JP Magazine Homepage JP Magazine

1997 Jeep Wrangler - surfen24

Owner:   surfen24
Year: 1997
Make: Jeep
Model: Wrangler
Est.Horsepower: 0
Page Views: 833
Comments: 1 Comments
Ratings: 0 votes  
Overall:
Exterior:
Interior:
Performance:

About my Wrangler

I purchased my Jeep while living in Florida, it now has 169,000 + miles on it. I purchased the BestTop 2 piece hard top off Craig's list for $100.00 and the Dave's Safari rack for $200.00. I have installed a Rough Country 4" Suspension lift and Bushwacker 4 3/4" flares(the flares last week) in the last couple of months. The exhaust was opened up a little with a Walker Cat-back exhaust system. I found 4 Heila lights at a local 4x4 shop that were "traded" in for some KC Daylighters, they were sold to me for $100.00. See a pattern here,,I'm building my Jeep on a serious budget, but trying to build it like I want it.
I've driven this Jeep all over Florida, made a move to WV with it and took my latest road trip from West Virginia to Kansas (western KS) in it. It isn't the most comfortable long distance ride, but it keeps plugging along, stubborn thing, hence the nickname, Lil' Mule!!
The 4.0 engine and Automatic transmission remain completely stock at this time, those will be my next Big project, but for now I am thinking "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"!!!!!

OK, I finally saved the cash and purchased the new wheels, 16" Granite Alloys and tires, 285/75/16 Firestone Destination M/Ts. I took the hard top off for the summer and removed the Safari rack. I may leave the Safari rack off as I think I like the looks of the Jeep better without it.

Well, the next upgrade has been completed, I found a set of rearends out of an 05 Wrangler on Craig's List in Tulsa, OK. Dana 44 rear and 35 front with 3.73 gears. I would have liked to go lower with the gears, but with a 3 speed automatic I knew it would make highway driving slow. The 3.73s are great though!! I drove it from Tulsa to WV in the middle of the January ice storm towing a 8'x4' utility trailer and it was like a whole new Jeep, no more slowing down for slight upgrades, or the mountains either.

I also sold the Safari Rack for what I paid for it 4 years ago.

Comments On surfen24's Wrangler


Altoidfishfins
Altoidfishfins | New User
Posts: 0 | Joined 07/26/08
Posted: 07/26/08 06:07 AM

Yeah I'll comment,

I'm kind of partial to '97 Wranglers since I own one myself. First purchased it when I lived in Northern Nevada. I've since moved back to Arizona. Added all kinds of goodies and it's taken me everywhere I want to go, including the infamous Charolou Gap, without getting stuck with just a 3" lift, 31's, and Detroit TruTrac limited slips at both ends.

Never though of looking on Craigslist for deals on stuff like Bestops. My original is getting shredded.

Add a Comment on this Wrangler

User Name
Password
   Remember Me
BoldItalicsUnderlineURL
:ooo: :D
:o :mad:
:confused: :shocked:
:cool: :)
:crazy: :smirk:
:( :p
:grin: ;)
Instructions: Highlight word or phrase and click button to add desired formatting to text
Jeep Commander Research
Jeep Commander Read the latest reviews of the new Commander, including multi-vehicle comparisons, long-term tests, first rides or detailed new-car road tests. The Commander gets 9 mpg in the city and 13 on the highway, and can seat 7 people comfortably. Also check out the Jeep Patriot and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
 
50,000 Mile JK
The Jp project JK just rolled over 50,000 miles on the odometer so we decided to take it on a road... more
 
King Shock Technology Jeep TJ and JK bolt-on OEM Performance
King Shock Technology Jeep TJ and JK bolt-on OEM Performance Series shock kits give you the... more
 
Jeep JK and XJ Tube Door Mirror Mounts
Warrior Products introduces the latest accessory for its popular Tube Doors: Mirror Mounts for the... more
 
07-Up Jeep Wrangler JK Center Dash Board Overlays
The new Dash Board Overlays from Warrior Products fit the JKWrangler’s interior for a customized... more
 
700r4 reverse light wiring
so I'm swapping in a 305/700r4/231c into my 88 wrangler. Can anyone tell me how to wire up the... more
 
Info needed on 97-Wrangler 2.5L Turbo or Supercharger kit
Ok here is my email address Toddjbierline@msn.com I am also looking to put a supercharger on my... more
 
New to Forum and Jeeps
Hi,New to the forum and recently bought an 09 Unlimited Wrangler and I want to flat-tow it behind... more
 
New to Forum and Jeeps
Hi,New to the forum and recently bought an 09 Unlimited Wrangler and I want to flat-tow it behind... more
Get Adobe Flash player