This Classic Jeep Wrangler TJ is Hiding a Secret Upgrade!

[@a2r7n6]

Jeep offered the rear Dana 44 apart of the Tire and Wheel Group package, which included 30" tires (code AAS). For 2006, it was a $670 option. 😎

[@aevnate4140]

Very cool! for $670 it is great the original buyer decided to spend the extra money.

[@indridcold8433]

I got a concept Jeep TJ in 1996 as a 1997. It has a lot of options that made it to Jeep TJs in later years. My 1997 Jeep TJ, built in Early 1996, has a Dana 44, 4.11 to 1 gearing, AX-15 geared like an NV3550, lether wrapped steering wheel, rear removable and folding seat, Bestop SuperTop in black diamond and tinted windows, Bestop upper door sliders in black diamond, yellow colour, Weathertech floormats, rough country stainless side step bars, stainless steal double tube, single hoop front bumper with stainless double tube rear bumper, 30 x 9.5 R-15 BFGoodrich all Terrain tyres on Grizzly rims, Hella spotlights, Hella flood lights, Hella fog lights. But, I have modified it extensively. The title says, 1996 Cherokee because it really was not a Wrangler TJ. I got a lot of grief for that at the BMV. But I explained it and the dealership helped me. I still have that old Jeep. It does not look the same. But I still love it just the same, actually more.

[@TheFlyingKiwi]

Check the rear diff tag. If it has LS stamped anywhere on it then bonus, you also have a limited slip rear differential!!

[@Kentucky4runner]

It’s fantastic that you are able to help dad out with this project! Always great to learn more about a vehicle after the purchase, and find out you got lucky with some of the parts! Any of the “meh” things-just means dad has the opportunity to spend some money on the new hobby and you get to shoot more videos for us to watch and follow the build. Can’t wait to see the dodge get a winch 😎

[@theeapco]

Looks so great! I see the light! 💡

[@wadeduvall7026]

That is a beautiful Jeep, body looks like it rolled off the line last week. Also love that shop and all the deep Jeep knowledge.

[@JasonExplainsThings]

Nate is the man for sure.

[@True-77]

Man, I really like the look of that Wrangler TJ. Heck of a headlight upgrade, lol.

[@JasonExplainsThings]

Right?! Yeah those were a happy surprise.

[@p47rr]

The wife and I have a 2004 sport with 94,000 miles on it now. No rust. Paint is in excellent condition. Just replace every gasket and seal. Plus the fuel pump, brake booster and master cylinder. Five new BF Goodrich K2 tires. Found a rag in the gas tank left in there by the dealership in Pensacola Florida. Which explains the fuel pump problem. Ours has factory air,soft top,30 inch tires and automatic transmission. It seams like once a month someone approaches us wanting to buy it. Not for sale. I hoping to pass it down to one of the grand kids.

[@BisonMan-im4zx]

Sounds like a sweet Jeep

[@jasonheathcote7407]

That is a great looking TJ. Later on in the year I'll be on the search for a good one in the UK.

[@gorillahd9247]

Could use a SYE kit, double cardan driveshaft, adjustable control arms and the previously mentioned steering upgrades. This will allow you to get rid of the transfer case drop pucks and regain some ground clearance while properly aligning your driveshaft angles and axles. I'm doing the same on my 2002 TJ. Also adding Centric brake rotors and EBC yellowstuff pads is an inexpensive but highly effective way to boost braking performance.

[@TheFlyingKiwi]

I just did the SYE kit and new rear drive shaft. What a HUGE improvement to eliminate driveshaft vibration, particularly when pulling away from stationary.

[@roaming_buffalo_001]

Thats a good looking TJ! I wish I had a shop like Nate’s to be able to work on my 99 Sahara

[@aevnate4140]

Bring your truck on over and we can do some work on it.

[@roaming_buffalo_001]

@@aevnate4140 happily!!

[@BisonMan-im4zx]

Hell yeah! That’s a sweet Jeep!

[@Takki_Pakki]

metal cloak fenders for sure and a genright swing back bumper

[@gorillahd9247]

I'm cloaking my 2002 TJ soon. Getting the arched fenders.

[@aevnate4140]

I don't think he will go that route. I think he's going to keep it pretty mild but beef up a few areas.

[@tonyheymunkets]

Had to replace my AC years back I paid like 300 bucks on Amazon for everything and it's worked all the way up to this point been like 8 years now I didn't replace the evaporator that's original and now that has to be done and that is expensive because they have to take the whole dash off

[@ryansremark6983]

What are the fender flares on that Jeep, it has extra groove and seem wider the the Sahara/rubi flare?

[@tonyheymunkets]

I don't know if people ordered it that way or what but I also have a have a 44 in the back of my TJ

[@aevnate4140]

I was just expecting to see a Dana 35. I didn't know they did those in Jeeps that were not a Rubicon.

[@2AToday]

Jason’s dad needs to start his own channel, where he can offer life advice during each video. Why? Because the man responsible for raising as outstanding of a human being as Jason is, must have some incredible wisdom.

[@aevnate4140]

I got the pleasure of spending time with Jerry that day, and he is a great person with a lot of interesting stories. Don't worry Jason, your dad didn't share any embarrassing stories from your youth. 🤣

[@cowthedestroyer]

i need to upgrade my 80 w150 from 2.91 gears or what ever they are then put in lsd in the 9.25

[@JasonExplainsThings]

I want to do a limited slip in the Dodge. I’ll just need assistance because I haven’t messed with gears to date.

[@cowthedestroyer]

@@JasonExplainsThings you have a 9.25 or a dana 60 right? Its pretty easy actually just takes alot time with a dial indicator and patience. I have lsd factory on my 90 its great but non of my other trucks have it. my 86 im def going to do it but its money i dont have right now sadly. Doing stuff like gears is aton of fun and the satisfaction of doing it yourself is amazing.

[@JasonExplainsThings]

@@cowthedestroyer I have a 9.25. Thanks for the encouragement. 👍

[@thatmand4542]

If yall dont need that warn winch....i could buy it 😁!

[@JasonExplainsThings]

I'm holding on to it for a future project.

[@thatmand4542]

@@JasonExplainsThings Gotcha i figured from what you said on the vid....just seeing if i got a bite 😆

[@bellevue260]

Many times the valve cover leaks and drips down making it look like the rear main seal is bad.

[@JasonExplainsThings]

Yep. We’ll doublecheck that for sure.

[@tonyheymunkets]

I bought my 2004 50,000 miles in 2011 always by a Jeep with high miles because they probably already replaced everythingBecause now I pretty much have and I got 94,000 miles on it I even replaced the motor I can go on if you buy a Jeep you better love them