Video: Dirt Every Day Builds Jeep Wrangler TJ Project from Scratch
In this latest episode of Dirt Every Day, Fred Williams, Technical Editor for 4 Wheel & Off-Road, prepares his four-cylinder Jeep Wrangler TJ project, Tube Sock, to tackle the red rocks of Moab, Utah. In the video, Williams explains all the modifications that will be necessary to transform the humble, street-driven Wrangler into a legitimate off-road machine. His first visit was to Poison Spyder Customs for the installation of a tube cage, new front bumper, skidplate, rock sliders, and an aluminum tailgate. Surprisingly, with all these updates, the Jeep gained only 55 pounds.
Next up for the Wrangler were some driveline updates, including Currie Enterprises Rock Jock 44 axles, and 37-inch tires. Fitting the massive (compared to stock) rollers under the factory fenders was an issue, so the Jeep got a fender lift for clearance. To give the Wrangler the articulation and strength it needs off-road, it received a BDS suspension.
Falling behind schedule, Williams loads up Tube Sock and hits the highway to Moab, having the Tom Woods custom driveshafts overnighted to the destination for installation right before hitting the trails. Other than the fact that Williams forgot to install coil retainers on the springs to keep them from falling out of the perches and a transfer case leak, Tube Sock performed flawlessly, and the lack of horsepower from the humble I-4 was compensated for with low-range gearing, which helped it crawl over boulders with ease. Be sure and check out Dirt Every Day every fourth Thursday on the Motor Trend Channel!
