Boo Boo 2004 Rubicon

37317 Views 297 Replies 18 Participants Last post by johncanfield, 1 d ago

elff

Discussion Starter · Jul 18, 2021 (Edited)

OK folks, time for me to start a build thread for my New to Me 2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ Rubicon.
My wife has named it Boo Boo for some silly reason because of the Geico commercial with the bears and some of the trail pin striping.

Here are some pics @Elwarpo sent me, so we have a base to start with.

As you all can see, it's a properly used vehicle, in it's natural element and a fantastic base that is very solid mechanically. It has a couple of key items which made it a perfect ElffMobile.

Key things
AiROCK with OnBoard Air
Cross Over Steering
Out Boarded Shocks
Stock Moab Rims
MAC's CAI
Cool Locker relocation to get them out of harms way
Hard Top
A bunch of spare parts.

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261 - 280 of 298 Posts

elff

Discussion Starter · #261 · 7 mo ago

Changed all the fluids in the Jeep today and I have to say, I was really amazed at how good the Royal Purple looked in the diffs. I almost feel like I wasted money. But it's good to change that in case it got contaminated as I did go through some deep muddy water a bunch of times.
@Elwarpo I put that massive oil filter on this time around. That thing takes 1/2 quart of oil by itself

I greased everything that had a zerk on it today, so tomorrow I have to re-install the front D.S. and put a new nylon lock nut on the passenger front Airbag's lower mount. That is such a pita. I am not looking forward to that, but will have some help from some of my Rock Crawling buddies.

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johncanfield

· #262 · 7 mo ago

Changing the diff oil was part of my annual maintenance on my old LJ - we usually ran through water at least once every wheeling season.

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Elwarpo

· #263 · 7 mo ago

elff said:
Changed all the fluids in the Jeep today and I have to say, I was really amazed at how good the Royal Purple looked in the diffs. I almost feel like I wasted money. But it's good to change that in case it got contaminated as I did go through some deep muddy water a bunch of times.
@Elwarpo I put that massive oil filter on this time around. That thing takes 1/2 quart of oil by itself

I greased everything that had a zerk on it today, so tomorrow I have to re-install the front D.S. and put a new nylon lock nut on the passenger front Airbag's lower mount. That is such a pita. I am not looking forward to that, but will have some help from some of my Rock Crawling buddies.

I am also going to drill 4 holes in my frame. 2 on each side where it starts to bend. This is for drainage. The frame on this jeep is in such good shape, this will allow it to drain and not rust from the inside out which is pretty common on East Coast jeeps. Kind of stupid how jeep added holes that allow **** to get into the frame, but not the opposite

I only used the best I could find, those hastings filters are great. Make sure to really seal those holes well to prevent rust.

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elff

Discussion Starter · #264 · 7 mo ago

So I forgot that I had left a message with Tom Woods to buy some spare Driveshaft bolts for the T-Case side. I couldn't find them on their website, so I left them a message asking to buy some.

A mystery package arrived today. It was a total of 8 bolts for the T-Case side of the driveshafts.
Now that is customer service. This is why, after 20 years, I still get my driveshafts from Tom Woods.

Reactions: 5

elff

Discussion Starter · #265 · 6 mo ago

Continuing the yearly maintenance
I just repainted all of the scrapes on the bumpers and everything that can be dragged over a rock.
I also found a killer deal on some Poison Spyder Rocker Knockers which will add some clearance under the doors.
This means that I will have stock Rubicon Rocker Guards and some beat up Jeeperman skids available soon. They are still in great shape, just highly used.

During my Maintenance, I discovered that the passenger front AirBag was rubbing on the mount for the steering stabilizer. My Solution, Cut it off.

Problem solved.

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elff

Discussion Starter · #266 · 6 mo ago

When I need to replace the Heim Joints, I will do a better job of grinding the remaining piece flat, but for now, this solved the issue. It was tough getting the grinder in there with the drag link and track bar installed.

Automotive tire Helmet Automotive design Bicycle part Rim

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Elwarpo

· #267 · 6 mo ago

BTW the DS on Blue, was a TW, and in the past they has rebuilt it for free if you pay shipping.

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elff

Discussion Starter · #268 · 4 mo ago

So the foam in the seats is showing it's age and I was looking at new seats when the wife comes home and surprises me with new seats for free

I will be installing these, this weekend

www.quadratec.com

Quadratec Heritage Premium Front Seats for 76-06 Jeep CJs and Wranglers

Elevate your Jeep's comfort and style with Quadratec's Heritage Premium Front Seats. These premium vinyl seats come standard with a stylish double-stitched pattern in three custom colors that will enhance your Jeep’s classic appearance.

www.quadratec.com

I sat in them on the ground and they are a perfect fit for me. Snug but not too snug and the padding is really nice. They don't recline, but I don't need that because I am short.

Pretty happy and I can't complain about the price.

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inline6

· #269 · 3 mo ago

should be a fun project. New seats are a good thing, almost like a new jeep.

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johncanfield

· #270 · 3 mo ago

THose seats look pretty nice and that's a great price.

If you off-road much, Corbeau seats (the ones I had on my LJ) keep you from whipping around and getting tired thanks to side bolsters.

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Wildrat

· #271 · 3 mo ago

My OEM seats are fine. The heat has destroyed a couple of the rollers.

elff

Discussion Starter · #272 · 3 mo ago

johncanfield said:
THose seats look pretty nice and that's a great price.

If you off-road much, Corbeau seats (the ones I had on my LJ) keep you from whipping around and getting tired thanks to side bolsters.

I am not a fan of Corbeau's after they gave me a total O-$hit moment which almost had me roll. I had my Corbeau CR1 driver seat break in the middle of a competition.
I was climbing a really steep part of the course at a weird angle and all of a sudden I slammed back into the harness bar. Turns out the vertical bars that hold the seat back just snapped.
I am not a tall or heavy guy, so for that to happen with me, kind of made me swear off the brand. I would not want to trust them in a 2 car accident.
Scared the piss out of me and it caused my passenger front tire to start rising due to the abrupt slam.
Not fun. I actually swapped to a stock seat for the rest of the day.

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johncanfield

· #273 · 3 mo ago

Oh my. We put quite a few miles on our seats rock crawling and they were okay for us. I used to fly (40 hours in my log but stopped flying when I was transferred.)
Anyway I read about a light aircraft accident on takeoff when the pilot's seat moved to the most rearward position to where he couldn't reach the controls. He couldn't go into a dive to try to get the seat back in position due to the lack of altitude so he was basically screwed.

elff

Discussion Starter · #274 · 3 mo ago

That's why I had to swap seats.
In order to get off the course I was on, I had to basically do a curl with the steering wheel so I could reach the pedals. Made working the clutch a nightmare

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elff

Discussion Starter · #275 · 3 mo ago

Welp

I have new seats, but no seat adapters. The various types that are available are all out of stock.
So now I need to decided if I want to try and Fab up my own. All I really need is an L Bracket with Holes that attach it to the seat bracket and allow the Seat belt to attach to it.
I guess another option would be to remove a bolt that attaches the seat back to the seat bottom and use a longer Grade 8 Bolt to attach the seat belt end that way.
But I am not so sure how safe that would be.

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elff

Discussion Starter · #276 · 3 mo ago

Wife pulled some strings. I will be installing my seats this weekend
WOOT!!

Reactions: 4

elff

Discussion Starter · #277 · 3 mo ago

Driver side is installed. Looks great and fits very well. I do have to remove it though and adjust the seat belt. The seat does not have a hole for the seatbelt to attach to, so the adapter kit has an L bracket for that which makes the seat belt sit much higher than stock.
it will be a simple fix. I will just drill a new hole
Anyway here are 2 pics.

Tire Vehicle Automotive tire Hood Motor vehicle

Vehicle Car Window Steering part Car seat cover

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elff

Discussion Starter · #278 · 3 mo ago

I will say, the install was super easy.

Getting the stock seat off the stock seat riser, not so much. I am very glad I have small hands because the space to get a wrench where it's needed is really tight. I also have to ask Jeep WTF
Why is the back inside bolt a Torx head, whereas the other 3 are hex heads?

We are going to WV for 4 days in March at the Good Evening Ranch.
I've never been there, so this will be fun.

Reactions: 3

inline6

· #279 · 3 mo ago

looks great.

Yep, those Torx, heck I thought they were even the Safety Torx bolts. It the seat belt bolt so no one can tamper with them, I am sure a liability thing. Thought they were even a bigger thread pattern.

But the funny thing, it's not like anyone can't go out and buy the proper tool to take them out. Not sure how much liability they are really getting out of.

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elff

Discussion Starter · #280 · 3 mo ago

They are not even the security ones. I have some of those on my motorcycle

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