The front of Chuck Kirkton's...
The front of Chuck Kirkton's TJ is fitted with a Treks front bumber from T&T Customs and HyLine fenders and HyLine corners with 41/2-inch flares. The TJ was also fitted with a Rock-Tek Hysteer front trackbar system. To stabilize the Jeep on the highway and off road, a custom Offroad Only Sway-Loc swaybar was installed up front, and a T&T Customs Rock-Tek swaybar was installed in the rear.
We never thought we would say that it's refreshing to see a Wrangler TJ out on the trail. Not too long ago they were the predominant trail rig. However, over last few years it seems like many of the TJs have been replaced by JKs!
Longtime Jeep enthusiast Chuck Kirkton bought his first Jeep, a CJ-3A, when he was a 17. Since then he has owned and wheeled 11 Jeeps-including a bevy of CJs, an XJ, a CJ-5, a CJ-7, and a couple of Grand Cherokees-and one oddball International Scout. To date, this Hemi-powered '04 Wrangler TJ is his favorite. The TJ fits his Jeeping lifestyle to a T for performance and off-road capability and was built by T&T Customs in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
We found Chuck four-wheeling his favorite new Jeep on the trail in Moab. Since then he has hit a number of Southern California's high-desert trails with plans of taking his Hemi-powered TJ to the Rubicon Trial for his next big adventure.
Tech Specs
2004 Jeep Wrangler TJ
Drivetrain
- Engine: 5.7L Dodge Hemi
- Transmission: Dodge 545RFE, stock with extra-capacity aluminum pan
- Transfer case: NV241OR
- Axles: Dynatrac ProRock 60s, 5.13 gears, Detroit Lockers
Suspension
- Springs & Such: T&T Customs 51/2-inch Rock-Tek long-arms
- Tires & Wheels: 42X14.50/17R Goodyear MTRs, 17x9Walker Evans beadlocks
- Other Stuff: JE Reel 310CV front and 1350CV rear driveshafts, Eibach coils springs 175-/450-lb, Off Road Only LiteDOT taillights, GenRight TJ Comp tank with '05-'06 fuel module, Treks Offroad Equipment rear swing-out tire carrier, power window conversion, Warn 9500i winch
The Dynatrac ProRock 60 front...
The Dynatrac ProRock 60 front axle has a big brake upgrade kit and stub hub conversion. The steering uses hydro-assist with a custom skidplate for ram. It is attached to the TJ by a T&T Customs long-arm suspension, while the ride is damped by 12-inch-travel Walker Evans coilovers mounted with a Rock-Tek shock hoop kit.
The wheelbase was stretched...
The wheelbase was stretched 3 inches, bringing it to 101 inches for a better ride and more stability. The rear suspension rides on Rubicon Express 41/2-inch-lift coil springs with T&T Customs upper coil mount relocators that add 1 inch of lift.
The Dodge 5.7L Hemi was installed...
The Dodge 5.7L Hemi was installed by American Expedition Vehicle in Missoula, Montana. The exhaust was handbuilt by T&T Customs to clear the long-arm suspension system, and Magnaflow cats and mufflers were used to quiet the 368hp engine.