2001 TJ Sport build-up help

Hi Andy! First of all, don't apologize for "stupid questions". They don't exist...

Congrats on the TJ, you picked some good factory options.

1. All 3 of those are great lift kits. (Teraflex, OME, RE) Lift is subjective as far as height (i.e. what do you want and what will you need?) First of all, WHY ARE YOU LIFTING IT? Is 4" too much, or not enough? OME will give you 2.5" and is a superior suspension kit. Tera and RE both have excellent 3/4/4.5" kits. More info on intended offroad use here would help.

1. Tire size is also subjective and inter-relates heavily with lift choice. More info on what you intend to do offroad. A 4" lift and 33s go nicely, as do a 2.5 lift and 31 to possibly 32s. BFG ATs/MTs, Goodyear MT/Rs are my choices. Remember, you might have to get some aftermarket wheels if you go much wider than 10.50 on the tire and disconnect your swaybar.

2. Consider an ARB for a Jeep that gets a lot of road use. My Rubicon has a switchable locker and I really like having the option to engage/disengage it. I like Warn for winches, people have other opinions as well. You should have recovery equipt. like snatch strap, tree saver, snatch block, choker chain, tow strap, etc. and go have fun. Wheel with someone else if at all possible!!

JMHO!

Andy wrote:

Thanks twaldron for your reply. My answers are below. Yes, I optioned my TJ with the hopes I would build it up some day. Thanks. We have seen numerous Rubicon's on the trails and they walk up those muddy hills with lockers. But we decided to take our 3 year old TJ and simply make it a Rubicon. HA!

******************************************************** I live in Kentucky and have gone to both Land Between the Lakes and Tellico in Murphy, NC. There are some real tough trails there and I couln't do some of them without lift. I have a stock Jeep now. I have talked to many Jeep owners and most say a quality lift kit will still ride as well as stock. I drove a 2002 TJ with Terra Flex and it seemed to have great manners on the road. I suppose around 4" will suit me well. ****************************************************** I have factory 15" wheels now with 30" tires. Yuk, nice looking but not for off road.. The trails here are muddy mostly, with some rocks and loose dirt. Climbing a muddy hill is where I need the best tire. I will need to change wheels for sure. 32's would be good. Can I go to 16" wheels or will I need a body lift?? ****************************************************** ***************************************************** Roger the wheel with someone else. I like ARB because I want an open diff for on road. Roger on Warn and all the supplies. I have some of these and put them to good use. Question: has anybody gone to Big South Fork in Tennessee? I was there and there is this one trail.... *********************************************************

You Bet!

We have seen

Nothing wrong with that!

You've got some GREAT 4 wheeling where you are! I find the 4/4.5" lift and 33s to be a perfect setup for what you're talking about. I have a std. 4" Teraflex lift and find it to be VERY well mannered. The LA kits claim to help even further in the handling dept., but I've had no disappointments with mine. It is slightly firmer than stock, but NOT stiff. I attribute the slight extra firmness to the DT3000 shock (very happy with) and the slightly higher spring rate of the kit.

With that terrain, I'd go with BFG MTs, other people like the MT/R in mud too, but I've been a little disappointed (my driving technique perhaps?). I do like the MT/R in GENERAL better, but it won't wear as well. The BFG is a superb mud tire. With the 4" lift, you can go with

33s. The offset of the factory wheels will not allow you to run the wider tires, so you will have to get some aftermarket wheels. I'd stick with 15" because the sidewall will be taller and slightly more flexible and will allow you to air down the tires a little to get better traction on the slippery rocks you will encounter and will be less likely to come off the rim than with 16" wheels and a shorter sidewall. NOTE: The wheel dia. doesn't affect your lift, it's the tire dia. and width. I am not a big fan of body lifts, but you won't need one if you stick with a 4"+ lift and 32/33s.

Do tell.... :)

Big South Fork In KY and TN. Beautiful place. Lots of trails, not mapped. One was so we took it. It followed an old railroad bed. Some real nice bridge crossings over the creek we new we had to cross with no bridge.

The trail is mild, or was mild, for the most part. Half way into it we found a HUGE bolder sitting smack dam on the road. Some ATV's had made a go around and hell, I figured if they can do it, so can I. With a stock Jeep mind you. Well I did it and amazed my wife who had her eyes closed. Later on we started down towards the creek. It got real bad, rocks. We made it and then sand, loose. Well, here is where we stopped. Couldn't see a way across so I turned around and got out somehow. We met a local later who said we had to get in the creek and drive upstream a little and then we would see the road across the creek, and it was safe crossing there. I was just wondering if anybody in the news group knows about this trail. I was wanting to complete it.

Thanks for all your suggestings. I will use them. Is this why Jeep is J (just) E (empty) E (every P (pocket)?

Hey Mike,

You mean transport it on a trailer?

I haven't heard of it, but it sounds fun. That's only a full days drive for me so I might try it sometime. Just got back from Nashville in the XJ, but unfortunately it was not a 4WD trip. :)

Just Empty Every Pocket...yes, but somehow it's more fun than spend> Big South Fork In KY and TN. Beautiful place. Lots of trails, not mapped.

Mike,

What is a float trailer vice? I know a tow bar can do some damage if you corner from a standstill and you can't back up. I try to go wide around corners and never back up.

Andy

Thanks Bill,

Yes, I have seen most everyone that transports their Jeeps do it on some kind of trailer. What are the problems encountered with flat towing? Am I going to be in trouble?

Thanks

Andy

Gotcha Bill,

I never back up. I'd unhook before that. I always watch that the Jeep follows right along with the wheels correct. I have a 5 speed so transfer case is in neutral and transmission is in second gear.

I'm about done with long distance over the road. Been going to border towns to pick up auto parts and bring them to plants through the US. Been anxious to take the wife to some of the places I've seen. Not a good job anymore.

Thanks again for your help. Understand now. Will start the built up soon.

Andy

You're essentially towing a 3-4000 pound trailer with no brakes. It's impossible to back up without someone at the wheel of the Jeep. Increased wear and tear on lower drivetrain.

You're an OTR driver so you're probably qualified to handle the handling and braking aspects of flat-towing. But if you plan to tow the Jeep a lot, you might seriously consider a trailer.

One thing to remember...when flat towing a TJ, ignition key in unlocked position, tranny in gear (or park) and Tcase in neutral.

Good luck.

• * * Matt Macchiarolo
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Thanks Matt!

My OTR experience won't hold water but I realize it sure takes longer to stop (Like my rig) and is not the way for everybody. I simply don't ever back up and my experience helps me there. I don't take off with the motorhome wheels turned. I turn very slowly to prevent dragging the front end. This is the same with my rig, it can mess up the trailer wheel alignment.

I'll start looking for a flat trailer, used. I admit tow bar towing is not the way to tow especially if you have little experience with all this.

So what do you think about my build up? A 4" lift sounds good? I want a good ride on the dry and I've been told numerous times that a quality lift will do this. Tire choice (33's) for mud mostly off road. Tire size and width? What's a good 15" wheel, aftermarket?

Thanks,

Andy

Thanks Matt!

My OTR experience won't hold water but I realize it sure takes longer to stop (Like my rig) and is not the way for everybody. I simply don't ever back up and my experience helps me there. I don't take off with the motorhome wheels turned. I turn very slowly to prevent dragging the front end. This is the same with my rig, it can mess up the trailer wheel alignment.

I'll start looking for a flat trailer, used. I admit tow bar towing is not the way to tow especially if you have little experience with all this.

So what do you think about my build up? A 4" lift sounds good? I want a good ride on the dry and I've been told numerous times that a quality lift will do this. Tire choice (33's) for mud mostly off road. Tire size and width? What's a good 15" wheel, aftermarket?

Thanks,

Andy

Welcome, Andy. This is (mostly) a great group. As long as you show yourself to be a straight up guy, you will be treated with respect (mostly) along with lots of wisecracks and digs...

Andy, People type funny things here. Mike tends to say "vice" instead of "versus". I don't know why, but, once you get use to it, you can easily figure out what he means. :-) Some people "brake" things and replace their "break" shoes. Then there's the "their" "there" and "they're" confusion.... We won't go there... You'll get used to it. ;-) If Bill tells you that you don't have a "real jeep", just ignore him. He's just jealous.

Hi Jim,

Yes, I've seen very funny stuff here. You guys/gals are great. Tell Bill I had a "real" Jeep a while ago. It was a CJ7, 1979, with a 258 that was rebuilt with Clifford cam, intake and header(s). A Weber carb to boot. It had the famous 4 speed T4? that in low range, and in first, would walk. I rode that Jeep everywhere. I actually put it in the back of my tractor trailer sometimes when I went West. Sadly it rusted and I had to do something. It was either fiberglass or by one of those "new" TJ's that were the rage. So, in 2001 I purchased the TJ. Now in 2003 I want to build it. My thoughts are it will never be the CJ. That 258 was strong.

There is a 79 CJ7 on eBay with a 304, rust free.

I have a question for you.. Would 33's be OK for me with 3.73 gears?