Help me upgrade my LJ

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DGLJRS

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Hi, New to this board and to the TJ/LJ generation of Jeeps. Since I have little knowledge of the platform, I would appreciate any input anyone wants to give.

Up until recently I owned a 2103 JKUR which I modified pretty significantly over the years for wheeling in rocky terrain in Arizona and Utah. I would like to do something similar to my new(old) LJ, which is a mostly unmolested 2005 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Sahara.

I was running 37's on the JKUR with a 4.5 lift, all kinds of armor, trussed and upgraded axles, etc, etc.

Since the TJ platform is so different I am not sure what the best approach would be, but I do wheel in challenging rocky terrain and do the yearly moab adventure. I also drive my Jeep regularly on the street and highway. - I have funds to spare, so cost is not a significant hindrance. I just want it to ride and wheel well.

Feedback/input on the following would be appreciated

Lift - probably thinking something around 4". Needs to have some on road manners though.

Wheels/Tires - LJ currently has original Moab Sahara package 16" wheels. Does it make sense to go to 17? Any recommendations? I'd like to run 35's if that makes sense, but if not, what would you do?

Underbody protection - Need to protect the oil pan, tranny, xfer case, diffs, etc. due to protruding rocks.

Front/Rear bumpers - I have a 12k Superwinch I took off the JK that I hope to reuse, although this Jeep is much smaller/lighter. I prefer smaller front bumpers for better rock clearance. Probably need to carry a larger spare on the back, had a poison spider brawler rear on the JK. What works for an LJ?

Are upgraded axles, trusses, drive shafts, etc. going to be necessary?

Really, any input would be great

DSC04067.JPG
 
Welcome to the forum! There is a ton of information here and a lot of people that are willing to help out, so don't be afraid to ask more questions.

Sweet Rubihara you got there. Just out of curiosity, which number is it?

Some thoughts to your questions:
DGLJRS said:
Lift - probably thinking something around 4". Needs to have some on road manners though.
Click to expand...
For 35s, you'll need at least 5" of lift. The most common way to achieve that is to go with 4" of suspension lift and a 1.25" body lift. See this thread for everything you need to know about running 35s. They look great on an LJ, but there are a lot of things that need to be done to make 35s work well.

DGLJRS said:
Wheels/Tires - LJ currently has original Moab Sahara package 16" wheels. Does it make sense to go to 17? Any recommendations? I'd like to run 35's if that makes sense, but if not, what would you do?
Click to expand...
The 16" wheels will limit your tire selections. You'll have more options with 17". You'll be able to sell those wheels pretty quickly if you decide to switch.

DGLJRS said:
Underbody protection - Need to protect the oil pan, tranny, xfer case, diffs, etc. due to protruding rocks.
Click to expand...
Consider aluminum for oil pan and transfer case armor. Any weight you can shave will be a huge plus to counter the 35s. The Barnett cover for the diffs is great if you can get your hands on a pair.

DGLJRS said:
Front/Rear bumpers - I have a 12k Superwinch I took off the JK that I hope to reuse, although this Jeep is much smaller/lighter. I prefer smaller front bumpers for better rock clearance. Probably need to carry a larger spare on the back, had a poison spider brawler rear on the JK. What works for an LJ?
Click to expand...
Again, consider going with aluminum for front and rear bumpers.

For the spare, consider going with the Morryde kit to reinforce the tailgate (AKA Exogate). You can likely keep your stock carrier with the reinforcement. Just make sure to extend the rubber snubbers to make contact with the tire so it doesn't rattle around.

DGLJRS said:
Are upgraded axles, trusses, drive shafts, etc. going to be necessary?
Click to expand...
See the linked thread above about running 35s. Trusses likely aren't necessary. You may need a longer rear driveshaft depending on what is already on there.

One thing you didn't mention here is gears, brakes, and steering. For 35s, you'll want to regear to a deeper ratio (5.38 for automatic, 4.88 or 5.13 for manual). You'll need to upgrade the brakes in order to stop the 35s well, so consider going with a big brake kit from Black Magic Brakes. For steering, you'll need to upgrade to a heavier duty tie rod and drag link to handle the 35s. Rockjock Currectlync would be my choice.

Also, since you're from Arizona, join this thread in the Regional forums where most of the local group runs are discussed and planned.

It looks like you've got big plans, make sure to start a build thread!
 
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Cool! Thanks for pointing out the thread on 35's, I'll definitely read through it.

On the topic of wheels, does it make sense to change the backspacing? Worked better for the JKUR

I am all for aluminum where it works, already have my eye on a couple possibilities for armor, bumpers.

I ran a Doetsch Aluminum tie rod and drag link flip kit on the JKUR. Love the aluminum because it flexes back after rock contact. Don't know if something like that is available for the LJ. Ran a big brake kit on the JK too, so that makes sense. The LJ has 4.11 gears so I figured those will have to go somewhere along the way.

I'll check out the regional thread too.
Thanks!
 
Not too worried about the value. Vehicles tend to go down with use. I intend to use mine well. ;)

I was, however, interested in finding one that had not been modified yet so I can do that all myself, and the way I want to.
 
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DGLJRS said:
....

I ran a Doetsch Aluminum tie rod and drag link flip kit on the JKUR. Love the aluminum because it flexes back after rock contact. Don't know if something like that is available for the LJ. Ran a big brake kit on the JK too, so that makes sense. ...
Click to expand...
For both the tie rod you want and the big brake kit.
https://shop.blackmagicbrakes.com/

The BMB tie rod is made for the Currie/RockJock CorrectLync steering, which is also what you want.
 
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DGLJRS said:
Hi, New to this board and to the TJ/LJ generation of Jeeps. Since I have little knowledge of the platform, I would appreciate any input anyone wants to give.

Up until recently I owned a 2103 JKUR which I modified pretty significantly over the years for wheeling in rocky terrain in Arizona and Utah. I would like to do something similar to my new(old) LJ, which is a mostly unmolested 2005 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon Sahara.

I was running 37's on the JKUR with a 4.5 lift, all kinds of armor, trussed and upgraded axles, etc, etc.

Since the TJ platform is so different I am not sure what the best approach would be, but I do wheel in challenging rocky terrain and do the yearly moab adventure. I also drive my Jeep regularly on the street and highway. - I have funds to spare, so cost is not a significant hindrance. I just want it to ride and wheel well.

Feedback/input on the following would be appreciated

Lift - probably thinking something around 4". Needs to have some on road manners though.

Wheels/Tires - LJ currently has original Moab Sahara package 16" wheels. Does it make sense to go to 17? Any recommendations? I'd like to run 35's if that makes sense, but if not, what would you do?

Underbody protection - Need to protect the oil pan, tranny, xfer case, diffs, etc. due to protruding rocks.

Front/Rear bumpers - I have a 12k Superwinch I took off the JK that I hope to reuse, although this Jeep is much smaller/lighter. I prefer smaller front bumpers for better rock clearance. Probably need to carry a larger spare on the back, had a poison spider brawler rear on the JK. What works for an LJ?

Are upgraded axles, trusses, drive shafts, etc. going to be necessary?

Really, any input would be great

View attachment 374886
Click to expand...

What number is your Rubihara?
 
DGLJRS said:
Nice, I had the crown big brakes on both front and rear of the JK. Is front only needed on the LJ?
Click to expand...

Front only. I have the 15/16" Vanco BBK set to 16" in a 15" wheel. It's tight, but it fits. The brake modulation and control is wonderful and I can lock up 35s on the highway.
 
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DGLJRS said:
Not too worried about the value. Vehicles tend to go down with use. I intend to use mine well. ;)

I was, however, interested in finding one that had not been modified yet so I can do that all myself, and the way I want to.
Click to expand...

Jeez. Don't mod the Rubihara! I have a bone stock LJ I am happy to trade you for yours.
 
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