1999 Jeep Wrangler TJ

Andrea Williams knows how to accessorize. While many women might see this ability as a gift, Andrea finds it's actually the guys who most often marvel at her knack for creating such a righteous ensemble. Of course, we are talking about her '99 Jeep TJ. And though Andrea states she built the rig to further her hobby of 'wheeling with her pals in the Jeeps of East Texas and TX4x4 clubs, we think part of her did it to show the guys how it's done.

Upon first purchasing her TJ, Andrea took the mildly modified rig to Hot Springs, Arkansas, to test its abilities. From the start of the first obstacle where she nearly rolled over during a steep climb, Andrea realized the TJ was going to need a few upgrades if she intended to move on to more difficult trails. A full rollcage from Tennessee Off-Road in Nashville set the wheels in motion. Mastercraft Rubicon seats and five-point harnesses came next, along with the 39.5x15-inch Super Swamper TSL tires mounted to 15x10-inch Bart beadlock wheels. A Rubicon Express 4.5-inch long arm suspension system was installed to make way for the monster rubber, in addition to 1.75-inch coil spacers up front, ProComp shocks, and 2 inches of body lift throughout. For extra clearance, the front fenders were trimmed flat by B&W Body Shop in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

As Andrea continued to increase the difficulty factor in her 'wheeling outings, the TJ's weak links began to surface. The factory axles were exposed and replaced with front and rear high-pinion, reverse-cut Dana 60s. The rear axle was built by Sunray Engineering in Weatherford, Texas, and the rear by Drivetrain Specialists (DTS). Both were stuffed with 5.13 Dana gears and Detroit lockers and installed by Longview Clutch & Driveshaft in Longview, Texas. Longview also modified the driveshafts. An AGR steering box took residence in the stock location and is guarded by a Turbo City Rock-It Parts skidplate. The custom aluminum tie-rod and drag link were built by Andrea and lead to Avalanche high steer arms on the knuckles.

The 4.0L inline-six performed well from the start, but Andrea further enhanced its get-up-and-go with a Turbo City air tube and throttle-body spacer and a K&N air filter. An Optima Yellow Top battery was installed as a fail-safe in maintaining the charging system. The engine backs up to the stock NV3500 five-speed tranny and NP231 transfer case.

In an effort to set her TJ apart from the others on the trail, Andrea attempted to personalize it with as many hard-core parts as she could. Included in this effort were the front and rear bumpers she designed and had built by Brandon Buckland and Zach Collett from the Sulphur Bluff High School Agricultural Department. She also added a few extra touches, such as the LED taillights installed by Bumper to Bumper in Mount Pleasant, Texas, and a few custom stickers by Jiffy Signs & Decals in Sulphur Springs. Just like one of the stickers avows, "Silly Boys, Jeeps are for Girls," Andrea and her TJ more than substantiate this mantra.