Low Mile LJ Refresh Advice

warrantchief

New Member
Original poster
Joined
Sep 2, 2026
Messages
7
Location
Cave Creek AZ
Hi folks, I'm the proud new owner of a 2005 lj with 16,500 miles on it. It was setup as an RV dinghy and while I don't know how much it was towed, the condition of the frame/body/etc is excellent. The jeep has been in AZ since 2013 and the second owner put 6k miles on it over the last year but other than fluids and tires it's original. The suspension looks stock except for the shock and I suspect the springs as it rides pretty stiff compared to what I remember of the tj/lj.

I am going to go through it bumper to bumper and I was hoping for some jeep specific advice for what to look for or replace. For example, the body mounts are pretty rotted and I want to replace those but OEM are not available anymore. Does anyone have a suggestion for a high quality aftermarket set? What else is rubber that I should look at or replace?

My near term plan is to put in 1.25" body mount lift along with a 1" MML in preparation for a tummy tuck.

Thanks!

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The crown master body mount kit is pretty good. I got mine from summit. Goop some fluid film with an acid brush on the metal bushings every once in a while to keep the rust away.

The crown OPDA would be a good idea too. I’ve heard that the later TJ’s “fixed” the OPDA problem, but I have an 06 LJ and my stock OPDA ended up developing a bad wobble at the tone wheel and would go into limp mode. No fun.

Install some fittings in the frame to be able to wash it out. Yours probably won’t being that it’s a desert rig, but these frames can rot from the inside out.

Make sure the body sealant under the doors inside the tub is perfect. If I scored this rig, I’d invest in some aircraft 8802 B-1/2 (ridiculously expensive) and run my own seam on top the existing sealant. Water drips down when you open the doors and over years of this, it rots out the rockers under the doors.

Complete TSB 18-031-03 on the #3 and #4 injectors. There are whole fuel rail and injector wrap kits out there that people have had luck with, but I can only speak to using the part that they called out in the TSB and it completely eliminated my heat soak issue. Being a desert rig, you’ll want to make this a priority.


View: %5BURL%5D%5BURL%5D%5BURL%5Dhttps://www.scribd.com/document/489346372/Jeep-TSB-18-031-03[/URL][/URL][/URL]
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007O3QHDK?tag=wranglerorg-20

Drop your transfer case skid plate. Inspect for rust where the skid makes contact with the frame. Water gets trapped and corrosion likes to hide there.
 
My dad really likes the ride of the Rancho RS9000XL shock I put on his stock height LJ last year. I like them with my 2.5" lifted TJ too.
Moog control arms if staying stock ride height.
4 lower arms
2 upper rear
2 upper front
2 axle end upper bushings
The stock arm rubber bushings will be looking like those body mounts too. It'll feel tighter after.
 
If you’re going for a body lift, check out Black Magic Brakes. Good time to do it is when you replace the stock body mounts.
Also, JKS motor mount lift seems to be popular and that’s what I am running. Buy some new engine isolators/motor mounts and replace at the same time.
 
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My dad really likes the ride of the Rancho RS9000XL shock I put on his stock height LJ last year. I like them with my 2.5" lifted TJ too.
Moog control arms if staying stock ride height.
4 lower arms
2 upper rear
2 upper front
2 axle end upper bushings
The stock arm rubber bushings will be looking like those body mounts too. It'll feel tighter after.

I'm gonna drive it for a bit but I'm leaning towards the savvy 2" short arm kit. Shocks tbd, but would prefer an internal bypass like my trd pro shocks on my 4runner. Has rs5000s on it now, but definitely feels pretty stiff. Not sure if it's springs or shocks or borth.
 
If you’re going for a body lift, check out Black Magic Brakes. Good time to do it is when you replace the stock body mounts.
Also, JKS motor mount lift seems to be popular and that’s what I am running. Buy some new engine isolators/motor mounts and replace at the same time.

Sweet! I will check it out. I think I'm going to do the "bombproof" MORE lift mounts. They use rubber like the stock ones, etc.
 
Complete TSB 18-031-03 on the #3 and #4 injectors. There are whole fuel rail and injector wrap kits out there that people have had luck with, but I can only speak to using the part that they called out in the TSB and it completely eliminated my heat soak issue. Being a desert rig, you’ll want to make this a priority.


View: %5BURL%5D%5BURL%5D%5BURL%5D%5BURL%5Dhttps://www.scribd.com/document/489346372/Jeep-TSB-18-031-03[/URL][/URL][/URL][/URL]
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007O3QHDK?tag=wranglerorg-20


Apologies for the thread hijack but I've owned my LJ for 20 years, it *always* used to do this (before I replaced the engine with a 4.6 Stroker) and have never heard of this TSB before. Back when it was new I even took it back to the dealer a couple times, they never were able to figure it out. Eventually I just figured it was a "Jeep Thing" and lived with it.

No matter how much you think you know about these things, there's always something new I learn on this forum. Welcome OP and Good Luck with your (new to you) LJ!
 
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Sweet! I will check it out. I think I'm going to do the "bombproof" MORE lift mounts. They use rubber like the stock ones, etc.

If you don’t mind I’ll buy the OEM ENGINE MOUNTS from you.
 
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Sweet! I will check it out. I think I'm going to do the "bombproof" MORE lift mounts. They use rubber like the stock ones, etc.

Anchor on RockAuto also uses rubber and seems to be trusted by this forum. I went with the Savvy MML and Anchor mounts (that I still have to put on) with the thought that if I have to replace them in the future, it's like a $30 dollar fix to replace everything rather than $200 for just the motor mounts. Something to consider.
 
Anchor on RockAuto also uses rubber and seems to be trusted by this forum. I went with the Savvy MML and Anchor mounts (that I still have to put on) with the thought that if I have to replace them in the future, it's like a $30 dollar fix to replace everything rather than $200 for just the motor mounts. Something to consider.

I've been using Anchor motor and transmission mounts for many years on several of my Jeeps. Cheaper on other sites with free shipping.
 
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Has rs5000s on it now, but definitely feels pretty stiff. Not sure if it's springs or shocks or borth.

RS5000X or the old RS5000 ones? If it's stiff, it's the shocks and/or tire pressure. Springs don't wear out from lack of use (16,500 miles), but all the engine seals do in 21 years with little use.
 
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