1999 Jeep WJ wannabe overlander

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TJDon

Rank IV
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

1,260
Galt CA
First Name
Don
Last Name
A
Member #

19869

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KI6TUI
So I bought this 1999 WJ Limited about 6 years ago and a couple weeks later my mother in-law wanted it so she could drive safe in the Oregon winters.....

Now a couple months ago she let me know she doesn’t need it anymore. Of course the check engine light is on, ABS light glowing, coolant leaking out the radiator, valve covers leaking oil and pretty sure she had never vacuumed it. Mind you, this thing was pretty cherry when I had bought it.
So now present day, all that is repaired and now upgrading and simple building it to be my new explore vehicle.
I had a 2001 Jeep Wrangler all built for outbacking but was just way to small and once I got this WJ reliable the TJ just sat collecting dust.

I’ve only done simple easy mods but it’s SO much nicer to have the extra room!!

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Saving it from being abused and towing her home
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After hours of scrubbing and spit shine, looking like it supposed to
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2.5” front 2” rear and Rubicon take offs and minor trimming
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Test fitting the RTT, I swapped the rails so now the tent pitches to the side
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Did the rear seat bottom delete for more storage and on solo trips I made a simple sleep platform (I’m 6’4” )

Now I’m in a battle of fighting the engine temp. I’ve replaced just about everything with the cooling system. Block tested and no HC’s, so head gaskets or cracks are out of the question. I upgraded the stock 5 blade weak fan for a 9 blade and new fan clutch. It’s gotten better but still gets warm on hill climbs. This winter I’ll pull the cylinder heads and have the valve seats staked in so I won’t ever have to worry about them falling out and destroying the engine.
 

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TJDon

Rank IV
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

1,260
Galt CA
First Name
Don
Last Name
A
Member #

19869

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KI6TUI
53F50CF9-D374-43BC-AEA9-D691FBA22703.jpeg7372E3EC-A5F1-4450-9FC3-041DE16D02AA.jpeg
Super excited about picking this light up. Watching Coyote_works YouTube channel is who sold me on buying one. Price isn’t for the faint at heart that’s for sure, but I really like what the light offers for functionality 53F50CF9-D374-43BC-AEA9-D691FBA22703.jpeg7372E3EC-A5F1-4450-9FC3-041DE16D02AA.jpeg
 

Wcluck

Rank III
Launch Member

Pathfinder II

603
San Antonio, Texas 78251, USA
First Name
Will
Last Name
Cluck
Member #

21173

Service Branch
USMC
I second the ready lights. Saw them from the same youtuber and picked mine up. Amazing and havent been disappointed. Use them for workin in the shop as well as outdoors.
 
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JimBill

Rank V
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Investor

Advocate I

2,268
San Benito County, CA, USA
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James
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Madison
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18747

Nice project! Do you recall the part numbers for the fan and clutch upgrade? I assume you have the 4.7 by the heat and head concerns. I'm planning to swap my hydraulic fan setup to the 99 electric and clutch set up, but using the mechanical fan as primary and electric for back-up. So the 5 blade isn't going to do the trick.
 
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TJDon

Rank IV
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

1,260
Galt CA
First Name
Don
Last Name
A
Member #

19869

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KI6TUI
Thanks Jim!
I ordered the fan and clutch off amazon. Fit perfectly.
Dorman 620-155 Radiator Fan Blade
Hayden Automotive 2794 Premium...
 

JimBill

Rank V
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Advocate I

2,268
San Benito County, CA, USA
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James
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Madison
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18747

Thanks Jim!
I ordered the fan and clutch off amazon. Fit perfectly.
Dorman 620-155 Radiator Fan Blade
Hayden Automotive 2794 Premium...
Thanks for the part numbers, it will be nice to buy once for a good fit. I have the shroud and electric fan only so far, but this project is on deck for when I finish the rear diff swap.
 
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TJDon

Rank IV
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

1,260
Galt CA
First Name
Don
Last Name
A
Member #

19869

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KI6TUI
Finally got to installing the cargo area lights. Small LED pods on the lift gate and headliner E7D52F22-5413-47EB-944B-23EFD2ED0542.jpegC58F74A7-3ED2-4053-B890-758219086DB6.jpeg0E4B17EE-3B0A-4669-801B-E3A127F17E31.jpegD9B5AA5E-4DF2-4F29-B30F-A79475D11876.jpeg
 
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JimBill

Rank V
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Advocate I

2,268
San Benito County, CA, USA
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James
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Madison
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Sneaks

Rank IV

Enthusiast III

1,165
Maine
First Name
Scott
Last Name
Swenson
Ham/GMRS Callsign
KC1MUR
Very nice. Had a ZJ, YJ, and WJ. Great rigs. Nice mods you’ve done.
 

TJDon

Rank IV
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

1,260
Galt CA
First Name
Don
Last Name
A
Member #

19869

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KI6TUI
Replaced all the shocks with Bistien 5100’s. WOW!!!! I have a nice ride again since the budget boost lift was installed with stock shocks.
no pictures, everyone knows what shocks look like.
Also installed a very small overhead LED light in the overhead info center to have a small amount of light over the center console for night driving. image.jpgimage.jpg
 
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TJDon

Rank IV
Launch Member

Off-Road Ranger I

1,260
Galt CA
First Name
Don
Last Name
A
Member #

19869

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KI6TUI
Picked these up off amazon. Definitely heavy duty built. Mount to the pinch weld and to the unibody. Bolted to the unibody “frame” for now but eventually I’ll weld them on. It’ll be nice to have the protection and just as nice to have a step to reach the RTT 7B88C766-696A-4B61-B9C4-AF3C7F157C77.jpegFBBEE8C6-4D5C-4DBA-84D7-C7758F5B1208.jpeg
 

MrWilsonWJ

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

1,691
Kennewick, WA
First Name
Dustin
Last Name
Wilson
Member #

23384

Picked these up off amazon. Definitely heavy duty built. Mount to the pinch weld and to the unibody. Bolted to the unibody “frame” for now but eventually I’ll weld them on. It’ll be nice to have the protection and just as nice to have a step to reach the RTT View attachment 126385View attachment 126386
Nice clean looking WJ. Any chance you could post a couple pics of how and where those sliders mount? I'm wanting to build some this winter and it would make things easy if i saw how and where others are mounting to the unibody.