UPDATE -Winter Mods- UPDATE
Okay, here's the latest: I just got done with my winter round of mods. I asked 'what should I get' next for my poll question and the two favorites were rocker panels and a rear bumper with tire carrier. So I did both with a gas tank skid for good measure. As soon as I'm done with the LED brake lights I'll do a write-up along with some other things I've been meaning to do. Here's a few pics:

View all my pictures here: ImageStation

Page 1: Intro
Page 2: Flat-Fenders ----UPDATED
Page 3: Bumpers/Winch
Page 4: Lighting ----UPDATED
Page 5: Off-roading
Page 6: Exhaust
Page 7: Raingler Cargo Nets ----BRAND SPANKING NEW
Page 8: 6-pt rollcage ----Coming Soon
Page 9: Suspension ----Coming Soon

My project started with a 2001 Forest Green Sahara TJ. This is the oldest picture of the Jeep that I have on the computer. It's not quite a year old there and you can see the wheels, tires, shifter, and bumpers have all been changed from stock. Twin tube bumpers....what was I thinking? At least I got them from the junkyard instead of paying full price.

Here's something a little more up-to-date:

Anyway, as the project started to take shape I was slowly able to find my build-up philosophy. Do it once, do it right. I've heard way too many stories from friends and aquantinces about how they got a certain lift or a set of wheels and tires that weren't really functional for what they wanted to use their Jeep for (or they didn't have the proper gearing, axles, etc.) all because they were in a hurry or got a good deal. Down the road they would look back and say they could have done x, y and z differently and saved a ton of money in the process.

So for my Jeep I decided that a lift would be one of the last things that I would do. First I would take of all my safety (roll cage) and recovery (winch) needs. Then move on to lighting, body armor, skid plates and finally beef up the drivetrain, steering components and brakes. Once I'm done with all that then I will start to look for a lift and some 33s. Possbily the best decision I think that I've made was to go flat-fender. Just cut a little sheet metal here and there and I can fit bigger tires with less lift. Less lift = lower center of gravity = more stability. Plus it makes girls think the Jeep is way bigger than it actually is. It's a win-win situation! Okay, I'll stop rambling and let you enjoy the pics.
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Complete Modification List:
- removed factory side steps, front half of center console, back seat, rear seatbelts, rollbar padding, exhaust tip, bumper end caps and carpet
- flipped rear view mirror upside down
- replaced 'Wrangler' stickers with 'TJ'
- replaced 'Jeep' stickers with U.S. flag Jeep stickers
- 15x10 American Racing 767s (would have gotten 15x8 if I had known better at the time)
- 30x12.50 (325/60) BFG Mud-Terrains
- Energy Suspension 1" body lift
- M.O.R.E. 1" motor mount lift
- B&M short throw shifter
- Sun Performance mirror relocation bracket (just driver's side)
- home-made air intake (factory air box removed later)
- bored throttle body
- replaced factory tow hooks with 10,000# hooks
- chrome grill inserts (only chrome I like to see on the Jeep)
- flat-fenders
- 4" LED parking lights in grill
- 2" LED blinkers in hood
- ToysByTroy front bumper
- Warn 9.5XP (control box mounted under hood)
- Kwan Motorsystems throttle/winch control
- Mean Green dual battery tray
- Optima red top starting battery
- Optima yellow top deep cycle battery
- Mean Green 200amp alternator
- SurePower battery isolator (removed factory air box for clearance)
- 3 LightForce 170 lights (one spot, two wide angle)
- 2 cheap-o WalMart fog lights on rear bumper
- RhinoLining sprayed on interior
- TeraFlex steering box skid plate
- Hella H4 conversion headlamps
- painted headlight bezels to match body color
- Essentially Off-Road 6 point rollcage (through-the-dash style and fully welded)
- fire extinguishers
- Black Rat recovery kit
- American Power Pull 2-ton come-along
- Hi-Lift 60" jack
- Raingler full, side, and barrier netting
- 2'x3' Texas flag
- 2'x3' U.S. flag