TJUs: Looking at a heavily modded 06 or a mildly modded 04

[any4xx]

I’m looking at a TJU that the current owner has had a Rubicon Express 4.5” long arm lift installed on. I’ve never had experience with long arms but from what I have read here the RE seems to be the cheapest of the cheap? I’m the guy that does not push the off-road capabilities. I’ve never run into issues off-road with either of my previous JKs or with my current TJ with factory suspension. A big part of me likes the idea of keeping things as close to stock as possible.

I see that there are control arm brackets available out there so if I did want to go back to stock it would just be a matter of welding (back) on new brackets. Which I’m perfectly capable of doing.

I’m deep into flipping the mental coins on this Jeep. I’ve not yet been able to go look at/drive it but hopefully will in the next few days. So finally the question: Since I’m mostly a pavement guy who occasionally gets into the dirt and ruts but never serious rocks, is there any reason that I would NOT just want to leave the long arm kit in place? Or possibly replace it with a better long arm kit instead of welding on all new brackets for the short arms?

Certainly a lot of personal preference comes into play with these decisions. I’d honestly rather have a 3” or less lift than a 4.5” anyway. I’m a fan of low COG. I’m guessing that just because the kit was sold as a 4.5” the arms are not restricting my ability to just change springs & shocks to bring it down a bit?

Any advice I may want to chew on?

As always, thank you in advance for indulging & educating me.

Tom.

 

[JMT]

Leave it. It's a lot of cutting off brackets and welding new brackets on to change that. For what? In your case no reason. Just drive it.

Don't know why your a fan of so-called LCOG, but anyway, if you bring it down you'll have to adjust the long arms and change shocks and adjust trackbars and so on and so on.

 

[ColoJeep]

I’m looking at a TJU that the current owner has had a Rubicon Express 4.5” long arm lift installed on. I’ve never had experience with long arms but from what I have read here the RE seems to be the cheapest of the cheap? I’m the guy that does not push the off-road capabilities. I’ve never run into issues off-road with either of my previous JKs or with my current TJ with factory suspension. A big part of me likes the idea of keeping things as close to stock as possible.

I see that there are control arm brackets available out there so if I did want to go back to stock it would just be a matter of welding (back) on new brackets. Which I’m perfectly capable of doing.

I’m deep into flipping the mental coins on this Jeep. I’ve not yet been able to go look at/drive it but hopefully will in the next few days. So finally the question: Since I’m mostly a pavement guy who occasionally gets into the dirt and ruts but never serious rocks, is there any reason that I would NOT just want to leave the long arm kit in place? Or possibly replace it with a better long arm kit instead of welding on all new brackets for the short arms?

Certainly a lot of personal preference comes into play with these decisions. I’d honestly rather have a 3” or less lift than a 4.5” anyway. I’m a fan of low COG. I’m guessing that just because the kit was sold as a 4.5” the arms are not restricting my ability to just change springs & shocks to bring it down a bit?

Any advice I may want to chew on?

As always, thank you in advance for indulging & educating me.

Tom.

I would be more concerned that it's newer than 04 . Even a cheap long arm suspension should work Okay for your application . I hope you find an answer that is good for you !

 

[JMT]

I would be more concerned that it's newer than 04 .

now, now...slow down here...I've never owned one older than '03 and never had any real issues other than a stupid Mercedes 6-speed transmission.

 

[ColoJeep]

now, now...slow down here...I've never owned one older than '03 and never had any real issues other than a stupid Mercedes 6-speed transmission.

The NSG 370 is the pinnacle of the German mindset , And I quess we won't talk about the OPDA or PCM , or PCM language .

 

[any4xx]

Okay. Please educate me. I’m very happy with my ‘99 except for the lack of rear storage space. What isssues am I looking at with an ‘04/‘05/‘06? Obviously if I want an Unlimited I’m only able to buy in that year range.

 

[any4xx]

The NSG 370 is the pinnacle of the German mindset , And I quess we won't talk about the OPDA or PCM , or PCM language .

The one I’m looking at is an automatic transmission.

 

[Tronner]

Okay. Please educate me. I’m very happy with my ‘99 except for the lack of rear storage space. What isssues am I looking at with an ‘04/‘05/‘06? Obviously if I want an Unlimited I’m only able to buy in that year range.

Sigh, the others above are referring to the select few issues that 03-06 wranglers have that the prior years do not.

OPDA: oil pump drive assembly, the factory one has a flaw that prevents the spinning shaft from lubricating properly. There is a good quality upgrades unit that runs about 100 bucks. When the original goes bad you will know because it makes a noise.

PCM: the 05-06 wranglers are prone to premature PCM failure. Wranglerfix is the guy for those issues as he has reverse engineered a fixed version.

NSG370/ Mercedes gear box: 05 NSG’s have issues with first and reverse popping out of gear. Fixed in 06. The steering box is Mercedes and is a weak point. You can, with some modification swap to the older steering box.

MFS Switch: it goes bad and can take the connector with it. It can also cause some other weird issues.

Those are the most common and it should be noted that all years of the TJ have their own issues by year. The 03-06 issues just get blown out of proportion and severity because they are the most common years and are the mid cycle refresh models. Thankfully most of the common issues that are repeatedly seen have already been solved and this forum is a wealth of technical knowledge that can assist you with the uncommon issues. Fear not the 03-06s are just as good as the early models.

 

[ColoJeep]

Okay. Please educate me. I’m very happy with my ‘99 except for the lack of rear storage space. What isssues am I looking at with an ‘04/‘05/‘06? Obviously if I want an Unlimited I’m only able to buy in that year range.

If it were me , I would look at the 04 TJU . Even with the 04 , the only choice is the 42 RLE overdrive automatic. This may piss off some folks , but in my opinion the newer in model year you buy , the potential of actual problems increase. None of the 03 or newer Jeeps will be as reliable as your 99.

 

[rasband]

NSG370/ Mercedes gear box: 05 NSG’s have issues with first and reverse popping out of gear. Fixed in 06. The steering box is Mercedes and is a weak point. You can, with some modification swap to the older steering box.

One other thing is the 32RH was considered the better auto vs the 42RLE, though the 42 is plenty livable - even if sub-par.

 

[any4xx]

Sigh, the others above are referring to the select few issues that 03-06 wranglers have that the prior years do not.

OPDA: oil pump drive assembly, the factory one has a flaw that prevents the spinning shaft from lubricating properly. There is a good quality upgrades unit that runs about 100 bucks. When the original goes bad you will know because it makes a noise.

PCM: the 05-06 wranglers are prone to premature PCM failure. Wranglerfix is the guy for those issues as he has reverse engineered a fixed version.

NSG370/ Mercedes gear box: 05 NSG’s have issues with first and reverse popping out of gear. Fixed in 06. The steering box is Mercedes and is a weak point. You can, with some modification swap to the older steering box.

MFS Switch: it goes bad and can take the connector with it. It can also cause some other weird issues.

Those are the most common and it should be noted that all years of the TJ have their own issues by year. The 03-06 issues just get blown out of proportion and severity because they are the most common years and are the mid cycle refresh models.

Thank you. I find nothing on that list frightening.

 

[any4xx]

If it were me , I would look at the 04 TJU . Even with the 04 , the only choice is the 42 RLE overdrive automatic. This may piss off some folks , but in my opinion the newer in model year you buy , the potential of actual problems increase. None of the 03 or newer Jeeps will be as reliable as your 99.

Maybe I should keep the ‘99 as a backup. . I’ve already got six cars in the garage. I probably wouldn’t even notice a seventh.

 

[Tronner]

Thank you. I find nothing on that list frightening.

So did I when I bought both my 05 and my 06. I’ve replaced everything on that list except the NSG and the MFS on both.

 

[Tronner]

One other thing is the 32RH was considered the better auto vs the 42RLE, though the 42 is plenty livable - even if sub-par.

Yeah more of an issue with JEEP than an issue with the TJ. It’s definitely the less desirable trans but people have made them work. Cannot really call it a common issue though. Just a drawback for the auto enthusiasts.

 

[ColoJeep]

Maybe I should keep the ‘99 as a backup. . I’ve already got six cars in the garage. I probably wouldn’t even notice a seventh.

Potentially , the issue isn't you noticing the 7 th , it is your significant other noticing .

 

[any4xx]

So did I when I bought both my 05 and my 06. I’ve replaced everything on that list except the NSG and the MFS on both.

The current owner says he replaced the oil pump drive to rid the screaming monkey noise. Replacing stuff is easy. And being retired it gives me something to do.

 

[any4xx]

Potentially , the issue isn't you noticing the 7 th , it is your significant other noticing .

Pfffft. I already ran that by her yesterday. She’s easy. I keep one garage space for her daily driver and she doesn’t care what I fill the rest with.

 

[ColoJeep]

The current owner says he replaced the oil pump drive to rid the screaming monkey noise. Replacing stuff is easy. And being retired it gives me something to do.

LS swap ! ...

 

[DirtDawg]

My former factory-ordered 2000 TJ (owned 20 yrs) had the 1st year coil-on-plug ignition which I liked as well as the 1st year NV3550 5-spd manual, which I chose over the 3-speed auto box. I subsequently equipped that with CE upper/lower JJ arms, 4.56 gearing with ARB lockers, TeraLow 4:1, CE HD steering and so much more. Sold with immediate regrets, my buddy and I both bought a used Rubicon a year ago (his 2003 / mine 2005) both equipped with the 42RLE 3 + OD auto box, plus previously installed RE long arm kits. Living in rural areas, chasing after what I preferred beyond Rubicon spec was problematic due to distances driven to inspect and evaluate. As a do-over, we both would stay with Rubicon spec but choose ones with manual gearboxes and either stock or nearly so, with mods as dedicated trail rigs done by us subsequently. I personally hate the 42RLE, which also exhibits less than stellar shifting, despite having flushed it, replaced the pan and filter plus fresh ATF+4. BTW, we've both relaced our PCMs with Wrangler Fix units plus I have a replacement Crown OPDA ready if/when I hear laughing monkeys.

Depending on budget and intended purpose, I'd suggest paying what you have to and travel as needed to get what you want. We've been out in local forests with those twice in 3 days this week. Yes, both highly enjoyable now that all service work done (except my needed steering box replacement) but would proceed more slowly and selectively turning the clock back...

 

[any4xx]

My former factory-ordered 2000 TJ (owned 20 yrs) had the 1st year coil-on-plug ignition which I liked as well as the 1st year NV3550 5-spd manual, which I chose over the 3-speed auto box. I subsequently equipped that with CE upper/lower JJ arms, 4.56 gearing with ARB lockers, TeraLow 4:1, CE HD steering and so much more. Sold with immediate regrets, my buddy and I both bought a used Rubicon a year ago (his 2003 / mine 2005) both equipped with the 42RLE 3 + OD auto box, plus previously installed RE long arm kits. Living in rural areas, chasing after what I preferred beyond Rubicon spec was problematic due to distances driven to inspect and evaluate. As a do-over, we both would stay with Rubicon spec but choose ones with manual gearboxes and either stock or nearly so, with mods as dedicated trail rigs done by us subsequently. I personally hate the 42RLE, which also exhibits less than stellar shifting, despite having flushed it, replaced the pan and filter plus fresh ATF+4. BTW, we've both relaced our PCMs with Wrangler Fix units plus I have a replacement Crown OPDA ready if/when I hear laughing monkeys.

Depending on budget and intended purpose, I'd suggest paying what you have to and travel as needed to get what you want...

The only manual transmission Jeep I’ve had was a ‘13 Rubicon. Even with stock gearing it drove me crazy. I would shift to either 3rd or 4th before ever getting across an intersection. Are the TJ 5/6-speeds any better?