I currently own a FJ40 for a trail truck. I have been looking at the TJ's with some interest for another rock capable rig. As owners of these trucks, what pros or cons come to mind when someone asks "Why a Jeep?" Also which model is the best base (SE, Sport, Sahara) and which build-ups/modifications are recommended?

Can you convince me?

No Birfield joints.

The best one of the TJ is the cheapest 6 cyl you can find with a D44 unless you plan on swapping axles anyway.

If you mean new, order a Wrangler X with the 44.

Change comes from within... you have to want it. :D:flipoff2:

I'm sure you've wheeled with enough to know what they're capable of. Like anything, they need work. Gettinga TJ to modify has only one drawback - $$$. They're expensive stock, and everything for them is $$ too unless you make it yourself. Great rig, though. Easily the best out of the box 4x4 you can build up.

Paul

We should not have to convince you. To each there own. I like the jeeps becuase of the size. We have alot of tight trails where it is harder to get a fullsize through. It can be done but it requires alot of 9 point turns. i did have a 74 blazer many years ago and loved it but those damn hoods are so big. When going up lond steep hills I want to see more than the hood. :) I have a yj that is used strickly off road and does ok. We just bought a 2000 tj from a freind and does almost as good but flexes way better and is very comfortable on road. Me lady uses it as a daily driver and just loves it. She has had two cj's and has driven my yj so she knows the diference between the jeeps.

The lift kits are expensive but work well. Add some lockers and good tires they are a good off road machine. Now if chrysler could put some real diffs in the thing we would be set. Have you driven one yet?

It's a Jeep thing......Hard to explain. I have owned many other 4x's ridden in about everything. The FJ40 is a very capable rig, but it isnt a Jeep. You just got to get one. New TJ's are expensive to set-up after the initial cost. My YJ is by far not where I want it, but I didnt put out the $$$ to get the TJ either. JUST DO IT...........


BlueYJ :cool2:

My bro got a 4 banger TJ a while back and I took him on his first wheeling trip with my XJ. They really surprised me! For an out of the box 4x4 you really can't beat them. Yes the mods are pricey but look at what you end up with. Look around a bit and be sure to get a 4.0 that has the D44 rear. If I were buying used TJs I would look to the Sport model. All of the power features and none of the unneeded frills of the Sahara. Are we talking about a wheeling only rig, or is this going to be pulling DD duty to boot? As far as lifts go, look into the RE extreme duty longarm. I wheeled with a guy who had one and that thing really really impressed me. He was flexing like crazy! Of course he did flop it on his side, blow a bead, and had to be winched off a hill that my XJ crawled right over :D Good luck!

What are you planning on doing to it? Super modified? Or mild?

That will greatly influence the choice.

If it is to be super modified, then why start with an expensive TJ? (Though a used 4 cyl could be a good platform to start with)

If it is to be mildy modified, then it is a good choice. Short wheel base, good suspension travel, good road manners, reliable drivetrain (with a D44). If you wish to mildly modify it, then I suggest a Sport. The SE has no power, and the Sahara has a bunch of crap you don't need.
If you can find one reasonably priced with the D44, then go for it. But don't make that a deal breaker as you can get a brand new D44 with Superior Shafts, gears of your choice, ready to bolt in for $1350.

HTH,
Phil Jensen
My mildly Modified TJ (http://jeep-club.irtech.com/images/Paragon-01/resize-106-0675_IMG.jpg)

Originally posted by BlueYJ
My YJ is by far not where I want it, but I didnt put out the $$$ to get the TJ either. JUST DO IT...........
BlueYJ :cool2:

Wanna bet I paid less for my TJ than you did your YJ? You don't have to spend a ton of money on a Jeep to have a capable offroad rig. Buy one that's been wrecked, salvaged, mangled, beat-up, etc. Do the rocks care how it looks? I've never heard any complaints! :)

My plans for the truck would be to turn it into a rock crawler. I have driven my father-in-laws and found it's road manners and amenities pretty nice. The main interest is the stock coil suspension. With a YJ, I would plan on the XCL package. Being able to alread have the coils on the TJ, makes other mods easier to pay for. I figure on adding a Currie lift (w/johnny joints), upgrading the axles, 36" TSL's, and possibly go V8 with an Atlas. Add some fender and rocker panel trimming, front and rear bumpers, some attitude and I got a top notch rock crawler.

For those running coils - are they really better than leafs? Sometimes I think a nice SOA (like my FJ40 has) is the perfect setup.

Oh yea - BlueYJ - whats so different between my FJ40 and say a CJ7 or a YJ?

This truck will sever dual duty - part time DD and part time trail rig.

I run coils (TJ) but they are overrated. On a CJ or YJ just spring it over and be done with it.

Hey FJ. there isnt allot of diff between the FJ, YJ and CJ. You didnt explain what you wanted to do with this rig so I kept it general. Now that you described the one you want to build it might be newer, have coils, and a heater that works, other then that sounds like you got a real nice FJ.

Unless you can find a real cheap TJ, you might want to find a cheap YJ or 7 and do what you descrided to it. My buddy has a 2k TJ with 6inch lift, 44 in the rear locked 4.56's ARB in the front, 36's and the heater works. It is a sweet rig, good looker, and very capable off-road. The options for the Jeeps are endless, the ultimate vehicle is what you make out of it. I love my SOA YJ.

Sounds to me like you want (need) a new project because your FJ is pretty much done. Its winter, the garage is calling your name, the welder is silent, the air compressor has dust on it, the tools are where they are supposed to be and not scattered all over the garage. Your friends dont visit anymore to see what you are doing and the beer doesnt even taste good. So buy the dam TJ and hibernate in the garage, build it and post some pics. So just go for it. :beer:

BlueYJ :cool2:

FJ4ZROCKS,

Well baised on what you say you want, here's my input (and lots of folks will disagree).

Get a used 4 cyl TJ. It will have the D30/D35 combo. -- You can pick them up cheap (seen them as low as 8K around here used). If you plan on swapping axles for real heavy stuff who cares what's in it to begin with. The D30/D35 can hold up to some decent wheeling behind the 4 cyl. Just carry spare axle shafts -- I've only snapped one and that was on Lower 2 at Tellico. The 4 cyl will handle up to 33 inch tires on/offroad pretty decently without regearing (some folks will go 35 without regearing, but I think that would be too much power loss).

As for going V8. I think that would be good for mud, but not rocks. Look into going with a Klune-V reduction unit. The beauty of the 4 cyl. is that there is enough room (if you go with an electric fan) to move the motor foward and then you can put the Klune in without loosing rear driveshaft length.

There is an ARCA guy with a 4 cyl YJ who competed with the 4 cyl and Klune and did pretty well.

My ultimate trai rig would probably be the 4/Klune with a long arm kit, flat skid, about 6-8 inches of lift, 4.88 gears in D44s with OX lockers, 35-36" tires, and lots of skidplates (winch is mandatory of course).

Now given that I require my rig to also be a daily driver, I'd probably limit the suspension lift to 4-6 inches and tires to 33".

Robert

If you are going to swap out the wholke drivetrain as you said anyway, then get a used 4 cyl with no options, and sell of the drivetrain. Now get your V8/tranny/tcase/axles and bolt them in. Wait, custom axles= custom suspension brckets. Why bother with a TJ if you are going to do that? You get a stupid plastic dash, and a bunch of computer controlled guages to deal with, then you are going to swap out the entire suspension too?

Skip that crap and just buy a new tubular frame and a kevlar CJ body. Then build a custom 4 link front and rear for cheaper than a Currie TJ kit. Throw in the new drivetrain, seat, CJ dash, tops, etc. and you are done for the price of a 4 cylinder TJ.

HTH :D

Phil

The TJ has tons of aftermarket suppliers so you can build an nice rig geared [pun intended] to your specific type of wheeling off the shelf. If the 44 is good enough for you go for that option when you buy. I know Superior has a kit for the 44 now. Coilers are great!

BlueYJ - thanx for the detailed reply. You pretty much hit the nail on the head about the Jeep. I have finished my FJ40. Gosh I thought I'd never say that!! So I need a new project to build up and then wheel. I figure I'll add a few minor mods to a cheap TJ and then go out and GET IT to see what breaks or limits my trail progress. Then next winter modify/upgrade those parts in question.

BTW - my heater does work. Almost too well. It's my damn Chevy 350 that is giving me fits.

Thanx guys.

Originally posted by TornadoTJ
I run coils (TJ) but they are overrated. On a CJ or YJ just spring it over and be done with it.


I agree 100%

I have both a modified TJ and a modified CJ. TJ suspensions leave so much to be desired especially once you start trying to fit 35" or taller tires. Stock or near stock they are nice but quickly leave that realm when modified.