What should I do with my TJ?

wv_kid

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Spokane WA
I have a new-to-me 97 TJ. It's a 4.0 with 32RH, 3.07 open diffs. Currently running 235/75R15 tires (the cheap goodyear wrangler radials) and some kind of rough country lift, I can't say which.

TBH the Jeep is perfectly serviceable for my needs as it is. But I'd like to maybe add a winch, regear to 4.10's, put an LSD in the rear, and maybe step up to 31's once these tires start to wear out. Sound like a reasonable plan? Anything else you'd suggest for moderate off-road usage, just forest road stuff in north Idaho?

Also curious if anyone wants to take a shot at what lift is on this thing, and whether I'm on the right track thinking 31's with the current lift. I think it would do ok with the 3.07's and 31's for now but a regear to 4.10's would really be nice.

I don't think I'd need to upgrade the Dana 35 rear for my described usage but please let me know if you disagree. From what I can tell, there aren't any 30 spline Dana 35 limited slip options out there, only lockers? And I know I don't want a rear locker.

TJ_pic.jpg
 
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will do but it's at my gf's house, will try to get some additional pics later today.

as a side note, my god this thing is fun. I had a JK rubicon and a JKU rubicon, but this TJ is just the tits! So much more, I dunno, Jeepy I guess.

for sure, my wife has a JKU Rubicon, it's a cool Jeep, but my TJ is so much more fun to drive.
 
I have a new-to-me 97 TJ. It's a 4.0 with 32RH, 3.07 open diffs. Currently running 235/75R15 tires (the cheap goodyear wrangler radials) and some kind of rough country lift, I can't say which.

TBH the Jeep is perfectly serviceable for my needs as it is. But I'd like to maybe add a winch, regear to 4.10's, put an LSD in the rear, and maybe step up to 31's once these tires start to wear out. Sound like a reasonable plan? Anything else you'd suggest for moderate off-road usage, just forest road stuff in north Idaho?

Also curious if anyone wants to take a shot at what lift is on this thing, and whether I'm on the right track thinking 31's with the current lift. I think it would do ok with the 3.07's and 31's for now but a regear to 4.10's would really be nice.

I don't think I'd need to upgrade the Dana 35 rear for my described usage but please let me know if you disagree. From what I can tell, there aren't any 30 spline Dana 35 limited slip options out there, only lockers? And I know I don't want a rear locker.

View attachment 403726

Reasonable plan for sure.

Ideally 31’s on a lift around 1-2”. Just measure the coil springs front and rear. 12” front is stock and 8” rear. Anything over that is the amount of lift you have (e.g. 14” front is 2” lift).

The Dana 35 is not up for a locker. LSD is a good choice for winter driving around here. I’m in the area, so if you need some parts or help, DM me.

Welcome to your TJ. They are a blast!
 
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Reasonable plan for sure.

Ideally 31’s on a lift around 1-2”. Just measure the coil springs front and rear. 12” front is stock and 8” rear. Anything over that is the amount of lift you have (e.g. 14” front is 2” lift).

The Dana 35 is not up for a locker. LSD is a good choice for winter driving around here. I’m in the area, so if you need some parts or help, DM me.

Welcome to your TJ. They are a blast!

I have a dana 35 with a Detroit locker in it. 5 years, no problems
 
Nice jeep,and welcome!

Get the part #'s off the rough country shocks and look them up. It'll tell you what the kit is meant to be. To get actual lift height measure the springs at ride height and anything over 12" front,8" rear is your lift.

With the 32rh,4.10 is a good compromise for 33s. You'll probably find it geared too low for 31s if you spend much time at 55mph or higher.but it will be geared nice for trails and compression braking.

I built a 32rh jeep that has 3.73 and 31s that is comfortable cruising at 55-60. But annoying faster.
 
Nice jeep,and welcome!

Get the part #'s off the rough country shocks and look them up. It'll tell you what the kit is meant to be. To get actual lift height measure the springs at ride height and anything over 12" front,8" rear is your lift.

With the 32rh,4.10 is a good compromise for 33s. You'll probably find it geared too low for 31s if you spend much time at 55mph or higher.but it will be geared nice for trails and compression braking.

I built a 32rh jeep that has 3.73 and 31s that is comfortable cruising at 55-60. But annoying faster.

Will do, maybe I will step down to 3.73's then. I don't foresee much interstate driving but considering the lack of an overdrive that may make more sense.

Two more questions - how do I tell if this thing has a body lift on it? And how bad are 3.07's with 31's?
 
Reasonable plan for sure.

Ideally 31’s on a lift around 1-2”. Just measure the coil springs front and rear. 12” front is stock and 8” rear. Anything over that is the amount of lift you have (e.g. 14” front is 2” lift).

The Dana 35 is not up for a locker. LSD is a good choice for winter driving around here. I’m in the area, so if you need some parts or help, DM me.

Welcome to your TJ. They are a blast!

Yeah the LSD is probably more for daily driving in the winter than for anything offroad. Two open diffs is all I need to go up the St. Joe, which is my favorite spot around here.
 
Will do, maybe I will step down to 3.73's then. I don't foresee much interstate driving but considering the lack of an overdrive that may make more sense.

Two more questions - how do I tell if this thing has a body lift on it? And how bad are 3.07's with 31's?
You'll have something like this above the factory rubber isolators
images (1).jpeg


For the 31s/3.07s I'd borrow a pair of 31s and put them on the rear. You'll know. I imagine 4 lo would be kinda fast going down very steep roads,but still managable.
 
You'll have something like this above the factory rubber isolators
View attachment 403744

For the 31s/3.07s I'd borrow a pair of 31s and put them on the rear. You'll know. I imagine 4 lo would be kinda fast going down very steep roads,but still managable.

Excellent, thank you. I will figure out my lift situation and then go from there.

If it didn't have a lift, I wouldn't lift it, but I can't see removing the lift as making any sense whatsoever. More sensible just to regear, add bigger tires and an LSD and enjoy the capability.
 
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Check that frame for drilled drain holes to let any water inside drain. Water gets inside and rust from the inside. There should be some threads on it in here, will try to find them later.
 
I have a new-to-me 97 TJ. It's a 4.0 with 32RH, 3.07 open diffs. Currently running 235/75R15 tires (the cheap goodyear wrangler radials) and some kind of rough country lift, I can't say which.

TBH the Jeep is perfectly serviceable for my needs as it is. But I'd like to maybe add a winch, regear to 4.10's, put an LSD in the rear, and maybe step up to 31's once these tires start to wear out. Sound like a reasonable plan? Anything else you'd suggest for moderate off-road usage, just forest road stuff in north Idaho?

Also curious if anyone wants to take a shot at what lift is on this thing, and whether I'm on the right track thinking 31's with the current lift. I think it would do ok with the 3.07's and 31's for now but a regear to 4.10's would really be nice.

I don't think I'd need to upgrade the Dana 35 rear for my described usage but please let me know if you disagree. From what I can tell, there aren't any 30 spline Dana 35 limited slip options out there, only lockers? And I know I don't want a rear locker.

View attachment 403726

Your hood is the wrong color.
 
I have a new-to-me 97 TJ. It's a 4.0 with 32RH, 3.07 open diffs. Currently running 235/75R15 tires (the cheap goodyear wrangler radials) and some kind of rough country lift, I can't say which.

TBH the Jeep is perfectly serviceable for my needs as it is. But I'd like to maybe add a winch, regear to 4.10's, put an LSD in the rear, and maybe step up to 31's once these tires start to wear out. Sound like a reasonable plan? Anything else you'd suggest for moderate off-road usage, just forest road stuff in north Idaho?

Also curious if anyone wants to take a shot at what lift is on this thing, and whether I'm on the right track thinking 31's with the current lift. I think it would do ok with the 3.07's and 31's for now but a regear to 4.10's would really be nice.

I don't think I'd need to upgrade the Dana 35 rear for my described usage but please let me know if you disagree. From what I can tell, there aren't any 30 spline Dana 35 limited slip options out there, only lockers? And I know I don't want a rear locker.

View attachment 403726

Just keep showing pics of the kids washing it- I love it.

I blinked and mine are grown. So wish I’d had one when they were young.

Good stuff.
 
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Will do, maybe I will step down to 3.73's then. I don't foresee much interstate driving but considering the lack of an overdrive that may make more sense.

Two more questions - how do I tell if this thing has a body lift on it? And how bad are 3.07's with 31's?

I ran 31s with 3.07 gears for a few years and never noticed any difference from the stock 30s. This was with KO2s that may run small but definitely not light. I don’t think it’s worth regearing to 3.73.
 
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