Tim Robinson: '99 Jeep TJ

It all started a couple of years ago. I went in for one of my usual haircuts and bought a J.C. Whitney catalog for trucks. At the time, I owned a '94 1/2 ton Chevy pickup. With the catalog was also a catalog for Jeeps. I glanced at it and that was about it. I got home and threw it in my magazine pile.

About a month later, I picked it up one Saturday morning and started looking through it. At this time, I didn't know the difference between a CJ, YJ, or a TJ. It so happens that it was a TJ on the cover. I called my wife at work and said, "What would you think if I traded the truck in for a Jeep?" She said, "Yea, sure. Go ahead," thinking I was just joking around. I thought it would be cool to have a convertible and 4 wheel drive, if I ever needed it. Three weeks later I had a used '97 2.5L TJ.

A month after that, my wife and I bought a home computer. One night I was playing around and put a search for "Jeeps." Boy, was that the wrong thing to do. That is how I found Rockcrawler.Com. I contacted Mike (the Rockcrawler Editor) and found out that he lived close to me and that there was a Fort Hood run that weekend. My wife and I showed up, and that was all it took; at least for me.

I'm in the military, and last summer I found out that I had to go to Bosnia for 6 months. Just before I left, I decided that I was going to trade the 2.5L in for a 4.0L when I got back. While I was over there, I did a lot of research and also decided that I wanted the Dana 44 in the rear and that I also wanted to go with the automatic. I got home from Bosnia on a Thursday and had my new '99 Jeep that following Tuesday!

When I got it, I proceeded to do what a lot of TJ owners do, and removed the bumper ends. Then, I installed Teraflex 2" spacers and went with BFG 32" x 11.50" Mud-Terrains.

I reinstalled my Tuffy Center Console that I had in the old TJ along with some other stuff. I also decided to try out some other items such as the Turbo City Rock-It Tube with the K&N, Flo-Pro Catback system, Teraflex's "New Generation" Quick Disconnects , and Teraflex's Gas Tank Skid Plate.

After playing with this setup for a while, I decided that I needed more clearance. I had been looking at the kits from Rubicon Express for a while and decided to go with their 3" Superflex Kit with the adjustable trac-bar and chro-moly tie rod. Then, I fitted it with BFG 33" x 12.50" Mud Terrains. What a difference!

At the same time I added the lift and tires, I also added Tomken's Rear Bumper System w/o the Trail Rack. Plus, I also added the Quick Air 2.

At the present time, everything seems to be working great. I still have more modifications that I want to do, like the Rubicon Express upper control arms, tail shaft conversion with their drive shaft, 4.56 gears and lockers. Unfortunately, I'm not made out of money nor do I have sponsor's, so I'll have to do it one step at a time like everybody else.

For the last year or so, I've been leading trails just about every weekend here at Fort Hood. Unfortunately, Fort Hood is going to be closed to off-roading, so I'll have to travel a few hours like everybody else. I've learned a lot while wheelin' at Fort Hood and met a lot of great people. This is a sport that I never imagined getting into, but I'm glad that I did. It's been great so far, and I look forward to more modifications and meeting more people. I hope to meet ya'll one day. Take care and see ya on the rocks!!

Make sure to stop by and check out my website at www.texastj.com

Find out more about Tim's TJ here