Jeep Crawler Bench Build

What platform would you rock?

  • "Build" the JL deal with the beeping

    Votes: 4 20.0%

  • JK Rubicon

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • JK build as desired

    Votes: 1 5.0%

  • LJ Rubicon

    Votes: 2 10.0%

  • LJ Build as desired

    Votes: 8 40.0%

  • TJ Rubicon

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • TJ

    Votes: 2 10.0%

  • YJ

    Votes: 3 15.0%
  • Total voters
    20
Why the need to stretch a TJ. Do you need the room? Seems like wanting to not make it too capable would mean stock wheelbase is OK?
 
bobdog said:
Why the need to stretch a TJ. Do you need the room? Seems like wanting to not make it too capable would mean stock wheelbase is OK?
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Good point. I’m a Toyota guy, just always hear about stretching TJs so thought it was just the thing to do. Hence the bench build, so all you fine folks can keep me out of trouble.

Last time I built a crawler you could buy a first gen 4runner for 3k that wasn’t thrashed and turn it into an epic machine for sub 10k total.

Some, what I would consider nicely built TJs for around the 12-14k mark. Guess next time I’m in town I need to go put boots on the ground.
 
N-Smooth said:
I personally think a ~100” wb TJ makes for a RAD rig. Stretch the front out a couple inches, the rear the other 5 or 6” and send it. Axles from a JK or JL/JT would also be a cool solution for 37’s IMO.
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I like that idea, toss in a Rubicon t-case (or Atlas) and you'd have a winner.

How far can you move a rear axle and still retain a gas tank under the tub? GenRight tank? $$$
 
Greg said:
I like that idea, toss in a Rubicon t-case (or Atlas) and you'd have a winner.

How far can you move a rear axle and still retain a gas tank under the tub? GenRight tank? $$$
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The Genright tank says it allows for 5" of stretch with D44 so that makes me think not much room for stretch at all without that tank. There are other options of course with custom tanks behind the seat etc that I would look at.
 
N-Smooth said:
The Genright tank says it allows for 5" of stretch with D44 so that makes me think not much room for stretch at all without that tank. There are other options of course with custom tanks behind the seat etc that I would look at.
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Yeah, like stated I don’t think you can go more than a couple inches before you have to worry about changing the tank or going with a fuel cell. But I do think it’s pretty easy to stay on rear coil if you stick to around 5 inches of stretch.

I think going with some axles like you stated with a 5 inch stretch in rear on a stock TJ coil a couple inches upfront and 35’s or 37’s Would be the most economical way to put together a TJ.
 
You need to rethink your budget. All this sounds great and are the way to go, but parts alone will break your bank. Having a shop do the work will make it worse. You might get a set of Jk or JL axles for $5k, but will you reuse the tj suspension? Price 3 and 4 link kits from Genright or ruff stuff. Add $3-5k Coilovers? Struts? Add $4-6k. Wheels and tires? $2-3k. Fuel cell, drivelines, labor? How’s the engine and transmission in that $5k Jeep?
Buy one built. You’ll get at least 50% off the parts and no labor.
 
UNSTUCK said:
You need to rethink your budget. All this sounds great and are the way to go, but parts alone will break your bank. Having a shop do the work will make it worse. You might get a set of Jk or JL axles for $5k, but will you reuse the tj suspension? Price 3 and 4 link kits from Genright or ruff stuff. Add $3-5k Coilovers? Struts? Add $4-6k. Wheels and tires? $2-3k. Fuel cell, drivelines, labor? How’s the engine and transmission in that $5k Jeep?
Buy one built. You’ll get at least 50% off the parts and no labor.
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Always best to take your build budget... and double it to be realistic. 😲
 
Greg said:
Always best to take your build budget... and double it to be realistic. 😲
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Agreed.

Just to give you a realistic idea.
I've spent $5k+ to build my front kingpin Dana 60 alone. That was more than decade ago.
$1500 axle housing. Retube 85 axle to 78-79 specs by shortening the alongside and adding a machined spud to lengthen the short side. Fancy yoke.
Axle Brackets. Diff cover. Kingpins. Teraflex drive flanges. New calipers and rotors. Brake lines. Wheel bearings. Studs.
4340 35 spline Yukon axle shafts.
Regear to 5.38, master install kit, 35 spline Detroit locker. U joints. Build the knuckles. High steer arms. 7/8" wall steering. Hiems.

Imagine if I paid for labor.
 
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If someone was maybe looking at a certain TJ with an LS in it, for those of you that have done a swap. What are the emission requirements for Utah? Never had a swapped car with modern engines. Does the VIN in the ECM need to match the Jeep etc etc. I know a few of you have done TJ LS swaps. The only one I can remember reading was @glockman 's saga. If one was to register it in a non emission county does it even matter?
 
I went through the emissions rigamarole. It was a pain. I had to take it to the Salt Lake County Health Dept around 54th south and 9th east in Murray ish. The main reason was because my VIN on the dash doesn’t match the GM VIN in the ECM. So every year they would comb over it making sure all the emission stuff was there and then they could override the mismatch VIN and run the test. It always passed but it wasn’t at all convenient. It wouldn’t have been a big deal to me at all if I had a matching VIN like @UNSTUCK just made work. In subsequent years I moved my Jeep to the family cabin since it doesn’t get driven but a few thousand miles a year anymore and mostly in the dirt at that.
 
Probably worth it to find someone that can put the Jeep VIN into the GM ECM. When I went into get my emissions done they didn’t even open the hood. Just plugged in and check my gas cap. That’s was also in Mesa AZ. Utah may be different on their requirements. Every LS swap I did there was either off road only or exempt.
 
Mine is registered in Utah country. Vin doesn't match but they just enter a code for vin mismatch, plug in and as long as there are no codes I pass. Mine may or may not have all the emissions stuff turned off in the tune. It does have pre and post O2s physically there if they visual anything.
 
Alright fellers the funds are mostly raised at this point, would like to present the current contenders I've been watching to see what the brain trust thinks holds the best value. Again the goal here is Poison Spiderish trails here, with the ability to drive from hotel/camp to the trail. As reliably as possible.

1. First up is the TJ listed here. https://www.rme4x4.com/threads/1998-jeep-tj-on-1-tons-and-40s.121653/

Biggest cons for me, non selectable lockers, engine swap (getting parts in remote areas if needed, I know the LS is super popular), location of the rig to check out. Little over built for my needs, but some smaller tires would certainly bring it down.

Pro's. I think its value is pretty good for what it is, seems pretty streetable around town.



2. Next up https://classifieds.ksl.com/listing/76271165

Seems like a well built little YJ.

Cons - Again engine swap but should also be easy to locate parts as long as I know what i'm looking for. Carbureted
Pros - Good value I think, comes with a trailer I could resale (or sell mine as I think this trailer is better) to recoup some cost. Not overly built should do everything I want.



3.
Cons - Price.... I think its grossly over priced but I haven't tried negotiating as I'm still not in a position to buy. Been for sale for months so maybe some wiggle room? But price has been left unchanged on listing
Pros - Super close to look at, I generally like the build, stock drivetrain



4.
Cons - Not really any, maybe price? Seems a bit high but maybe my expectations as a sub 5k Toyota guy in a past life are wrong :rofl:, Also seems a little tall? But not sure if thats just an illusion from the fenders.
Pros- Seems streetable, Stock drivetrain, owner knows how to spell brakes.

Thats the list, was another good contender I was lusting over but the listing is gone so either sold or owner got tired of tire kickers.

5.
1980 CJ7 built Jeep
https://classifieds.ksl.com/listing/76818763

Forgot about this one, but every time I see the wiring rat nest it scares me away
 
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I’m not super excited about any of them. Option 3 seems a little expensive to me but also a little attractive because it’s the lowest of all three and meets your trail goals. I would lower it if it were mine.

Option 1 is half America away.

Option 2. That price would be great with 1 ton axles under it.
 
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