Ok, If I was to aquire a mint 2001 Hard Top Jeep

[ToNkA]

I think its a TJ? I have no idea, its a jeep.

Its a wrangler, I know nothing about jeeps other than they are Grimace.

Anyway, what amount of $$$ am I going to need to throw at it to run 35's with air lockers etc. I have a winch, compressor, UHF etc.. So it would be down to suspension, gearing etc...

I know this is a stupid question, but its answer will proably decide if I sell the lux and start driving a jeep.

Cheers

Tonka.

[sir_camel]

OK. to run 35's. This is a very short list.

Suspension

4-5 inch coil lift with new conttrol arms. Looking at about 3500 (for Rubicon Exporess 4.5 kit)

1-2 inch BL as well to run the 35's

Drivetrain

Any lift above 3 inch you really should run a Slip Yoke Eliminator and double carden driveshaft. $1600

Gears and Lockers

Can be done for about $4000 now including gearsets and two ARB's plus labour.

Tyres and wheels

Jeep steelies cost more (who knows why) so 500 for some 15x8
and 1000 on tyres

so added up thats about $11000. Thats going down the most common trail of parts and using top quality stuff. The only labour included is the gears and lockers, All the rest is DIY. I probably missed something but thats about it

[AussieCJ7]

I think its a TJ? I have no idea, its a jeep.

Its a wrangler, I know nothing about jeeps other than they are Grimace.

Anyway, what amount of $$$ am I going to need to throw at it to run 35's with air lockers etc. I have a winch, compressor, UHF etc.. So it would be down to suspension, gearing etc...

I know this is a stupid question, but its answer will proably decide if I sell the lux and start driving a jeep.

Cheers

Tonka.

As you in Vic talk to USA 4x4

There is more than one way to skin a cat and the right way is based on both what you want in the end and how you will use it

How much depends on what you are going to do but to get a Jeep running well on 35's you are going to be looking at a fair investment. as SC has suggested

The list SC has given you is pretty much the Sydney Jeep Club comps teams basic set up with this setup they came 3rd outright at Woodpecker Challenge so it will work well

[Thor]

sell the hard top and that brings it down to under $10k for a good setup

[Wooders]

We can suggest cheap & budgy ways....or we can spend yer Mortgage.....
SC has outlined the main issues to consider - Although I have some specific recommendations - I'm biased

[Gordo]

The list SC has given you is pretty much the Sydney Jeep Club comps teams basic set up with this setup they came 3rd outright at Woodpecker Challenge so it will work well

...Plus they can drive

[resident e]

Its a wrangler, I know nothing about jeeps other than they are Grimace.


Tonka.

for starters change the way you think about jeeps or you may find people will be unwilling to help you in the long run.

[Matt N]

Tonka,
Not only are they are Grimace, but they are also weak!
It will take quite some cash to Grimace a Jeep.

[Gordo]

u been drinkin your oilleaks oilleaks again jethro ???

[billsta]

TONKA IN A JEEP?!?!?

i know a doctor taht you can talk to...

[DeWsE]

Well I don't know much about jeeps but this on sports two spring lift, one inch body, lifted flares running 37's no probs.

So on the cheap tonka:
two inch springs, xtended shocks, lifted guards.
Ox locks coz they are cool
new RnP as well

should only cost about 5-6k

[LEXX]

Yes that is one cool little TJ DIY has there. What you have forgotten to mention is all the hard work by DIY to get those lifted flares right, great for a low COG, now all he has to do is upgrade that front diff of his

[DeWsE]

True it might have been a bit of hard work lexx but he had six months of no work to do it. Looks hella sweet in the flesh!
Performs great off road and now runs 35 jt2's, he got annoyed with the tire width in the mud.......apparently he had to winch a section that a little zook climbed on 29 muds
But don't worry he showed that zook up good and proper later!

His nick is jeep97tj on this forum

[jeep97tj]

Pick up the hubs this monday damm thoses MTRs in the clay,mud wet logs type terrain, The 35x11.5 simexs

[JemmyBubbles]

Firstly I own a GQ shorty sooo I am a nissan fan, and also a huge fan of shorty's in general. Women dig cocked front wheels... ??!! hehe

I reckon lifted TJ jeeps are by far the gnarliest looking vehicle around. I would love to own one.... I hate petrol though but that could be solved with a TD42 transplant hahahaha.

My question is regarding tyres size. Now from experience the Diff Pumpkin's on my GQ are quite large and with 33's I am still not happy with their proximity to the ground.

Now I am thinking a TJ with 4" lifted coils and 33" muds would be as capable as a nissan with 35's. is this a fair kind of statement ???

How capable is a 4" lifted TJ dual locked with 33's.... anyone run this setup... ??? Thinking of offloading my shorty and going the TJ route...

Obviously the driveline will need attention with this kind of mod. What aboot gearing, diff strength, front end etc etc etc...

And on another note... HOw bad is the fuel consumption really ?? Obviously if I bought the freeky deeky Jeepy it will be a daily driver, hence the moderate level of mods, what are you looking at... My nissan gives bout 14.5/100km, thats newy driving though. As a rule I hate petrol fourbies but would love more stick on the freeway, in the scrub and and the sand.

Why the hell didn't they bring these things out in a Trb diesel ???

Do all of them have A/C ?? I am aware they I would prolly pickup a softop easier than a hardtop... BUt I can't find any info as to whether they came out with this crap standard ??

Oh one last thing my old man and I were trying to work out what the front end is on one of these things... 3 link, 4 link 5 link wierd link.. ??

Cheers

Jeremy

[Thor]

welcome to the dark side jemmy
i think it's cool people aren't scared off by the reality of it all as outlined by SC!!
but yeah as capable as a patrol? all depends on your driving and the conditions... each would have their good & bad moments.

[AussieCJ7]

I reckon lifted TJ jeeps are by far the gnarliest looking vehicle around. I would love to own one.... I hate petrol though but that could be solved with a TD42 transplant hahahaha.

My question is regarding tyres size. Now from experience the Diff Pumpkin's on my GQ are quite large and with 33's I am still not happy with their proximity to the ground.

Now I am thinking a TJ with 4" lifted coils and 33" muds would be as capable as a nissan with 35's. is this a fair kind of statement ???

How capable is a 4" lifted TJ dual locked with 33's.... anyone run this setup... ??? Thinking of offloading my shorty and going the TJ route...

Obviously the driveline will need attention with this kind of mod. What aboot gearing, diff strength, front end etc etc etc...

And on another note... HOw bad is the fuel consumption really ?? Obviously if I bought the freeky deeky Jeepy it will be a daily driver, hence the moderate level of mods, what are you looking at... My nissan gives bout 14.5/100km, thats newy driving though. As a rule I hate petrol fourbies but would love more stick on the freeway, in the scrub and and the sand.

Why the hell didn't they bring these things out in a Trb diesel ???

Do all of them have A/C ?? I am aware they I would prolly pickup a softop easier than a hardtop... BUt I can't find any info as to whether they came out with this crap standard ??

Oh one last thing my old man and I were trying to work out what the front end is on one of these things... 3 link, 4 link 5 link wierd link.. ??

Cheers

Jeremy

33's work well on a Jeep and if you not into the must have bigger tyres to make up for the size of my rodger then I think they make for a very good alround setup

Wheel base dictates the tyre size so shorter wheel base can get away with less tyre eg Kermit the zuk on 31's doing well at the first Tuff truck

Yes there are plenty around who run locked and 33's and they do very well, like anything though most of it is the driver not the size of the gear on the truck

To give some sort of fuel encomy to pass both ADR's and the US regs they have way too higher gearing so you need to factor in gears with your bigger tyres

Fuel economy well you dont buy a Jeep if you want to get good economy it is passable but just.

Do the diesel swap and make sure you write it up there would be plenty waiting to see how it turns out but it will cost you a fair bit

Drive line well 4" lift means you need a slip yoke eliminator for the transfer case and gears for 33's while you in the diffs might as well do lockers. The rest of it will be pretty good for 33's unles you drive it like you stole it with your brain in nuetral

AC was an option that seems to be more popluar on latter years, most early on thought a soft top what good is a/c but some still have it.


No Diesel option well they are yanky cars and yanks have never been very good at diesels so even if they did have one it would have been an over weight underpowered yank POC at least now DC is having an infulence and the mercede's deisels are cropping up in other parts of the range so in the future we may just get a wrangler with a diesel donk but doubt it will be in the TJ range. Next years gear box is a mercedees 6 speed with a granny low so that should be good

[JemmyBubbles]

I guess I was trying to say having 33's on a TJ is the equivalent to having 35's on my GQ cause the darned pumpkins R so big. ??

Well back at Wauchope Glenn Binskin has a TJ with 4" coils frt locker and 33" mtrs and it's real capable. The old man mentioned something to him bout it being a petrol, cause he is a turbo charging diesel guru, and he said he has a spare td42 lying round so he was gonna drop that in it. That would be interesting to see.....

Ok I doo actually want some figures regarding fuel economy. The drive like a grandma one and the drive it like you stole it one...

Pictures of flexing TJ's sort of show that the front end actually works. I have no idea what 'setup' it is. My patrol is Rear 5 link front 3 link what is a TJ ????

[jeep97tj]

TJs are 5 link front and rear I got 18L per 100km with 33s and stock gears (Auto). I now have 37s and 4.56 gears and get an extra 50-60km out of every tank

[JemmyBubbles]

18l/100km

Is that driving like a nanna or kinda givin it a boootfull...

shite 5 link front and rear... thats why TJ's flex a bit...

[sir_camel]

I get about 18L per/100 but it depends what driving i do. I have just regeared my diffs and dont know wat its going to be like yet.

I run 4 inch lift (a bitsa sorta lift but works well, need new control arms next), 33's and front and rear lockers. Below is a pic of me flexing out with my current setup. It does really well.




The one thing you will probably notice is that the patrol diffs are stronger than TJ diffs. But you can beef up the TJ diffs. They only really start being a problem when you hit 35 territory but depends on how u drive.

[Ando_13]

My best fuel economy is 12.5L/100km driving to work each day and my worst about 30L/100km, but that was a weekend of blowing away ricers!
I had a 2.8d Hilux, I now get better fuel economy than it, however, when you have the power you tend to use it , which leads to increased fuel economy

A/C is standard equip on 02 onwards, and optional before that. There are heaps of soft tops without A/C but most hard tops have A/C. Personally I would never buy a daily driver without A/C.


Yep 5 link susp fr&RR has plenty of flex, and you can make it flex better with aftermarket flexi control arms.

[JemmyBubbles]

Interesting regarding that fuel economy....

I agree A/C is a must for a daily driver and especially something I am paying 16k for sooo yup..

How is the auto in these things ? The missus can only drive an auto so I am thinking of that as well... Is it a fairly stout unit... ?? any major probs or should I just go 5 spd and make her learn.....

So I would be better off looking for a hardtop... how hard are they (hardtops) to remove for a slice of fun.

So if you went 4" skywrds adjustable arms would most likely be on the cards for ultra super duper kick ass flex..

mmmmm

Interested in the jeep...

[Wooders]

IMHO air conditioning is a bloody nice touch.....it's nice having cool air blowing on yer face as you soak up the rays ..... And Air cond seems to deliver less on-the-fly munchies than folding down the windscreeen

As for the Hardtop - it bloody expensive to get later - IMHO go the hardtop and buy a bikini top to prevent yer nipples from getting sunburnt or wet.

As for remving the hardtop - it's not THAT hard - but best done with 2 people unless you rig up a hoist (on my garage mod list )......

Lastly 4" lifts are nice.....But .......Sorry {spam-on} I would not waste money on adjustable short arms. Instead use that money to go towards long arms - the difference is more than noticable both on road & off......Why Spam? Becuase I'm biased - that's what I run & what I stock.....{spam-off}

[JemmyBubbles]

Rightyo,

I am forming a secret plan on how to actually aquire a TJ.

Thinking the shorty GQ has to go, but the body damage and shite must come out of it.

So 1997 is when the TJ first made an appearance, correct ???

Say if I can find a 97 ish model manual hardtop in pristine nick w/ AC will a price under 16k be negotiable. What hassles am I going to have with this vintage of TJ ?

Ok lets say a 3" suspension lift, 2" body lift, dual lockers and 33's. OBviously I am trying to avoid to many driveline dramas as this 4" lift I have on my GQ has been interesting.

What issues will there be with this kind of setup ?

[Thor]

no one's mentioned it yet (i'm guessing for the whole fairness to OL thing), but there is a few jeep sites which cover most jeep lift and setup combinations. google and "australian", "jeep", & "forum" and a number of other combinations will bring a few of these up...

[Wooders]

Jemmy,

Sounds reasonable....
97 model is the earliest - although the ACTUAL year is 96.....Just the selly yanks getting ahead of themselves
You shouldn't have any major problems with your plan.....have fun & keep us posted....oh yeah remember to take pics

[mattc]

On a stock 97 check if the exhaust manifold has cracked - very common fault before 2000 when the design changed. 2000 also got a different stronger gearbox - not that too many people have blown the previous AX15(?). Anyway if the exhaust manifold is cracked - welding is only a temp fix - really you will have to put after market headers on it - check on ausjeep - there are good after market ones which cost $ and some crap ones which rob ground clearance.

[zzzz]

On a stock 97 check if the exhaust manifold has cracked - very common fault before 2000 when the design changed. 2000 also got a different stronger gearbox - not that too many people have blown the previous AX15(?). Anyway if the exhaust manifold is cracked - welding is only a temp fix - really you will have to put after market headers on it - check on ausjeep - there are good after market ones which cost $ and some crap ones which rob ground clearance.

Guess you are talking about me
Broken AX15 and cracked exhaust manifold, and ruined cat converter.
But my TJ has had a very hard life and I am running 36's etc.

TJ on 33's and dual lockers is very capable.
I would look at armour plating and high clearancing as many underbody parts as you can. Especially the fuel tank that hangs down at the rear, and making the belly flatter by moving the t-case up a bit.

head over to http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com and join the forums.
Lots of great information there

cheers

z

[JemmyBubbles]

Yeah I was browsing those forums. You guys get a whole site to yourself

The other thing I noticed on the site was a thread called "GU diffs into a TJ". That makes me wonder if I am better off whacking a 5 link front end in the shorty and leaving it at that.

With 33's and Air Lockers am I going to break things ? My old man has a rangie with 33's and no maxi drive or uprgraded driveline components (yet ) and it seems every adventure out into the scrub he breaks something. I can absolutely THRASH the shorty and not even look like breaking something. Breaking things makes wheeling a sad un-fun event.

So basically with that setup, what is weak in these things ?