A TALE OF TWO TJ'S - BUILDING OUT YOUR JEEP TJ

When it comes to having fun at work, there are notmany jobs that can compete with one that involves4 wheeling. Imagine chatting during the week withfolks about the sport you love and then hitting the trails toenjoy your favorite activity in your own rig on the weekends. This is exactly what Bob Thilman and Jeremy Komorn getto do. Both are managers for 4 Wheel Parts, Bob is based inCalifornia and Jeremy is in Texas. We got to do some wheel-ing with them at this year’s EJS in Moab. While both of theseTJs are similar in some ways, they are also as different as theirowners. Let’s take a look at what two owners, with similar inter-est and backgrounds, did to build their dream trail toys. Bob Thilman started with a 1998 Jeep TJ and to make itstand out, he decided to paint it. Now this was not any regularpaint job, but what Bob calls Russian Camo. We’ve heard afew call it Commie Camo or Cow Camo but Bob assures us itsa pattern that is Russian in origin. One thing is sure — it makesthis Jeep stand out rather than fade into the background. For his build, Bob chose to keep the stock axles andupgrade the gearing only. Currently, the only axle upgradesare the 4.88:1 gearing, but ARB Air Lockers are on the wishlist for the future. The Rubicon Express 5.5-inch long arm kitgave the clearance needed to install the 35x12.5-18 ProComp Xtreme M/Ts. For trailprotection, Smittybilt XRCfront tube fenders and rearcorner guards, featuring the3-inch wide fender flareoption, and rocker guardswere installed. In keeping withhis Smittybilt theme, Bob alsoinstalled XRC bumpers front and rear. The matching finishon all these parts gives the Jeep an integrated look.Jeremy’s path to his ideal Jeep included an upgrade ofthe gearing to 4.56:1 and ARB Air Locker’s in one shot. TheARBs front and rear, improve traction on the trail while pro-viding stock handling and steering on the street. While15x12.5R15 Pro Comp Xterrain tires were chosen along withStaun internal beadlocks. This Mean Green TJ also sportsXRC front tube fenders and rear corner guards. Jeremyopted for the front fenders without the flare but did get therear tube flares on the hard corners. Fab Four bumperswhere his choice as was a Warn front winch. The suspen-sion is a Pro Comp long arm kit that has proven to be theperfect choice for Jeremy’s needs.Having seen both these TJs in action on the trails ofMoab, we can say each of these fine Jeeps is very trailcapable, and the owners are skilled drivers. They are proofthat there is more than one way to build a trail Jeep, butdone with passion, fun is the end result.