I really need upgrades and tips for my 97 Jeep Wrangler TJ. Please Help!?
I’m am 17 and just did football all summer for my brother in laws’ 97 jeep wrangler. I’ve learned to drive it stick shift and it runs okay. I’ve saved up a little money to fix it up and upgrade its looks. Right now it has no air conditioning, no top, no windows, maxes at around 70 mph, torn seats, a cracked windshield, and seems to swallow gas with little power output. I live in extremely hot weather and I need this car even if I am only going to keep it for a couple years depending on how it feels later on.
I don’t have much money (around 0) so any tips on where to get cheap, good quality products (ebay seat covers were an epic fail) would help me greatly. Also any tips to help it run better or for me to drive it better are accepted. First off, I really need some kind of top that I can get for around 0. I have half doors so I could use some windows too. Any Jeep knowledge you can share is appreciated. I would like it to drive and look nice but now its kind of lacking in both areas. PLEASE HELP
Last, if anyone has a favorite site where they get good jeep products, please post.
Thanks a lot ahead of time!!!!!!!!!!!
9 Responses
Seat Covers Unli
26 Jan 2010
rick r
26 Jan 2010
Quadretec has everything you need
charolastra
26 Jan 2010
Check out craigslist.com on your area. Hook up with the local Jeep clubs for spare parts that the might give you or sell you. I just got a used top from a Golden Eagle for $90 complete with uppers. You forgot to mension what engine size your TJ has. If it’s a 2.5L it’s normal to max out at 70mph. If it’s a 4.0L you need to tune up that baby! And just take one step at a time. It took me 3 yrs to finish my TJ the way I wanted.
Dylan
26 Jan 2010
quadratec.com or jcwhitney.com
timothy p
26 Jan 2010
My first purchase would be a good solid tune up with new air filter, plugs, wires… and try to find out why it is so inefficient.
get a safari top, wind jammer and duster. You should be able to get the package for around 250-300. You can get the door uppers from quadratec or a used set on ebay. You may be able to get a local upholstery shop to repair your seats. It wouldn’t hurt to get a quote.
Look around ebay and check the sellers ratings and the ratings of the products before you buy. All e Bayer’s are not created equal. Also check quadratec and jcwhitney.
Michael
26 Jan 2010
I would say find a local Jeep group – Jeepers typically help Jeepers out with freebies, or low cost spare parts from lifting their Jeeps. You can get all kind of stock parts to fix your broken parts, and various mod parts too from people in Jeep clubs. Get a manual and star with small basic projects on you jeeps. Read read read the many forums (Pirate, Jeeps unlimited, etc..) on the internet. get a couple of Jeep catalogs also. Check out craigslist and the like. Now I noticed you sait top speed is about 70mph, it sounds like you have the 2.5L (4cyl), sadly the 4cyl engine is not very powerful, obviously, you can accept this or you can; turbo/super charge, or look and engine swaps (which can be involved), re-gear(read up on this, it has some trade offs) or you could sell the Jeep and buy a 4.0L Jeep. If you plan on bigger tyres the 4cyl will struggle on road unless you regear. I could go on buy I won’t – Good luck with you new toy!
Rod Knocker
26 Jan 2010
4wheelparts.com sells Jeep stuff.
To start, if it is a 4 banger, it will not get good gas mileage ever. That is just the way they are. Underpowered. You can wake it up a bit with a Clifford header and larger exhaust with a free flow intake.
What size tires does it have? If they are 33" or bigger, you need to re-gear it to get some power back.
Craigslist in your area should have tops for sale. If not, look on Craigslist in San Diego. There is a 4×4 junk yard that is always advertising Jeep tops and they will ship them.
Like others have posted, hook up with a Jeep club. Other Jeepers are always a good source for parts. People are always upgrading their Jeeps and have a bunch of spare parts laying around.
Good Luck!
pj
26 Jan 2010
1st you have little cash said like $750.
need top & windows ok check junk yards windshields to also check on used seats there can call 1 800 you pull it or craigslist
power ok =tune up air filters plugs wires oil clean injectors $200-250
Free PDF: 2010 G
25 Feb 2010
[...] I really need upgrades and tips for my 97 Jeep Wrangler TJ. Please … [...]
We can take care of you with Custom Seat Covers, Floor Mats, Dash Covers, Carpet Kits, etc.
eBay normally is a "fail" with seat covers. Mainly because most sold there are universals which aren’t fit for any vehicle in particular. The 97 Wrangler Buckets are a little tall for universal styles.
Hope this helps.