VIP Member Rhoda Posted August 15 VIP Member Share Posted August 15 OK folks - I’m after advice…. Ive had my JKU for a year now and am loving it. It is so capable it is tempting me into more potentially damaging off road adventures and she is just too lovely to trash. I have the opportunity to go out with a group where I live in Devon once a month; they are mostly LR Defender 90s with roll cages (plus a VERY modified CJ!) and my JKU is just too long and sometimes too wide to get between trees. So I’m after a capable 2 door. (I’ve been spoiled by the amazing capabilities of my JKU (built by Steve Middleton/Mike Pavelin). Please throw ideas and suggestions at me. I’ve seen two TJs of interest, and an LJ with Y61 axles that I’m trying to find more about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIP Member digger Posted August 15 VIP Member Share Posted August 15 Hi Rhoda, Well , the obvious choice is a YJ ! However a TJ sounds an excellent choice too! I don't know a lot about LJs but I'm pretty sure they have a longer wheelbase than an ordinary TJ which is much more common. The issue is that there is less ground clearance going over humps and a larger turning circle. So if off road is important I would stick with a traditional TJ. Ask on this site for tips on what to look for when buying! Might be best to come and have a chat at JOC camp! Its easier to see where problems rust spots etc occur than it may be to read. My YJ is basically the same and other TJ owners will be happy to help with their experiences too. By the way some of us love older Jeeps! Another would be gr8! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIP Member UKTJ Posted August 15 VIP Member Share Posted August 15 57 minutes ago, Rhoda said: OK folks - I’m after advice…. Ive had my JKU for a year now and am loving it. It is so capable it is tempting me into more potentially damaging off road adventures and she is just too lovely to trash. I have the opportunity to go out with a group where I live in Devon once a month; they are mostly LR Defender 90s with roll cages (plus a VERY modified CJ!) and my JKU is just too long and sometimes too wide to get between trees. So I’m after a capable 2 door. (I’ve been spoiled by the amazing capabilities of my JKU (built by Steve Middleton/Mike Pavelin). Please throw ideas and suggestions at me. I’ve seen two TJs of interest, and an LJ with Y61 axles that I’m trying to find more about. @frosty was looking to sell a TJ that would fit your needs pretty well (I'll take my finders fee in wine ). If you end up not being interested in the LJ can you message me the details (as per other thread I didn't even realise they made any in RHD). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIP Member Rhoda Posted August 15 Author VIP Member Share Posted August 15 1 hour ago, digger said: Hi Rhoda, Well , the obvious choice is a YJ ! However a TJ sounds an excellent choice too! I don't know a lot about LJs but I'm pretty sure they have a longer wheelbase than an ordinary TJ which is much more common. The issue is that there is less ground clearance going over humps and a larger turning circle. So if off road is important I would stick with a traditional TJ. Ask on this site for tips on what to look for when buying! Might be best to come and have a chat at JOC camp! Its easier to see where problems rust spots etc occur than it may be to read. My YJ is basically the same and other TJ owners will be happy to help with their experiences too. By the way some of us love older Jeeps! Another would be gr8! I’m a round headlights girl! Do want an older jeep though. Sadly I can’t make jeep camp this year - I’m marshalling at the Decider Winch Challenge near me in Devon that weekend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIP Member digger Posted August 15 VIP Member Share Posted August 15 Ok , have a gr8 weekend. If Frosty still has his I reckon it would be well worth looking at! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 I am exceptionally biased in favour of the 101.4" wheelbase of the XJ. I think it is the perfect wheelbase for most off-road use up to 35" tyres. In the old Land Rover world the 100" Range Rover chassis with a Defender body was also considered the ideal by those that had built them from 90s. I have only driven two LJs, both were on 33" tyres with about 4" lift. They were rental Jeeps in Moab. I felt right at home with the 103.4" wheelbase and they became the benchmark for comparison when I drove my own Jeeps in Moab. For me an LJ is the perfect fusion of the XJ and TJ. From memory, the Nissan Patrol axles vary a bit between leaf sprung and coil sprung versions. I think the front axle is a big improvement over a low pinion D30 but it's not as strong as a D44. The rear axles were 33 spline to 37 spline. They are all very strong axles equivalent to a Ford 8.8 at the lower end and a JL Rubicon M220 at the top end. I may be wrong, but I don't think they are that much wider (wms-wms) than a TJ, perhaps 62"-63". I have considered them before but I rejected them for reasons that most people would likely think were petty. I didn't like the front axle knuckles and the rear diff casing hangs really low on the bigger spline axles. I think the middle size is just under 10" ring gear and the big one is an inch bigger. If you are running 37" tyres or bigger, hanging low is less of a problem. My Ford 8.8 often drags in the mud when I air down on 35" tyres and that has a smaller housing than any of the Patrol rear axles. Would I turn down a LHD LJ on Patrol axles? Not a chance! If I had the cash available a built soft-top LJ registered in the UK would be my dream Jeep. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V Posted August 15 Share Posted August 15 1 hour ago, UKTJ said: I didn't even realise they made any in RHD As far as I know, all LJs were LHD. However, before FCA, some UK Jeep dealers were happy to go through the 'Special Order' process for customers. It is conceivable that a US Federal spec LJ could be diverted during production for UK RHD TJ completion and get stickered up as a TJ or as both. I've seen a type approved RHD special order TJ arrive in the UK without headlamp motor adjustment, I think it also had some other LHD anomalies from starting production as a US Federal spec Jeep. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIP Member UKTJ Posted August 15 VIP Member Share Posted August 15 2 hours ago, V said: …If I had the cash available a built soft-top LJ registered in the UK would be my dream Jeep. There are not many Jeeps I would sell my TJ to own, but a built LJ is one of them. A dream Jeep for me too. A really nice one came up on one of the US forums a few months back for $17,500. Before I had time to look into the import process it had been snapped up. It had a cracking spec and from all the guy’s forum postings I was sure it had been very well looked after. Spec was cracking too… Suspension: Savvy 1.25" body lift RockJock 4" coil springs RockJock AntiRock front Core 4x4 control arms, Tier 4, all Johnny Joints Rancho RS5000x shocks Metalcloak front trackbar Metalcloak rear trackbar and bracket JKS 1" MML spacers Steering: RockJock Currectlync Steering Rancho steering stabilizer Drivetrain: Savvy xfr case shift cable Advance Adapter SYE Tom Woods Rear CV Driveshaft Axles: Revolution 5.13 gears Yukon Grizzly Locker Dana 30 front Ten Factory CroMo axle shafts front Yukon Grizzly Locker Dana 44 rear Revolution CroMo axle shafts rear Rock Hard diff guards Brakes: Dorman extended brake lines Black Magic brake pads & Centric rotors Tires/Wheels: AR Ansen 969 wheels 15x8 , 3.75 BS BFG KM3 35x12.5x15 tires Armor: Savvy gas tank skid Savvy Rock Sliders UCF aluminum xfr case skid UCF aluminum engine skid Poison Spyder steering skid Body: Poison Spyder fenders UCF aluminum front bumper Swag Rear Bumper Trucklite (knockoff) headlights KC fog lights Savvy Tail Lights Banks Monster Cat-Back Exhaust Rampage frameless soft top JCR aluminum half doors Rugged Ridge tube doors Recovery: Warn M8000 winch TRE fairlead, synthetic line, safety thimble, and snatch block Air: Viair 400p compressor Coyote deflators Interior: Bartact seat covers BedRug carpet GraBars AutoMeter trans temp gauge Husky molded floor mats Tuffy underseat lockbox Seat Heaters Audio: Pioneer Double Din stereo Metra double din dash adapter Kenwood 600W 4 ch amp Kenwood powered subwoofer Kicker speakers, 5.25" f, 6.5" r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIP Member Rhoda Posted August 15 Author VIP Member Share Posted August 15 26 minutes ago, UKTJ said: There are not many Jeeps I would sell my TJ to own, but a built LJ is one of them. A dream Jeep for me too. A really nice one came up on one of the US forums a few months back for $17,500. Before I had time to look into the import process it had been snapped up. It had a cracking spec and from all the guy’s forum postings I was sure it had been very well looked after. Spec was cracking too… Suspension: Savvy 1.25" body lift RockJock 4" coil springs RockJock AntiRock front Core 4x4 control arms, Tier 4, all Johnny Joints Rancho RS5000x shocks Metalcloak front trackbar Metalcloak rear trackbar and bracket JKS 1" MML spacers Steering: RockJock Currectlync Steering Rancho steering stabilizer Drivetrain: Savvy xfr case shift cable Advance Adapter SYE Tom Woods Rear CV Driveshaft Axles: Revolution 5.13 gears Yukon Grizzly Locker Dana 30 front Ten Factory CroMo axle shafts front Yukon Grizzly Locker Dana 44 rear Revolution CroMo axle shafts rear Rock Hard diff guards Brakes: Dorman extended brake lines Black Magic brake pads & Centric rotors Tires/Wheels: AR Ansen 969 wheels 15x8 , 3.75 BS BFG KM3 35x12.5x15 tires Armor: Savvy gas tank skid Savvy Rock Sliders UCF aluminum xfr case skid UCF aluminum engine skid Poison Spyder steering skid Body: Poison Spyder fenders UCF aluminum front bumper Swag Rear Bumper Trucklite (knockoff) headlights KC fog lights Savvy Tail Lights Banks Monster Cat-Back Exhaust Rampage frameless soft top JCR aluminum half doors Rugged Ridge tube doors Recovery: Warn M8000 winch TRE fairlead, synthetic line, safety thimble, and snatch block Air: Viair 400p compressor Coyote deflators Interior: Bartact seat covers BedRug carpet GraBars AutoMeter trans temp gauge Husky molded floor mats Tuffy underseat lockbox Seat Heaters Audio: Pioneer Double Din stereo Metra double din dash adapter Kenwood 600W 4 ch amp Kenwood powered subwoofer Kicker speakers, 5.25" f, 6.5" r Gutted for you! Looks like this one is a stretched TJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIP Member digger Posted August 15 VIP Member Share Posted August 15 Hi Rhoda, listen to 'V', he knows !! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIP Member Rhoda Posted August 15 Author VIP Member Share Posted August 15 Usually a good plan….:-) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIP Member Rhoda Posted August 16 Author VIP Member Share Posted August 16 Thanks all. Have now made contact with Frosty and am SORTED 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIP Member UKTJ Posted August 16 VIP Member Share Posted August 16 2 minutes ago, Rhoda said: Thanks all. Have now made contact with Frosty and am SORTED Glad to hear that @Rhoda. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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