A Simple Build

[IPerkWVU]

Also, while I'm not sure if you could do this in an auto, with a manual in 4low you can start your jeep in first gear/reverse and it will kick forward if on an incline or tricky spot.

The first post is khaki TJ deja vu. Keep this one simple. Very clean looking TJ

 

[AndrewLJR]

If you remember, my build was going to take a simplistic approach like your plans are but that quickly spiraled out of control like any Jeep build.

 

[RustyAutoholicGuy]

I just beginning to wonder if Red is @Chris favorite color, this thread has gone from a Khaki to a Silver Rubicon

 

[Chris]

If you remember, my build was going to take a simplistic approach like your plans are but that quickly spiraled out of control like any Jeep build.

In your defense, Unlimiteds don't really look right until you put at least 33s, but preferably 35s on them. With 31s or 32s it just looks odd with the long wheelbase

Also, while I'm not sure if you could do this in an auto, with a manual in 4low you can start your jeep in first gear/reverse and it will kick forward if on an incline or tricky spot.

This I did not know!

 

[Chris]

It will be great in the rocks if you choose to do so. Your stock crawl ratio is around 73:1 I did the rubicon with close to 56:1. With the new atlas I'll be at 97:1.

A hand throttle is nice when you're halfway up an obstacle and need to stop. I think as you get some seat time you'll have a blast with it offroad.

Are you doing an Atlas now? 4-speed I assume? I do need more seat time to figure it out, but I have no doubt I'll manage.

 

[AMS417]

Nice pick, I like the silver. I felt the same about an auto, and really thought I wanted one. I ended up with a six speed, and with the 241 I have a lot of control off road I didn't think I would have. The engine braking down hill is awesome. It is more fun to drive, but its the first manual I have driven in a decade. Looking forward to seeing the build. Mine is coming along slowly as I have time. I am terrible about taking photos and documenting though.

I was looking at that same AEV Jeep and for the price and all the obsolete parts, it didn't add up for me. Still a cool rig, i would have hated to bash on it in the woods. Its too pretty.

 

[IPerkWVU]

This I did not know!

I didn't either until someone told me. Really helps as you can keep your foot on the brake and ease off as the torque of 1st gear will carry you forward

 

[Chris]

Nice pick, I like the silver. I felt the same about an auto, and really thought I wanted one. I ended up with a six speed, and with the 241 I have a lot of control off road I didn't think I would have. The engine braking down hill is awesome. It is more fun to drive, but its the first manual I have driven in a decade. Looking forward to seeing the build. Mine is coming along slowly as I have time. I am terrible about taking photos and documenting though.

I was looking at that same AEV Jeep and for the price and all the obsolete parts, it didn't add up for me. Still a cool rig, i would have hated to bash on it in the woods. Its too pretty.

This would be my first manual equipped TJ, all the others were autos. If I was going to be doing some of the technical rock crawling that others are doing, I could see where the auto would be highly advantageous. In my case though, I won't be doing that, so I think this manual will work nicely for me. I'm used to only driving sports cars in manuals (won't own anything but a manual for sports cars), but it's actually quite fun driving the TJ in a manual.

I still think someone should buy that rig. It's a hell of a good deal with a ton of spare parts. But like I said, they are all obsolete, can't easily be replaced, and I'd be really afraid of damaging that highline kit or something along those lines.

Plus, for what I want to do with the TJ, I simply don't need 35s, period. I think I still have an intention at some point to put together a rock crawler buggy. We'll see of course!

 

[Wildman]

Also, while I'm not sure if you could do this in an auto, with a manual in 4low you can start your jeep in first gear/reverse and it will kick forward if on an incline or tricky spot.

The first post is khaki TJ deja vu. Keep this one simple. Very clean looking TJ

With a auto transmission you can not start it in gear. The park/neutral safety switch prevents this.

 

[Alex01]

Are you doing an Atlas now? 4-speed I assume? I do need more seat time to figure it out, but I have no doubt I'll manage.

I am. The driveshafts are coming back from being resized from Tom Woods today, so I should be running again by the end of the day. I thought about the 4 speed but ultimately went with a 5:1 2 speed, held up by a Genright Universal cross member. My rear driveshaft gained 2.5" in the swap. The 4 speed would have been approximately 4" longer than the 2 speed. I was concerned that with the Atlas 4 speed I wouldn't have enough room left for the DS. If I had an LJ it would have been a no brainer.

 

[Chris]

I am. The driveshafts are coming back from being resized from Tom Woods today, so I should be running again by the end of the day. I thought about the 4 speed but ultimately went with a 5:1 2 speed, held up by a Genright Universal cross member. My rear driveshaft gained 2.5" in the swap. The 4 speed would have been approximately 4" longer than the 2 speed. I was concerned that with the Atlas 4 speed I wouldn't have enough room left for the DS. If I had an LJ it would have been a no brainer.

Yep, that would be my concern with the Atlas 4-speed as well. On an Unlimited, you have so much more room to work with. But on a TJ with an already short driveshaft, unless you're stretching things, I'm not sure the 4-speed would be a good idea.

The fact that you gained 2.5" of length on your driveshaft makes it worth it even more.

 

[Wildman]

I am. The driveshafts are coming back from being resized from Tom Woods today, so I should be running again by the end of the day. I thought about the 4 speed but ultimately went with a 5:1 2 speed, held up by a Genright Universal cross member. My rear driveshaft gained 2.5" in the swap. The 4 speed would have been approximately 4" longer than the 2 speed. I was concerned that with the Atlas 4 speed I wouldn't have enough room left for the DS. If I had an LJ it would have been a no brainer.

You'll really like the 5:1 gearing. I know that I really like it.

 

[Alex01]

Yep, that would be my concern with the Atlas 4-speed as well. On an Unlimited, you have so much more room to work with. But on a TJ with an already short driveshaft, unless you're stretching things, I'm not sure the 4-speed would be a good idea.

The fact that you gained 2.5" of length on your driveshaft makes it worth it even more.

The nice thing is that now my first gear will be super low. Once I get to second it will be like my old setup. So if I cruised around a trail in 3-4 before I'll just be in 4-5 now. I also have the ability to run in 2wd low and I'll need to learn when to use a front dig since I can do it now.

 

[Alex01]

You'll really like the 5:1 gearing. I know that I really like it.

I bet so. I drove @Daryl's jeep that has a similar crawl ratio on a short section of the rubicon and the increased amount of control with the lower crawl ratio was very noticeable. It's defiantly one of those things that you don't know you're missing until you experience it.

 

[Chris]

The nice thing is that now my first gear will be super low. Once I get to second it will be like my old setup. So if I cruised around a trail in 3-4 before I'll just be in 4-5 now. I also have the ability to run in 2wd low and I'll need to learn when to use a front dig since I can do it now.

Speaking of low first gears, the first gear on this NSG370 is incredibly low. Almost unusable on-road. I've just been starting off in second gear.

Sounds like your setup should be pretty nice though!

 

[Chris]

I bet so. I drove @Daryl's jeep that has a similar crawl ratio on a short section of the rubicon and the increased amount of control with the lower crawl ratio was very noticeable. It's defiantly one of those things that you don't know you're missing until you experience it.

Is his a manual as well?

 

[Wildman]

The nice thing is that now my first gear will be super low. Once I get to second it will be like my old setup. So if I cruised around a trail in 3-4 before I'll just be in 4-5 now. I also have the ability to run in 2wd low and I'll need to learn when to use a front dig since I can do it now.

Front digs are fun. You'll figure it out once you get out on the trail.

I bet so. I drove @Daryl's jeep that has a similar crawl ratio on a short section of the rubicon and the increased amount of control with the lower crawl ratio was very noticeable. It's defiantly one of those things that you don't know you're missing until you experience it.

I had a 4:1 in my Jeep when it was still a 4cyl.
The STaK's t-case is a great combination for the trails I run up here.

 

[Alex01]

Speaking of low first gears, the first gear on this NSG370 is incredibly low. Almost unusable on-road. I've just been starting off in second gear.

Sounds like your setup should be pretty nice though!

You'll learn to appreciate that low gear once you get on the rocks. I'm fairly confident once you start venturing out in AZ and find a few members to wheel with you'll catch the rock bug.

Is his a manual as well?

Correct. 6/10 of the rigs that did the rubicon on our trip were manual.

 

[Chris]

You'll learn to appreciate that low gear once you get on the rocks. I'm fairly confident once you start venturing out in AZ and find a few members to wheel with you'll catch the rock bug.


Correct. 6/10 of the rigs that did the rubicon on our trip were manual.

Interesting! We'll see how I like it as is, but you never know, maybe an Atlas is in my future.

What did you pay for yours just out of curiosity? I believe the 2-speeds are much cheaper than the 4-speeds.

 

[Alex01]

Interesting! We'll see how I like it as is, but you never know, maybe an Atlas is in my future.

What did you pay for yours just out of curiosity? I believe the 2-speeds are much cheaper than the 4-speeds.

Roughly $2,800 to my door but I pay 9.25% sales tax.

Since you have a rubicon an atlas isn't really needed. If you gear to 5.38 you'd be just as low as mine with the tall 1st gear.