Frustrated with my TJ

[StG58]

Love my TJ SE. Really do. It works so well for what I use it for. Simple, rarely breaks enough to strand me, cheap and readily available parts, a blast to drive.

Rant/ What the hell!? This low lift thing is driving me absolutely nuts! Every time I go to improve or upgrade something, it's a massive pain in the ass. Hours of research and talking to people, only to find out the appropriate parts don't exist, require other mods that defeat the original intent or some other crazy shit. Frustrating, to say the least. If I had a lick of sense, I'd just go with the flow and build it like everyone else's TJ and be done with it. Or trade it off on a 2003 -4 Rubi, add a winch and my CB and be done with it. But she's such a good girl, and we've been through so much together now. Sheesh, I'm frustrated right now with this whole ordeal. /rant

There. I feel better already.

 

[MaloStapalo]

Love my TJ SE. Really do. It works so well for what I use it for. Simple, rarely breaks enough to strand me, cheap and readily available parts, a blast to drive.

Rant/ What the hell!? This low lift thing is driving me absolutely nuts! Every time I go to improve or upgrade something, it's a massive pain in the ass. Hours of research and talking to people, only to find out the appropriate parts don't exist, require other mods that defeat the original intent or some other crazy shit. Frustrating, to say the least. If I had a lick of sense, I'd just go with the flow and build it like everyone else's TJ and be done with it. Or trade it off on a 2003 -4 Rubi, add a winch and my CB and be done with it. But she's such a good girl, and we've been through so much together now. Sheesh, I'm frustrated right now with this whole ordeal. /rant

There. I feel better already.

FWIW, I love my 03 Rubi

 

[Chris]

Somehow I ended up with 35s and 5.35" of lift, a tummy tuck, and more. Reading this makes me glad that I ended up where I did, otherwise I'm sure I would eventually be sharing your woes.

When it comes to Jeeps, all roads lead to bigger! :risas3:

The sensible thing of course would be to replace it with a 4.0 powered TJ, so that way you can stop worrying about the little things like weight and tire size.

I'll tell you what, I'm damn impressed with my 35s on 5.38 gears. It doesn't feel lacking on power at all!

 

[StG58]

FWIW, I love my 03 Rubi

Right!? Those early Rubicons just rock, right out of the box.

Somehow I ended up with 35s and 5.35" of lift, a tummy tuck, and more. Reading this makes me glad that I ended up where I did, otherwise I'm sure I would eventually be sharing your woes.

When it comes to Jeeps, all roads lead to bigger! :risas3:

The sensible thing of course would be to replace it with a 4.0 powered TJ, so that way you can stop worrying about the little things like weight and tire size.

I'll tell you what, I'm damn impressed with my 35s on 5.38 gears. It doesn't feel lacking on power at all!

Since nobody does it, nobody makes parts. You're TJ mod sagas are entertaining , but how tall is your Jeep Chris? I get back into places that are tight, really tight. Oh well...

 

[Chris]

Right!? Those early Rubicons just rock, right out of the box.

Since nobody does it, nobody makes parts. You're TJ mod sagas are entertaining , but how tall is your Jeep Chris? I get back into places that are tight, really tight. Oh well...

Well, it's pretty damn tall, that's for sure. But I'm building it with the intention of going places like Moab and the Rubicon trail eventually. I might not fit all the places you would, but I don't have all the woes. Like you said, not many people are making parts for the type of stuff you're doing. I guess they figure everyone is either going to go big, or go home.

You could definitely get someone like Dave to fab up all the parts you want / need though. He'd be wiling to take on that project!

 

[Drizit]

I'm a bit lower than Chris and it's my axle trusses that are causinge to feel some of your pain. I just can't get as much up travel as I'd like. Everything else though should be fabable for ya. But bolt in stuff just isn't out there for when you want to stay low. Time to Lear to weld I'm guessing.

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.

 

[StG58]

I'm a bit lower than Chris and it's my axle trusses that are causinge to feel some of your pain. I just can't get as much up travel as I'd like. Everything else though should be fabable for ya. But bolt in stuff just isn't out there for when you want to stay low. Time to Lear to weld I'm guessing.

—
There must have been a time
when we could have said no.

Fabbing stuff, layout, fitting and welding, isn't an issue. (Ex- journyman shipbuilder) And you're right. That's where it'll end up if I keep heading down this rabbit hole. I keep resisting that though. We'll see...

 

[bobthetj03]

Come on brah! One more inch ain't gonna sink the ship!

 

[Chris]

Come on brah! One more inch ain't gonna sink the ship!

He's the only one on this forum who is seemingly immune to the contagion of "bigger, bigger, bigger"!

 

[StG58]

He's the only one on this forum who is seemingly immune to the contagion of "bigger, bigger, bigger"!

So far...but the dark side is calling! So much simpler to be a Sith.

 

[RangerRick]

Hell, I gave up and put a V8 in her when I knew the ride was over on the 2.5L train......

 

[StG58]

Come on brah! One more inch ain't gonna sink the ship!

Lol, an inch here, an inch there...Pretty soon I have a basterdized 4" lift. Really trying not to go there, ya know?

 

[StG58]

Hell, I gave up and put a V8 in her when I knew the ride was over on the 2.5L train......

Oh man, don't even mention that. I love me some Cevy V8's. Lack of torque? What lack of torque!

 

[Mike_H]

What are you struggling with now? Track bar clearance?

 

[RangerRick]

"What's an inch among friends?"
Right.....
That's what she said.

 

[Starrs]

I keep saying this to my friends and my GF, but the 4” of lift roughly I have now and 35s is cool, but I think I would be just as happy with 2.5” of lift and 32s. With my Bridgers and bumpers on my jeep. Bigger isn’t always better, but we all get sucked in lol. The TJ with 2-2.5” of lift and 32s just looks perfect, but who can have the willpower to keep it that way. I tried lol but fell victim to the mod plague right away. Stay strong! Your wallet will thank you haha

 

[Squatch]

When I first joined the forum, I did a helluva lot of reading. One of the recurring themes/statements was "I wish I had stuck with 31s and a 2" lift". I will admit that you are the only one I recall having the 1" H&R springs, but you always seemed so happy with them. I actually seriously considered going the same route, based on your "reviews", so to speak.
So I guess I'm kind of curious to know why the 2" (2.5") lift and 31" or 32" tires wouldn't be just about right for what you do? If what I've read is true, it is the last level of lift that doesn't open a Pandora's box of necessary changes, so the cost would remain at the lower end of the spectrum. And while yes, it does put you somewhat closer to the opening of the rabbit hole, you are by no means falling into it. Wouldn't that "upgrade" work for you? Inquiring minds want to know...

 

[StG58]

What are you struggling with now? Track bar clearance?

Yup, three options. Ignore the front axle offset, it isn't much, but the passenger side tire rubs at full lock, the JKS adjustable track bar, or the Rough Country forged track bar with a Jeeps West weld on frame mount. Or get my next set of wheels and tires before the Jeeps ready and set up for them. Choices, choices. Really starting to look hard at the Rough Country track bar.

 

[StG58]

When I first joined the forum, I did a helluva lot of reading. One of the recurring themes/statements was "I wish I had stuck with 31s and a 2" lift". I will admit that you are the only one I recall having the 1" H&R springs, but you always seemed so happy with them. I actually seriously considered going the same route, based on your "reviews", so to speak.
So I guess I'm kind of curious to know why the 2" (2.5") lift and 31" or 32" tires wouldn't be just about right for what you do? If what I've read is true, it is the last level of lift that doesn't open a Pandora's box of necessary changes, so the cost would remain at the lower end of the spectrum. And while yes, it does put you somewhat closer to the opening of the rabbit hole, you are by no means falling into it. Wouldn't that "upgrade" work for you? Inquiring minds want to know...

Still happy with them, Squatch. An inch and a half of spring lift and an inch of body lift on 32's is going to be about perfecy. It's just the process of getting there that's got me in a tizzy.

 

[Rob5589]

A Rubicon won't sit any higher, if that is an issue. I am happy where I am at with mine. It does what I need (mostly) and I haven't spent a fortune. A taller skid, engine skid, and a few odds and ends should complete it. I beat the poor thing up in Idaho last week; dented fender, scratches down the sides, grill and fenders rock blasted, plus a busted headlight. Felt bad for treating her so poorly.