TJ Build Shopping List

[mrfourpointo]

I'm finally getting around to building my 2004 TJ. It's a 6 cylinder automatic (42RLE) with 90kish on the clock. I mostly drive the Jeep on nice days and around the neighborhood (city). I'll probably go off-road once or twice a year and it will be mostly easy terrain (a friend owns a ranch 2 hours away). Although, having the Jeep trail-capable will probably lead me to do some more aggressive trips, possibly with my local club. I want to be able to drive comfortably down the highway at 80mph and maintain a largely stock appearance and easy ride.

I know I'm overbuilding for my purposes, but I've learned the lesson of doing things right the first time. I could use everyone's help with my shopping list. I want to try and do everything in one go, to the extent possible. Also, when I do go off-road, I want a fully capable setup that doesn't leave me holding everyone back.

Most, it not all, of the work will be done by a reputable Jeep builder that I found through my local Jeep club. In addition to the below, I have a stock non-rubicon Dana 44 for the rear that was taken from a same-year TJ. I'll be staying with 33s.

(I have this posted on another forum that I used to frequent, but it seems that all of the TJ gurus have migrated here...)

Suspension Lift (Maybe price-match through 4wheelparts or quadratec. Maybe get a package deal through Savvy with the armor, etc.)
https://skinny-pedal-racing.myshopi...KerW9c44aZbXgUymL4Pg9MibuQUCPVwQaAhRhEALw_wcB


Shocks
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JBLRGH8/?tag=wranglerorg-20


SYE
https://www.advanceadapters.com/pro...process-231j-fixed-yoke-kit-50-7906--50-7907/


Rear Driveshaft
https://www.adamsdriveshaftoffroad....bicon-1310-cv-driveshaft-extreme-duty-series/


Body Lift
https://savvyoffroad.com/product/sav-bltj/


MML
https://savvyoffroad.com/product/sav-mmltj/


Transfer Case Shifter
https://savvyoffroad.com/product/sav-231s/


Under Armor
https://savvyoffroad.com/product/uam-late/


Engine Skid
https://savvyoffroad.com/product/sav-uaeng/


Sliders
https://savvyoffroad.com/product/rkr-kit/


Rear Locker
https://www.quadratec.com/p/arb/air...f-cover-30-spline-dana-44-392-and-numerically


Front Locker
https://www.quadratec.com/p/arb/air...r-71-16-jeep-vehicles-27-spline-front-dana-30


Regear to 5.13 (currently 3.73)
https://www.revolutiongear.com/prod...373_513_ratio_frontrear_wmaster_overhaul_kits


What am I missing?
Shock relocation?

Possible other upgrades:
New rear bumper
New winch

 

[Chris]

First off, welcome to the forum! You're right, most of the TJ folks have migrated here.

This all sounds quite excessive for "easy terrain". Not that you shouldn't do it. I myself like to overbuild if only because I can (we're men, we do that, right?).

You could do "easy terrain" in a bone stock TJ Rubicon without issue though to be honest.

Everything looks good to me though if you're going for a more extreme build with some rock crawling in mind.

I would of course suggest a winch, and if you're already getting everything from Savvy, get their bumpers as well since they are worth every penny.

 

[mrfourpointo]

I currently have a Mile Marker that was on the Jeep when I bought it. It functions, but is tired and could probably use replacing. I like my front bumper, but the rear powder is flaking and fading, so I may swap it out for the Savvy. I also already have new wheels and tires on order. Switching to 10.5s though for streetability.

Also, I forgot the obligatory jeep pic.

 

[06lj]

You won't need 4 + 1.25 inches of lift for 33's. Maybe consider the Savvy 3 inch springs instead.

 

[mrfourpointo]

I'm rather indifferent between the the 3" and 4" springs. Only reason I speced the 4" was if I wanted to run 35s in the future. I am slightly worried about the 33s looking too small with the 4" springs.

 

[Westtown Willy]

I am slightly worried about the 33s looking too small with the 4" springs.

I'd be more than slightly worried about that, this is 33s with essentially a two inch spring lift only which violates all the rules yet somehow serves my purposes, one of which is to not look like what you're worried about.

Jack this thing up 2 more inches & it looks like shit, to me, others like it & that's A-ok too

 

[Bdaust]

What about steering? Everybody recommended this on from rockjock. I had it for over 12 years and no trouble. https://www.rockjock4x4.com/CE-9701

 

[mrfourpointo]

Will look into the steering. Thanks for the suggestion.

I'm cool with the look of 33s on the lift. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-4-suspension-lift-look-silly-with-33s.26202/

 

[PisgahLJ]

The shocks you have specd are for 0-1" lift. Might want to reconsider if going with 4" suspension.

 

[mrfourpointo]

Yes, thank you. I'll edit the original post.

Questions about the Antirock:

1. How bad is the body roll and when will I notice it the most? At what point is this a safety issue?

2. Aluminum vs steel arms?

 

[PisgahLJ]

Yes, thank you. I'll edit the original post.

Questions about the Antirock:

1. How bad is the body roll and when will I notice it the most? At what point is this a safety issue?

2. Aluminum vs steel arms?

I just installed an Antirock: There is a definite increase in initial body roll. After a week of driving it I don't notice it any more. So It will roll a more than normal at first but then will slow down and be stable. Shouldn't be a safety issue with a Jeep if you drive it like a Jeep.

I went Steel Double adjustable on lowers and rear uppers, because I got a good deal on them, no other reason. Have Aluminum front Uppers on the way. Rokmen didn't make a Double Adjustable Front upper so I went with the Savvy arms. Material doesn't matter if built correctly with good joints.

 

[joe98tj]

Instead of a motor mount lift, a good buy is the brown dog motor mounts with a 1" lift

https://browndogindustries.com/browndogindustries.com/Wrangler-TJ-40L-3.aspx

 

[Nick21]

If your going to do a tummy tuck, your going to definitely want a SSSYE rather than a SYE. I recommend the JB conversions with speedo healer

 

[AndyG]

Right out the gate if I'm wrong I'm going to say Chris feel free to delete this:

I can't tell if he's building for certain capability or a certain look...what he's using it for doesn't match what he's building it for....

His scenario sounds like he can spend less money with a good quality 2-in lift and put some money into some other accessories to make the TJ more enjoyable

I've got a TJ that's lifted about 2 in or so and another one that's lifted around 3 and 1/2 to 4 inches.... If he does what he says he's going to do by the time he sorts out everything that the changes bring about... He may wish he had never started.

Again I generally have good intentions and if I'm in the wrong... Forgive me and assume that I'm not reading into the situation correctly.

 

[Lou]

For once i agree with AndyG. Sounds like a big waste of money for what hes going to use it for.

 

[AndyG]

For once i agree with AndyG. Sounds like a big waste of money for what hes going to use it for.

This sort of makes me think about Warren Buffett at a dinner one time... The waitress offered him some wine that was somewhere around a few hundred bucks a bottle or something.... He said " I'll take the cash"

I hope nobody takes much of my junk to heart...I'm just a guy with a Jeep hobby, trying to learn more.

 

[mrfourpointo]

My Jeep is a toy. I have a convertible for nice days, motorcycles for thrills, and now I want a little more out of the Jeep. I understand that it's a decent amount of money to spend, but you can't take it with you. Other than cost, what's the argument against? I'll have a well-built Jeep that should handle almost anything I plan on throwing at it. What I don't want is a half-step build where I end up breaking things and have to spend the money again to fix, or upgrade to what I should have done in the first place. Broken on the trail or turning a fun weekend into a disappointing project is not on the top of my list of things to do at this age.

I've watched myself and my friends build a car/truck/motorcycle only to rebuild 1-5 years later because we went mild the first time. I want a bad-ass Jeep, within reason.

 

[mrfourpointo]

***deleted - I somehow posted the same reply twice***

 

[Goatman]

I'm gonna have to side with AndyG here. A simple 2" spring lift, better gears and toss in lockers f&r on 32's and you can go anywhere short of extreme. Driving through some pastures is plenty easy for just a stock Jeep. I've done it for years pulling hay wagons.
What is needed is driver skills. No insult intended. But you can throw tons of cash at a Jeep and still get stuck in a ditch. Or you can learn, really learn, how to work the machine offroad and go through most anything in a nearly stock Jeep.
It sounds like you already have plenty of options for outdoor fun, so trust me when I say it is more fun to get places using skill than to just push a few switches and be set. Its sorta like the difference between playing a video game the way its intended versus just entering a few 'cheat codes' and (BOOM) you are Superman.
Just my opinion.

 

[mrfourpointo]

Sooo....after a ton of reading, I'm now tempted to do the mid-arm and also outboard the shocks.