Loaded questions but want honest answers

[pirahnah3]

Yup time for some of those newb questions that always get asked or opinions asked for that most never want.

So now that I have driven her around for a bit and put a little thought into what to do as well as some needed repairs/mods.

So the basics are a 1997 TJ Sport (4.0 automatic) with AC!

I know I need to do some suspension work, the front shocks are junk and most if not all the bushings in the front look spent, so im debating, do we just start with a suspension lift? or do we stay stock for now until I get out there with some folks to see what its like. So please drop an opinion im actually asking for them AND willing to listen to them. The only thing I am asking is that you back up your opinion with a reason, ie "do a spacer lift because it offers ***** and **** and is a good value for cost vs benefit"

Brakes are decent but if im getting into it a bit brakes are easy, I have always been a fan of EBC pads, but not so much on the rotors so please enlighten me to good options here as well.

Motor runs great at speeds but horrible at idle, I do have a set of plugs, wires, a cap and rotor to install. What else should be looked at here? Been a bit since I have torn into things. One other thing of note is that I occasionally smell just a wiff of coolant cooking. I dont see it in the oil, I dont see oil in the coolant, the coolant does kind of smell a bit off but the overflow tank was coated in oil from previous. I have soaked it in some simple green already and it got some but could only leave it a few hours that time. (Yes it was out of the truck)

I would also be happy to meet up with some folks over coffee or other adult beverages of choice to happily talk all things jeep mods to make her something even more fun than she already is.

[Kurt]

We're having a meet and greet on July 13th. Great time for you to meet some of us and to "talk Jeep".

As far as what to do modification wise it actually depends on what you see as your plan for the Jeep and what you want to do with it.
Just a daily driver, doing easy dirt roads, doing more challenging stuff, rock crawler, toob buggy, etc.
Can't really suggest modifications until it's know what type of terrain you'd like to be able to run in the near future and what you see as your long range plan. Once both are known we might be able to provide some suggestions on what you might consider first, second, etc.
Modifications ought to take into account both the near term objectives as well as long term goals. First modifications ought to be chosen to be leveraged into your long term plan. You'd hate to put a mod in and then a year later tear it out when you go to the next level.

Might be best to join the club and do some entry level wheeling to get a feel for it, talk with various members, look at various rigs and their modifications and form a vision of what your Jeep goals may be.

As for the poor idle first do the usual stuff first: plugs, wires, cap, rotor.
If still poor then you may want to clean the Idle Air Controller (IAC). It controls the engine speed at idle. If it's sticking it can cause it to either race a bit, idle too low, be erratic, stumble and stall easily.
Also check the pressure at the fuel rail.
Weak coil?
Intermittent fuel injector connections?

As for the coolant smell..
Any coolant staining on the radiator pointing to a slow leak?
Does the cooling system build pressure when it's hot?
Any bubbling in the overflow jug when the engine is hot an running?
How frequently do you have to add coolant and how much when you do?
Any "milkshake" goo on the dipstick?

[RalphTomaccio]

Yep! Have to agree with Kurt. Get it running, get out on the trails and learn what you and your rig is capable of. Watch others and ask them about their rigs and the approach they took to get where they are and why. Don't rush off and spend money in some hap-hazard manner. There are definitely places where money should be spent first but, as Kurt said, you should plan the whole picture first as you don't want to have to re-do (which translates into re-spend). It doesn't have to be completed by any given time frame. Do it right the first time.

[MDSRACING398]

I'll add that being a 97 in New England make sure your not putting lip stick on a pig. Not an insult but tj are know to rust rot and if it has tons on miles bushings, steering, bearings, etc are either usually on way out or out. Adding big tires, weight with armor just opens up more issues. Axles, tranny, motor. Doesn't take long to have ton of money into it. Drive it make sure it reliable go on a stock run. Like I told you before and Kurt just said have a plan an goal. Don't want do things twice.

[Kurt]

Agreed about the frame on a 97. Need to give it a good going over to be sure it's solid and will remain so for some years to come.
Check the usual spots that rot out to be sure you have a sound foundation before building it up.

[Carl McFly]

Check the usual spots that rot out to be sure you have a sound foundation before building it up.

And if you're not sure where these 'usual spots' are? I have a few ideas

[pirahnah3]

Thanks for the help! Finally a group that doesnt take the sarcastic route right out of the gate!

So apparently in my foolishnessI left out some key details that I forget are not the norm for most all the time.

The Jeep is not the primary vehicle. I have a work truck (which is just awesome) so no worries there. The Jeep was bought initially to be the not sunny nice weather driver, my nice weather driver is a 1995 Mercedes SL500 (an absolute race car on the highways, while still being a good back roads cruiser).

Kurt, in answers to your questions,

1. Nope not a daily but she does get driven regularly as just something to drive for enjoyment. I dont know about the trailing aspect of it at the moment, never been, but have a feeling it would be a ton of fun which can turn into an expensive hobby, just what I need, another expensive hobby lol.

2. Looked at joining the club but dont meet the minimum requirements currently and it might be a bit before I reach them all.

3. Ill be doing the plugs once this humidity drops a bit (I dont like the heat one bit!)

4. Forgot about the IAC def a great place to go look after as she is smooth at anything more than idle.

5. The Radiator has not gotten a solid once over fully yet, I dont see much at the top where you usually see the majority of failures (at least from what I have seen on other cars) and she is not marking her territory as of yet.

6 and 7, no bubbling and no coffee with cream anywhere. I have been wondering if she had her hoses changed and there is an air pocket somewhere that is causing an issue or if there is a hose that has not quite been tightened enough.

Ralph,

1. Would love to go and do some trailing but alas dont know many folks around here yet that do it. So I hope to catch up with some of you guys along the way when your not doing some super hard or complex trails.

2. I understand the money end of it, been modding cars and trucks for a while and do understand the idea of do it right and do it once. I dont mind spending a small bit to fix a problem and then later down the road make a full repair with an upgrade, but dont see the point to fix it today but mod it next month.

3. Currently trying to formulate the plan, hence the questions for help and ideas.

MDSRacing,

1. Frame had some issues but all but one were patched and the frame about 2/3 painted when I bought it. Previous owner was in the process of making it road worthy for his wife to drive, but she decided against the jeep in favor of her camaro (some people)

2. Its got 142k on it now, but got it for a good price knowing that it needed some help but some of this would be done via mods anyways.

3. again working on the plan and seeking some ideas for what a good direction is. Sorry I didnt find this place a few weeks prior as I would have certainly given the stock trail a solid try

Kurt/Carl McFly, Isnt the "usual place" the entirety of it here in new england? lol As mentioned above most issues patched, just the front 1/3 to 1/4 left to do which only appears to have one bad spot so not the end of the world.

Please guys keep the ideas and comments coming, I am thankful and grateful for them.

[MDSRACING398]

Patched doesn't always mean Patched right. If it's Patched that much I'm guessing rotted under tranny skid. Just my two sense. Which isn't worth crap.

[RalphTomaccio]

This Saturday's run is stocker friendly. There may be some challenges, but a stock Jeep will be able to handle them.

[pirahnah3]

2 cents is still 2 cents, always worth a look and a check. Ill make sure to take a look under the tranny and bring the small ball pien and a scraper with me to see how things sound and look.

Ralph, there is something this Sat? when and where?!

[RalphTomaccio]

Ralph, there is something this Sat? when and where?!

Meeting at 9:30am in Keene NH.

Having another stocker run on July 23rd in Western MA.

If you're looking for runs, we have them, but you need to be a paid member.

[pirahnah3]

Ralph, there is something this Sat? when and where?!

Meeting at 9:30am in Keene NH.

Having another stocker run on July 23rd in Western MA.

If you're looking for runs, we have them, but you need to be a paid member.

Paid part not a problem, meeting the requirements is where the current sticking point is for me. No retrieval points, no CB, yadda yadda, she is about bone stock.

[Kurt]

Jim,

Since your aren't a paid member yet you don't see everything on the forum. As a guest you only have access to the "non-member" stuff. If and when you join BSJ you'll have full access to the forum and will receive e-mail invitations to each and every trail run and event that we have.
One you join you are always welcome to ride shotgun in other members Jeeps until such time as your Jeep has what's required in it.
We frequently help each other fixing and modifying their rigs with all sorts of equipment. Everything form easy brake jobs to doing engine rebuilds, installing lift kits, bumpers, clutch's, welding, regearing, body armor, drive shafts, winch's, electrical stuff, OBA's, lighting,....
Not much our talented pool of members can't handle.
Another great reason to join a club.

If you need parts to help get your Jeep to the minimum required equipment list just post up what you may need. Many of us have part laying around our garages that we may be able to provide to you so you can hit the trails.

[pirahnah3]

Thanks for the clarifications Kurt, Ill see how close I can get and how fast I can get there.

I am sending you another PM Kurt with a question not for the boards.