Questions about recent 2003 TJ auction purchase

[Dave52]

Hi. New member here. I hope you can help me with some advice. I bought 2003 TJ Sport with auto transmission for really good price. Due to some technical issues, I can't get inside the auction for another week to inspect the damage and order some parts. Most likely, I will need a new front end.
I'm planning to use it as a daily driver and weekend rural getaway in another country. The rural roads in some places are pretty bad, so I need an advice on future setup. Thinking to run 33 tires on a 3 or 3.5 inch lift and 1 body lift. I want to get Dana 44 front axle and maybe keep Dana 35 rear. What gear ratio should I run with auto transmission, so it won't die on the hills, but also have a normal drive in the city/highway.
Thanks for you help. Btw, are those 33 tires ?

 

[Chris]

It has the 42RLE transmission, so you'd want 5.13 with 33" tires and 5.38 with 35" tires, but since it's not a Rubicon with Dana 44 axles, you can't run 5.38", so you'll be stuck with 5.13 (which won't be bad by any means).

Those look like 33s to me.

I would advise against running 33s or 35s. To run 35s correctly you need 5" of lift and you'll need to be prepared to spend at least 10k on parts including things most people don't think go like a big brake kit, etc.

I would run 31s and a 2" lift as that's all you need unless you plan on doing some serious rock crawling. 31s and a 2" lift is more than enough to get you over any rural roads.

 

[Dave52]

It has the 42RLE transmission, so you'd want 5.13 with 33" tires and 5.38 with 35" tires, but since it's not a Rubicon with Dana 44 axles, you can't run 5.38", so you'll be stuck with 5.13 (which won't be bad by any means).

Those look like 33s to me.

I would advise against running 33s or 35s. To run 35s correctly you need 5" of lift and you'll need to be prepared to spend at least 10k on parts including things most people don't think go like a big brake kit, etc.

I would run 31s and a 2" lift as that's all you need unless you plan on doing some serious rock crawling. 31s and a 2" lift is more than enough to get you over any rural roads.

Thanks for quick response. 35s are definitely are out of question, but I like the look of 33s, especially the tires on it are 33s, as you mentioned. So if I go 33 route, would 3 lift just be about right? And thanks for gear ratio suggestion.

 

[Chris]

Thanks for quick response. 35s are definitely are out of question, but I like the look of 33s, especially the tires on it are 33s, as you mentioned. So if I go 33 route, would 3 lift just be about right? And thanks for gear ratio suggestion.

For 33s you need a 4" lift. So the common way of going about this is doing a 2.5" suspension lift and then pairing it with a 1.25" body lift. That setup won't break the bank and you'll be able to run 33s perfectly!

At that point, 5.13 gears will be the ideal gear choice for that tire / transmission combination

 

[Dave52]

For 33s you need a 4" lift. So the common way of going about this is doing a 2.5" suspension lift and then pairing it with a 1.25" body lift. That setup won't break the bank and you'll be able to run 33s perfectly!

At that point, 5.13 gears will be the ideal gear choice for that tire / transmission combination

Great info for a newb like me. Thanks a lot. What brand lift kit would you recommend?

 

[Chris]

Great info for a newb like me. Thanks a lot. What brand lift kit would you recommend?

I'd actually piece it together personally.

I'd use OME 2.5" springs with Rancho RS5000X shocks.

You'll have to decide if you want to go the cheap route and lower the transfer case, or do it the right way and get adjustable control arms, a SYE (read more about that here: What is a SYE/CV driveshaft and why do I want one?), and a CV driveshaft.

If you go for the latter, I suggest getting a Tom Wood CV driveshaft, Advanced Adapters SYE, and for control arms I personally like Savvy control arms, but the Core control arms are good if you're on a budget.

 

[Squatch]

What TJ? Sorry, I couldn't get past the Cobra (kit car, I assume) that's keeping your rig company!

Welcome to the group! So, you said you wanted a Dana 44 front axle, and keep the Dana 35 rear? That would be an odd combination. A stock Dana 30 front axle will handle all of what you want to do (where you're driving, I mean), and are far more plentiful, not to mention cheaper. A Dana 44 rear axle is always a plus, but even there, there are options.

 

[Alex01]

I wouldn't bother getting a 44 front axle. Find a dana 30 with 3.07 gearing cheap off craigslist and regear it and the 35 to 5.13.

 

[Dave52]

I'd actually piece it together personally.

I'd use OME 2.5" springs with Rancho RS5000X shocks.

You'll have to decide if you want to go the cheap route and lower the transfer case, or do it the right way and get adjustable control arms, a SYE (read more about that here: What is a SYE/CV driveshaft and why do I want one?), and a CV driveshaft.

If you go for the latter, I suggest getting a Tom Wood CV driveshaft, Advanced Adapters SYE, and for control arms I personally like Savvy control arms, but the Core control arms are good if you're on a budget.

I have a little cash to spend, so I would do it the proper way. Thanks again. Let me start looking at those components.

 

[Dave52]

What TJ? Sorry, I couldn't get past the Cobra (kit car, I assume) that's keeping your rig company!

Welcome to the group! So, you said you wanted a Dana 44 front axle, and keep the Dana 35 rear? That would be an odd combination. A stock Dana 30 front axle will handle all of what you want to do (where you're driving, I mean), and are far more plentiful, not to mention cheaper. A Dana 44 rear axle is always a plus, but even there, there are options.

Thanks. I saw that Cobra too. I'm just too fat for it I was thinking to have a nicer front axle, but I may get Dana 30 as you suggest and save some cash.

 

[Dave52]

I wouldn't bother getting a 44 front axle. Find a dana 30 with 3.07 gearing cheap off craigslist and regear it and the 35 to 5.13.

Thank you. I will look into it. I think there is 1500 dollars difference between Dana 30 and Dana 44.

 

[Squatch]

Thanks. I saw that Cobra too. I'm just too fat for it I was thinking to have a nicer front axle, but I may get Dana 30 as you suggest and save some cash.

Once you start really getting into reading all the info that's on this forum (and there's a world of knowledge on here!), I think you'll find that most folks who aren't running a Rubicon stick with the Dana 30 up front (Rubicons have factory front and rear Dana 44's). Lots of valid reasons given for that decision throughout a number of the threads.

 

[Dave52]

Once you start really getting into reading all the info that's on this forum (and there's a world of knowledge on here!), I think you'll find that most folks who aren't running a Rubicon stick with the Dana 30 up front (Rubicons have factory front and rear Dana 44's). Lots of valid reasons given for that decision throughout a number of the threads.

I have a lot of readings to do then

 

[Alex01]

Once you get a hold of it take lots of photos and share them on here. For 33's a 2.5 inch lift would be perfect. Many are able to run 2.5" lift and a MML without needing a sye or adjustable arms.

It clearly has a lift already so maybe you'll be able to salvage some of the parts or expand upon them. Hopefully you'll find out tons of money has been dumped into it.

 

[Dave52]

Once you get a hold of it take lots of photos and share them on here. For 33's a 2.5 inch lift would be perfect. Many are able to run 2.5" lift and a MML without needing a sye or adjustable arms.

It clearly has a lift already so maybe you'll be able to salvage some of the parts or expand upon them. Hopefully you'll find out tons of money has been dumped into it.

The problem with country that I will be shipping the Jeep is that they have 30 percent tariffs on all imported goods. So I'm trying to load up this Jeep with essential parts and ship it. That way it would be tariff free. It's crazy, I'm paying 52 percent tax to bring this vehicle in. Good thing I bought it for cheap. But say, used 10k TJ would be taxed 5200 dollars. Crazy.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

Just looking at this Jeep I see multiple things that could have happened, multiple things that may need taken care of and multiple paths to get it in acceptable condition which could also have multiple variables.

I think the whole reason for this thread adds even more potential variables, some of which I probably wouldn't recognize until they happen if I recognized them at all.

Don't take this wrong, I'm not saying anything is or will be bad (or good).

Hopefully everything goes the way Dave52 wants and likes and that he keeps us up to date with what ends up going on.

 

[Dave52]

Just looking at this Jeep I see multiple things that could have happened, multiple things that may need taken care of and multiple paths to get it in acceptable condition which could also have multiple variables.

I think the whole reason for this thread adds even more potential variables, some of which I probably wouldn't recognize until they happen if I recognized them at all.

Don't take this wrong, I'm not saying anything is or will be bad (or good).

Hopefully everything goes the way Dave52 wants and likes and that he keeps us up to date with what ends up going on.

I will post some pics/info, when I get access to it.

 

[Flivver250]

I suggest before you factor what you want to do and look at what you need to do just to have the vehicle road worthy. There will be plenty of areas where the must haves transect the wants. It has been my experience that Jeeps are good at playing "Hide and go seek" with new owners. If I had to do it all over, I'd be looking for a bone stock sled equipped the way I want, and I'd make only minor modifications. I do not do anything that requires radical mods. If you bring it overseas, stock parts are easy enough to find. Replacement parts for aftermarket devices can border on a cold day in hell. Shipping can be very challenging as well. Mopar stores abound in the middle east. Aftermarket here caters to the JK. Are you certain you can import a vehicle the age of your TJ to the country you are going to? Many have an age restriction unless it is a classic.

 

[Dave52]

I suggest before you factor what you want to do and look at what you need to do just to have the vehicle road worthy. There will be plenty of areas where the must haves transect the wants. It has been my experience that Jeeps are good at playing "Hide and go seek" with new owners. If I had to do it all over, I'd be looking for a bone stock sled equipped the way I want, and I'd make only minor modifications. I do not do anything that requires radical mods. If you bring it overseas, stock parts are easy enough to find. Replacement parts for aftermarket devices can border on a cold day in hell. Shipping can be very challenging as well. Mopar stores abound in the middle east. Aftermarket here caters to the JK. Are you certain you can import a vehicle the age of your TJ to the country you are going to? Many have an age restriction unless it is a classic.

Yes, I'm pretty sure. It's going to Armenia, just a 52 percent tax on the older vehicles. It's good to know that there is a big Jeep network in Middle East. I have some buddies in Dubai, who periodically send cars and parts to Armenia. i sure could use them if I need to.
Btw, We had a 2015 JK Unlimited with 3 lift and 35 tires. It was my wife's car and she did not do much besides riding in the city. At this time around, I want to have a functional Jeep for a mountainous country such as Armenia. Cold winters in high elevations, deep canyons and such. Similar to Colorado here.

 

[Dave52]

Ok. I was able to sneak in to that dealer auction in San Valley , CA and take a few more pics. I have to wait for a week for the car to be transported to another lot, but I wanted to see the extent of the damage.