2004-2006 LJ vs LJ Rubicon

[Lilnuts]

I installed a helwig HD anti sway bar and stiffer rear springs the RTT rides pretty good.

 

[astjp2]

Well I have seen half ton trucks with side by sides on top of their beds and they are running 35” tires. Talk about leaning when doing a turn, your 200# body wouldn’t be an issue if your not going down the road and you need to roll over.

I am always worried about rolling off the top myself!

 

[LieutenantJohnson]

if you plan on going bigger than 35s, then go with a stock LJ as you are going to upgrade the axles/lockers anyways.

You can get a stock LJ for much less than a Rubicon LJ, and all that extra you saved can by a 4:1 Tcase and the axles you prefer to run for bigger tires.

 

[billiebob]

Also, for your baby trailer idea (an end goal I also share), I believe the LJ's are rated to tow more due to the longer wheelbase.

Yes, TJs are rated for 2000#, LJs are rated for 3500#.

 

[billiebob]

For 1/3 the cost of an RTT plus an EXPO trailer you can get a full brand new on tent trailer...
and do an axle flip.

 

[Irun]

Others may disagree, but if you're going to keep it mostly stock, have a reason for the lockers and 4:1 transfer case, or plan to sell it quickly, get a LJR. If you're going to heavily modify it and keep it, get an LJ. I see LJs routinely in the 10-11K range. LJRs are typically 15K plus. For the difference you can do a bunch of nice mods to make it a very capable rig.

 

[Camdenst]

If you're planning on 33s or 35s.... LJR all day

 

[Jeepers-n-Creepers]

One thing I did something similar in my LJ, I didn't stack cushions though. Slide and tilted the passengers seat forward, filled in the void in the rear footwell with some blankets I had, sat on the floor and leaned back into it. It was kind of like sitting in a recliner except sitting flat. It worked well enough that I took a couple hour nap parked on the beach with the rear gate and window open/off while my wife walked around looking for shells and sharks teeth. The breeze coming off the ocean was nice.

And so it appears it's doable.

I guess the primary consideration would be how to shift cargo, to clear enough room to nominally stretch out for sleep. I tend to overly pack when it comes to traveling and camping. I suppose there's always the cargo rack option, which I'm planning to do on the next Jeep. I could therefore shift everything overhead when needed.

 

[Jeepers-n-Creepers]

You are in the same camp I am in. I currently have a RTT, but probably won't be throwing it up top. With a 3.5" lift and 33s already, I imagine that extra 180lbs might make it a little too top heavy.

I have been eyeing the small teardrop offroad style trailers and I have to say I am very impressed with what they have done with them (nuCamp especially). Granted they do like them a lot ($$$) compared to a traditional RV. But for me, I like the idea of being able to drop the trailer and head out for an adventure. As I get older I also like the idea of having a nice interior space to get out of the elements. Not to mention being able to lock extra stuff up in the trailer.

I am 6'0" and I don't know if I would fit comfortably in the back of my LJ, but I also haven't tried it yet.

Ya, the nuCamp line-up is not cheap. Although, I eyeballed a used TAB-line teardrop not long ago. It had been upfitted with a nice solar panel kit, high-end sound system, TV screen, etc. (not thinking I'd be watching much TV or DVD when camping though).

Their web page shows one attached to a Jeep. Cool .

 

[Jeepers-n-Creepers]

Can vouch for the RTT and a LJR

View attachment 128344

Very nice set-up, there.

 

[Jeepers-n-Creepers]

Others may disagree, but if you're going to keep it mostly stock, have a reason for the lockers and 4:1 transfer case, or plan to sell it quickly, get a LJR. If you're going to heavily modify it and keep it, get an LJ. I see LJs routinely in the 10-11K range. LJRs are typically 15K plus. For the difference you can do a bunch of nice mods to make it a very capable rig.

I've been mulling over the extent to which I would mod. Was thinking initially that the LJR represents pretty much the bulk of what I would want to take an LJ to, with respect to Axles and Lockers, primarily. My end-goal would be a 5" lift, 35's, and maybe 4:88 gearing (I had 4:56 in the previous TJ 5-SPD). Previous TJ also had Detroit TruTrac LSD's front and rear, which worked surprisingly well in some very rough terrain. I'm thinking I'd yet like to give some full-on lockers a try next time around (I'm told the difference is night-and-day).

 

[Jeepers-n-Creepers]

If you're planning on 33s or 35s.... LJR all day

35s were my comfort-zone on the previous TJ. My KM2's were perfect, in every regard. With the solid 5" lift, the combination couldn't have been better for the wheeling I was doing.

 

[Jeepers-n-Creepers]

Well I have seen half ton trucks with side by sides on top of their beds and they are running 35” tires. Talk about leaning when doing a turn, your 200# body wouldn’t be an issue if your not going down the road and you need to roll over.

I am always worried about rolling off the top myself!

I see folks pushing the limit on 1/2-tons quite a bit. Then again, you can beef up the rear springs pretty easily, and get some 3/4-ton handling characteristics, I suppose.

 

[Jeepers-n-Creepers]

Also, for your baby trailer idea (an end goal I also share), I believe the LJ's are rated to tow more due to the longer wheelbase.

True. I believe the towing capacity on the TJ is 2000lbs, whereas the LJ/LJR's are at 3500lbs (something along those lines)

 

[Jeepers-n-Creepers]

For 1/3 the cost of an RTT plus an EXPO trailer you can get a full brand new on tent trailer...
and do an axle flip.

The "on tent trailer"; is that a pop-up style?

 

[Irun]

I've been mulling over the extent to which I would mod. Was thinking initially that the LJR represents pretty much the bulk of what I would want to take an LJ to, with respect to Axles and Lockers, primarily. My end-goal would be a 5" lift, 35's, and maybe 4:88 gearing (I had 4:56 in the previous TJ 5-SPD). Previous TJ also had Detroit TruTrac LSD's front and rear, which worked surprisingly well in some very rough terrain. I'm thinking I'd yet like to give some full-on lockers a try next time around (I'm told the difference is night-and-day).

If you're going with an automatic your gearing will need to be more than 4.88. This is another area where getting a Rubicon gives you a slight edge. The recommended gearing for a 42RLE automatic and 35" tires is 5.38. With a front Dana 44 that ratio is available. If you stick with a 30/44 combo the closest you can come to that is 5.13. If you do the math there's a 116 RPM difference between the two at 70MPH, based on a 42RLE and NP231 combination.

That said, you can get a non-Rubicon LJ, do axles, gears, SYE, lift and transmission cooler/gauge for about what you'd pay for a LJR. The 30/44 combo will hold up fine to 35s. Of course then you have steering and brakes to address, but this would need to be done with either a LJR or not.

FWIW, I went down this path myself and ended up getting a 2004 LJ, then built it up from there. Full disclosure, my rig ended up with Rubicon axles and transfer case under it. This was largely due to getting into more more rock crawling and a killer deal I got on the Rubi drive-train. If I had to do it all over again I would have kept the LJ 44 rear, added a HP dana 30 up front, then added a 241 case mated to a Rubicrawler. I could have saved weight, money and moved the front pinion up slightly. Here's how mine ultimately ended up.

 

[Jeepers-n-Creepers]

If you're going with an automatic your gearing will need to be more than 4.88. This is another area where getting a Rubicon gives you a slight edge. The recommended gearing for a 42RLE automatic and 35" tires is 5.38. With a front Dana 44 that ratio is available. If you stick with a 30/44 combo the closest you can come to that is 5.13. If you do the math there's a 116 RPM difference between the two at 70MPH, based on a 42RLE and NP231 combination.

That said, you can get a non-Rubicon LJ, do axles, gears, SYE, lift and transmission cooler/gauge for about what you'd pay for a LJR. The 30/44 combo will hold up fine to 35s. Of course then you have steering and brakes to address, but this would need to be done with either a LJR or not.

FWIW, I went down this path myself and ended up getting a 2004 LJ, then built it up from there. Full disclosure, my rig ended up with Rubicon axles and transfer case under it. This was largely due to getting into more more rock crawling and a killer deal I got on the Rubi drive-train. If I had to do it all over again I would have kept the LJ 44 rear, added a HP dana 30 up front, then added a 241 case mated to a Rubicrawler. I could have saved weight, money and moved the front pinion up slightly. Here's how mine ultimately ended up.

Thanks for all of the valuable input.

That's one fine machine

 

[FamilyFunWagon]

If you haven’t had lockers , you are in for a treat. . A Rubicon will a eat a regular TJ/LJ alive off road .

if it’s not abused and decent miles you can’t go wrong .

What if the LJ has ARB lockers front and rear and 4.88 gears, Currie lift, rear outboard, savvy sliders and underbelly, etc. Built by Quinn at AllJProducts.

Just curious. I also found a LJR with about the same mileage, but has the cheap RC 3" lift. I am torn between the two. About the same price.

 

[Apparition]

What if the LJ has ARB lockers front and rear and 4.88 gears, Currie lift, rear outboard, savvy sliders and underbelly, etc. Built by Quinn at AllJProducts.

Just curious. I also found a LJR with about the same mileage, but has the cheap RC 3" lift. I am torn between the two. About the same price.

Necro'd an old thread but without pictures and more details the 1st one sounds like the better deal to me.

 

[Duck Doctor]

What if the LJ has ARB lockers front and rear and 4.88 gears, Currie lift, rear outboard, savvy sliders and underbelly, etc. Built by Quinn at AllJProducts.

Just curious. I also found a LJR with about the same mileage, but has the cheap RC 3" lift. I am torn between the two. About the same price.

LJR has the better transfer case. Definitely need more details on each rig to properly compare/contrast.