TJ build start. Need some advice

captainejo

captainejo

New member
Greetings everyone. Mailing out my application tomorrow, it was nice to meet some people at Cabelas.

I was told by a few of you to jump on in here with questions so heres where im at:

99TJ sahara. 35s with 4in sus lift and 1.5 body. Open diffs with 3.73 gears, manual trans is in working shape but needs work eventually (ill just replace it someday).

Where to really start this build? Ill be fixing things all winter and spring, rust cleanup treatment on the frame and body, new floorpans adding body armour stuff etc. But for the business of offroading....what gets me built up best first?

I want to put in a rear locker, but have skipped the opportunity after dumping the spider gears a couple of times over the years for fear of snow and lockers, but reading through another thread looks like i might be over conservative about a rear Detroit on snow? I have another car and dont need to drive the TJ if it snows, but yet I need to be able to drive the TJ if snows. I had sort of always figured i needed to wait and go with an arb (which i noticed most of you hate) or elocker.

Ive always assumed any front non selectable locker could be very dangerous...but is there a good combo front rear that get me doing very well offroad but driveable if i take the jeep to work and its snowing on the way home?

Or...

Slip yoke and drive shafts? Not sure what breaks first from stock stuff to 35s. I really like Ryans TJ from extreme terrain on youtube, hes kept his 30 and 35 axles but just gone cromoly axels.

Im not opposed to putting in a ford 8.8 or something, dropping in dana 44s would be amazing but seems intimidating and well just dont know about that stuff yet.

Basically, i want to be able to wheel with you all decently well enough, but not sure exactly what to do next after the lift. So please share your thoughts and advice on what and what order you'd do things if you were me.



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Get rid of the d35.  Find a d44.  While your at it re gear to .4.88s with the lockers of your choice. Tummy tuck and driveshaft would be next unless you don't have adjustable control arms. 

Seriously,  get rid of the ticking time bomb of a d35 or put some 33s on.
 
Skid plates, sye and a tom woods shaft, lunch box locker up front. Will get you plenty far while building/searching for a rear. I went with a Ford 8.8

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I agree - skid plates and rocker guards 1st.  You can deal with open diffs for now until you are ready to re-gear the axles for the 35's.  Save up 4:56 gears and add lockers as needed.  Don't waste $$ on the D35 (I dropped way too much $$ into mine when I didn't know any better)  Driving with an automatic rear locker like a Detroit or Lock rite isn't that bad (My old YJ had that and I loved it)  My TJ has a Detroit in the front axle - great off road, but scary in the snow!  When it comes to TJ axles and lockers - deal with the rear 1st, 8.8 or D44 and some locker.  Front axle will hold up fine without a locker.  Point being - don't mess with the axles until you are ready for a gear swap, do it once
 
Joe, what did an 8.8 cost and how do you go about that?

Also, ill build some custom rock sliders, what other armor is recommended?

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Budget is what actually dictates a build. As said, start with a full set of skids. The piece of mind knowing a rock isn't going to smash your drivetrain is priceless. Easy trails are definitely doable open/open.
 
Auto lunchbox lockers or full case lockers up front like Detroit aren’t bad just have to drive differently. There are plenty of people even in our club that drive them in the snow but if you drive like you normally would your gunna end up going straight through a corner. Is it easier with a selectable up front yes but not required by any means. Think about a fully built car or these newer cars with 500+ hp and street drag tires, if they drive them like a normal car in the rain they will wreck but if you drive conservative you will be fine.

Figure out your axles first then decide on the lockers, if your decent at driving you can make it most places open as we have seen with a few members but def start with armor to protect first
 
captainejo said:
Joe, what did an 8.8 cost and how do you go about that?
Click to expand...

I paid $400 for mine but mine was already setup for a tj clayton 4 link with clayton high clearance brackets and 4.10 gears.

Ive heard they go for around 100-150. Either a junk yard or someone selling one

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My engine/transmission skid gets a pretty good workout. It protects my exhaust, oil pan and transmission and connects to my transfer case skid. It was the first skid I added and was money well spent.

Mine is a Skid Row engine transmission skid connected to a 1/4 inch UFC transfer case skid. There are a bunch of companies that make individual pieces and complete systems.
 
Armor- Under the Jeep, rocker guards and Bumpers.  Why build the Jeep, if you have nothing protecting it

Upgrade rear axle - D44, Ford 8.8 are both good examples that are great for 35's.  If you plan on going larger think about a Ford 9" or One ton Axles

On that topic, I have a Sweet, very strong rear bumper I am selling if you are interested.  Its brand new and Painted!
http://forum.northeastjeep.org/index.php?topic=41489.new#new

 
Doing things once is the best approach .  If you really plan to wheel moderate to hard trails , you will need lockers. Best scenario would be selectables . There are so many choices . Driving a Jeep period , you learn its quirks , so youd learn driving with a Detroit. There also are other options for the front. Detroit "TruTrac"  Best all gear drive limited slip out there.  Cheap Jeep did away with locking hubs so now you have to deal with it another way.  The order in which to build ? There just isnt a list , But TJ guys will have had the best success and failures so ask questions. If you have or know someone with a boat and they need a better anchor , your in luck with a 35 , No money ! Can make it live ! Let it go and prepare your self to be changing it out. Im in Enfield if its close.  Good Luck    FjR68 
 
I'd say wheel it a bit first and check out the trails around here and what other people have done before you start throwing money at it.
 
As you see, you are going down a very deep rabbit hole Alice! :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Armour is good, but the TJ had a bit of a belly.  When purchasing the Tummy Tuck, most manufacturers have additional skid protection for engine and trans.  Bumpers are a very good start as well as rocker protection.  But in order to survive on the trail, you need to deal with the d35.  With 35 inch tires already on your jeep, you are asking for the old Tie logs to the frame and tire and skid you off the trail....  Make sure to have some GOOD ratchet straps with you! :mrgreen:

I think a very good upgrade would be to find a set of D44s off of a TJ Rubicon. 
 
I put an 8.8 in my YJ. You can buy them for $150. Look for 1 that is 95+ for the disc brakes. They are also available with 3.73 gears if you don't want to regear yet.

Having said that, there is quite a bit of work to get it under your TJ, it was much easier in a YJ. You have to strip off all of the brackets and weld on the TJ buckets and brackets. After buying the axle and brackets, it's not that cheap, but MUCH easier to find than a TJ D44.

If you can find a TJ D44 buy it, but as Bruce says, the D35 is a ticking time bomb.

 
I realize it’s kind of going backwards but what about going getting a second set wheels and tires and going to a set of 33s for wheeling to put less strain on the D35 until upgrading it? 
 
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