OP
Thanks fellow Alabamian but picutres do me no good because I'm blind. This will be the Boss Lady's Jeep. LOLThis is what the dash of most 2006 model Tj / LJs looks likeView attachment 324809
Thanks fellow Alabamian but picutres do me no good because I'm blind. This will be the Boss Lady's Jeep. LOLThis is what the dash of most 2006 model Tj / LJs looks likeView attachment 324809
I was already thinking of a custom wiring harness. Maybe a Paynless or some other. When it gets to that part of the build.My post said both models- they are both a CEL waiting to happen - mainly because the emissions are designed to be replaced and most of us don’t want to bite the bullet and buy 4 sensors and pre cats and do it right is one reason. They have a finite lifespan.
If you're going with a V8 swap and your other outlined build plans it won't really matter. I'd find the cleanest one and start there. There were roughly 29k more 05/06 LJ's produced so it's easier to find those yearsThis is what I'm planning on. It will be a v8 because that's what she wants. 351W and 10R80 trans. Gotta keep mama happy.
I'll replace the tank for a fuel cell and the Holley Sniper EFI.You'd think they would be, but Chrysler is among the worst with little changes every couple years trying to find ways to save a few bucks per part.
05 got a new fuel tank (not sure if they also changed the evap emission system). A moving plastic part in the tank swells up and gets stuck, the only fix is to drop the tank and sand the part down a bit. It's free from a parts standpoint but it takes effort dropping the tank.
05 got a new pcm. Automatics previously had a standalone transmission module, starting in 05 they integrated it in the PCM. They changed some sensors, including the crank position sensor, which also got a new location, and the cam position sensor, which got a new housing and oil pump drive assembly. It's difficult to nail down the actual failure rate but there were a number of examples with fairly low mileage of the OPDA locking up, shredding the drive gear or shearing off and stopping the oil supply to a running engine. My hunch is this might be an issue where if they were gonna fail, they fail fairly early. It doesn't seem to come up that much anymore but it was all over the forums in 2010. They also had some issues causing automatics to throw a transmission code and a hard 1-2 shift when cold, and I think some other codes that aren't real and won't go away. The answer to that one is a new pcm, about $1200 last I looked, but at least there's a fix.
05 got a new manual transmission. Search nsg370 on this forum and you'll find out what many of us think about it. I'm in the process of swapping mine out for the 5 speed used in pre-2000 TJs.
I personally have had the fuel tank issue on an 05 and an 06, had the OPDA issue on an 05 (caught early) and had problems with the transmission on an 06. I think TJs peaked in 1999 and again in 2004, but damn I love an LJ and I like to shift, so here I am.
That's the plan Mike. Engine, transmission, transfercase, drive shafts, and axles.If you're doing a full drivetrain swap, it doesn't really matter. I haven't seen it mentioned, but Rubicon's were not available in 04. So... For your purposes, I'd go 04 and avoid the potential known issues.
If you're replacing all that and getting a fuel cell then you're getting rid of all the 05-06 issues anyway. Take your pick of the 2.5 years of LJ production and carry on.That's the plan Mike. Engine, transmission, transfercase, drive shafts, and axles.
Thanks Joe. Yes, basically just the body will be original when all is said and done. I'm waiting on US Shift to work out the kinks with their stand alone controller for the 10R80. They have one for the 6R80 and it increases mileage greatly and it is still something that I'm considering. Everything under the hood and body will be new.If you're replacing all that and getting a fuel cell then you're getting rid of all the 05-06 issues anyway. Take your pick of the 2.5 years of LJ production and carry on.
Easily fixed with an LS swapThis is what the dash of most 2006 model Tj / LJs looks likeView attachment 324809
Care to elaborate on all the details behind this build?That's the plan Mike. Engine, transmission, transfercase, drive shafts, and axles.
LOL The usual answer for a V8 swap. I have no problem with the LS swap but I'm a Ford man.Easily fixed with an LS swap
Obviously the question was asked because the differences weren't known. The frames, brakes, steering, body or any number of other things could have been different and that's why the question was asked.I don’t quite understand why you would ask the first question if you’re taking everything out and replacing it anyways…
I'd go strictly 2004, there are issues with 2005-6 models that don't exist with the 2004. Fixable or not, I'd still choose the 2004. Both problems cause downtime and require aftermarket parts to fix. I'd rather have a model year, 2004, that absolutely does not have either of those two potential issues.Is there a particular year of the LJ that is best to build?
Is there a difference in electronics, buses, and any other things in the '04-06s?
Thanks Paul.Obviously the question was asked because the differences weren't known. The frames, brakes, steering, body or any number of other things could have been different and that's why the question was asked.
I guess that means you'll be over to help us swap in a new cam into this 04 TJ Unlimited because the camshaft synchronizer locked up and bent the cam, right? I've worked on and built far more 05 and 06's than I have 03-04's and I've yet to need to do any engine work on them. The two known issues are simple, OPDA and PCM. Crown has as many OPDA's as you would ever need and Mark has as many PCM's as you would ever need or want to buy.I'd go strictly 2004, there are issues with 2005-6 models that don't exist with the 2004. Fixable or not, I'd still choose the 2004. Both problems cause downtime and require aftermarket parts to fix. I'd rather have a model year, 2004, that absolutely does not have either of those two potential issues.
I guess that means you'll be over to help us swap in a new cam into this 04 TJ Unlimited because the camshaft synchronizer locked up and bent the cam, right? I've worked on and built far more 05 and 06's than I have 03-04's and I've yet to need to do any engine work on them. The two known issues are simple, OPDA and PCM. Crown has as many OPDA's as you would ever need and Mark has as many PCM's as you would ever need or want to buy.
Once you get past those two small things, the rest is the same and does not matter at all especially since he is dumping the whole drivetrain anyway.
Thank you mrblaine. It just needs to run enough for my wife to get use to driving and playing with it, then the major mods begin.I guess that means you'll be over to help us swap in a new cam into this 04 TJ Unlimited because the camshaft synchronizer locked up and bent the cam, right? I've worked on and built far more 05 and 06's than I have 03-04's and I've yet to need to do any engine work on them. The two known issues are simple, OPDA and PCM. Crown has as many OPDA's as you would ever need and Mark has as many PCM's as you would ever need or want to buy.
Once you get past those two small things, the rest is the same and does not matter at all especially since he is dumping the whole drivetrain anyway.
03-06 for that piece of shit. Although I know of some with high mileage, most are crap by 100,000 miles or so.My steering box also started leaking not too long ago. Not sure what years have this box but these steering boxes have a poor reputation.
Did you switch yet? I’ve been thinking of doing the same, how’s the on center feel? I don’t plan on running an assist just want more precise steering.I opted for what I hope to be a more durable fix with hydro assist options, the PSC big bore steering box. Pricy but should solve the issue permanently.
03-06 for that piece of shit. Although I know of some with high mileage, most are crap by 100,000 miles or so.