LJ truck conversion suggestions?

[SubLime]

Did you have to deal with the cruise control module and the air box bracket like I did with the GenRight fenders? I'm not familiar with the TnT inners.

Not sure about the cruise but I already had a cold air intake. See picture below.

 

[SubLime]

TNT fenders from inside

 

[Sundowner]

Yeah, that's different from the GenRight method; pretty clean, though. What intake/filter are you using?

 

[SubLime]

Yeah, that's different from the GenRight method; pretty clean, though. What intake/filter are you using?

The intake was on their when I bought it. I replaced the filter with an AEM after the fenders were installed. I measured how much space was available and picked a filter off rage AEM web site. The prefilter cover gets replaced every other year.

 

[Sundowner]

I'm putting the stock box back in; we rigged up a cone filter and a scrap piece of garbage (read: K&N intake piping) to serve until I got around to working on the air box bracket, and I really hate it. Doesn't fit well, it's loud, and I'm sure it's not filtering a goddamned thing. I'm also chasing a vacuum leak, now, that's causing a high idle. At least, I think that's what causing it. Anyway, nice-looking rig.

 

[SubLime]

Thanks, it’s been a five year build so far. Most things are done but now I’m thinking about moving to headlocks and 37s in two more years.

 

[TJ Starting]

Headlocks, that sounds pretty aggressive. Good stuff though, your rig looks sweet! @SubLime

 

[JeepZilla380]

You know, if you didn't want to make it permanent, Mopar used to sell a half cab soft top with holes for the cage. Buddy of mine has one, gives you a truckified LJ without cutting up a nice LJ.

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

Just super hard to find one nowadays!

 

[Drizit]

Just super hard to find one nowadays!

Very true. I know where one is but he changed his mind about selling... Its also the only one I've ever seen.

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

 

[06TJ35's]

Been a while since posting - bought a house and been really busy with that. As such - I've been looking for a decent pickup truck now that I find myself needing to haul stuff that won't fit in the LJ with the hardtop on (like 2x4 and plywood and stuff).

I thought this can work for you it’s $1195 but cheaper than a truck? They sell a crewbed soft top for it too if you ever go camping and want to sleep in the jeep.

 

[Sundowner]

Departure angle: who needs it?

 

[Yendra Built]

Build that!!!!!!.........What the Gladiator should have looked like, Kaiser M715. Actually get a small trailer, extending the frame and going through all that is a monster project. I have a Fab shop and wouldn't think it a worthy project. It would look cool like the Gladiator but not worth the effort.

 

[Jaime313]

I loves me TJ, but I'm really happy that I decided to snap up an F-150.

It involved an assload of research. Each year has several types of components and features, and each year is almost completely different. Every time I found one in my price range, it felt like I was starting from scratch whenever I researched to make certain it's what I needed.

The main reason I snapped it up was to make the TJ a trailer princess. However, I use it to haul a lot of stuff: yard stuff, garage stuff, and toddler stuff. I'm six-and-a-half feet tall, and I fit comfortably in it. I do a lot more with it than I originally thought I would.

Old thread but I’m curious what year and model Ford F-150 did you go with? I’m in the market for a truck and looked at this possible truck conversion when I read you did some research. I’m between an F150 and dodge Ecodiesel 6 cylinder. Thanks

 

[LONGJP2]

Old thread, but I've considered getting a Brute. However, I think the TJ conversion looks way better than the LJ conversion. So I would have to give up my LJ and start over. I actually emailed Rubitrux about trading it in on what I want.
I like having something more rare.

 

[Jaime313]

Old thread, but I've considered getting a Brute. However, I think the TJ conversion looks way better than the LJ conversion. So I would have to give up my LJ and start over. I actually emailed Rubitrux about trading it in on what I want.
I like having something more rare.

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That does look really good. Which year and model Ford truck did you go with?

 

[Jeffreybomb]

Old thread but I’m curious what year and model Ford F-150 did you go with? I’m in the market for a truck and looked at this possible truck conversion when I read you did some research. I’m between an F150 and dodge Ecodiesel 6 cylinder. Thanks

I found a 2011 F-150 EcoBoost 3.5L V6 Turbo with a tow package. It can pull 11,200 pounds.

It's crazy how much variance there is between models and engines, even within the same year. A 5.0L V8 without the turbo and tow package from the same year, for instance, can only tow 7,500 pounds.

 

[billiebob]

Old thread, but I've considered getting a Brute. However, I think the TJ conversion looks way better than the LJ conversion. So I would have to give up my LJ and start over. I actually emailed Rubitrux about trading it in on what I want.
I like having something more rare.

View attachment 164653

A converted LJ gets the 3500# trailer rating.

But the best buy is an open trailer, mine is 5x10, way more capable than any pickup and it cost $1100 new.

 

[Jaime313]

I found a 2011 F-150 EcoBoost 3.5L V6 Turbo with a tow package. It can pull 11,200 pounds.

It's crazy how much variance there is between models and engines, even within the same year. A 5.0L V8 without the turbo and tow package from the same year, for instance, can only tow 7,500 pounds.

Thank you, I wanted Ford but I sold a TJ soft and a guy showed up with a 2018 Dodge Ram Ecoboost and I've been thinking about it for the past 3 months. I'll look into the Ford in my area. Thanks again

 

[TNJed]

Been a while since posting - bought a house and been really busy with that. As such - I've been looking for a decent pickup truck now that I find myself needing to haul stuff that won't fit in the LJ with the hardtop on (like 2x4 and plywood and stuff).

This past weekend, I was at a local Jeep dealer looking at the Gladiator (had to see one in person) - and I started talking to the sales guy about an LJ they had there and how I had one but was looking for a truck. The sales guy (old timer who had been there forever) proceeds to tells me they have a couple of half cab truck conversions for the LJ - (really just the shortened hardtop and bulkhead to fit it up - i think they are from GR8Tops) - and told me I should call and talk to the parts department. While I've yet to call them about the kit - he did mention they had been there for several years and are likely wanting to get rid of them.

Before I give them a call I thought I'd try to get some feedback here.

I understand I have to modify the roll hoop to remove the rear half, and I will loose my rear speaker pods as well as stock dome lights - not too worried about this and already thinking about ways around it. The problem is that I'm a big guy (6'4, 265lb) and am afraid of the reduction in space. I usually set with the seat all the way back and leaned back a bit to keep my head from hitting the roll bar. Also, no one ever sits in my rear seat so loosing that is not a big deal.

So - questions to anyone who has done this or seen one - would you do it again? I'm liking the idea of a truck bed big enough to actually haul stuff. How big does the bed end up being? I'm guessing it'll be about 45" from the bulkhead to the tailgate - curious if anyone knows for sure?

Also - it's my understanding that even with this - you can still remove the half hardtop if you like and reinstall the hardtop if you wanted (for like camping or whatever) It's doubtful I would do this and instead would likely just sell my current hardtop.

Furthering this a little further - I'm thinking if I do this, I'd like to also switch to a flip down tailgate conversion. I'd have to get a new rear bumper with a tire carrier (or maybe a ORFAB rear carrier?) but then I could actually fit long stuff in there with the gate down - would basically turn it into a 6' bed truck. I know there's some disadvantages to the fold down, but I feel with a truck conversion it only makes sense.

So followup question - anyone done a flip-down tailgate conversion and what one did you pick and what are your thoughts? I'm liking the SWAG jeep kit that converts your stock tailgate to fold-down - but open to other options.

Thanks everyone for your help. And here's a pic of the LJ in question, just because.

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