My point is you can use more than just parts of the TJ/LJ tub. Most guys run an LS, TH400, and an Atlas.You're gonna swap a whole tub over to a custom tube chassis, put one ton axles under it, and then put the stock 4.0, transmission, and transfer case back in it? I've done a lot of research on buggy builds over the past two years as I intend to turn my Jeep into a trail queen one day. One thing that is completely obvious from the start is that if you're going to build a Jeep out to handle the hardest trails in the country, do it right the first time.
You can argue that you could basically swap a stock Jeep onto one of these chassis and you would be right. But why in the world would you do that? I'm a bit unclear as to why you are trying to make it seem like swapping in one of these chassis is a walk in the park. This is not a chassis intended for your everyday wheeler.
And to be fair, a lot of folks build Jeep TJ’s/LJ’s on 42’s, one tons, and still utilize the 4.0 and factory trans.
I would agree that while you could offset a large chunk of cost of a 4.8/5.3+ by selling the factory 4.0 (condition pending) it would work if on a budget. Although I doubt WOD has had a buyer request such a thing.