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Post by Scott on Nov 27, 2005 18:33:40 GMT -5
I have a 05 TJ Sport, Have not done anything to it yet. I am in the process of getting the Required stuff (fire ext. CB ect...) BUT what should I get to make it trail ready? No I am not really interested in doing the heavy duty rock crawling, but I do what to be able to get around (or over) some. It came with 30' tires, I will be upgrading them after I do a 2-3 inch lift, but thats going to be about a year from now. So besides that, WHAT DO I NEED? What is the best skid plates? Which skid plates are essential? Do I need to do anything with the air box? I have straps, Do I really need a winch? I like the Smitty Bilt Rocker guards, Front and Rear Bumper. My guess though is these may not be the best in the real off roading world. and by the way, Yes money is somewhat an issue, I got some  but my wife will get pretty pissed if I spend IT ALL  You guys know best, what should I start with? Thanks! Scott |
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Post by Kevin W. on Nov 27, 2005 20:05:56 GMT -5
Learn how to disconnect your front sway bar. You can buy quick disconnects, but it probablly makes more sense to wait until you do your lift. Until then, you can make some "homemade" disconnects for like 5-10 bucks in parts... a bit easier then unbolting.
You have an '05, so your gas tank skid is ok for now....
Oil Pan is vulnerable to rocks. Look at Skid Row, Nth Degree and Medic Fabrication for an oil pan skid.
I would avoid anything smittybilt... you can get better stuff for about the same price. Your rocker panels are pretty vulnerable, as you are pretty low. I would look at something like the "rokmen" rock rails, AEV rockerguards... or poison spyder customs guards, or toys by troy rocker guards... all similar with a few differences.
Keep the stock bumpers for now... no point in spending money on them... Just make sure you have tow hooks in the front and some kind of approved attachement point in the rear.
Save the money on a winch for now as well... its alot of money for little gain at your level.
Your airbox is fine... nothing needed there.
KEV
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Post by max on Nov 27, 2005 22:26:22 GMT -5
Scott,
Quick reply here but you probably know the following anyway but it¡¦s good you¡¦re asking questions first ¡V not after you buy something. ƒº
It¡¦s a good idea to develop a plan of where you want to go as far as mods on your truck so that you don¡¦t have to do things twice ¡V that gets expensive. IMHO the best metric is tire size. Would you be satisfied with 33¡¨s or do you plan to go to 35¡¦s (more expensive).
33¡¦s are probably an affordable plateau and should satisfy you for a while. Decide which tires you want or do you want to run two sets ¡V one for on and one for off road.
For 33¡¦s you will need a ~3¡¨ lift minimum, and as Kev said, quick disco¡¦s, steering box armor, engine & tranny skid is a good idea (especially if an auto), ¡K
You may need LCAs with the lift. Transfer lowering until you can get a MML and Body lift.
Keep in mind that if you go up you will need (in Mass) a reasonable inspection station.
Is it an Auto or standard?
Gears? What do you have now?
Lockers down the road?
This all adds up quickly so plan accordingly and know where you¡¦re going.
Other club members will probably chime in soon with lots of suggestions; lets hear what they have to say.
Good luck and welcome,
max
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Post by Kodi on Nov 28, 2005 6:34:49 GMT -5
What the heck is wrong with your key board Max?  Makes me dizzy reading it! |
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Post by ZAEDOCK on Nov 28, 2005 13:10:29 GMT -5
Scott,
My Nephew Chris just attended the last run and will be joining Baystate in spring. He has an '05 Sport and lifted it with a 2" budget boost and 1" body lift (I think the kit was only $175). He was able to clear the 33" BFG Muds he borrowed from me. He also added a steering box skid plate. He did pretty well and even followed me up a couple of sections after I instructed him to go with the rest of the group.
Here is a list of mods if Joe (me) bought a new TJ and wheeled it stock :
1) Essential : Steering box skid plate. The steering box on a TJ is way too vulnerable.
2) Toss in a $60 3/4" Budget boost coil spring spacer and call it done.
3) You won't need a winch when wheeling with the club. There are plenty of us who can help if you need it.
4) Keep the air box stock (I bored a couple of holes in mine, check it out next time). K&N filters suck. They produce slightly more power with better flow, but they will not filter like your paper element does. The automakers spend billions on R&D when it comes to vehicles. If a K&N(or any such filter) was better, then your Jeep would already have it.
5) I fully endorse Poison Spyder Customs "Rocker Knockers". They can take a perverbial beating and can also be made to tie into your full cage if you add one (which in turn, ties into the body mounts/frame). Starting out though, you could probably wait on these.
6) The Final upgrade : YOU. Wheel as much as you can and gain experience (but don't go alone, especially with your daughter, at night, stuck in ice, 5 mile hike....). There is no substitute for a good driver. On a club run, keep your eyes on Chris Schuch, Pat Charron, Ron Clapp, Mark Strohl...these folks know how to drive and can make tough obstacles seem effortless. Do not follow me or Rich Belliveau.
Anyway, hope this helps. See you on the trails.
-Joe
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Post by max on Nov 28, 2005 13:48:53 GMT -5
What the heck is wrong with your key board Max? Makes me dizzy reading it! Kelly, Secret coded text. :-) |
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Post by Kodi on Nov 28, 2005 17:38:07 GMT -5
I knew I needed that decoder ring......KEVIN...where's my ring?
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Post by Scott on Nov 28, 2005 20:01:05 GMT -5
Thanks for the Quick replies!
Max, I have a 6sp stick, and a Dana 44 rear with 3.73's
This forum and you guys are going to be alot of help, There are so many mods/ accessories available for a jeep it's making my head spin!
So Far, I'm looking at a 2"-3" lift, Not sure what kind though.
Not yet sure on tire size either, no bigger than 33's!
the Poison Spyder Rocker Knockers with the Slider bar. ;D
Skid Row Engine/Trans Skid ;D
also Skid Row Steering Skid ;D
My plan is to order stuff over the winter, install early spring. I will order the lift in the spring in case there are missing parts, I'll have no problem with the Co.
as far as the lift, the budjet boost with spacers and shocks, Is this safe? will I be better off with a "Real" suspension lift? Is there a preferred make?
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Post by Kevin W. on Nov 28, 2005 20:19:30 GMT -5
Budget boosts are good... you retain near stock ride, because you keep the stock springs and your control arm angles are not very steep (good thing). You can actually improve the ride by getting better shocks.
Some people will warn you that your stock springs will wear out quicker, because you are not lengthening your bump stops, allowing the spring to flex more. This increased flex could reduce the longevity of the spring.... but I'm sure you'll swap to new springs one day anyway, and you could always replace the stock springs for free from someone giving them away.
To fit 33's, you'll probably need a body lift too... FYI
Before you buy the PSC rockers... to install them you have to trim like 1/4" off of a few of the body mounts... this seems like a real pain in the butt to me. I would just get the rokmen for about the same price... or the AEV's if you want to spend more.
KEV
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Post by max on Nov 28, 2005 21:44:51 GMT -5
Another thing that is easily overlooked is a LCA skid, especially the fronts.
Get the weld-on type! The bolt-on type (like skid row) are easier to install but the bolt heads will probably get sheared off.
Ask Lou or Dom about purchase and install.
Oh, and about the tranny - I asked because if you did have an auto, the pan sticks out just asking to meet up with any sharp (or dull) rock. Autos need an engine/tranny skid right away.
max
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Post by baseshakers on Nov 29, 2005 8:54:16 GMT -5
i can tell you that i have a trailmaster budget boost with their SSV shocks. the ride is MUCH better then stock, and it comes with extended bumpstops, so you don't have to worry about your springs. also, i bought A to Z fabrication rocker panels guards. they are very solid, and very reasonably priced. zach is a great guy to work with. hope this helps!
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Post by ddewar53 on Nov 29, 2005 10:28:26 GMT -5
On my 97 TJ I have a 2" BDS lift that I got from Lou at Elias 4x4 for about $300. Includes 4 springs and 4 shocks, leaves me with a near stock ride. I went on the last run with that jeep with 31" tires and had no problems keeping up. If I were going with 33s on that jeep, I'd add a 1" body lift. Other that that, the TJs flex so much that you'll have no problem keeping rubber on the ground. Be sure to add skid plates, though. I recommend steering box and oil pan skids
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Post by Kodi on Nov 30, 2005 16:05:53 GMT -5
Do you have any idea who Lou and Dom are.... Folks may want to clarify for this guy! LOL Lou is mentioned above. Dom is at Domenicks Jeep & Auto Body in Hampstead NH.... |
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Post by Scott on Dec 1, 2005 19:49:55 GMT -5
Do you have any idea who Lou and Dom are.... Folks may want to clarify for this guy! LOL Lou is mentioned above. Dom is at Domenicks Jeep & Auto Body in Hampstead NH.... Hey, Thanks! I did not get the people look up option with my decoder ring, 5K extra you know  Really, I'm getting lots of ideas from all the suggestions. I like the Poison Spyder stuff, The Rocker Knocker's look like they will really take a beating. Someone mentioned they require some cutting to install, Thats OK by me, looks like there worth it. I'm really on the fence between the Skyjacker 2" Spacer lift for about $250. and the 2.5" lift that comes with a lot more stuff for about $690. I'm assuming the 2" lift brings the control arms to there limit, makes me think I don't want to be limited. I'm leaning toward the 2.5" one. I'm going to be busy this spring. ;D ;D |
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Post by Kevin W. on Dec 1, 2005 22:48:56 GMT -5
RE has a decent budget boost for like 220 bucks... includes the four spacers and shocks.
KEV
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but my wife will get pretty pissed if I spend IT ALL 
Makes me dizzy reading it!
