1997 Jeep Wrangler TJ - Project Teal-J, Part 1

After application, all that remains is to remove the taping and masking. The result is a tough, non-skid surface that will not tear or rip. Even better is that it will prevent rust and corrosion and looks a heck of a lot better than the exposed metal and old, ratty carpet.

Once the Line-X was applied, it was time to concentrate on lockable storage for the TJ. For the back, we installed a speaker and storage lockbox set, perfect for storing smaller items and providing a safe place for speakers. The set is made of steel and offers plenty of security features such as Tuffy's patented Pry Guard II locking system and pick-resistant locks to discourage thievery.

In the rear we decided to ditch the rear seat and install Tuffy's oversize security drawer, which provides a lot of storage. It takes up the entire space of the rear and features a clever slide-out drawer. Tuffy also makes dividers to help compartmentalize the box, but we decided to keep it open so we could store larger items in it.

Our factory center console was thrashed. Exposure to the elements had completely faded it, and the top of it was broken off. It was definitely in need of replacement.

We replaced our center console with Tuffy's full-length security console. It features plenty of lockable storage, and we opted for the model that allows for mounting of the factory subwoofer in hopes of reviving the Jeep's stereo system. Now our TJ has plenty of secure places to store stuff we want to keep out of the hands of thieves.

The seats in the Teal-J were also in desperate need of replacement. They were worn from weather and offered very little support. We decided to install a set of Trailmax Pro seats from Bestop (left). They offer a lot more bolster that should help us stay in place better over rough terrain.

Bestop supplies these adapter brackets, which makes installing the Trailmax Pros easy. Simply bolt the brackets to the bottom of the seats and then attach them to the factory sliders. It is that simple, and took us about 10 minutes per seat.

The new Bestop seats look great in our interior and are a lot more comfortable than the stockers. We opted for the black denim fabric to match the rest of the new interior. The seats can be fully reclined and feature a fully adjustable headrest.

The Teal-J was completely topless, which might sound alluring, but isn't--not on cold, rainy mornings on the trail. To top off the Teal-J we decided to install a Supertop from Bestop. The installation is amazingly simple, with no drilling required. One of the first items to go on were these rails that hold the bow assembly.

To hold the front of the top, a rail installs onto the top of the windshield. The only difficulty we encountered was getting the top to install under the rounded corners of this rail. However, this was solved by having a friend pull on the back of the top to put tension on it.

The rear corners of the Supertop simply slide under the same existing rail on the body that the factory soft tops use. Then a bar runs along the rear, allowing for the tailgate to be opened. Installation was very simple and took us less than an hour.

Another nice feature of the Supertop is that both the side and rear windows can be removed, better allowing us to enjoy warmer weather. We also decided to ditch our hard doors to avoid damaging them on the trail, and went with Bestop's two-piece soft doors.

The Bestop soft doors are two-piece items that allow for their top halves to be removed. This offers a better view of the trail and more fresh air on those warm days. We also found the doors to do an excellent job of sealing to the top, which helps on those not-so-warm days.

One of the last items to go in was the Mod Pod speaker system from Performance Products. The system mounts directly underneath the front of the doors and gives us two speakers up front.