If you tuned in last month to Part I of our Project Steal-J, you read about how we robbed some sucker blind out of a solid '97 4.0L TJ for under four large. Once we replaced the blown Dana 35 with a good used axle, we had a reliable daily driver. However, even with cold A/C and a powerful six-cylinder, the condition of the interior zapped any enjoyment we may have derived out of driving the Jeep.Like most older TJs, the interior of our Sport model was showing its age. With almost 10 years and 115,000 miles under the floorboards, the leather wrapping on the steering wheel was tattered, the seats had rips and squished padding, and the factory speakers were raspy and unclear. Then there was the fact that the previous owner never put the top up -- rain or shine. A fact which contributed to the carpet, soft top fabric, and plastic being so incredibly dirty, moldy, and skuzzy, we doubt if even roaches would live in it. We pored over the latest 4Wheel Drive Hardware catalog for ideas on where to go with our Wrangler's interior. Catalogs like the one 4WD Hardware puts out are invaluable tools when building your Jeep. As usual, ordering from 4WD Hardware was quick and easy, with most of the products being in stock and delivered to our door in no time. So follow along as we update and restore the interior of our TJ for comfort, convenience, and better upper-respiratory health.
The interior was not only...
The interior was not only dirty, it was a health hazard with mold so bad that driving more than an hour gave you a headache. We ripped out the carpet, but the plastic was able to be brought back with some 409 cleaner and a stiff nylon brush.
The Tuffy Security Console...
The Tuffy Security Console Insert (PN 006201) is an affordable way to add a lockable, secure storage area in your Jeep. Since we had the console out to replace the carpet, we followed Tuffy's instructions and had the Security Insert installed in a leisurely 25 minutes.
Airbags make steering wheel...
Airbags make steering wheel replacement incredibly complicated and expensive, but we installed a Grant carbon fiber styling ring (PN 73031) over our stock wheel in about three seconds. After ripping out the stock carpet, we carefully cut and installed the Auto Custom Carpet Molded Carpet Kit (PN 14583MB). The install wasn't easy, but the results were well worth it.
The front dash speakers in...
The front dash speakers in TJs are 4x6 inches, which seem like they're scientifically designed to be the worst sounding speakers on earth. We used some MTX adapter brackets (PN FNH514B) to mount a pair of much better sounding 514-inch Clarions (PN 801325). Some early TJs may require some metal trimming of the dash supports to mount the adapters, so check before you order.
When it came time to replace...
When it came time to replace our abused and damaged Bestop Sunrider soft top, we wavered between soft and hard. Ultimately, we chose Bestop's new two-piece hardtop (PN 41509) for the ultimate in security, comfort, and quiet. The two-piece hardtop allows the front section to be easily removed for open-air wheeling much like the Sunrider soft top it replaced.
Our TJ had the factory full...
Our TJ had the factory full hard doors, but Bestop offers replacement hard upper door halves for Jeeps with half doors. Standard features on the hardtop include tinted windows, a headliner, an interior light, rear glass defrost, gas-charged rear lift glass, and a factory-like fit.
The Bestop hardtop also features...
The Bestop hardtop also features these convenient storage trays above the front occupants' seats. Bestop's headliner, DOT glass, and high-quality weather sealing offer up a much, much quieter ride than any soft top or factory hardtop we've driven.
The aftermarket has been waiting...
The aftermarket has been waiting a long time, but MasterCraft has finally introduced the industry's first reclining suspension seat. The Baja RS not only offers all the comfort and protection of the company's standard off-road seat, but it mimics the factory recline and flip-forward features, so you don't lose any interior function.
The heart of the Baja RS is...
The heart of the Baja RS is this beefy recline mechanism sourced from F-550 components. The knurled aluminum knob just feels sturdy in your hand. We ordered a pair of tan Baja RS seats with fixed headrests (PN 504 and PN 506) for left and right seats, respectively. The seats bolted to our factory sliders with Mastercraft's TJ adapter brackets (PN 6240 and PN 6241).
To keep our nice, new ACC...
To keep our nice, new ACC carpet clean and dry, we ordered up a full complement of Husky floor liners. The liners fit perfectly, stay in place, and really look good. We also installed a pair of Misch 4x4 Products arm rests (PN 85276). The arm rests make long drives much more tolerable and go a long way in reducing driver fatigue.
Finally, to hide the stained,...
Finally, to hide the stained, yet sound rear factory fold and tumble bench seat, we installed a Mastercraft factory fit seat cover (PN 3031). We went with the full vinyl cover just in case the kiddo spills his juice on the trail. The cover installs without needing to remove the rear seat and fits like a glove.