05 Flame Red TJ Build
- Thread starter JMT
- Start date
Man, I love the drive thru wash and I hate it, but I mostly love it. I don’t know how else I’d keep the Jeep clean in the winter snow, ice, and melt, especially with the chemical they spray on the roads up here. The vent was a small issue, and they were eager to make it right.
I’m still getting rust though. I’m going to have to stay after it.
I haven’t really met you on the forum yet, though I’ve now seen you in a couple of threads. Welcome!
Ok, I didn’t have much time to respond earlier. I wanted to say something else.
I loved the feel of being on 33’s. That build felt so stable. I was able to drive fearlessly (just look at how we built the TJR. Kind of a dream build of smart choices on a very minimal budget). Of course, there were a few cons, like hitting your rear CA mounts and dragging your bumper, but it would really go just about anywhere I pointed it an outwheel lots of bigger tire’d rigs.
Here’s what I think. Correct me or give me your ideas. 33’s on 4.25” is very stable. The AS on the 3”+1.25” way of getting that lift is not sky high, so you’re enjoying better habits. It does need a bit of stretch, but nothing like a 35’s build. I think it was the balance that I loved, and what I’m searching for. I think the only way in that direction is a midarm and stretch, but with that ideally comes outboarding. So, it’s a journey. My rig is great. I love it. I have nothing to complain about.
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I’ve been struggling for a year or more about where to go next with my rig. I do this to have a project, which is required for me or I’ll go crazy, so just bc I do something doesn’t mean I have to do it to meet trail demands (yet). I keep cycling through the following ideas. My problem is my rig drives great, the options below are spendy, and I feel like if I do 1 I need to do 2, 3, 4… and that will end up being over $10k.
I just don'tknow where to go. Because I’m unsettled, what I’ve done in discussing with @Blackjack is move away from all that and just look at some cheap, but valuable mods I really need to get to that will keep me busy (for awhile).
- Beadlocks. I had DC-2's that held a bead down to 8-9psi. I never lost a bead. Then I was researching beadlocks (single, double, and coyotes), but could never decide, so I just went with some cheap Mamba Moab look-a-likes to satisfy the desire for a change. Now I've lost a bead twice on very non-technical terrain. I hate to see what would happen if I was on technical terrain. So, I'm back to thinking about beadlocks and I have a set of Raceline's picked out.
- Armor. Specifically the rear corner armor. This is practical because it's probably just a matter of time before I damage the tub. For now I steer clear and play it safe. I prefer Savvy, but it hasn't been in stock for a long time.
- GR 4" Fenders. The MCE's were just to tide me over till I decided on something else. I like these, but they are aesthetic only mod, so I’m not itching to do it. They do look good though.
- Midarm. Please. Like I need it.
- PSC Steering. I am running 35's. I feel the need for better steering "sometimes," though not often, and obviously I can always get out or through the situation without issue. Clearly it would make steering easier when I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
- Outboard. Gets me into spendy shocks.
At any rate, I’m open to suggestions on direction, but for now I’m pretty happy setting goals to knock out 1, 2 and 3 on the short list.
- Rear frame tuck. The butt crack does bother me @bobthetj03! This is more aesthetics, but it has some value and there are things there for me to learn.
- Raised body mounts. This one is practical. My mounts, particularly the ones in the middle have folded ears after wheelin trips. I would ideally do this the same time I did the rear frame tuck.
- Tie rod flip. This one is also practical. I can gain 2” clearance on the drivers side. I’m not sure it will work with my backspacing.
View attachment 391136
This looks a lot like my list, weather I need it or not. My Jeep does well for the trails I do.
I have done the tie rod flip and would recommend it. Gets it up out of the way and didn’t cost too much. I did upgrade to BMB tie rod.
Rear frame mod I have not done, I have a LJ and haven’t seen any pictures of one done on a LJ to see how it’s done.
Body mounts, haven’t torn mine up yet.
The armor and fenders I would also chose the same, my issue is I would want it paint matched so the cost would go way up. I am running 35’s so the still tuck right up into the fenders with rubi width flairs.
I have been buying parts for my LJ for my next phase. I have Saavy gas tank skid ( to shed some weight) I have revolution 30 spline front axles and new spider gears for my ARB for the front. I have front and rear 11 & 12” shocks just need towers. And I have 5:13 gears for the front and rear.
I keep going back and forth on the midarm, I spoke with Gerald before the new year he was waiting in arms, then I called back and he was waiting on brackets. I keep going back and forth on if I really need it or is it more of a want.
UKTJ
TJ Addict
Nothing wrong with a want IMHO. If we only ever got what we need, life would be a lot less fun
Gosh this Jeep drives like a dream at 80mph! Love it. It ain’t bad off-road either. @All 4 Wheelin' and his pup Gabriel went out to put his newly built awesome TJ through some tests. He’s got a few adjustments to make, but he liked it. Nice work. It’s all coming together. The Atlas will be a game changer. We both killed it. Fun to walk through stuff few rigs in the world would even attempt.
@tworley, I’m heading home from ID with a forced induction 60k btu propane heater that I picked up for $80. I’ll let you know how quickly it heats up my 450sq ft garage
@tworley, I’m heading home from ID with a forced induction 60k btu propane heater that I picked up for $80. I’ll let you know how quickly it heats up my 450sq ft garage
Man, I love the drive thru wash and I hate it, but I mostly love it. I don’t know how else I’d keep the Jeep clean in the winter snow, ice, and melt, especially with the chemical they spray on the roads up here. The vent was a small issue, and they were eager to make it right.
I’m still getting rust though. I’m going to have to stay after it.
I haven’t really met you on the forum yet, though I’ve now seen you in a couple of threads. Welcome!
Thanks. Been here a couple years after being off the forums for a while and realizing that other Forum became a desert of activity.
Been enjoying watching your build and your twin's start their Jeep journeys. I really need to start by build thread. Mine's been on hold for coming up on 2 years. Life got in the way and then it got really busy... Over the summer, I joined the same exclusive club you're a member of — We welcomed twin baby boys.
Hoping to get going again on the Jeep as the wife and I have started finding a rhythm with the boys now.
Perfect time for some round lights
It was a very serious thought. I've gone back and forth on liking the round, flush lights and keeping the old school/traditional look of the stock lights.
I'm going to try to re-tap the holes to get a tighter grip with the screws. If that fails, the rounds may be in my future.
Thanks. Been here a couple years after being off the forums for a while and realizing that other Forum became a desert of activity.
Been enjoying watching your build and your twin's start their Jeep journeys. I really need to start by build thread. Mine's been on hold for coming up on 2 years. Life got in the way and then it got really busy... Over the summer, I joined the same exclusive club you're a member of — We welcomed twin baby boys.
Hoping to get going again on the Jeep as the wife and I have started finding a rhythm with the boys now.
Welcome back to the Jeep world, and belated congrats on finding your stride with the twins. It can be a lot. As much as I love fooling with Jeep’s, the twins are far more valuable to pour into. It will be interesting to see where your build goes. These things are fun, and there are innumerable mods. I keep wanting to midarm and build my own links. Won’t be long before we can’t find so many aftermarket parts. They are already disappearing.
Welcome back to the Jeep world, and belated congrats on finding your stride with the twins. It can be a lot. As much as I love fooling with Jeep’s, the twins are far more valuable to pour into. It will be interesting to see where your build goes. These things are fun, and there are innumerable mods. I keep wanting to midarm and build my own links. Won’t be long before we can’t find so many aftermarket parts. They are already disappearing.
The twins melt our hearts more and more each day. They've started really showing their personalities the past month or so and the wife and I know we're going to have our hands full.
I was thinking the same thing - you're in a great position with your boys hitting driving age while you can still find TJs are a 'decent' price. By the time my boys are there, TJs will be more and more rare and many collectibles or just piles of rust [insert Kansas' Dust in the Wind here].
I had built mine up as a great starter from stock to a good budget build on 33s with appropriate gears and lockers. Served me well.
Then it underwent the teardown 2 years ago for a real ("Don't tell the wife the number") build and unfortunately it's been up on jack stands since. Plus I went from sticking with 33s to now having the 35s mounted and in the garage... Excited to have it driving again soon and then getting the boys in for a top down drive when they're old enough (wife will let me know when that time comes
).
I’ve been struggling for a year or more about where to go next with my rig. I do this to have a project, which is required for me or I’ll go crazy, so just bc I do something doesn’t mean I have to do it to meet trail demands (yet). I keep cycling through the following ideas. My problem is my rig drives great, the options below are spendy, and I feel like if I do 1 I need to do 2, 3, 4… and that will end up being over $10k.
I just don'tknow where to go. Because I’m unsettled, what I’ve done in discussing with @Blackjack is move away from all that and just look at some cheap, but valuable mods I really need to get to that will keep me busy (for awhile).
- Beadlocks. I had DC-2's that held a bead down to 8-9psi. I never lost a bead. Then I was researching beadlocks (single, double, and coyotes), but could never decide, so I just went with some cheap Mamba Moab look-a-likes to satisfy the desire for a change. Now I've lost a bead twice on very non-technical terrain. I hate to see what would happen if I was on technical terrain. So, I'm back to thinking about beadlocks and I have a set of Raceline's picked out.
- Armor. Specifically the rear corner armor. This is practical because it's probably just a matter of time before I damage the tub. For now I steer clear and play it safe. I prefer Savvy, but it hasn't been in stock for a long time.
- GR 4" Fenders. The MCE's were just to tide me over till I decided on something else. I like these, but they are aesthetic only mod, so I’m not itching to do it. They do look good though.
- Midarm. Please. Like I need it.
- PSC Steering. I am running 35's. I feel the need for better steering "sometimes," though not often, and obviously I can always get out or through the situation without issue. Clearly it would make steering easier when I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place.
- Outboard. Gets me into spendy shocks.
At any rate, I’m open to suggestions on direction, but for now I’m pretty happy setting goals to knock out 1, 2 and 3 on the short list.
- Rear frame tuck. The butt crack does bother me @bobthetj03! This is more aesthetics, but it has some value and there are things there for me to learn.
- Raised body mounts. This one is practical. My mounts, particularly the ones in the middle have folded ears after wheelin trips. I would ideally do this the same time I did the rear frame tuck.
- Tie rod flip. This one is also practical. I can gain 2” clearance on the drivers side. I’m not sure it will work with my backspacing.
View attachment 391136
Another project you might enjoy doing, although it’s considered aesthetic by some, is the rear upper spring perch relocation. It’s a free mod and a
https://www.shop.blackmagicbrakes.c...arking-Brake-Cables-BRAKE-WIZARD-BRACKETS.htm
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I’ve been thinking about relocating the upper perch too. I think I should definitely do that.
.I do have rear disc brakes, so the parking brake flip is something I could do. I need to review how that one’s done. Good suggestions.
I’ve been thinking about relocating the upper perch too. I think I should definitely do that.
I do have rear disc brakes, so the parking brake flip is something I could do. I need to review how that one’s done. Good suggestions.
I had to do the e-brake flip because of the RJ rear swaybar. It's an easy change but the kit seemed a bit pricey.
