What would you do as far as a build?

[Chad03TJ]

Thoughts and advice wanted. Here's the deal. I drive very little. I live in central T× and have 2 vehicles. Single guy. I received a great offer on my 22 F150 lariat. It mostly sits in the garage with the Jeep. I'm thinking of selling the truck, fixing up the Jeep a bit and investing the lion share of the remainder. Before someone says something about Jeeps as a daily or similar comments I daily drove an 89 YJ for 2 vears. Also daily drove a 21 JLR 2 door ( sold it bc it never felt truly like a Jeep to me, to fancy). Here's a video of my current 2003 TJ. It does have a Dana 44 in the rear. My question for my fellow Jeep enthusiasts is if you were going to put roughly $8,000 -12,000 into this Jeep to make it into something that can cruise at 75 mph on Texas roads and do minor trails ( think more rough backcountry roads in somewhere like

Big Bend) what would u do as far as a build? Currently has a budget 2" lift with adiustable control arms on it. I hate the wheels. Looking for a very classic cool look for the Jeep. Gonna purchase a new bestop top for it. Jeep is mechanically sound. Has the 5 speed and straight six. Also looking for recommendations for top quality shops near College Station TX.

 

[TheBoogieman]

View attachment 418908 if you were going to put roughly $8,000 -12,000 into this Jeep to make it into something that can cruise at 75 mph on Texas roads and do minor trails ( think more rough backcountry roads in somewhere like
Big Bend) what would u do as far as a build? Currently has a budget 2" lift with adiustable control arms on it. I hate the wheels. Looking for a

A little more lift (3" springs/BL), newer style wheels, ditch the tube bumper and pocket the rest of the money.
p.s. I DD mine.

 

[JHammett]

I daily my TJ and like you drive very little (maybe 5k a year) and most of that mileage is getting out to trails.

IMO, if you are looking for a good ride and only want to do minor trails, I would put a quality 2-2.5” lift on it. There is a good resource on how to do this build and depending on what kind of trails you want to do maybe put in some lockers (especially if you end up regearing anyways). I would also put on an Antirock or Swayloc.

This build should get no where near $8k.

 

[Chris]

Also looking for recommendations for top quality shops near College Station TX.

This should be a new thread in the United States regional sub-forum.

 

[Chris]

My question for my fellow Jeep enthusiasts is if you were going to put roughly $8,000 -12,000 into this Jeep to make it into something that can cruise at 75 mph on Texas roads and do minor trails ( think more rough backcountry roads in somewhere like

I'd put 31" tires on it, a 1.25" body lift, keep the factory springs and maybe add a 1/2" spacer depending.

Then I would get a SYE / CV driveshaft combo, the Savvy under armor, a set of good adjustable control arms, and a few other things such as aluminum bumpers (i.e. Savvy or UCF), a winch, etc.

For what you're talking about doing even 33s aren't necessary. This can be a fairly inexpensive build done with light weight in mind.

 

[Bobohunter1776]

In addition to what others have said, some sort of on board air and basic recovery gear. Even on easier trails, airing down will make it a much more comfortably ride and being able to self recover is always good. Also regearing is gonna be essential for being able to get up to highway speeds like you want.

 

[deadbeat son]

Thoughts and advice wanted. Here's the deal. I drive very little. I live in central T× and have 2 vehicles. Single guy. I received a great offer on my 22 F150 lariat. It mostly sits in the garage with the Jeep. I'm thinking of selling the truck, fixing up the Jeep a bit and investing the lion share of the remainder. Before someone says something about Jeeps as a daily or similar comments I daily drove an 89 YJ for 2 vears. Also daily drove a 21 JLR 2 door ( sold it bc it never felt truly like a Jeep to me, to fancy). Here's a video of my current 2003 TJ. It does have a Dana 44 in the rear. My question for my fellow Jeep enthusiasts is if you were going to put roughly $8,000 -12,000 into this Jeep to make it into something that can cruise at 75 mph on Texas roads and do minor trails ( think more rough backcountry roads in somewhere like

Big Bend) what would u do as far as a build? Currently has a budget 2" lift with adiustable control arms on it. I hate the wheels. Looking for a very classic cool look for the Jeep. Gonna purchase a new bestop top for it. Jeep is mechanically sound. Has the 5 speed and straight six. Also looking for recommendations for top quality shops near College Station TX.

View attachment 418908

Other than not liking the wheels, what does it not do now that you would like for it to be able to do?

 

[wigsajumper]

I would say go for it. Invest that money until you have walk away money. Money that anytime a boss gets stupid you can just walk away.

Besides what was suggested here maybe a decent small trailer for times when you do need to haul stuff. When I used my LJ as a daily driver (with two kids in carseats) my bantam trailer was perfect for anything would fit in a small pick up.

 

[JustDandee]

I bought mine to daily drive- I run a modest 2.5 Lift with 33's(10.5 wide) the 6 speed manual is a little more forgiving on not changing the rear gear. I got plenty of clearance for the back roads and diameter to smooth out the wash boards. i did a hitch bumper set-up for storage reasons- run a hitch basket or pull a small trailer when I need move some material I would put that on the to do list. All the general maintenance stuff-because I like ac when it gets stupid hot.

 

[NashvilleTJ]

From an off road perspectIve, the absolute best thing you can do to improve the rigs capability would be to add selectable lockers front and rear. That also works best for a daily driver. If you are not geared correctly for the tire size you plan to run, do so at the same rime.

Loose the tube bumper.

Oh, and I almost forgot: Tons and Fodeez.

 

[Chad03TJ]

I daily my TJ and like you drive very little (maybe 5k a year) and most of that mileage is getting out to trails.

IMO, if you are looking for a good ride and only want to do minor trails, I would put a quality 2-2.5” lift on it. There is a good resource on how to do this build and depending on what kind of trails you want to do maybe put in some lockers (especially if you end up regearing anyways). I would also put on an Antirock or Swayloc.

This build should get no where near $8k.

Where can I find the thread?

 

[JHammett]

Here you go:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/a-recipe-for-an-affordable-but-quality-2-5-lift.41687/