$2000 TJ build

[grtmtbiker]

My friend just aquired a 2002 TJ 4.0. He asked me to help him build it up so he can put 35s on it. Mainly driven on the street, however we do about 1 trail ride a month. So far he has 4.10 gears, and allow shafts front and rear. He said his budget is $2000 for suspension and driveshaft. Most of our trails we like to run are passible with my YJ running rubicon express SUA 4.5 extreme duty and BFG all terrains.

Here are my options...
Rubicon Express 4.5" super flex kit.

Full Traction 4" ultimate suspension with rear 3 link and front 4 link with panhard.


Which of these would you choose, or what else can you suggest, unfortunatly $2000 is the cap on this, so clayton and poly performance are out.

[TJDale]

2" spacers, 1" BL, Durham Motorsports Hood and bump stop the rear. Then spend the other $1400 on a long arm upgrade kit.

[oldblue]

Originally Posted by TJDale

2" spacers, 1" BL, Durham Motorsports Hood and bump stop the rear. Then spend the other $1400 on a long arm upgrade kit.

yeah!!! only thing i would do is make body lift 1.5" so you have room to then make the trans skid flat...

also 35s are big tires for a dana 35 if thats what your buddys jeep has...but if you don't wheel that much and your not to ruff with it "might" be ok

[Allium]

Dont know if it matters but when i did a 4" on my tj it was strongly recommended too go cv driveshaft and sye - that will affect spending. under 4"' and it wasnt to be an issue.

[TJDale]

Or spend the other $1400 on a stronger rear axle.

[Little Jeep]

35 inch tires on a Dana 35 may not make it out of the parking lot.
I would go with the RE 4.5 inch Super-Flex kit, but request 3.5 inch springs for a softer ride (you will probably get 4.25 inches of lift with the RE 3.5 springs). I would plan on doing the SYE & CV shaft right away.

[kirbyiv]

2" spacers, 1" bl, cheapo shocks (you can do all of this for ~$300) cut your hood, bumpstop rear...8.8 rear axle and do lockrights front and rear. If you plan carefully and look for deals you can easily do all of this for $2000

[mikey_vegas]

do you have a sawzaw?

the question you need to ask your self is what size sawzay blade do you need to fit 35's

then spend the rest on drivetrain

[yankeejeeper02]

Originally Posted by mikey_vegas

do you have a sawzaw?

the question you need to ask your self is what size sawzay blade do you need to fit 35's

then spend the rest on drivetrain

That was going to be my answer! I have a 2bb and 1.5" Bl. Installing the 8.8 in a few weeks (once the brackets get welded on it), and the Flat Skid and 35" BFG's. Already picked up several sawzal blades.

[crusty1007]

my RE 3.5" fronts ride very nice but have sagged closer to an actual 3.5" lift.... The rears have not sagged and are super stiff, but that could also be the RE shocks..... either way it works great for the girlfriends DD/playtoy and its still short arm
I did have to do a CV shaft after all but it is a RubAcon with the bigger T-case and rear axle.... my stand issue TJ with the Atlas 4 speed has close to the same if not longer rear shaft than the RubAcon....

[grtmtbiker]

I have a sawsall and it is a regular tool on my YJ but that is out on his TJ. in CT you need to have fenders covering your tires, and he is planning on keeping the jeep "nice". I know that the dana 35 is going to be a lousy axle but I cant convince him to up his budget or do something like do an axle now and a lift later. I think we are going to go the RE express way with a SYE and CV shaft. Maybe when he starts trashing his axles he will be willing to do an 8.8 swap. Thanks for the help I wish it was my money and my jeep things would be done differently.

[Tjeepfreak]

I had 35's on my Tj and it started out with a d35, I drove the shit out of it and just planned to replace it when it broke, it lasted for quite awhile for what it was, it actually suprised me cuz I break just about everything I come into contact with lol, and i took it wheeling quite frequently, so if he drives it pretty easy it will prolly last for awhile, but hey if he drives it hard its always fun to watch stuff go ... I would advise him to start setting some cash aside for when it does go boom though

[OkLaHoMaYJ]

Right now I have $3200 into my TJ including the purchase price. I got this Jeep at a great price and all it needed was a new clutch, some u joints, driveshafts, and fluids in everything. I have completely gone through my TJ and it runs great and drives awesome also...(besides the deathwobble!)

I want to do the 8.8 in the rear and gear it to 4:88. I've been looking around and you can find one complete for $300 around my area. M.O.R.E. has TJ weld on coil brackets for 8.8's for $299.