How’s it goin?
I’ve had my Jeep for about a year now, and after reading a lot of the threads, I’d like to start doing some mods. I’d like to do what I can myself, since that’s half the fun anyway. I don’t have much experience working on vehicles other than the basics (changing oil).

I was wondering if any of y’all knew some good resources, books, websites, etc that cover the mechanics basic/intermediates. I’d like to have a little better idea of what it jacking around with before I start pulling out the wrenches.

Thanks for the help

 

Yup, go to your local auto parts store and see if they have the new Haynes Manuals for the JK yet...I hear they're out now, might be hard to find, but you can do ANYTHING with one of those, seriously...step by step instructions with pictures to boot, welcome to the forum and hang around here and anything you can't find in the book, ask away

 

Best web resource? Hmmm... jk-forum.com?

 

I'll be on the look up for the Haynes manuel.

The write-up forum is what has made me want to start playing around. I was perfectly happy with my Jeep for about 8 months, and then I found this site, and now all I see when I look at my Jeep are the things that I can do with it.

It looks like there is a lot of experience in the forum, and I've already learned quite a bit just by reading through some of it. I'd still like to get a better knowledge base before I start doing much. You know the saying measure twice cut once....in my experience I typically measure 3 times and still end up having to cut twice.

 

Take a look here http://www.teraflex.biz/category/tech/ and read eddies writeups.

 

I found the body lift was the easiest to do, other than the new powersteering pump which was really more a case of repair/replace. I was in your boat, barely knew anything. Have you joined a local jeep club or 4x4 club? Someone usually has done something you are looking at.

As you do more you will find that none of it is that difficult, if you take photos then you can just put it back in reverse order. The Haynes manual is a must - good luck finding one.

My next upgrade is the AEV snorkel and then the PSC hydro assist steering.

 

Definitely join a club and hook up with some jeepers. I have had more help from people on this site than anywhere else... (Thanks mkjeep!) Make sure you check your regional forum here as well for meet and greets with fellow members in your area.

 

^^ made my lift install easy ^^

 

Follow your regional forum here on JK-Forum and when someone in your area is getting ready for a mod, ask if you can rubberneck. Then, when you're ready, ask if anyone would like to come out and help you. We do that all the time here in the Oklahoma City area. In a couple weeks TORN (from Stillwater), Interceptor_1972 (from Lawton) and I will install some gear on Intereptor's Jeep. And we all met here on JK-Forum.

 

Also spend some time with your local Jeep club. A lot of guys (and gals) with older rigs end up spending a lot of time wrenching on them doing repairs and maintenance. Yes, a JK is different than a YJ...but you'll still get valuable experience.