New here and looking for advice on a TJ and LJ

[RS Hill]

New here and have been recently been bit by the Jeep bug. Bear with me while I lay the foundation for my questions.

It started with moving to north Georgia looking for a better quality of life. At that time I had a BMW which got stuck a lot on my gravel driveway often. I traded that for a stock 05 LJ which was a 2 owner in great shape with a rebuilt 42RLE, it 104k on it and in very nice shape. It has a Dana 44 with a factory LS and a 30 in the front.

I started doing forestry roads and found I really enjoyed trail riding which might had lead to a small error in judgement and might have brought home a 1997 TJ hardtop on 33/10.5/15 Mamouth wheels with a cheap rough country lift (Not a Fan) with a SYE with 92k on it with a AX15. It’s in nice shape inside and out. It has a Dana 30 and 35.

I want a trail rig/something to build on, nothing crazy like hardcore rock crawling. I have just ordered JKS 3” progressive springs, Rancho shocks, front and rear track bars, sway disconnects, adjustable control arms for the front and rear, brake lines.

I’m mechanically capable with tools and such. The question is which is the better platform for a build? What drivetrain pieces can I blend together?

I am new to Jeeps and trail riding, I have no illusions of knowing all off-road stuff. I do have the Georgia Traverse just a few miles from the house.

I came from always building road cars, I’ve done engine swaps ETC. I also have no issues blending the two Jeeps to make the best option. There is a caveat, I need one for airport duty, I have a 1.5 ride to the airport every month or so through the mountains with interstate duty. I’m not looking to do amazing speed on the interstate, it’s a Jeep. I hung up the going fast due to age and wisdom. I use wisdom loosely…..

I figured from looking on here that the LJ is a better starting point solely due to wheelbase and the axles, but a possible nice piece would be to swap the AX15 into the LJ if I could get the Auto to go back into the 97 TJ work properly. Not sure on computer issues.

So many ideas running through my head and being new to Jeeps and excited to get into the off-road scene. I don’t want to make a big mistake with this stuff. I was hoping for some assistance and direction. Everyone on here is more knowledgeable than me, so I’d love to hear any advice on this.

Thank you so much in advance.

 

[macleanflood]

I love my 97 and I think it's the best year. Whole lot less crap to go wrong. Less cats, no OPDA, no bad PCM.

If you want more wheelbase then stretch it.

-Mac

 

[RS Hill]

I love my 97 and I think it's the best year. Whole lot less crap to go wrong. Less cats, no OPDA, no bad PCM.

If you want more wheelbase then stretch it.

-Mac

Thank you, I have done the OPDA already along with all maintenance on the LJ, the TJ looks to well kept.

I could pull the 44 out of the LJ

 

[drdfblackm]

You will get all kinds of answers on this one. What I would say is that the LJ has a little better footprint for stability and ability to have a little more comfort. With that being said....LJ will always be worth more than a TJ in most markets. So if you want to build and wheel a bit....I say do the TJ....you might find you get a bug and want to build more and get into a bit more technical offroading. Then you can decide if you want axles and what not. Get a good base suspension on the TJ and run it.

 

[TheBoogieman]

What's your actual question? Too many thoughts spelled out. The LJ is the better on the two IMO and I don't really like them unless they're lifted on 35s+. I had one for a short time.

"It started with moving to north Georgia looking for a better quality of life."
Did you move from Cali?

 

[RS Hill]

What's your actual question? Too many thoughts spelled out. The LJ is the better on the two IMO and I don't really like them.

Thank you Boogieman, so many things coming out of my mind. I guess the question or advice that I’m looking to tap into is being with what is available between the two Jeeps is blending the two Jeeps or build the TJ or build LJ. Seems the advice is TJ.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Thank you Boogieman, so many things coming out of my mind. I guess the question or advice that I’m looking to tap into is being with what is available between the two Jeeps is blending the two Jeeps or build the TJ or build LJ. Seems the advice is TJ.

It's a personal preference. Build the one you like better. An LJ is just a TJ with a bigger @$$ IMO.

 

[L J]

"It started with moving to north Georgia looking for a better quality of life."
Did you move from Cali?

Virginia

 

[L J]

... build the LJ and sell the TJ.

 

[RHanna]

Swapping the transmissions would be a huge pain, swapping an older 32rh auto is a lot easier but you don't have that. The automatic transmission is better for harder offroading so I'd lean towards building that jeep over the manual.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Virginia

Not possible. We can legally own guns without permits or registering them. What could be better?

 

[RS Hill]

Virginia

Florida

 

[Camdenst]

Not sure where you are in your life, but i can tell you the LJ platform fits two booster seats, chairs and a cooler better than my TJ ever could.

 

[tworley]

New here and have been recently been bit by the Jeep bug. Bear with me while I lay the foundation for my questions.

It started with moving to north Georgia looking for a better quality of life. At that time I had a BMW which got stuck a lot on my gravel driveway often. I traded that for a stock 05 LJ which was a 2 owner in great shape with a rebuilt 42RLE, it 104k on it and in very nice shape. It has a Dana 44 with a factory LS and a 30 in the front.

I started doing forestry roads and found I really enjoyed trail riding which might had lead to a small error in judgement and might have brought home a 1997 TJ hardtop on 33/10.5/15 Mamouth wheels with a cheap rough country lift (Not a Fan) with a SYE with 92k on it with a AX15. It’s in nice shape inside and out. It has a Dana 30 and 35.

I want a trail rig/something to build on, nothing crazy like hardcore rock crawling. I have just ordered JKS 3” progressive springs, Rancho shocks, front and rear track bars, sway disconnects, adjustable control arms for the front and rear, brake lines.

I’m mechanically capable with tools and such. The question is which is the better platform for a build? What drivetrain pieces can I blend together?

I am new to Jeeps and trail riding, I have no illusions of knowing all off-road stuff. I do have the Georgia Traverse just a few miles from the house.

I came from always building road cars, I’ve done engine swaps ETC. I also have no issues blending the two Jeeps to make the best option. There is a caveat, I need one for airport duty, I have a 1.5 ride to the airport every month or so through the mountains with interstate duty. I’m not looking to do amazing speed on the interstate, it’s a Jeep. I hung up the going fast due to age and wisdom. I use wisdom loosely…..

I figured from looking on here that the LJ is a better starting point solely due to wheelbase and the axles, but a possible nice piece would be to swap the AX15 into the LJ if I could get the Auto to go back into the 97 TJ work properly. Not sure on computer issues.

So many ideas running through my head and being new to Jeeps and excited to get into the off-road scene. I don’t want to make a big mistake with this stuff. I was hoping for some assistance and direction. Everyone on here is more knowledgeable than me, so I’d love to hear any advice on this.

TL/DR;

Longer wheelbase can come in handy at times. The auto is good for technical crawling.

 

[L J]

Not possible. We can legally own guns without permits or registering them. What could be better?

millions of acres of public land open to outdoor recreation

 

[John Cooper]

New here and have been recently been bit by the Jeep bug. Bear with me while I lay the foundation for my questions.

It started with moving to north Georgia looking for a better quality of life. At that time I had a BMW which got stuck a lot on my gravel driveway often. I traded that for a stock 05 LJ which was a 2 owner in great shape with a rebuilt 42RLE, it 104k on it and in very nice shape. It has a Dana 44 with a factory LS and a 30 in the front.

I started doing forestry roads and found I really enjoyed trail riding which might had lead to a small error in judgement and might have brought home a 1997 TJ hardtop on 33/10.5/15 Mamouth wheels with a cheap rough country lift (Not a Fan) with a SYE with 92k on it with a AX15. It’s in nice shape inside and out. It has a Dana 30 and 35.

I want a trail rig/something to build on, nothing crazy like hardcore rock crawling. I have just ordered JKS 3” progressive springs, Rancho shocks, front and rear track bars, sway disconnects, adjustable control arms for the front and rear, brake lines.

I’m mechanically capable with tools and such. The question is which is the better platform for a build? What drivetrain pieces can I blend together?

I am new to Jeeps and trail riding, I have no illusions of knowing all off-road stuff. I do have the Georgia Traverse just a few miles from the house.

I came from always building road cars, I’ve done engine swaps ETC. I also have no issues blending the two Jeeps to make the best option. There is a caveat, I need one for airport duty, I have a 1.5 ride to the airport every month or so through the mountains with interstate duty. I’m not looking to do amazing speed on the interstate, it’s a Jeep. I hung up the going fast due to age and wisdom. I use wisdom loosely…..

I figured from looking on here that the LJ is a better starting point solely due to wheelbase and the axles, but a possible nice piece would be to swap the AX15 into the LJ if I could get the Auto to go back into the 97 TJ work properly. Not sure on computer issues.

So many ideas running through my head and being new to Jeeps and excited to get into the off-road scene. I don’t want to make a big mistake with this stuff. I was hoping for some assistance and direction. Everyone on here is more knowledgeable than me, so I’d love to hear any advice on this.

Thank you so much in advance.

Keep the LJ for your daily commute to work.

Since you have already ordered parts for the TJ finish it to your build for the forest service roads ETC.

You are in a good spot in Blueridge as you have several forum members close to you and they are for the most part helpful when it comes to spending other people's money

@tr21triton @RangerTJ @trojandawg

Are all close to you.

@Tronner is a little farther away but is trying to get a ride set up for the spring in the GA mountains.

 

[RS Hill]

I’d just like to thank all that replied, TJ will be the trail rig. The final parts arrived yesterday so I’ll get to installing them over the holidays as long as I don’t get the look from the wife. She always says she usually see’s my feet or my backside during holidays being under a car.

It’s fine nothing to see here, just on a mission.

 

[John Cooper]

I’d just like to thank all that replied, TJ will be the trail rig. The final parts arrived yesterday so I’ll get to installing them over the holidays as long as I don’t get the look from the wife. She always says she usually see’s my feet or my backside during holidays being under a car.

It’s fine nothing to see here, just on a mission.

I think that is a wise choice. Then later on if you decide to, you can sell the TJ and build the LJ.

 

[tr21triton]

Howdy neighbor. We'll have to meet up one day for lunch.

 

[AndyG]

Howdy neighbor. We'll have to meet up one day for lunch.

You need to meet this member, he is a good dude.

I am in Dohlenega today.

Like you I have both platforms.

First , is your plan to keep 2 rigs ultimately-

I sense this is sort of where you have so many scenarios you can’t decide

I cringe a little at the idea of starting to scavenge 2 working rigs into one

If you plan to camp and need room the LJ makes more sense, but if you end up in tight woods the TJ’s maneuverability shines.

My answer- don’t do anything fast. Why? So you don’t do what you think you want to do and save the money and effort to do what you really want to do once you really process all this.

I spent my second year in construction rebuying all the cheap, wrong tools I bought the first year.

Getting on here is the absolute best thing you could have done right now.