2006 Jeep LJ build thread
- Thread starter Jeepersteve71
- Start date
I tell you man... I REALLY love that Jeepster. That thing looks so sweet, especially in red. What a classic!
OP
Lee, check out their other products too. They have them for all makes and models. Hood locks, spare tire locks, etc. Here is the one I am using.
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Towing/B...aspx?t_c=67&t_s=419&t_pt=5198&t_pn=SSC7018448
OP
Thank you sir! Still need to upgrade the front brakes to discs, maybe power steeering one day and potentially some gauges. But for now it's just nice to get out and enjoy it!
Can't blame you there. People probably see that thing driving around and don't even know what it is most of the time!
OP
Happened to us last weekend! Pulled up to the dealership to buy that back the blue flag receiver hitch. Two guys pulled up and said "that thing is awesome! What is it??" I laughed and said it's a Jeepster Commando. They said they had never seen one before. Clearly lol.
Some people know exactly what it is (or think they do) and then start telling us what we need to do with it lol. The best one was someone telling us we need to LS swap it. I said if you need an LS motor in this than you don't need this lol. Nothing against LS swaps but I won't be cutting the fenders, adding AC, or spending another 20k on it lol. We like it just the way it is. Just want to make it stop a little better and maybe add some other nice convenient and safer features down the line.
OP
So this isn't all TJ related... but my dad and I decided to take a 3 day weekend Trip to Sedona, AZ this weekend. We flew into Phoenix on Friday morning and drove straight to the Grand Canyon. I've been there once before but it's always cool to go back and check it out.
We then headed to Williams, AZ and checked out the town before we went to Sedona (Gotta get your Route 66 fix in). We had a 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara waiting for us when we got there. We decided that we were going to do some pipeline off-roading and really test the limits of it. I'll always be impressed with a vehicle (Not many out there that can) that you can put into 4low, hit the rocks, and drive 70 mph on your way back home with the cruise control on. We did some moderate off-roading this morning and after lunch drove to Jerome, AZ. It was incredible. We went to a place called gold king mine ghost town where this man owns an old ghost/mining town. He has collected a lot of rare/not seen often vehicles and other stuff such as motors, mine cars, chain saws, farm equipment, construction equipment, and etc. if you ever have the chance to go it was the best money spent. Only $5 a person to Rome as you please and check it out. Nothing is for sale and trust me there is a lot anyone would want to go home with. My jaw was dropped the entire time. The most impressive part is the lack of rust on all of these trucks. Looking out from the city it looked like looking at the Grand Canyon again. I truly cannot fathom waking up to this every single morning. Very cool.
One of the coolest parts of this trip has been seeing all the Jeep's around. All years, all models, and a lot are heavily modified for giving tourist tours of the back country in Sedona. Makes me want to modify mine just like some of these out here because I've seen what they can do lol. We took a pink jeep tour last time we were here. Barlow Jeep rentals has 2 inch lifted Rubicon's you can rent but you have to use your own insurance. We opted for the enterprise renal. Dad paid $43 for the enterprise insurance and they told us to bring it back when it was due and there would be no questions asked. Deal! I will say this JK is super smooth. I like the beefy steering wheel and it handled everything we threw at it. Remember it's bone stock with decent all weather tires. My favorite part has to be the headlights and fog lights. Man are these things sweet! Anysways enjoy the pics! I'll post some more tomorrow or Monday with a Sunday update. This is all from Friday and Saturday of this trip.
I'll get back to TJ/LJ stuff soon 
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We then headed to Williams, AZ and checked out the town before we went to Sedona (Gotta get your Route 66 fix in). We had a 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara waiting for us when we got there. We decided that we were going to do some pipeline off-roading and really test the limits of it. I'll always be impressed with a vehicle (Not many out there that can) that you can put into 4low, hit the rocks, and drive 70 mph on your way back home with the cruise control on. We did some moderate off-roading this morning and after lunch drove to Jerome, AZ. It was incredible. We went to a place called gold king mine ghost town where this man owns an old ghost/mining town. He has collected a lot of rare/not seen often vehicles and other stuff such as motors, mine cars, chain saws, farm equipment, construction equipment, and etc. if you ever have the chance to go it was the best money spent. Only $5 a person to Rome as you please and check it out. Nothing is for sale and trust me there is a lot anyone would want to go home with. My jaw was dropped the entire time. The most impressive part is the lack of rust on all of these trucks. Looking out from the city it looked like looking at the Grand Canyon again. I truly cannot fathom waking up to this every single morning. Very cool.
One of the coolest parts of this trip has been seeing all the Jeep's around. All years, all models, and a lot are heavily modified for giving tourist tours of the back country in Sedona. Makes me want to modify mine just like some of these out here because I've seen what they can do lol. We took a pink jeep tour last time we were here. Barlow Jeep rentals has 2 inch lifted Rubicon's you can rent but you have to use your own insurance. We opted for the enterprise renal. Dad paid $43 for the enterprise insurance and they told us to bring it back when it was due and there would be no questions asked. Deal! I will say this JK is super smooth. I like the beefy steering wheel and it handled everything we threw at it. Remember it's bone stock with decent all weather tires. My favorite part has to be the headlights and fog lights. Man are these things sweet! Anysways enjoy the pics! I'll post some more tomorrow or Monday with a Sunday update. This is all from Friday and Saturday of this trip.
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I hear you 100% on that. I used to have a '69 Camaro and people were ALWAYS telling me I needed to put an LS swap in it, leather racing seats, etc. I told them that if I wanted to do all that, I'd just sell it and buy a new Corvette. I want to keep it classic, because that's what it is, a classic car!
OP
Agreed! When the motor goes out I'll replace it. We originally were going to put a bigger lift and tires on it but to do so you have to cut the rear fenders. The rockers were gone but man those fenders were in great shape. The lip on the inner part is still there from the factory. No rust or anything. Would have been really hard to chop them up! Decided a small lift and 31's would be just fine for what we wanted to do with it. Glad we made that decision when we did!
So this isn't all TJ related... but my dad and I decided to take a 3 day weekend Trip to Sedona, AZ this weekend. We flew into Phoenix on Friday morning and drove straight to the Grand Canyon. I've been there once before but it's always cool to go back and check it out.
We then headed to Williams, AZ and checked out the town before we went to Sedona (Gotta get your Route 66 fix in). We had a 2017 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara waiting for us when we got there. We decided that we were going to do some pipeline off-roading and really test the limits of it. I'll always be impressed with a vehicle (Not many out there that can) that you can put into 4low, hit the rocks, and drive 70 mph on your way back home with the cruise control on. We did some moderate off-roading this morning and after lunch drove to Jerome, AZ. It was incredible. We went to a place called gold mine hill where this man owns an old ghost/mining town. He has collected a lot of rare/not seen often vehicles and other stuff such as motors, mine cars, chain saws, farm equipment, construction equipment, and etc. if you ever have the chance to go it was the best money spent. Only $5 a person to Rome as you please and check it out. Nothing is for sale and trust me there is a lot anyone would want to go home with. My jaw was dropped the entire time. The most impressive part is the lack of rust on all of these trucks. Looking out from the city it looked like looking at the Grand Canyon again. I truly cannot fathom waking up to this every single morning. Very cool.
One of the coolest parts of this trip has been seeing all the Jeep's around. All years, all models, and a lot are heavily modified for giving tourist tours of the back country in Sedona. Makes me want to modify mine just like some of these out here because I've seen what they can do lol. We took a pink jeep tour last time we were here. Barlow Jeep rentals has 2 inch lifted Rubicon's you can rent but you have to use your own insurance. We opted for the enterprise renal. Dad paid $43 for the enterprise insurance and they told us to bring it back when it was due and there would be no questions asked. Deal! I will say this JK is super smooth. I like the beefy steering wheel and it handled everything we threw at it. Remember it's bone stock with decent all weather tires. My favorite part has to be the headlights and fog lights. Man are these things sweet! Anysways enjoy the pics! I'll post some more tomorrow or Monday with a Sunday update. This is all from Friday and Saturday of this trip. View attachment 16822 View attachment 16823 View attachment 16824 View attachment 16825 View attachment 16826 View attachment 16827 View attachment 16828 View attachment 16829 View attachment 16830 View attachment 16831 View attachment 16832 View attachment 16833 View attachment 16834 View attachment 16835 View attachment 16836 View attachment 16837 View attachment 16838 View attachment 16839 I'll get back to TJ/LJ stuff soon
First off, very cool headlights on the JK, I wonder what kind they are? I haven't seen those ones yet.
Second of all, I like that pink LJ giving tours haha, looks like they've almost turned it into a safari vehicle.
That's some beautiful scenery there in Arizona. I used to live there, so I'm familiar with a lot of that. Definitely a fun place to visit, and very pretty too! I need to go back soon.
Next time I go back there, I'm definitely going to rent a Rubicon like that. That's really cool that they let you rent those!
OP
They are new for 2017. Only the Rubicon's, Sahara's, and special editions get them. It's a $500-$800 option through Mopar.
They had LJ's TJ's, YJ's, and JK's all modified for safari use. Looks like they had 4 inch + long arm lifts with OME nitro shocks, all had 31-33 inch Goodyear MTR's on AEV chrome rims (at least most of them did. With the jeep loaded down the springs set in a little bit and actually give it a smoother ride. It's incredible what those things can do. I'm sure the have a crazy amount of maintance on them too.
Ahhh, so they are the factory LED lights on the new JKs! I knew about them, I just hadn't seen them yet in person. They look very good! No wonder I was thinking they looked factory. I should get some of those for my TJ!
Wow, sounds like an awesome time. It had to be with all those Jeeps! Now I know where the family needs to go next!
OP
Ha, that's so friggin' cool, I love it!
That thing really is setup like a safari vehicle. I didn't know these guys existed until now (Pink Jeep Tours), but now that I know, I love them!
OP
I don't think it's possible to have a bad time here! I really want to bring my wife back sometime in the future. Thus far this bone stock Sahara has conquered everything. Have only hit the frame 2-3 times (all light and probably could have been avoided). We ran a pipeline road that was around 6+ miles and it had some narly parts to it. No lockers, just limited slip in the rear and we did not disconnect the front sway bar. I know some guys that wanted to buy them and add them on. I know you would have to get a harness adapter, an anti flicker, and then you should be good to go. I believe they are $800 on quadratech. I know one guy here in Dallas didn't like how "white/siler" they were and he traded his for some Blacked out JW Speaker ones. I'd say the guy who traded the JW's had the better end of the deal.
The cool part about them is that they have some halogen lights in them too so they can defeost in the winter. I know that's a big issue with some of these LED's these days. They don't get hot enough to defrost the ice. I know the truck lites are the only other option that has built in heaters for theirs.
Yep, those stock JKs are extremely capable, I'm very aware of that. I've driven one and was quite amazed.
As for the headlights, that's cool that they have halogen lights built in as well. I've never actually had an issue with my Truck Lites icing up though, even in the amazing cold winter weather I was in last year.
The anti-flicker harness isn't needed on the TJ either. That's only necessary on the JKs, and it's because they use the CANBUS style wiring system, which needs the anti-flicker harness for the headlights to work properly. Those things would plug right into a TJ, and they'd look damn good too.
It's just a matter of time before we start seeing them on TJs, I can guarantee that.
As for the headlights, that's cool that they have halogen lights built in as well. I've never actually had an issue with my Truck Lites icing up though, even in the amazing cold winter weather I was in last year.
The anti-flicker harness isn't needed on the TJ either. That's only necessary on the JKs, and it's because they use the CANBUS style wiring system, which needs the anti-flicker harness for the headlights to work properly. Those things would plug right into a TJ, and they'd look damn good too.
It's just a matter of time before we start seeing them on TJs, I can guarantee that.
OP
Intetesting! That's good to know. I'm torn between these and KC's newer ones they have out. They look super close to factory as well. The price is the hardest part for me though lol. But after seeing these in action with the LED fogs I don't think someone would even need external lighting if they have this set up. With our 10 inch light bar and HID's on the LJ I could have LED headlights. They wouldn't shoot as far as the HID's but they would still put out around the same brightness.
That's how it is with my Truck Lites. I was convinced I would need a light bar, but once I got my Truck Lites installed, those things are so damn bright on the high beams, that I can say for certain there's no way at all I'd ever need a light bar, honestly. I have to imagine these ones would be even brighter.
The price is a lot, but I think it's cool that they look like factory. I hadn't seen them up close until now, but now I'm checking my bank account thinking I might have to pull the trigger soon!
OP
Headed home today. Had a great time. I know going back to work tomorrow is going to suck! Here are the rest of the photos I was able to snag today. There is one of my dad and I. We took the same photo 5 years ago (old on top, new on bottom). Pretty cool. Also found another toy Jeepster to add to my collection. $3 score at an antique store!
cramil
TJ Enthusiast