2004-06 TJ purchase recommendations |
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NOT4HWY
RCRC Club & Business Member Joined: 16 February 2004 Location: Harvest, AL Status: Offline Points: 1443 |
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Posted: 24 December 2016 at 7:27pm |
My son wants a TJ and I thought it would be a good idea to get some advise on what he/I need to check before deciding. Looking at 2004-2006 TJ 4.0-manual. Thanks for the help. Steve Merry X-mas-Happy new year!
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Club member since 1992, Club President 1995-1999 Trail rig:S-Blazer,Rockwells,507 Caddy,T-400,203/205, Tow-rig: '23 F350 4x4
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Doc Savage
RCRC Club Visitor Joined: 16 February 2004 Location: Huntsville, Madison County Status: Offline Points: 1180 |
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Couple of things off the top of my head. Check the axles. Some had D35 in rear some had D44. Also check gearing of the rear axle. 3.55 was standard on my 05LJ, but I opted for the free 3.73 upgrade. Not a real big deal, but I liked the lower gears even mainly street driving, made towing better. Check the top. it may have been replaced/needing replacement if it is a soft top. Besttop is best in my opinion (and OE), but there are a few other good brands, and some not so good ones. Look for leaks on the radiator. The plastic ends will eventually give way and rupture or leak at the crimp.We had real issues with the wife's 01 TJ throwing an evap code (typically bad gas cap, but we eventually had everything but the computer and gas tank replaced and never got it fixed). I had a friend that got an 03 with a similar issue that took some work to get stopped. My 05 LJ never had the issue. I personally think it was an issue with a software update, my 98TJ never had an issue like that.
Check for "Death Wobble". It usually hits about 50-55 and can get started if you hit a bump. Some folks just slap a heavier steering stabilizer on to fix it. I've had it come and go depending on the tires I'm running. Usually a slight wear of the rod ends can cause it. I had some issues with it with the LJ, but never with the TJ. Also make sure the transfer case shifts into gears well. One of my TJs had issues with that from the factory and needed the linkage adjusted. Body lifts can cause issues with the linkage if it isn't done right. Hope that helps! Robert
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Past President, Rocket City Rock Crawlers
Past President, Madison County CERT Association |
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NOT4HWY
RCRC Club & Business Member Joined: 16 February 2004 Location: Harvest, AL Status: Offline Points: 1443 |
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Thanks Robert, My son found and bought a 04 Rubicon up in Tennessee! Now he has a list of all the goodies he wants to get-I told him to save up. Steve
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Club member since 1992, Club President 1995-1999 Trail rig:S-Blazer,Rockwells,507 Caddy,T-400,203/205, Tow-rig: '23 F350 4x4
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Doc Savage
RCRC Club Visitor Joined: 16 February 2004 Location: Huntsville, Madison County Status: Offline Points: 1180 |
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Rubicon will be nice. D44s with lockers. 4:1 low in the T-case also (not something I've felt a need for though).
Robert
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Past President, Rocket City Rock Crawlers
Past President, Madison County CERT Association |
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cj8lvr
RCRC LLC Member Joined: 10 February 2005 Location: Madison, Madison County Status: Offline Points: 7946 |
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Nice! Steve is it a TJ or the "Unlimited" LJ (longer wheelbase)?
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l___l__L-O|||||O_ _()_)__()_)___()_) Jake White Owner of CartoTracks.com Trail Maps Past RCRC - VP Past Nat'l CJ-8 Scrambler Owners Association President |
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NOT4HWY
RCRC Club & Business Member Joined: 16 February 2004 Location: Harvest, AL Status: Offline Points: 1443 |
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TJ-all stock with hardtop-manual
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Club member since 1992, Club President 1995-1999 Trail rig:S-Blazer,Rockwells,507 Caddy,T-400,203/205, Tow-rig: '23 F350 4x4
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Doc Savage
RCRC Club Visitor Joined: 16 February 2004 Location: Huntsville, Madison County Status: Offline Points: 1180 |
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Let the upgrades begin ;)
I remember my first meeting at RCRC Steve, I had just turned in my employee lease TJ and purchased my 98 TJ that afternoon. You suggested I get behind a larger vehicle on the trails so it wouldn't get scratched Gonna be the same with his? Robert
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Past President, Rocket City Rock Crawlers
Past President, Madison County CERT Association |
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Doc Savage
RCRC Club Visitor Joined: 16 February 2004 Location: Huntsville, Madison County Status: Offline Points: 1180 |
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Wait a minute! he can't be driving yet can he????? I remember him being in a baby bouncer suspended between the seats of Titanic.
Man we are getting old Robert
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Past President, Rocket City Rock Crawlers
Past President, Madison County CERT Association |
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83K10
RCRC Club & Business Member Joined: 17 February 2004 Location: Huntsville, AL Status: Offline Points: 3178 |
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The Rubicon's not only have a 4:1 low but they have an NP241 case instead of an NP231. These are heavier duty and commonly found in full sized trucks with a higher gear set. The Rubicon's also have larger rear U joints VS a regular TJ.
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NOT4HWY
RCRC Club & Business Member Joined: 16 February 2004 Location: Harvest, AL Status: Offline Points: 1443 |
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It has never been offroad- paint perfect. Nathan will probably baby it for a long while. I will be surprised if he even drives it to KC40.
Oh-Nathan wants to know what year(s) half metal doors will work with 04's? Thanks
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Club member since 1992, Club President 1995-1999 Trail rig:S-Blazer,Rockwells,507 Caddy,T-400,203/205, Tow-rig: '23 F350 4x4
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unlblkrubi
RCRC Club Visitor Joined: 24 February 2008 Location: Green Mtn Status: Offline Points: 702 |
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'97 thru '06 half doors will work
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'18 Renegade Trailhawk
'15 JKUR-Warn-AEV-Rigid-KC-ARB |
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NOT4HWY
RCRC Club & Business Member Joined: 16 February 2004 Location: Harvest, AL Status: Offline Points: 1443 |
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Nathan says thanks!
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Club member since 1992, Club President 1995-1999 Trail rig:S-Blazer,Rockwells,507 Caddy,T-400,203/205, Tow-rig: '23 F350 4x4
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