Need some guidance on my next upgrades

Big John 04LJ

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Looking to some more upgrades to my LJ. I'm going to pull the trigger on a Rubicrawler, SYE and drive shafts. I have a 4" Rock Jock SL, 1.25" Savvy BL, 1"motor mount lift, Sazzy cable shifter and all 8 upper and lower adjustable control arms. My questions are... Since I'm pulling the transfer case out should I do anything else to it? I've read about a wide chain upgrade. Should I do the standard SYE or the Super Short one since I have an LJ? And finally, should I just spend the extra money right now and get the skid for a full tummy tuck? Is It worth doing it now since everything else will be done? Any advice is good advice.
Thanks!
 
If you want to do the TT it would be good to do it now since you will probably need new drive shafts (at least the rear) after the TT again. I am planning on doing the TT on mine in the winter and am a little mad at myself for not doing it originally when I did the SYE and new driveshafts. Basically am just expecting to have to buy another rear at least (i.e. wasted some money in the long run).
 
Definitely the type of advice I'm looking for! I didn't realize the rear drive shaft length would be that effected by the TT!
 
Super short is the way to go for a tummy tuck with a 4” lift. You won’t have to worry about vibration with that extra drive shaft length.
 
From the weeks of forum reading I kind of gathered this but it hasn't been easy finding the information when in comes to an LJ. 99% of the comments pertaining to the SSSYE are TJ related.
 
My TJ just has a 2” spring lift. I went with the super short for my tummy tuck anyway. Your drivetrain sees the amount of tuck as suspension lift. So with your 4” lift and let’s say 3” tuck, you’re looking at 7” of lift
 
I never thought about it that way. So I guess I'm doing the TT too. I really don't want to buy drive shafts twice!
How about the Rubicrawler? Any thing I should know or look for when installing one?
 
Whatv
I never thought about it that way. So I guess I'm doing the TT too. I really don't want to buy drive shafts twice!
How about the Rubicrawler? Any thing I should know or look for when installing one?
What skids are you thinking? Just out of curiosity, because I will do mine soon. I am leaning towards UCF aluminum.
 
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I already have the UCF aluminum engine skid, so I was leaning towards UCF. As much as I love my Savvy rails, them selling out scares me. Plus I read somewhere in the forum that there have been issues with using the UCF engine skid with the Savvy transfer case skid.
 
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I never thought about it that way. So I guess I'm doing the TT too. I really don't want to buy drive shafts twice!
How about the Rubicrawler? Any thing I should know or look for when installing one?

You should go to the resources section and check out the official tummy tuck thread by Chris. I used the information to help plan and understand what is needed to complete the mod. I went with the UCF original extra clearance skid. The SAVVY skid with separate cross member is by far the best design and if I could do it over,I’d try it. You will have to see what is available for your model year and trans as that varies
 
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I bet I've read every page of that thread and as far as I know this next set of modifications should set me up for all the mods necessary for the tuck.
I'd love to do the Savvy skid but how long is "Available on backorder "? And will I actually get it? Lol
 
I bet I've read every page of that thread and as far as I know this next set of modifications should set me up for all the mods necessary for the tuck.
I'd love to do the Savvy skid but how long is "Available on backorder "? And will I actually get it? Lol

I hear you on that. I’m happy with my UCF skid and want to order the engine skid to go with it. I had SAVVY control arms on order for months. I finally cancelled and ordered ROKMEN and they shipped the next day
 
I hear you on that. I’m happy with my UCF skid and want to order the engine skid to go with it. I had SAVVY control arms on order for months. I finally cancelled and ordered ROKMEN and they shipped the next day

Ordered a set of savvy control arms and they only sent a box of Johnny joints without arms. Not sure what to do now.

Just installed a UCF extra clearance steel skid in my LJR. Fit perfect and we’ll made. Third rig I’ve had with the UCF skid and every time they fit perfectly.
 
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The wide chain swap is super easy. Just need to open up a durango case and grab sprockets.

Do you need something else that's not included in the JB Conversions kit?

Screenshot_20230427-064030_Chrome.jpg
 
Why change out to a wide chain? Whats the benefit? I've never seen a standard 231 chain break, they stretch, sure, but what chain doesnt after hundreds of thousands of miles?
 
Why change out to a wide chain? Whats the benefit? I've never seen a standard 231 chain break, they stretch, sure, but what chain doesnt after hundreds of thousands of miles?

Cuz its already apart and most of us are mod collectors.i sure wouldn't spend much doing it.

Or like in the case of some guys with v8s.the 231 gets tired pretty quick behind one.
 
Ok, so I'll do the Rubicrawler, big chain upgrade, SSSYE, front and rear drive shafts and new skid plate for TT. Am I missing anything? Any additional parts that are necessary that I don't already have?