Paul Erickson Confesses It All

By Paul Erickson
Contributing writer

Originally, I purchased this Jeep from a Lt. Colonel at Edwards Airforce Base in 2003. It was meant for my 16 year old daughter as a commuter car, and I had NO intention of driving it off-highway. I found it was missing a stock sway bar up front, and my daughter nearly tipped it over (the dealer 'missed' it during their pre-purchase inspection and I didn't know a thing about Jeeps at that point). Anyway, we eventually put her in a 2 door coupe and I decided to keep the TJ as a toy and winter driver for Southern California’s mountains in the winter (yes, it snows in SoCal).

 

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At that point, I started learning about Jeeps and what they could do, and I became very focused on making a decent daily driver and decent wheeler using parts and such that I could install myself (for the most part) as I have ZERO fab skills. Most of the work on it occurred after I moved from Cali to Alabama, and I think I succeeded in making it a decent road warrior that can easily hold its own off-highway in the mud of the southeast. 

 

The combination of skids, armor, and lift has made this Jeep VERY stout and comfortable at the same time. I've even laid it over and despite a destroyed windshield frame and fender bend enhancement, it was still mechanically sound. 

 

Either way, it has been a BLAST to own, work on, and play with. I've learned more about vehicles working on this Jeep than I ever had previously!

 

This Freek's Jeep, 1997 TJ:

- 2.5L 4 banger (and all that implies)
- Dana 30 Front with Lockright / Dana 35 Rear with Yukon 35 shafts and ARB locker

- 4.88 Gearing
- AX-5 Manual Transmission (5 speed)
- 33" TrXuS MT's on Canyons and SpiderTrax Spacers
- Omix fender flares (OEM style)
- Home made quick disconnects for soft top hardware
- Bestop Safari / Jammer / Duster combination (Black)
- Bestop Soft top (Black)
- Replaced radiator

Suspension/Lift - from DPG Offroad
- OME 2.5" HD lift (with Unlimited rear shocks)
- 3/4" spacers in front for leveling
- 1.25" JKS BL
- 1" JKS BMML
- JKS Bar Pin Eliminators
- JKS front Adjustable Track Bar
- JKS Quicker Disconnects for the front suspension

 

Bumpers/Armor/Recovery
- Jeeperman bumper
- Front with brush guard/light bar
- Rear (w/ tire carrier)
- D-shackles front and rear
- Warn 9.5ti Winch
- Toys by Troy Ultimate Rockers
- Toys by Troy Steering Skid
- Toys by Troy side sliders/corner armor
- Kilby Gas Tank Skid
- Homebrew CO2 setup (10lb)
- 48" Hi-lift Jack

 

Lighting
- Added OEM fogs
- IPF H4 lighting upgrade
- IPF 968 driving/fog lights
- 35W Backup/utility lights on back
- LED taillights
- Light'n Boltz lighting for license plate
- Blacked out light rings (Krylon Fusion)

 

Convenience/Interior/Electronics
- Mirror relocation brackets
- Magellan Meridian Platinum GPS with RAM mount
- Hand throttle
- Home made trunk (under the duster)
- Mopar / Jeep Black / Tan Seat Covers
- Added bumpstops on hood where it meets windshield
- Camaro rear view mirror with map lights
- Added second switch bezel for 6 Carling / Contura switches and CB integration
- Alpine HU with XM and iPod integration
- Alpine / Kicker amplifier setup
- Edge Auto soundbar with Kicker 6x9 (polyfilled)
- MB Quart 5.25's in dash
- Kicker 8" sub in Tuffy security console
- Cobra 75WXST CB with Firestik 4' antenna on Jeeperman tire carrier
- External speaker for CB
- Homebrew Fuse #4 bypass switch
- Various performance enhancing decals under the hood and on the side

 

And the list is going to include (hopefully):
- Roll cage, upgraded brakes, 33 Engineering bellyup, SYE, adjustable control arms

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