Hi everybody! After years of building Jeeps I figure it's finally time to start putting out some content. Follow along for Off-roading, rebuilds, reviews, and maybe some humor from time to time!
I primarily purchase wrecked Jeeps from the insurance auction to fix up and put back on the road for others to enjoy. Otherwise I am a husband, father of 3, and believer in Jesus.
Hey Derek , when you get back to it I would like to purchase rock sliders for my TJ . The only thing I'm worried about is the slider to body bolt mounting. Take care my friend and I'm in the process of boxing up my body lift for you. I will message you in a week or so to mail it out to you . Dave
Love my ‘05 TJ Rocky Mtn with the 4.0L I6, Dana 44, 3.73 gears and lsd. Still find it odd that Chrysler put disc brakes up from and drums in the rear on these. At least they stayed with the AMC 4.0, but the brake thing is still a head scratcher, do it right - all the way or don’t do at all. Anyway man cool video!
Me too! Is yours disk or drum? I want to say a disk brake upgrade on a 44 was something like a $495 option on top of the something like $1300 option for the 44(which was a LOT in 03-06) but I'd have to dig into that one after all these years.
You have a great channel here and I have shared this with similar ones. The TJ is the best generation of Jeep with its classic rugged, utilitarian looks and stance, and the off-road prowess of its MB grandfather, only the TJ is far better. There's nothing like the military 2 door, short wheelbase from '41 - '06. Add in the coil suspension, you have the best and most fun Jeep ever built in the TJ. I thought about a 3" lift w/ 33's but fortunately very early on getting into off roading Jeeps, many told me, their TJ became very sluggish going from just 32's to 33's in addition to a domino effect of needing additional expensive parts. And I'm glad I listened! Because I drove a TJ with this set up and it didn't have that excellent low-end torque and was very slow off the line. And most of them returned to 32's while some fell for the aftermarket bait, very expensive bait. I get many who want to know what the perfect build is. Which is not easy to answer because everyone does different things with their Jeep. But I would like to share mine since my '05 TJ Rocky Mtn drives and handles absolutely amazing on and off-road. Keep in mind, I am NOT a rock crawler, I'm an adventurer who takes the family beach wheelin, beach camping, surf fishing, and we hit fun, moderate trails in the fall and winter getting to our favorite fishing holes and camp sites. Which is why the build is for what's near and for what we do, nothing was put on this TJ unnecessarily for show. I see too many "spotless Jeeps" with 33's - 38's. As long as you have good off-road instincts and common sense, a modest, high-quality build will allow you and your family to have a lot of fun! All in, I'm at $29k with my '05 TJ Rocky Mtn. And I can honestly say build wise, I'm done!! I might Raptor line it since the TJ has a few rough paint spots and won't ever have to worry about off road pinstriping again. The best part is, this TJ not only keeps up, but outperforms a lot of these $45k - $95k JK's & JL' s. Due in part to people's inexperience and just "over building". The '05 TJ has a modest build, yet is extremely capable, durable and best of all, affordable. And you don't need a 2nd vehicle or rental to take that long out of state trip anymore because this build affords you excellent on road manners too besides being an off-road animal. I encourage any Jeeper to search for a rust-free TJ 4.0 I6, preferably stock, 3.73's w/ LSD and a Dana 44. And to use my build as a "guide". Although I highly recommend this build for anyone who is an adventurer, not a rock crawler. Best of all, it will eliminate you from chasing your tail, and the aftermarket will have one less "just empty every pocket" victim out there! It was a lot of trial and error, but it has been well worth it. 2" Old Man Emu coils 32" KO2's or 32" BFG MT's Quadratec Baja alloy rims - perfect backspacing - no rub! Currectlync steering Freedom Off Road front adj track bar Napa Heavy Duty gearbox - very stout! M.O.R.E gearbox brace JKS quick disconnects PPR Industries 32 Teeth Speedomoter Gear - if you have 3.73 gears and 32" tires Freedom Off Road front lower Adjustable control arms The rest are Fixed Detroit Axles Transfer case drop kit Fox 2.0 Shox Fox steering stabilizer Professional 4x4 shop to do the alignment *If you have an "05 or '06 TJ, I highly encourage getting a Wranglerfix.com PCM. These 2 years are notorious for having erratic shift point and "so-called trans issues". Keep in mind, the 42RLE auto trans is actually very good, it's the lousy Chrysler pcm's that have given them a bad rap. Since installing this Wranglerfix pcm, it's like having a new TJ out of the showroom, excellent, smooth shift points and very nice acceleration now with no goofy, unwarranted codes. Thank God, because replacing a trans is something no one wants to do. Coupled with the best engine ever put in any Jeep, the 4.0L I6, and you have one of the best TJ's out there. Since doing this, I have had the best experience with any vehicle I've ever had. Staying with 32's allows us Jeepers to maintain that great low-end torque, saves us a lot of money on unnecessary aftermarket parts and still be able to wheel most anywhere. It's the best of all worlds! One of my favorite mods was added a Banks cat back exhaust giving it a throaty growl, but not obnoxiously loud. Absolutely perfect for the 4.0 I6. I might add front and rear ARB lockers and 32" BFG Mud Terrains if the family moves to a place with trails, but for now this is perfect for OBX beach wheelin', beach camping, surf fishing, fresh water fishing and camping. 😎🏖🌊🎣🏕🏞🐟 Most importantly, be honest with yourself, build your TJ for what you will be using it for. And know YOU CAN do great trails and much more with just a 2" lift and 32" ko2's or MT's! And anyone with a 2 door JL Rubicon, while I definitely prefer my '05 TJ Rocky Mtn over anything from '07 - present, I have to say these 2 dr JL Rubicons are absolutely complete, no reason to do anything to them! 33" MT's, perfect stock height lift, 4:1 ratio, lockers, etc. I wheeled with a couple that have this animal of Jeep and told them to leave it alone, it's perfect! They knew what they had and I don't forsee them changing anything. I tell them mine is just as capable and $40k less. 😎 But at least they won't have to spend so much as a dollar for upgrades. DO NOT let the aftermarket pushers fool or shame you into thinking you "need" 33" - 40" tires and a 5" lift to wheel. That's 🦬💩! They know full well, once they get you at 33's, it's a freaking cash cow for them! Because you just embarked on their multi thousand dollar build conveyor belt. And it's 100% unnecessary for moderate wheelin'! Your axles, drive train, drive shafts, engine, gearing and a host of a lot of other stuff now "needs" to be upgraded. The aftermarket pushers feast on naive people. Don't be that guy! Like cereal companies saying breakfast is the most important meal of the day, the aftermarket will continue to take advantage of the misinformed. Thanks for reading this, my intention is to help as many Jeepers as possible, and to assist with avoiding making the mistakes I did. O|||||||O 🇺🇲Only in a 2 Dr🇺🇸 '41- '06
That is a lot to unpack but I don't disagree with any of it. Honestly, I have a lot of opinions, but that's why I like to share them as I truly want to help educate people.. Anywho, thanks for the comment!
Great video with a lot of good info Derek. I personally run a low pinion Dana 30 in the front of my TJ with 4.56 gears and chromoly shafts. I'm in the process of putting a super 35 kit together for the rear. I am running 33 BFG KO 2's and only plan on going to a 35'' tire. I don't wheel hard and I don't really do any rock crawling just trails rated at 3 or 4. Take care my friend and I will talk to you soon.
2 inch body v8 zj multi rate springs on 36s flat belly. Moved rear back 2 inches with coil correction and adjustable control arms high line fenders up front works killer
I don’t own a jeep but really want one. Light off roading or overlanding. Would wind up getting a used jeep due to price so wondering about a couple things. Are there any years that I should avoid? In jeeps that they’ve lifted or put larger tires on is there a way to know if they have the right axles and gearing? I’ve heard that someone can put 35’s or bigger and not change stuff and it will cause bigger problems later. If a dealer can’t answer the gearing question should you not buy? I wrench on my own vehicles but don’t want to purchase something that I immediately have to upgrade something to keep it from breaking *edit. This would also be a daily driver. So not looking for something with huge wheels and big lift. Like the rubicon cause it’s got the features in case I need them.
My opinion... I would avoid any 4 cylinder/Automatic! if you are already thinking about a Rubicon - I would go right there and be done with it. I would normally already recommend a 03-06 for some of the creature comforts, but you are dead on, all the stuff you are going to want to upgrade is already there. Whether the automatic or the manual, the factory Rubicon gearing would be fine for 35's.
Continued: if you want the extra room, the 05-06 Unlimited Rubicons are the holy grail if you will. You will pay a bit more, but it will also be worth a good bit more if you ever want to sell. As far as the dealer, if its modified the dealer likely wont know the history on the axles unless they happen to tear the covers off. Most folks selling online will list out those mods, because they paid good money to have them upgraded. The Rubicon will have the best factory axles and transfer case you can possibly get from the factory. Do that. Hope that helps!
@@ElevatedJeeps that was a big help, thank you! I’ve always had my eye on jeeps. Then I started watching a lot of overlanding and off road recovery videos on RU-vid. It made me want one more. Then my work car was put in the shop. I was put in a 2024 4 door rubicon for a few weeks. It had 68 miles when they gave it to me. I fell in love with it. Couple weeks after I was put in a 2022 rubicon gladiator. My wife started to get worried I was going to get depressed when I turned it back in haha
@@ickess Great, no problem! If you find one and want to talk it out / discuss things to look for I am happy to jump on a call and try to help out. Good luck my friend!
Well, great question! You can still find them but they’re salty. I assume once those dry up we will have to have something like an ARB pump regulated down to 5psi.
Hello my friend! I am sorry but that is not correct. Electric lockers were not introduced until 2007 - at which point the air actuated lockers were discontinued. Hey, somebody has to save all these TJ's! Hehe, take care!
What can you say about how TJ axles compare with other 30’s, 35’s and 44’s, including those made later for the JK? Do the common assumptions regarding strength and weak points check out? I’m mostly asking out of curiosity, being a TJR owner running 33” tires on Dana 44’s.
Well, this I know: JK axles are wider. The D30 is comparable in size and is still 27 spline. No D35. The JK44 has a bigger ring gear than the TJ44, and moved up to 32 spline from 30. I don't know if it's the extra width, but I have seen countless snapped JK front axles - like snapped in half. Rarely have I see this on a TJ. if you truss and sleeve JK Rubi 44's, they would be superior to the TJ. For the vintage of your TJR, those axle were the best you could get from the factory. Thanks for your ccomment!
Only on a wrangler.. will u get ..no flex. The no flexer.. is a lil binder. The no flexer is a mall crawler.. need need need long arms yaa yeye yee yee yaa😮
Well been flowing your videos I just swapped my dana 30 for a Rubicon 44 and built my rear to a super 35 with 410 gearing now I can use my 6th gear now
Yessir I cut out quite a bit! If you have time check out my last two videos on putting 37’s under a 2” lift, that should help. About 3” came out of the front, 1” on top, and about 2” at the back. Hope that helps bud
Derek looks awesome brother! Lovin this build. I wish I lived there as I would like the rear diff from the seller you obtained the front diff from. So here's a couple things for you to ponder . First are you still interested in my body lift? I'm pulling it out this coming weekend . Second I'm interested in the Marked Design sliders as well ,but do you have them for a TJ ? Also do they use the bolt pattern from like a Smitybilt rock slider where they bolt to the body ? I want to get rid of my smitybilt tube sliders for a flat slider like what you make. I want to wish you a belated Fathers day also. I hope you had a great day my friend.
Hey David! Thanks for the kind words my friend! Yessir, I suspect I am going to need that extra 1" for clearance. No rush though! We do have sliders for a TJ, and ironically I have a set without the end caps. I am unsure if they retain the same holes as the smittys quite honestly. Take care my friend!
Yes you sure do! That stings a little doesn’t it!? Those sure don’t come up very often and prices have gone insane! Thanks for your comment, take care!
That's a fantastic price Derek! I would love to have it , however my wife would kill me if I bought it. For what you said was wrong with it you can't even tell . They did a great job on the body work and paint for what I can tell. Should sell pretty fast if you ask me. Take care my friend and catch you on your next video .
I think so too. I do have them and will make them available to the buyer. We will see what happens, this market is absolutely awful right now. :( Take care Mark!
Great job Derek ! Your LJ is looking really nice and I'm looking forward to your next video. I hope you and your family had a great Memorial Day . I will be pulling out my 1'' body lift in a few weeks , I just need to order new motor mounts because I'm removing my motor mount lift at the same time. I will keep you posted on it . Take care my friend and catch you on your next video.
Thanks David! Can’t wait to see it my friend! Don’t know if I mentioned but I would have interest in your BL and motor mount lift when they come off! Take care my friend!
currently im on 31.5's No lift and it wheels alright....With that said i do plan on doing a Savvy tummy tuck 1.25" Body lift 1" MML And after all that i may keep my stock suspension run a spacer upfront since my Front got sagged a bit after my winch&plate ! Just speculation i feel like for my daily id like to keep it 3 inches total lift but theres seems to be more options for longer travel shocks with a 3" Coil lift ! .......Im kinda hesistant but i feel like the 3" Coil & 1.25" Body lift will do me good on the street with some stiffer sway bars Like an ORO Front dual rate bar for example and a Hellwig rear ? but also on the trails it could be a badass little rock crawler ! I still got ideas but ill figure something out and make em to life !
Let's go! Brett, I'll tell you what, you donate some monies to the cause and I will absolutely do that!!! :) For the record I did up buying that 44 OX. Bad news is I have to get new gears!
I'd look at cryo trating your gears esp is your going 37s on a 30. Why not at a min find a HP30? If you are going to keep it low, get rid of the shovel.
Not bad ideas - I've never looked into the cryo thing before - where does one do that? I suppose if I ran across an HP I wouldn't be opposed - though I did already buy gears. Honestly though as far as strength goes, the results are negligible. As far as the shovel - the diff hangs just as low from HP to LP - so what do you actually gain on the bottom?
I think the direction you're going to do will make a great off-road Jeep without going too crazy. As you know my 03 TJ has just enough strength in aftermarket parts to make a great trail rig. I don't do any crazy off-roading just nice easy trails . I may do some trails rated at 4 but nothing over that. Can't wait to see you build as it progresses Derek . Take care my friend and catch you on your next video.
@@ElevatedJeeps The disc brake set up is all done and I have drove my TJ about four times since the install. My wife helped me out with bleeding the brakes on two separate occasions to get them stopping correctly. Next I will be removing the 1'' body lift. Take care Derek and talk to you soon.
@@moabwheeling1305 Glad you got that all done David! Do you notice better stopping power now? Id be interested in that body lift when you get around to removing it for what it's worth. Take care my friend!
@@ElevatedJeeps To be honest it does seem a little better as far as stopping. I mainly did it for ease of changing brakes when needed. I hate doing a drum brake brake job . I should be taking the body lift out with in the next couple weeks. I will keep you posted for sure. Take care Derek and catch you soon on your next video.
I sure hate to see you blue LJ go after all that work you did to it. But like you said it's bitter sweet. I think Art will take care of it and have a lot of fun too. Looking forward to your white LJ build now. Take care Derek and catch you on your next video. P.S. I'm glad you were able to keep the fuel tank skid.
Good video Derek ! I have been looking at taillights on and off for a while and have not come up with one yet . My question to you is do the Maxbuilt lights have a side marker light built into them ? I don't care about the license plate light do to me relocating my license plate to the spare tire , I have a third brake / license plate light on the license plate bracket. I welded the old license plate mounting holes up and body worked and repainted the factory area . I have also looked at the Savy tail lights and I like them because their not as deep as the factory ones and they do have the side marker lights like your video showed. Anyway enough babbling , take care my friend and catch you on your next video.
David my friend! Yes the Max-Bilt Trail Tails have 5 LEDs on the side of each unit. They are bright let me tell you! I just took a picture I’ll shoot you a message over on instagram. Thank you!!
@@ElevatedJeeps It was sure nice talking to you on the phone Derek. I'm sorry it was so late . Now I know the time difference .Thank you on the info for the tail lights , I think I know which route I'm going now. I will keep you posted when I get them. Take care my friend.
Sounds sweet! Yeah, I suppose I neglected to mention you could fit a 31 inch tire on a 2 inch lift and have all kinds of room for activities! Thank you for your comment!
