Jeep Crawler Bench Build

Okay peeps, the recent trip to Moab reinvigorated my desire to crawl. Wanted to get opinions on platforms and why. Budget is a thing but can be stretched out over time, but still like to keep it sub 30k.

Desires,

Doorless/Topless option thats easy to throw covered back on if weather deems it. Really enjoyed no top no doors on the trail. Really only ever "crawled" old Toyotas so this was new for me.

2 Door

Like to be able to do Poison Spider level difficulty trails. But don't want it so capable I'm doing the whole thing in 2wd. I like to have to think about my line and not just pay to play with 42's point and shoot style. But at the same time good enough that I'm confident solo on said trail.

Not a fabricator so stretching a wheelbase isn't in my wheel house. Don't want to pay a fortune to have it done.

Less nanny BS. The JL is an amazing platform, but mother of god the thing is always beeping some sort of warning. Also the JL is kinda my "daily" if you will when i'm in town. I drive the JT to work but thats only because its sitting outside anyway. So don't want to get too carried away on the JL, small lift and 35's at most. Maybe a limited slip in the front. But LS would require regear money as no options available for current gearing.

Something already built would be nice as long as its done right, as you usually save a lot of money going this route.

I've been watching the classifieds for a while for LJ's, still commanding a premium but not terrible. Some okay built ones around the 20k mark.

I had been watching JK's but haven't been paying attention.

I've never owned at YJ/TJ hard top, how big of a bitch is taking on and off the hard tops? We ripped the JL one off in a few min and just left it on the trailer at the hotel was super nice. JK I think would be very similar time line.

Concerns over YJ TJ LJ JK non Rubicon Dana 35? Still a pile of poo? Is a "super" 35 worth it? or is an axle swap in the future?

Trailering to Moab or wherever no big deal, driving from trail to trail is a must

Sure I thought of more questions that I've now forgotten while cruising around a couple miles high, but I'll bring them up as I remember.

What say the RME brain trust on what platform and why?

I'd look hard for an already built vehicle, LJ or TJ IMO. You'll save money and be ahead with a turn-key Jeep, versus building it yourself. If you're willing to drive for the right vehicle, that'll open up your options.

Decided what level of trails you want to run and the needed tire size, that'll dictate the needed axles. A TJ on 35's is nimble, but short on steep climbs and drops.

An LJ on 37's would be awesome, but your pushing the limits of stock, upgraded axles.

If you’re not going to stretch it….I’d say go with an LJ. 103ish wheelbase is great for Moab. Swap in JL axles and you’d have a pretty dang good setup for 37s or even 39s with the right shafts. And the body is 5” or so narrower than a JK. Pretty significant clearance improvement. And yes. The YJ/TJ Dana 35 is best used as a boat anchor and an axle swap would be in your future.

Though all LJs come with a rear “D44”. The diff is good. But it’s almost a guarantee that the axle tubes will be bent. The housings are very light duty.

If you wanted to trailer a rig to where your headed a YJ build can be pretty dang cheap and capable but driving on the highway is less than desireable.

RockChucker said:

If you’re not going to stretch it….I’d say go with an LJ. 103ish wheelbase is great for Moab. Swap in JL axles and you’d have a pretty dang good setup for 37s or even 39s with the right shafts. And the body is 5” or so narrower than a JK. Pretty significant clearance improvement. And yes. The YJ/TJ Dana 35 is best used as a boat anchor and an axle swap would be in your future.

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I have planned to swap JK axles to my LJ at some point. What is the benefit of JL axles over JK?

If you’re concerned about hardtop removal on a YJ/TJ/LJ just run a soft top.

Hickey said:

If you’re concerned about hardtop removal on a YJ/TJ/LJ just run a soft top.

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Honestly prefer a soft top, just if it came down to the one I liked having a hard top

2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon
https://cars.ksl.com/listing/9596667

This is the one I’ve been eyeballing hard. Hope the price would come down a bit. Has some good parts but the price tax is a bit steep on it IMO

And honestly probably a little more built than I want. See 2wd everywhere remark

IMO a 4 to 1 low range will make all the difference on the proper technical trails, weather you end up with a Rubicon or a Jeep with an Atlas t-case.

I think that LJ would be a great match for what you're stating you're after. Capable but you're not going to want to beat on those factory Rubicon "D44" axles at all. You'll want 4WD on a lot of trails just to save the axles and not overwork the vehicle. You'd want 4WD on trails like Seven Mile Rim and NEED it on Poison Spider, Metal Masher, Moab Rim, etc


BTW, I'm the one lone TJ "build as desired" vote so far. My logic is that you can "stretch" a cheaper TJ and build it how you want it. JL/JT axles would be interesting on a stretched TJ or you could just go with Stuper Duty axles and never worry about axles or tire size again (at least in your outlined build). You may want narrowed Stuper Duty axles to keep it streetable-ish, but I don't know that I'd drive a TJ/LJ longer than a couple hour drive each way? They're still a Jeep and leave a bit to be desired in the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) vs your JL.

There are a couple of excellent LJ builds out there. My favorite I've personally been exposed to is Dee McNeeny's. Close 2nd is our own @UPNO4 build. I'm sure there are other cool LJ builds of a similar nature.

Greg said:

IMO a 4 to 1 low range will make all the difference on the proper technical trails, weather you end up with a Rubicon or a Jeep with an Atlas t-case.

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Forget about the 4:1 in the Rubi's. So spoiled with the deep first gear in the 8 speed (which it doesn't seem to ever want to select on its own in 4Lo)

mbryson said:

I think that LJ would be a great match for what you're stating you're after. Capable but you're not going to want to beat on those factory Rubicon "D44" axles at all. You'll want 4WD on a lot of trails just to save the axles and not overwork the vehicle. You'd want 4WD on trails like Seven Mile Rim and NEED it on Poison Spider, Metal Masher, Moab Rim, etc


BTW, I'm the one lone TJ "build as desired" vote so far. My logic is that you can "stretch" a cheaper TJ and build it how you want it. JL/JT axles would be interesting on a stretched TJ or you could just go with Stuper Duty axles and never worry about axles or tire size again (at least in your outlined build). You may want narrowed Stuper Duty axles to keep it streetable-ish, but I don't know that I'd drive a TJ/LJ longer than a couple hour drive each way? They're still a Jeep and leave a bit to be desired in the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) vs your JL.

There are a couple of excellent LJ builds out there. My favorite I've personally been exposed to is Dee McNeeny's. Close 2nd is our own @UPNO4 build. I'm sure there are other cool LJ builds of a similar nature.

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I can't remember who had the Blue LJ for sale last year or the year before. I wanted that thing so bad but wasn't in a position to buy at the time. I've always lusted for an LJ so thats probably what I'll end up with. Going to keep an eye out though maybe an already stretched TJ or YJ will pop up.

TRD270 said:

Forget about the 4:1 in the Rubi's. So spoiled with the deep first gear in the 8 speed (which it doesn't seem to ever want to select on its own in 4Lo)

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Combining that deep first gear of the 8 speed WITH a 4 to 1 in a Rubicon and you have incredible gearing and precise control. I love my Rubicon Gladiators gearing, with all that wheelbase and 39's it makes a lot of challenging obstacles look like nothing at all... with the expense of dragging it's ass everywhere. 😄

Built LJ on 37's with JK axles, Atlas, Auto for $27k. Soft top though, so you'd have to find a hardtop. It's been listed for awhile I think, so the price may have some wiggle room.

glockman said:

I have planned to swap JK axles to my LJ at some point. What is the benefit of JL axles over JK?

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JL axles have 1410 size ujoints for the front shafts and I believe there is someone making 1480 shafts for them. The ring gear is slightly smaller diameter which probably means better ground clearance. And factory axle housings compared, my understanding is JL housings are heavier duty than JK.

Greg said:

Built LJ on 37's with JK axles, Atlas, Auto for $27k. Soft top though, so you'd have to find a hardtop. It's been listed for awhile I think, so the price may have some wiggle room.

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You kids and your facespace. Does look like a nice rig... soft top is preferred so not a deal killer!

TRD270 said:

You kids and your facespace. Does look like a nice rig... soft top is preferred so not a deal killer!

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I hate FB, but it's a good way to stay connected to friends and family. Marketplace is my weakness though, I spend way too much time looking for things I don't need.

RockChucker said:

JL axles have 1410 size ujoints for the front shafts and I believe there is someone making 1480 shafts for them. The ring gear is slightly smaller diameter which probably means better ground clearance. And factory axle housings compared, my understanding is JL housings are heavier duty than JK.

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Huh? I thought they used the same 1350 joints as the JK? Ryan would have to confirm since he works on these yuppie Jeeps

The JL either uses 1410 from the factory or can at least fit 1410s when upgrading to cromo shafts. The Ultimate Dana 44 comes with 1410s.
My question is the front axle disconnect housing built into the passenger side axle tube. That appears to be a weak point, but I really don’t know what it takes to break it.