Site Updated Oct 18th/2001

 
My TJ Sahara Interior Seats

The TJ Jeep Sahara has this type of interior.  One of the main difference between the Sport and the Sahara models is the interior.  Regardless of the exterior colour, all Sahara's have this type of interior. 

Switching

Following the example found on other Jeep TJ web-sites, I wanted to install a secondary switching panel in the place of my useless ashtray.  With the addition of my rear lights I was out of available factory switch locations.  I purchased the switch bezel (P.N. # 56007314) & the factory fog-light switch (P.N.# 56007247) & followed the example of Harry Brosofsky's installation.  Another benefit of adding the additional switch panel is the added cigarette/power outlet.

Installation:    4-1/2 Hours (believe it!!!)  There was nothing complicated about the installation, however since a mistake with my Dremmel (rotary tool) would have had lasting effects on the appearance of my dash board & took a lot of time & care not to make a hasty mistake.  One thing to note is the switch wiring connections.  The switch is designed to have a quick wiring connector used, that wiring connector is not available, so you have to improvise.  I carefully soldered wire leads on the small terminals.  There are four terminals, Illumination, power out, power in, and ground (in that order if you are looking at the front of the switch).  Connecting the cigarette lighter was easy, I just connected the two in parallel (two wires, 12v & ground) 

Cost:    $64.58 CAN (bezel & switch

Herculiner

This job was by far one of the most labour & time intensive job's I've done on my Jeep!!!  Would I do it again?  NO (OK, maybe), am I happy I've done it...?  YES!

Heculiner is very hard to come by here in Canada, even though it's available everywhere in the USA??  I finally came across some here at National 4WD and scooped it up while they had it.  Even though Herculiner is by far the most expensive version of the product available, from many posts on forum's, experiences from friend's who've done it and other web site's like mine, it seems like the only liner method with 100% satisfied customers.

Why would you want to line the tub of your Jeep?  I pondered that question myself for some time.  Carpet get's dirty, especially when you wheel a lot.  Most Jeep's condensates and/or have water that either get's in through the roof or doors, or leaks from the air conditioning to the floor.  That water sits under the carpet eating away at your floor, possibly eventually rusting it out.  My Jeep was only two years old and had plenty of surface rust on the tub under the carpet!  I decided it was worth it.  Not to mention it is a Jeep and carpet is for sissy's (just kidding).

 I set aside two day's for the entire job (it require three as I found out!).  You have to strip EVERYTHING from your Jeep's interior.

Seats, seat belt's, mounts, carpet, console's, drain plug's, etc, etc....  Anything left in the Jeep will not be coming out later!  The stripping process is somewhat time consuming but not too bad.  The application of the first coat is very time consuming, the better & thicker you put on the first coat, the easier the second coat is.  I started the job around 6 P.M. on a Friday night, and as you can see above, we didn't start applying the Herculiner till after dark.  It took till 1 A.M. to finish the first coat.  I had a short sleep, then started again at 6 A.M. on Saturday and was completely finished by 6 P.M. in the afternoon!!

I couldn't have been more happy with the end result, I got it on very think, especially in the area's it matters most.  As long as you realize this will be a big job and prepare for it you'll be fine.  A couple tips for anyone who's planning the install themselves:

Cost:  $170 Canadian for the Herculiner, $ 25 for paint mixer and taping

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Last modified: October 20, 2001