Think I scored a solid '01 TJ about a month ago. PO knew what he was doing - tires and shocks, and it runs like a top just like he said. He never lifted it. Undercarriage is stock. I've run it hard I think.
What if I just replaced the shocks and springs and put some new tires on it for the time being? I've had my crash course in all things lifts, tire size, gears, SYEs, CVs, drive lines, axles, traction, lockers, lsd and all the little cheats and band aids too. I've taken it to the top Jeep builder in town, who I liked very much. He's going to suggest a sequenced plan and variable budget for all of the above. 3" max. Don't know what parts he's going to propose. I've also talked to a guy at the new 4 Wheel Parts in town. Actually liked him very much too and appreciated his approach. He of course, is 100% behind the house brand - Rubicon Express at 3.5". Haven't formed an opinion on RE yet. Feel free to opine. I don't care who you are, it's all expensive as ****. I've even been on a legit rock crawling run already and have seen how all of this stuff works on the trail and how folks, men and some bad *** chicks drive this stuff. I think I get the gist of it all.
I need tires. I'm running worn out 31" Mickey Thompson Baja Claws of some vintage or another. PO loved 'em and recommended them again. I like the Cooper STT Pros. KYB gas shocks are shot. Springs are stock. Are they shot after 16 years? So what if I just put some good shocks and maybe fresh springs on there with new tires? I think the Rusty Cage would perk right up with that alone. I'm wondering if I can run 32s on the stock 3.07 gears for phase one. I'm not opposed to fresh 31s. I'd like to shore up the front end first and then work my way back replacing the undercarriage. R&R all of the existing bits and pieces and regular maintenance items. Make sure it's solid from the ground up. And then maybe lift it down the road after I've really gotten to know it - when I'm ready to pop for gears, bigger tires, drive lines and all the big ticket items. What would be wrong with that plan? I'm not interested in building a rock crawler. I want a solid capable a trail rig that's gonna get me out and back.
My buddy has a nice build. 3.25" combo OME/JKS BL&MML. 33s. Lots of good hardware underneath. G2 D44, all the bells and whistles. 4.88 gears - I couldn't believe the get up and go. A solid well-done build. We parked them head-to-head last night so we could compare and analyze everything side by side. Then I drove his for the first time. Drove like a tank compared to mine. High performance, but I was stunned at what a brute it was to drive. Fun for sure, but necessary? Mine drives really well, feels good. Needs tightening up for sure, no question. But it just drives so much nicer. It's really made me wonder if I want to go down that road right out of the gate . . .
Thanks for reading. Would welcome your thoughts on any part that strikes you.
What if I just replaced the shocks and springs and put some new tires on it for the time being? I've had my crash course in all things lifts, tire size, gears, SYEs, CVs, drive lines, axles, traction, lockers, lsd and all the little cheats and band aids too. I've taken it to the top Jeep builder in town, who I liked very much. He's going to suggest a sequenced plan and variable budget for all of the above. 3" max. Don't know what parts he's going to propose. I've also talked to a guy at the new 4 Wheel Parts in town. Actually liked him very much too and appreciated his approach. He of course, is 100% behind the house brand - Rubicon Express at 3.5". Haven't formed an opinion on RE yet. Feel free to opine. I don't care who you are, it's all expensive as ****. I've even been on a legit rock crawling run already and have seen how all of this stuff works on the trail and how folks, men and some bad *** chicks drive this stuff. I think I get the gist of it all.
I need tires. I'm running worn out 31" Mickey Thompson Baja Claws of some vintage or another. PO loved 'em and recommended them again. I like the Cooper STT Pros. KYB gas shocks are shot. Springs are stock. Are they shot after 16 years? So what if I just put some good shocks and maybe fresh springs on there with new tires? I think the Rusty Cage would perk right up with that alone. I'm wondering if I can run 32s on the stock 3.07 gears for phase one. I'm not opposed to fresh 31s. I'd like to shore up the front end first and then work my way back replacing the undercarriage. R&R all of the existing bits and pieces and regular maintenance items. Make sure it's solid from the ground up. And then maybe lift it down the road after I've really gotten to know it - when I'm ready to pop for gears, bigger tires, drive lines and all the big ticket items. What would be wrong with that plan? I'm not interested in building a rock crawler. I want a solid capable a trail rig that's gonna get me out and back.
My buddy has a nice build. 3.25" combo OME/JKS BL&MML. 33s. Lots of good hardware underneath. G2 D44, all the bells and whistles. 4.88 gears - I couldn't believe the get up and go. A solid well-done build. We parked them head-to-head last night so we could compare and analyze everything side by side. Then I drove his for the first time. Drove like a tank compared to mine. High performance, but I was stunned at what a brute it was to drive. Fun for sure, but necessary? Mine drives really well, feels good. Needs tightening up for sure, no question. But it just drives so much nicer. It's really made me wonder if I want to go down that road right out of the gate . . .
Thanks for reading. Would welcome your thoughts on any part that strikes you.