​1997 TJ Jeep Wrangler Sahara
​"Angie"
Spec Sheet
Rebuilt 4.0L Inline 6 bored .020 with Comp Cams Performance Camshaft and K&N Cold Air Intake + Rebuilt 904C Transmission + Rebuilt NV231 Transfer Case + Rebuilt Dana 30 & 35 Differentials with Yukon Gears + Advance Adapters Slip Yolk Eliminator with Custom Built CV Driveline from Driveline Service + Rubicon Express 3.5” Superflex Lift Kit + 33x12.5” Mickey Thompson Baja ATZ Tires + Mickey Thompson 15X8 Side Biter Wheels + Custom Two-Tone House of Kolor Paint + Custom Fiberglass Ram Air Hood + Blasted and Coated Frame and Fasteners + Rugged Ridge XHD Front and Rear Bumpers + Line-X Coated Fender Flares, Skid Plate, Gas Tank Cover and Hardtop + Bestop Sailcloth Soft Top + LED Rock, Hood and Entry Lighting + Halo Projector Headlights + Rigid Spot and Flood Lighting + Rugged Ridge Rubicon Front and Rear Seats + Color Bond Custom Painted Interior + Interior LED Mood Lighting + Rugged Ridge Carpet Pad + Pioneer AVH-3400NEX in Dash Digital DVD Receiver + Rockford Fosgate Rear and Infinity Front Speakers.
​The Story
 
Originally purchased back in 2005, this ‘97 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, nicknamed Angie, has been in the Morties family for 15 years. Originally a daily driver, the restoration phase started after the interior was disassembled for drying purposes after a freak rain shower. To start, it was a coat of beadliner for the interior, then, fixing some beat up fenders, and eventually, a complete tear down for a custom paint job.
 
Unfortunately, in late 2010 plans were put on hold with a lack of funding and Angie sat in storage for the next five years. In 2015, Mortie had recently retired from his longtime sales position and formed Morties Speed and Equipment as a way to enjoy retirement. Angie was pulled from storage, dusted off, and was once again “under the knife”. This time no stone was left unturned as Mortie stripped the Jeep down to the frame for a complete frame off customization. Over the next couple years Angie was slowly put back together one piece at a time. The frame, axel housings, and any of the smaller metal components were cleaned, media blasted and recoated. The engine, transmission, transfer case, and differentials were torn down and rebuilt with stronger components. The suspension was elevated with a 3.5” lift from Rubicon Express making way for larger 33” tires from Mickey Thompson. Everything underneath the body was ready go, now it was time to make her show.
 
While Mortie is an engineering wizard his skill set isn’t at its strongest with aesthetics. Luckily, around mid 2018, Mortie’s son, Nate, joined the business. Nate was responsible for the original teardown of the Jeep and, being a lifelong artist, had ideas in mind for Angie. He quickly started in on the bodywork, putting more than 500 hours into getting the Jeep as straight and flat as possible. Once that was accomplished, a House of Kolor paint job was planned. Galaxy Grey for the basecoat with a one-off stripe down the hood finished in Oriental Blue over a marblizer finish. After the paint had dried it was time for final assembly. Just like the underside of the Jeep, everything above the body was either bought new or redone. New bumpers and lighting were added with Line-X coated fender flares and hardtop for the outside. On the interior the original tan was replaced with a coat of Colorbond black to match the new seats, carpet, and roll bar cover. The stereo was upgraded with a 7” touchscreen from Pioneer and Rockford/Infinity speakers. Even the original dash lights were replaced with brighter LED’s.
 
In summary, everything on this Jeep has either been updated, recoated, rebuilt, customized, or in some way made better. It is our flagship vehicle here at Morties and will serve as a constant reminder of the way we do business. No cutting corners, no idea too big and no room for second best. Because at Morties, it’s not good enough to just get you to the top, it better be over-the-top.