Thanks fellow Alabamian but picutres do me no good because I'm blind. This will be the Boss Lady's Jeep. LOL
Is there a particular year of the LJ that is best to build?
- Thread starter Bulag Jeeper
- Start date
I was already thinking of a custom wiring harness. Maybe a Paynless or some other. When it gets to that part of the build.
I'll replace the tank for a fuel cell and the Holley Sniper EFI.
If I still drove I'd have a stick too.
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.
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.
Care to elaborate on all the details behind this build?
I don’t quite understand why you would ask the first question if you’re taking everything out and replacing it anyways…
LOL The usual answer for a V8 swap. I have no problem with the LS swap but I'm a Ford man.
After we get an LJ my wife wants to drive and play around in it for a little while before we start doing the heavy mods. We'll do things like upgrading the headlights, taillights, lightbar, stereo, seats, etc. first.
If it was my build I'd have a CJ8 on a LJ frame.
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'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.
Thanks Paul.
Exactly and I want information from people that have experience with these wonderful Jeeps. I've never had my hands ona LJ, TJs I have. Since I'm blind and can't view pictures it's critical to me to get descriptions and all the information that I can before starting a project.
Now Broncos I know inside and out. At least '66-'79.
I can't go out and visit Jeep shows unless my wife takes me. Plus my guide dog states that, "her job is to guide me somewhere safely not to describe silly ass pictures to me". LOL
We don't get to many Jeep meets because she's a weekend night nurse so unless it's womewhere really close I have to hitch a ride.
Once the wrench turning I shouldn't need but a little help except for many, many beers, a few shots of tequila, blood, sweat, tears and so many cusswords.
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.
Thanks everyone for helping.I'm interesting in reading threads about LJ builds and mods. Suggestions welcomed. I've been reading many different threads like dual batteries, lifts. etc. and love all the information that I'm gaining.
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 have an '05 LJR with the dreaded infamous NSG370 6 speed manual. I have no issue with CELs. I addressed the OPDA issue as preventive maintenance. I did have the reverse issue with my NSG370 that causes many to replace it with a 5 speed. I replaced mine with a freshly rebuilt NSG370 that has no issues whatsoever at least not yet. I'm confident I won't see the reverse issue again FWIW.
I did recently get a CEL for an O2 sensor, with about 110K miles on it. I replaced all 4 with the recommended NTK sensors. CEL is gone and it runs perfect. Seems to idle a little smoother than before but probably my imagination. O2 sensor fault is a very typical failure that occurs eventually in any vehicle that has O2 sensors. I think every vehicle I've owned with O2 sensors and >100K miles has had a sensor go bad. Hondas, Chevy, Jeep, doesn't matter.
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. That problem could have been resolved (for a while) with a parts store rebuilt unit. However, 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.
IMO, the horror stories about the '05 and '06 model years are WAY overblown. Most of those stories come from people who have never owned one. I wanted a LJR with a manual transmission so choices were severely limited as to the year. I knew about the few well-known issues and they seemed easily solvable. So far they have been easily resolved.
I have no regrets and have never wished I picked something different. The repairs done to keep it running its best seem pretty consistent with what I would expect on any 17 year old vehicle, especially when you consider the type of use it gets off road.
YMMV.
I did recently get a CEL for an O2 sensor, with about 110K miles on it. I replaced all 4 with the recommended NTK sensors. CEL is gone and it runs perfect. Seems to idle a little smoother than before but probably my imagination. O2 sensor fault is a very typical failure that occurs eventually in any vehicle that has O2 sensors. I think every vehicle I've owned with O2 sensors and >100K miles has had a sensor go bad. Hondas, Chevy, Jeep, doesn't matter.
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. That problem could have been resolved (for a while) with a parts store rebuilt unit. However, 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.
IMO, the horror stories about the '05 and '06 model years are WAY overblown. Most of those stories come from people who have never owned one. I wanted a LJR with a manual transmission so choices were severely limited as to the year. I knew about the few well-known issues and they seemed easily solvable. So far they have been easily resolved.
I have no regrets and have never wished I picked something different. The repairs done to keep it running its best seem pretty consistent with what I would expect on any 17 year old vehicle, especially when you consider the type of use it gets off road.
YMMV.
03-06 for that piece of shit. Although I know of some with high mileage, most are crap by 100,000 miles or so.
Fughuert
TJ Enthusiast
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 never understood the hate for jeeps steering til I replaced my 99 for an 05. Mine doesn’t leak yet but the deadzone is half as bad as my 47, this causes quite the wandering on the highway. My 99 box had almost no deadzone and 60k more miles.
Blaine, what wears out in these steering boxes in your experience? And given this is the case in higher mileage rigs, would you recommend a PSC box setup if one is looking for longevity ? I know that you have mentioned in the past that given the cost/complexity and the care needed for your full PSC setup, it is not for everyone, but given the very limited support for the early gear box in the TJ, I would like to learn if it is worth replacing just the steering box if the need arises after 100k.