New member with some basic questions

[Tock13]

Hello,
I recently sold a vehicle threw the $$ into a savings account and have been on the hunt for a TJ. I have been lurking here and everywhere reading up on info and I have a couple questions that I haven't found exact answers to...or I am missing them! I live in an area where these things go for a premium and if you snooze you lose so its a 24/7 search it seems like. I look forward to the comfortable ride and endless opportunities at aftermarket parts to customize to ones hearts content that wasnt exactly the case for my last rig. Yes I am the typical noob that reads the nightmares of the bad heads or OPDA issues and weighed my luck to the odds of it actually happening and have settled on either a 2003 or 2004 with a manual transmission. I would love a rubicon but will take any low milage rig if its in good condition. I have a good chunk of change to drop it its right. I am looking for under 80k on the odometer.

I have a billion questions but here are the few that I think will help greatly in my decisions. I should note that my last rig was one of the most capable 4x4s ever to come out of a factory but the most hard core I ever got was heading to the mountains to go fishing on logging roads. never wheeled it and replacing anything on it meant machining skills or big bank accounts, I let it go to the person I bought it from so all is well. The plans for the TJ will be the, top n doors off back roads fun but no hard core wheeling with highway\city driving just as much of the time. Semi-garage queen?

1-Does the rear axel dana 35 vs 44 make a huge difference if serious rock crawling is not in the future, probably never go above 32" tires either. I will most likely be keeping to a max 2.5" lift and the tires sticking out as little as I can, so tall and skinny sort of.

2-Soft top vs hard top. I live in the soggy and cold part of the U.S. but have wonderful summers...sometimes so want both tops. What is the cost\hassle difference between buying the one the rig doesnt have. So if I buy a rig with a soft top and buy a hard top later , is that the better way to go or is getting a tJ with a hard top and aftermarket soft top/hardware the cheaper way to go? I am looking for full doors either way.

3-Is a rubicon just the best base to go if one can afford it? I want something capable...just in case I need it but actual wheeling is not something I would ever really do. Rubicons are high priced, and for some reason mostly automatic in the ones for sale around here but if they are really that good of a start at building a capable reliable rig then thats the ticket and I will go that route.

Thanks for any advice I appreciate you taking the time to even read the rambling. There is a serious amount of talented folks here so looking forward to hearing and advice I can get.

thanks again!!

 

[Fouledplugs]

1- No.


2- Hardtop then go soft top IMO. Unless you don't have a problem buying someone's used top that is prob trashed and been sitting in their yard for a couple years. Adding a hardtop on a soft top factory TJ would require the wiring and buttons from a TJ with a hardtop from the factory in order to run the rear wiper, squiter, and rear defroster. Aftermarket soft top and hardware should IMO be cheaper. The hardtop TJ's will come with a full doors you are wanting anyways.


3- YES! The TJ Rubicon comes with lockers front and rear, Dana 44's front and rear, and 4:1 transfer case. Yes I understand you wont be doing any crazy rock crawling. But at the end of the day your 4WD Jeep TJ is really a 2 wheel drive even when in 4wd without the lockers or limited slip. PLUS, the Rubicon will maintain a much higher resell value.The Rubicon will handle anything the TJ sport on 32's with ease and more, if you are going to put money in a TJ to take it off-road why not just put that money into a Rubicon? Save yourself the headache of having to "build" a non Rubicon up and just save the time, labor, and money and buy a Rubicon to begin with.


I only have one regret in my TJ purchase and that is not buying a Rubicon.

 

[Germanshepherd]

Welcome. I'll defer this the experts but welcome aboard and only advice I have is watch out for rust on frame. I have a soft top and not once wished I had a hard top. Takes 10 min to put up or down and held up to 20 inches of snow a and frigid temps and toasty warm inside jeep.

 

[mtngoattj]

1 of you can buy a rubicon at the end of the day it is the best way to go. I have a 04 sport 4.0 5 speed super 35 and super 30 with arb front and rear i have mpre money and time in the axels the most people have in there cars lol. 32s on a rubicon is very capable wheeler dana 44s front anx rear with factory lockers is a win all day in my book. Of i could do it over it would be a rubicon no question about it

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[CodaMan]

My last Jeep was a hardtop 5 speed Sahara with a Dana 35. I had 32" tires and never had a problem. Yes the Dana 35 is a weak spot, but capable if you understand that.

I do wish I had a soft top sometimes just for the quickness of opening it up. The hard top is more of a pain to go topless.

The Rubicon is the top option package and will hold it's value better, but if you're not reselling, who cares. The lockers are nice, but ask non-rock crawling members how many times they've used them and you will find the answer to be — hardly ever.

Sport and Sahara models are VERY capable Jeeps and can go just about everywhere a Rubicon can with a few basic upgrades and a skilled driver.

My best advice is to buy for what you want to use it for, just make sure it's a 4.0L

 

[Fouledplugs]

My last Jeep was a hardtop 5 speed Sahara with a Dana 35. I had 32" tires and never had a problem. Yes the Dana 35 is a weak spot, but capable if you understand that.

I do wish I had a soft top sometimes just for the quickness of opening it up. The hard top is more of a pain to go topless.

The Rubicon is the top option package and will hold it's value better, but if you're not reselling, who cares. The lockers are nice, but ask non-rock crawling members how many times they've used them and you will find the answer to be — hardly ever.

Sport and Sahara models are VERY capable Jeeps and can go just about everywhere a Rubicon can with a few basic upgrades and a skilled driver.

My best advice is to buy for what you want to use it for, just make sure it's a 4.0L

Agree with the 4.0

 

[Tock13]

Thanks for all the great advice! I was on the fence about the 4cyl vs 6cyl so I am glad to see all the votes for the 6, that is what I was thinking was the good choice.

here is one I was thinking about. I wanted white, you would think that would be common but nope. I am going to look Friday, seem like an okay deal? I will try to dicker of course.

https://bellingham.craigslist.org/ctd/6203445632.html

 

[Shane Mckinley]

Agreed. I have an 05 sport with HD Dana 44 rear. It all depends on what your doing


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[CodaMan]

Thanks for all the great advice! I was on the fence about the 4cyl vs 6cyl so I am glad to see all the votes for the 6, that is what I was thinking was the good choice.

here is one I was thinking about. I wanted white, you would think that would be common but nope. I am going to look Friday, seem like an okay deal? I will try to dicker of course.

https://bellingham.craigslist.org/ctd/6203445632.html

One other important thing to look for ... Make sure it has at least 3.73 gears (which are very common) or you will be really unhappy.

The one in your link is only 3.07 and you will hate it with any tires taller than 29"

 

[CodaMan]

Plus that price seems really high even for the PNW.

I just bought a 2004 Rubicon with 100K miles in California for less.

 

[Shane Mckinley]

I won't go over a 31x10.5 MAYBE a little wider with my 3.73

I've got a 42RLE though. That makes a difference too


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[JMT]

1- No.


2- Hardtop then go soft top IMO. Unless you don't have a problem buying someone's used top that is prob trashed and been sitting in their yard for a couple years. Adding a hardtop on a soft top factory TJ would require the wiring and buttons from a TJ with a hardtop from the factory in order to run the rear wiper, squiter, and rear defroster. Aftermarket soft top and hardware should IMO be cheaper. The hardtop TJ's will come with a full doors you are wanting anyways.


3- YES! The TJ Rubicon comes with lockers front and rear, Dana 44's front and rear, and 4:1 transfer case. Yes I understand you wont be doing any crazy rock crawling. But at the end of the day your 4WD Jeep TJ is really a 2 wheel drive even when in 4wd without the lockers or limited slip. PLUS, the Rubicon will maintain a much higher resell value.The Rubicon will handle anything the TJ sport on 32's with ease and more, if you are going to put money in a TJ to take it off-road why not just put that money into a Rubicon? Save yourself the headache of having to "build" a non Rubicon up and just save the time, labor, and money and buy a Rubicon to begin with.


I only have one regret in my TJ purchase and that is not buying a Rubicon.

X2

 

[Kyle_W]

Hello,
I recently sold a vehicle threw the $$ into a savings account and have been on the hunt for a TJ. I have been lurking here and everywhere reading up on info and I have a couple questions that I haven't found exact answers to...or I am missing them! I live in an area where these things go for a premium and if you snooze you lose so its a 24/7 search it seems like. I look forward to the comfortable ride and endless opportunities at aftermarket parts to customize to ones hearts content that wasnt exactly the case for my last rig. Yes I am the typical noob that reads the nightmares of the bad heads or OPDA issues and weighed my luck to the odds of it actually happening and have settled on either a 2003 or 2004 with a manual transmission. I would love a rubicon but will take any low milage rig if its in good condition. I have a good chunk of change to drop it its right. I am looking for under 80k on the odometer.

I have a billion questions but here are the few that I think will help greatly in my decisions. I should note that my last rig was one of the most capable 4x4s ever to come out of a factory but the most hard core I ever got was heading to the mountains to go fishing on logging roads. never wheeled it and replacing anything on it meant machining skills or big bank accounts, I let it go to the person I bought it from so all is well. The plans for the TJ will be the, top n doors off back roads fun but no hard core wheeling with highway\city driving just as much of the time. Semi-garage queen?

1-Does the rear axel dana 35 vs 44 make a huge difference if serious rock crawling is not in the future, probably never go above 32" tires either. I will most likely be keeping to a max 2.5" lift and the tires sticking out as little as I can, so tall and skinny sort of.

2-Soft top vs hard top. I live in the soggy and cold part of the U.S. but have wonderful summers...sometimes so want both tops. What is the cost\hassle difference between buying the one the rig doesnt have. So if I buy a rig with a soft top and buy a hard top later , is that the better way to go or is getting a tJ with a hard top and aftermarket soft top/hardware the cheaper way to go? I am looking for full doors either way.

3-Is a rubicon just the best base to go if one can afford it? I want something capable...just in case I need it but actual wheeling is not something I would ever really do. Rubicons are high priced, and for some reason mostly automatic in the ones for sale around here but if they are really that good of a start at building a capable reliable rig then thats the ticket and I will go that route.

Thanks for any advice I appreciate you taking the time to even read the rambling. There is a serious amount of talented folks here so looking forward to hearing and advice I can get.

thanks again!!

1) It is my understanding that a Dana 35 is a pretty stout axle by itself. It's just, on all the other Jeep forums, the Dana 35 is trash talked because it seems that people throw on 33" and 35" tires and then expect to have absolutely no problem when they assault a large obstacle on the trail and mash the skinny pedal.

That being said though, if you want to get the "most Jeep that you possibly can get", and don't want to possibly regret "settling", then get a Rubicon, also because it comes with 4.11 gears in the axles, and bragging rights.

2) I wish I had a soft top, because it's pretty damn hot here in Texas and I wish I could take the top off before / after work. BUT, if I had to choose one top and stick with it, it'd be the hard top. As quiet, as dry, and as comfortable as a TJ can get.

Also, it's the EXACT same argument when it comes to half doors / full doors. Depends on if you want more comfort, or ease of receiving the open air feeling.

Also x2, no matter how much I have tried, it's just too risky to try and take the hard top off by yourself. No way i'm gonna risk dropping and breaking my $1,000 ceiling. Two people is a must, and you don't always have two strong enough people lying around willing to help you with your obsession of taking your top off every chance the clouds dare to subside. Consider this when you make your decision!

3) It is also my understanding that Rubicon's give you a pretty sweet rig to start off with. Again, 4.11 gears, a beefier and lower range transfer case, you may find one with the factory Moab rims still on there, comes with wider fender flares, by default they come with the larger bucket seats (my 2002 has the smaller seats, and, I can only imagine the larger ones on the 2003+ year TJ's are more comfortable), bragging rights, and at least some sort of factory rock rails.

Have you considered an LJ? Or even an LJ Rubicon?

I certainly love my 2002 TJ X, but when I was on my search for my first car, we passed up on a Rubicon before we found my current X, and I honestly wish I jumped on that Rubicon.

 

[TJScott]

About a year ago I bought a 2003 Sport, 4.0 manual, soft top. I didn't have the money for a Rubicon. Nor at the time did I really grasp the difference being so new to this. If I had the money I would have bought a Rubicon hard top. I really wanted a 4.0, soft top, 2 door, manual, with A/C. I live in the desert and it'll be 109 this weekend. Mine has everything for a hard top but doesn't have the hard top itself. Not so easy to come by. Which means I can't really secure anything in the truck. However, having said that, I love the soft top. I can have that off in 10 minutes and reverse the operation almost as quickly if weather changes. I have a Dana 44 in the rear. I have a 4" inch lift and 33's. The rear diff went bad, water in there. I had both diffs re-geared to 4.56 and added an ARB locker in the back at that time. Didn't have money for the front as well. At the time I paid about 15,000 for mine with about 70k on it. It was already lifted with the 33's on it. It was hard to find, like you they disappeared as fast as they showed up. I love my TJ, I haven't ridden my motorcycles in a year, and I'm a 40 year veteran to motorcycling. I have been having such a good time driving this. I can take off anytime I want and avoid the asphalt. Love that. Being in the desert, the opportunities are endless.


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[JMT]

Some thoughts:

If you want to build it yourself, you might get a Sahara, sport or X manual with 3.73 gears and hardtop. The Sahara has a Dana 44, but the Dana 35 is up to the tasks your describing.

All Jeeps are pretty capable stock, don't knock them, but a Rubicon is more capable, but you get stuck with fewer tire choices with the 16's.

I've read that if you want to go big get a non-Rubicon bc you'd be replacing parts like gears, et al, that you'd be paying for twice, in effect. If you just want to be trailworthy get a Rubicon.

 

[Shane Mckinley]

About a year ago I bought a 2003 Sport, 4.0 manual, soft top. I didn't have the money for a Rubicon. Nor at the time did I really grasp the difference being so new to this. If I had the money I would have bought a Rubicon hard top. I really wanted a 4.0, soft top, 2 door, manual, with A/C. I live in the desert and it'll be 109 this weekend. Mine has everything for a hard top but doesn't have the hard top itself. Not so easy to come by. Which means I can't really secure anything in the truck. However, having said that, I love the soft top. I can have that off in 10 minutes and reverse the operation almost as quickly if weather changes. I have a Dana 44 in the rear. I have a 4" inch lift and 33's. The rear diff went bad, water in there. I had both diffs re-geared to 4.56 and added an ARB locker in the back at that time. Didn't have money for the front as well. At the time I paid about 15,000 for mine with about 70k on it. It was already lifted with the 33's on it. It was hard to find, like you they disappeared as fast as they showed up. I love my TJ, I haven't ridden my motorcycles in a year, and I'm a 40 year veteran to motorcycling. I have been having such a good time driving this. I can take off anytime I want and avoid the asphalt. Love that. Being in the desert, the opportunities are endless.


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I wish I had the soft top or a place to easily and quickly take my hard top off

I think everyone will have this to say one way or another.

It depends where you are, how much comfort you want, and budget like I said.

Budget is always a big deal with jeeps



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[JamesAndTheSahara]

Some thoughts:

If you want to build it yourself, you might get a Sahara, sport or X manual with 3.73 gears and hardtop. The Sahara has a Dana 44, but the Dana 35 is up to the tasks your describing.

All Jeeps are pretty capable stock, don't knock them, but a Rubicon is more capable, but you get stuck with fewer tire choices with the 16's.

I've read that if you want to go big get a non-Rubicon bc you'd be replacing parts like gears, et al, that you'd be paying for twice, in effect. If you just want to be trailworthy get a Rubicon.

I feel like I have had this discussion a ton more than I should lol. The Sahara stock ALWAYS comes with a Dana 35. The Dana 44 was an option for Sports and Saharas. I know this because unfortunately my 1998 Jeep Wrangler Sahara has a Dana 35 with 3.07 gearing.

My recommendation is determine your current price range and then decide. Can you afford a Rubi with a clean frame? If not find a Sport with a hard top and a Dana 44 and start your build (And a Clean Frame). Best of luck with your endeavors.

 

[JMT]

If you can get one with a hardtop you can always get a Hoist for your garage ceiling. Then it's easy on/easy off. I love my hardtop in TX, both for comfort and looks. I have a soft top but have never put it on. LOL!

 

[Chris]

Thanks for all the great advice! I was on the fence about the 4cyl vs 6cyl so I am glad to see all the votes for the 6, that is what I was thinking was the good choice.

here is one I was thinking about. I wanted white, you would think that would be common but nope. I am going to look Friday, seem like an okay deal? I will try to dicker of course.

https://bellingham.craigslist.org/ctd/6203445632.html

That's a nice one, and being as though it's a PNW vehicle, it's probably priced pretty reasonably given the mileage. I'd offer them $1000 less. Assuming it's been a PNW car it's entire life, you likely won't find much rust (if any at all), but I'd still crawl under it and check.

As a comparison, I paid $20,000 for my 2005 Rubicon with 65k original miles at a dealer here in Portland, Oregon. That is about the going price for my make and model of TJ. So yeah, that one you are looking at is priced about right for this area.

That hard top adds to the value significantly. A used hard top in the PNW will easily sell for $1200 in the Fall and Winter months, no problem at all. I would keep it though, I use my hard top all the time during the wet months, I love it!

 

[Shane Mckinley]

Makes me wish I had 10 grand laying around


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