The Dubba Jay Mall Crawler
Well I've been keeping my eyes out lately for a WJ to build up as a DD.
Consider it my Mid 20s crisis. So then I saved this non running Jeep from its final trip to the crusher: https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...7218844ae.jpeg 1999 4.0L Auto, just the basics Owners wife had not noticed the electric fan quit working and overheated it. So he replaced the whole cooling system as the only thing that saved the head was the fact that the original factory radiator cracked first and sent up smoke signals. So he replaced the whole cooling system only to have the front calipers lock up next. Then a short while after being back on the road it just gave up the ghost and would no longer turn over. So after 14 years of him owning it he was ready to send it to scrap. So after getting this the real fun began: https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...da049ddfa5.jpg Thanks to the help of some long threads on here and FB I checked and replaced quite a bit. It all paid off in the end and she was back on the road: https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...600a6494ec.jpg |
I hope u converted the front brakes to akebono style (2002-2004). The original Tevas style suck big time.
Nice find. |
No Mall Crawler is complete without upgrades and since I picked this up for cheap there was plenty of room in the budget.
First improvements included 784 injectors, CAI, & a class III hitch: https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...8d5fd8d6e2.jpg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...7b682cdbde.png "Lucky" for me the tires were completely bald, perfect time to add some of them JK Rims wrapped in Nitto Terra Grappler G2s. Kept the factory 30" tire size. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...d534f99116.jpg |
Originally Posted by XJwonders
(Post 3191396)
I hope u converted the front brakes to akebono style (2002-2004). The original Tevas style suck big time.
Nice find. |
Are u gonna upgrade the fan to mechanical clutch type? If not, u better cut out an access hole on passenger side area of bumper under the headlamp assembly and carry a couple of relays as a spare.
It suck trying to cut a hole with only a screwdriver and wire cutters at 2 am in middle of nowhere lol |
Also converting the WJ interior lighting to LED is ridiculously easy.
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Originally Posted by XJwonders
(Post 3191405)
Are u gonna upgrade the fan to mechanical clutch type? If not, u better cut out an access hole on passenger side area of bumper under the headlamp assembly and carry a couple of relays as a spare.
It suck trying to cut a hole with only a screwdriver and wire cutters at 2 am in middle of nowhere lol
Originally Posted by XJwonders
(Post 3191406)
Also converting the WJ interior lighting to LED is ridiculously easy.
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Well it was time for the WJ to take its first trip off the pavement at 153K
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...5eb1e75a2.jpeg Thanks to the aid of the Nittos the WJ successfully navigated the gravel road to the gun range for new years: https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...ba36701ea.jpeg |
Mall Crawlers have to have an engine bay as pretty as the outside:
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...d734e460f9.jpg This original engine bay patina matches the 16 year old paint job perfect! |
Jeep did good on its first tow run:
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...faf321504.jpeg Malcrawlers must have good sound so I installed a limited WJ headunit. Has 1.5x the output of the stock head unit. Also, I changed the tape deck into a Bluetooth unit to keep with the modern times: https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...56eccd5f9.jpeg When I got the head unit I also got the limited headlights, here's a shot of the cut out for easy fan relay changes: https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...aed2dd2c7.jpeg |
This concludes phase one:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...0447c6082.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...d2e85118c.jpeg Later this year I'm planning for mild exhaust and a 2" BB. Final plans will be for me to build some rock sliders, a TC skid, and find a D44a to put outback. |
Lookin' good man. I miss my dub... I put the same wheels on it. Looks way better than any wheels that were offered for it, IMO.
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Hey man, still got the dub?
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Wow, lost track of this thread but yes the WJ is doing "Good"
I've put over 25K on it now since I got it running and have less than 3K in it. Couple of additional maintenance items have come up along the way: Lost Power Steering so the Pump had to be replaced. The Steering Box lost part of its steering throw so it was trashed and to be replaced. (I'm thinking trash from it go into the pump and that's what killed it) Replaced the Heat Core, what a PIA... The Rotors warped around 10K miles on the Jeep and I found out the PO had put the bad style brakes on the Jeep. I upgraded the front calipers, replaced all four rotors, and installed ceramic pads I did install a power inverter behind the dash though, along with some USB ports, and a AUX input for the radio: https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2922/3...ecbabbe4_z.jpg [https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/592/32...eb183e19_z.jpg My next goal for this thing is a mild lift .75" upcountry style and some new shocks. Drove out on the Blue Ridge a month ago and the shocks faded so the WJ turned into a boat |
Glad to hear she's still kickin' :thumbsup:
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