveled around the country to shows and events and one of only 3 made, the Helldorado TJ.

Well I thought I had my mind made up about the project I wanted to start but I had always liked Jims Jeep, he took care of it and he always bought quality parts and accessories.

So now I have what I consider the best all around �little� Jeep for vehicle dependent overland/off-highway travel, Expedition travel. A big change in it�s routine as it was towed behind a motorhome and was in stock form until 2005. The next 3 years the TJ saw lots of changes and logged about 10,000 new miles on it.

So how is my �new� TJ Equipped ?

1999 Jeep Wrangler Sahara � all the factory options except ABS
4.0 High Output 6 with a 32RE automatic transmission
Rubicon Express 3.5� lift
33x12.50x15 BFG MTR tires
Warn Rock Sliders
Warn Steering box cover
Warn HD diff covers
Crusher Corners in the rear
Black Canyon wheels
Currie D44 with ARB air lockers front and rear
HD Currie front sway bar
Currie steering kit
4Wheelers Custom HD front and rear bumpers
Warn 9500ti winch
Kilby on board air system
ARB electric compressor for lockers
Rock Hard 4x4 Roll Cage
Insulated hard top and dark tinted glass all the way around
Cobra CB radio with Wilson Trucker 5000 antenna
Kenwood D700A Ham Radio
Kenwood sound system
Sirius satellite radio
HiLift Extreme Jack
And lots of other goodies
Alarm sytem of course.

This Jeep is built and can serve many puposes like rock crawling 4.0 out of 5.0 trails, Expedition Travel and even as a daily driver if one chooses. It is heavy duty enough to handle the tough trails and still be comfortable on the highway.

Now do you need a TJ built like this for most of the driving you might do? Probably not. I had YJ with D30 front and D35 rear with alloy axles and wheeled Moab trails with no problems. If you keep your D35, truss it for more trouble free service. Do you need lockers, OBA and other goodies ? Well one locker is always good to have and if I had the option of only one locker I would put it up front. OBA when you have the money the rest, only you can answer that.

Like I said before, the local Moab Jeepers said that a TJ with a 3-4 inch lift, with 32s or 33�s and one locker makes a great Jeep for Moab trails. So built your Jeep as your budget allows starting with a lift you are comfortable with and bigger tires. Remember with bigger tires comes the need for a gear change, a TJ with an automatic six cyl works fine with 3.73 gears but better with 4.10s with 32 or 33� tires. If you go 35� tires then go 4.56 gearing. I do not recommend buying a 4 cyl Wrangler but if you do 4.88 gears are your only option and I would not go any bigger than 33� tires. Next you add rock sliders for protection. Until you can spring for a winch, a set of $20 tow hooks up front will help get you out if you get stuck.

We have some great suppliers for parts and one of our members just bought a nice rear bumper with hitch and swing out tire carrier from one of our suppliers for under $400 with shipping with his member discount.

The TJ is a great Jeep that has probably more aftermarket support than any other Jeep ever and a good Jeep to consider.

Jeep Expeditions is the PREMIERE Jeep Exclusive Expedition/Overland Adventure CLUB Anywhere!

Jeep Expeditions is a non-profit corporation registered in the State of Arizona.

The state recognizes us as a fraternal organization, we prefer to say we are a club. Our members and volunteers are dedicated to the exploration of this great land for the educational value, historical value, scenic beauty, the geology, paleontology, the camaraderie of people who share the same interests and to escape the confines of civilization if only for a few days. Our organization and members adhere to the standards of "Tread Lightly" and "Leave No Trace".

Jeep Expedition Members enjoy adventures that vary in length from one day, a weekend, long weekend, week long, two weeks and like our Arctic Expedition in 2011, a full month. Don't worry, most of our trips are one day and two day trips. We are Family Friendly and we have a number of members who bring their friendly "Jeep Dogs".

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