• RME Gear & Apparel

Jeep Crawler Bench Build

What platform would you rock?

  • "Build" the JL deal with the beeping

    Votes: 4 22.2%

  • JK Rubicon

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • JK build as desired

    Votes: 1 5.6%

  • LJ Rubicon

    Votes: 2 11.1%

  • LJ Build as desired

    Votes: 6 33.3%

  • TJ Rubicon

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • TJ

    Votes: 2 11.1%

  • YJ

    Votes: 3 16.7%
  • Total voters
    18
Hickey

Hickey

Burn-barrel enthusiast
Supporting Member
Location
Grantsville, Utah
I say build your JL. Get the new front housing from Teraflex, add gears, locker, and shafts. Then add 37’s and a little stretch. Wheel all day and drive it home.
 
TRD270

TRD270

Emptying Pockets Again
Supporting Member
Location
SaSaSandy
Hickey said:
I say build your JL. Get the new front housing from Teraflex, add gears, locker, and shafts. Then add 37’s and a little stretch. Wheel all day and drive it home.
Click to expand...
I think that LJ would be cheaper than this plan :rofl:
 
jems07

jems07

Member
Location
Salt Lake City
Why no love for the JK? A rubicon JK can be had for 10-20k and you’ll have less beeps.

I’m in the same boat debsting buy a JLUR, JKUR, or LJ.

It seems like the JK always gets passed over, but I’ve seen some amazing builds with them.
 
TRD270

TRD270

Emptying Pockets Again
Supporting Member
Location
SaSaSandy
TRD270 said:
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
Click to expand...

So I went through the parts list on this and it adds up to about 9.5k. Been watching LJ's for a while and stock or mostly stock ones have been selling in the 11-12k range. So basically getting some labor for free. Don't think it's the best deal. Bone stock one for sale right now that looked like grandpa owned it that I'm now eyeballing.

Thinking grandpa's jeep with less spring long arm might be the ticket.
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
TRD270 said:
So I went through the parts list on this and it adds up to about 9.5k. Been watching LJ's for a while and stock or mostly stock ones have been selling in the 11-12k range. So basically getting some labor for free. Don't think it's the best deal. Bone stock one for sale right now that looked like grandpa owned it that I'm now eyeballing.

Thinking grandpa's jeep with less spring long arm might be the ticket.
Click to expand...

Leafs have lots of limitations, long arms and coil springs with quality shocks would ride and work so much better, on road and off. My JKU on longarms rode AMAZING, and the old TJ I built with a LJ longarm worked killer offroad.
 
TRD270

TRD270

Emptying Pockets Again
Supporting Member
Location
SaSaSandy
Well option one of building up the beeper appears to be leaving the table. The JL is the only joint vehicle in the fleet and the wife likes how it drives now. So I’m limited to not messing with much on it or basically got approval for another rig.
 
TRD270

TRD270

Emptying Pockets Again
Supporting Member
Location
SaSaSandy
Okay now that the election is over and I don't have to worry about bidenomics destroying my bank account further. I'm willing to spend some money and its time to get a little more serious.

So I started playing with my search parameters a bit more and quite a few 4.0 TJ's for sale for sub 5k. Would it be more worth it to buy a TJ, pay @Agility Customs to stretch it. Buy some aftermarket axles for it and maybe come in under 20ish k thats being asked of "built" LJ's?
 
N-Smooth

N-Smooth

Smooth Gang Founding Member
Location
UT
TRD270 said:
Okay now that the election is over and I don't have to worry about bidenomics destroying my bank account further. I'm willing to spend some money and its time to get a little more serious.

So I started playing with my search parameters a bit more and quite a few 4.0 TJ's for sale for sub 5k. Would it be more worth it to buy a TJ, pay @Agility Customs to stretch it. Buy some aftermarket axles for it and maybe come in under 20ish k thats being asked of "built" LJ's?
Click to expand...
That Ryan guy is traveling today but I’m sure he’ll respond when he has a chance. I think it’s worth it over paying the premium for an LJ.

Are you talking about stretching the body/frame to LJ length or just the suspension though? Both are awesome but the cost is going to be different.
 
TRD270

TRD270

Emptying Pockets Again
Supporting Member
Location
SaSaSandy
N-Smooth said:
That Ryan guy is traveling today but I’m sure he’ll respond when he has a chance. I think it’s worth it over paying the premium for an LJ.

Are you talking about stretching the body/frame to LJ length or just the suspension though? Both are awesome but the cost is going to be different.
Click to expand...
I’m not worried about aesthetics in anyway. Probably just suspension. I’m a function over form guy. Couple goals, have fun! Reliable good working rig that’s not over capable for the trails I want to run. Must drive from hotel/camp to trail (legally), not registered as off-road only.
 
J

J-mobzz

Well-Known Member
What are you thinking for axles? I would imagine you’re probably looking at about 10 grand for both axles fully setup. Then you need to deal with the transfer case a minimum of a sye but probably a 4:1 And then a full long arm suspension? I’m guessing with a stretched wheelbase you would end up going coil overs, a fuel cell, and steering upgrades. With the labor to make it happen is 15 grand a realistic budget? at this point, you’re not even dealing with body armor, or roll cage or wheels and tires. I guess it really comes down to what axles you’re going to run and what it’s going to cost to get those ready to go on a TJ.

And then also keep in mind you’re buying a $5000 TJ that’s likely going to need a good amount of work just to get it up to reliability standards and comfort level.

I think that if you keep your eye open, you’ll get a lot more for your money buying something built.
 
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