2004-2006 LJ vs LJ Rubicon

Jeepers-n-Creepers

Jeepers-n-Creepers

Have mud--will travel.
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Apologies to all, if I'm asking what has already been asked 1000 times or more. I did some thread-searches, to meet with bits and pieces of the info I'm looking for, but not quite the full picture.

I'm considering engaging Search Mode in a few months, for either an LJ or LJR. Presently in Musing Mode (rubbing beard, and looking contemplative).

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Primary reason for considering transition to longer wheel base: CAMPING :). In simple terms, I'd like to sleep in the cargo bay (with rear seat removed, of course). On a lateral note, I would, in time, like to land a small off-road-able ("tactical") teardrop trailer for camping. But the more immediate goal is that of sleeping in the LJ/LJR.

I've listed below, the specs I've been able to amass as I contrast the LJ vs. LJR. Thank you in advance for adding-to and/or correcting what I've listed below:

LJ

*Dana 30-Front with OD, and Dana 44-Rear with LSD - ?.
*3.73 gear ratio.
*42RLE 4-SPD "slushbox" trans (in '04).
*NSG 370 6-SPD trans ('05 thru '06) - ?.

LJR

*Dana 44-Front and Dana-44 Rear.
*4:10 gear ratio.
*Lockers - Front and Rear (not sure what type - ?).

BTW - just last week I let slip under my nose, a pristine '06 LJR (in my favorite color: Light Khaki Metallic) with 89K miles, 3" quality lift, ARB front and rear bumbers, quality winch, nice LED auxiliary lights, and truly in near-mint condition (dealer was asking $21K). It sold very quickly. I wasn't in Search Mode yet, and couldn't pull the trigger. Oh the agony....:cry:.

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If you haven’t had lockers , you are in for a treat. . A Rubicon will a eat a regular TJ/LJ alive off road .

if it’s not abused and decent miles you can’t go wrong .
 
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If you do get an LJR make sure the factory lockers work. They dont make all the parts for them, so if they dont work your looking at installing a new locker (arb, e-locker etc.) But with the ljr you will get the 4 to 1 transfer case for low range.
 
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strumble8 said:
If you do get an LJR make sure the factory lockers work. They dont make all the parts for them, so if they dont work your looking at installing a new locker (arb, e-locker etc.) But with the ljr you will get the 4 to 1 transfer case for low range.
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Yep...they absolutely crawl . Wicked in Rocks . Mud ? Not in 4 lo. Hate mud anyway...fun but trashes em.
 
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Chris said:
I would go with an LJ Rubicon due to the factory lockers and the higher resale value. A clean, well kept LJ Rubicon won't lose much value at all, and the lockers IMHO are fantastic to have.
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No kid'n, about the LJR holding its value. Truly remarkable. The LJ is not far find, it appears.
 
AndyG said:
If you haven’t had lockers , you are in for a treat. . A Rubicon will a eat a regular TJ/LJ alive off road .

if it’s not abused and decent miles you can’t go wrong .
Click to expand...

My latest TJ had Detroit TruTrac LSD's - with 5" lift and 35" KM2's. Aired-down properly, I held my own with few problems in some gnarly terrain and serious climbing. I never did attempt full-on rock climbing (i.e. BIG boulders), however I did once accidentally enter a serious rock climb (maybe a 7 on a 10 scale) with no way out (wrong turn). Surprisingly the LSD's got me through. Observers thought I had full-on lockers.

I yet look forward to experiencing the upgrade to full lockers.
 
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strumble8 said:
If you do get an LJR make sure the factory lockers work. They dont make all the parts for them, so if they dont work your looking at installing a new locker (arb, e-locker etc.) But with the ljr you will get the 4 to 1 transfer case for low range.
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Roger that. If at all possible, if I do test-run an LJR, I'll devise a way to test the lockers--even if I'm in an urban area. I suppose there's a few ways to check that, aside from actually crawling (?).
 
If you're looking to modify it significantly, I'd look for a non-Rubicon and put the money saved into upgraded gearing/lockers and a 4:1 t-case swap/Rubicrawler/Atlas if desired.

Jeepers-n-Creepers said:
In simple terms, I'd like to sleep in the cargo bay (with rear seat removed, of course).
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How tall are you (no offense intended)? I don't know if I could sleep comfortably with the front passenger seat installed.
 
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L J said:
How tall are you (no offense intended)? I don't know if I could sleep comfortably with the front passenger seat installed.
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When I'm using my Inversion Table on a regular basis, to mend an injured spine, I'm 5'11".

Looking at a friend's LJ about a year ago, with rear seat out, and empty; it appeared I could sleep diagonally with no problem. Could be that my "spacial planning" estimate on the cargo bay is off a tad (?). The friend who owns the LJ sleeps in it, when he camps, and I'm thinking he's about 6' 2".

I sleep on my side, with knees bent, usually, so I'm thinking it's doable (?).
 
Jeepers-n-Creepers said:
When I'm using my Inversion Table on a regular basis, to mend an injured spine, I'm 5'11".

Looking at a friend's LJ about a year ago, with rear seat out, and empty; it appeared I could sleep diagonally with no problem. Could be that my "spacial planning" estimate on the cargo bay is off a tad (?). The friend who owns the LJ sleeps in it, when he camps, and I'm thinking he's about 6' 2".

I sleep on my side, with knees bent, usually, so I'm thinking it's doable (?).
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You will not fit comfortably, get a roof top tent if that is your thing.
 
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I’m 5’9 and have slept in my LJ with the passenger seat slid and tilted forward. I stacked patio cushions in the rear passenger foot well to bring it to the same level and the rear floor and it was comfortable, way better than I expected. I stretched out completely on the passenger side due to having an Engel fridge on the drivers side. The tilted passenger seat made for a great naturally sloped pillow. No issues at all other than actually getting in and out through the passenger door.
 
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astjp2 said:
You will not fit comfortably, get a roof top tent if that is your thing.
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Hmmm, I hadn't considered that. Although, initial thoughts are that I'd be decidedly more vulnerable to Deep State sniper-fire, with but a thin veil of nylon protecting me. Then again, it wouldn't be such a bad way to go, really. I mean, sleeping in a tent, in the elements, on top of a beloved TJ; if I had to go out doing something I loved, why not that way?

I'm thinking my friend with the LJ, camping; likely slid the passenger seat full-forward, and then stuffed, and slept curled-up, diagonally.

I'll begin mulling over the tent options. Thanks for that idea.
 
Vinman said:
I’m 5’9 and have slept in my LJ with the passenger seat slid and tilted forward. I stacked patio cushions in the rear passenger foot well to bring it to the same level and the rear floor and it was comfortable, way better than I expected. I stretched out completely on the passenger side due to having an Engel fridge on the drivers side. The tilted passenger seat made for a great naturally sloped pillow. No issues at all other than actually getting in and out through the passenger door.
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That's what I was envisioning. I'm thinking that approach would accommodate my 5'-11" frame. Of course, I would eventually opt for an off-road-able mini-teardrop, and maybe exercise the option of a roof rack mounted tent as well.
 
One thing
Vinman said:
I’m 5’9 and have slept in my LJ with the passenger seat slid and tilted forward. I stacked patio cushions in the rear passenger foot well to bring it to the same level and the rear floor and it was comfortable, way better than I expected. I stretched out completely on the passenger side due to having an Engel fridge on the drivers side. The tilted passenger seat made for a great naturally sloped pillow. No issues at all other than actually getting in and out through the passenger door.
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I did something similar in my LJ, I didn't stack cushions though. Slide and tilted the passengers seat forward, filled in the void in the rear footwell with some blankets I had, sat on the floor and leaned back into it. It was kind of like sitting in a recliner except sitting flat. It worked well enough that I took a couple hour nap parked on the beach with the rear gate and window open/off while my wife walked around looking for shells and sharks teeth. The breeze coming off the ocean was nice.
 
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You are in the same camp I am in. I currently have a RTT, but probably won't be throwing it up top. With a 3.5" lift and 33s already, I imagine that extra 180lbs might make it a little too top heavy.

I have been eyeing the small teardrop offroad style trailers and I have to say I am very impressed with what they have done with them (nuCamp especially). Granted they do like them a lot ($$$) compared to a traditional RV. But for me, I like the idea of being able to drop the trailer and head out for an adventure. As I get older I also like the idea of having a nice interior space to get out of the elements. Not to mention being able to lock extra stuff up in the trailer.

I am 6'0" and I don't know if I would fit comfortably in the back of my LJ, but I also haven't tried it yet.
 
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