1. Welcome to Jeeps.net!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Jeep discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Jeep owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Thinking about a project TJ Jeep

Discussion in 'General Jeep Discussion' started by The4x4Guys, Apr 10, 2019.

  1. Apr 10, 2019 at 10:32 AM
    #1
    The4x4Guys

    #1
    The4x4Guys [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2019
    Member:
    #3048
    Messages:
    175
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    2018 Black JLUR
    Mopar 2" lift, 37" BFG KO2's, KMC Rockstar 17" wheels, JCR Offroad front and rear bumpers, WARN Zeon 10-S, CoolTech CB Radio Kit, Rock Slide Engineering step sliders, TeraFlex adjustable steering stabilizer, Rock Krawler adjustable track bars,Magnaflow dual tip black exhaust.
    I've been busy upgrading a few items on our 2018 JLUR but miss the idea of working on a project vehicle. In the past I owned two TJ's and loved the platform (JK and JL are great). But as I like to say, every Jeep I've purchased has been "the best Jeep I've ever owned" until I sell it and buy a new one, then the it starts all over again.......LOL

    Now, I'm thinking of adding to the vehicle family a TJ series (I prefer Rubicon) model and building it up from what ever state its in when I buy it. I'm not looking to to a frame up restoration, more of a fix what is aged, upgrade what needs upgraded and turn it into a workable off-road ride for weekends.

    Any advice on what to look for (trouble spots) with TJ's? How many miles is too many miles on a TJ engine? Despite the purists point of view, I want an automatic I'm too old to be messing with a clutch....LOL

    Thanks in advance for advice.

    Bob
     
    The4x4Guys, Apr 10, 2019
    #1
    JKBob 25 and Prerunner1982 like this.
  2. Apr 10, 2019 at 12:57 PM
    #2
    chris4x4

    #2
    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine Moderator

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2016
    Member:
    #2
    Messages:
    4,068
    Gender:
    Male
    I would think the miles wouldn't be a big issue. Just make sure everything is in working order and well maintained
     
    chris4x4, Apr 10, 2019
    #2
  3. Apr 10, 2019 at 1:08 PM
    #3
    aggrex

    #3
    aggrex Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2016
    Member:
    #203
    Messages:
    4,912
    DE
    Vehicle:
    Backcountry '16
    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    Locating a TJ with a solid frame plus six cylinder are top priority.
     
    aggrex, Apr 10, 2019
    #3
    JKBob 25 and The4x4Guys[OP] like this.
  4. Apr 10, 2019 at 2:57 PM
    #4
    Jim Beam

    #4
    Jim Beam Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2019
    Member:
    #2891
    Messages:
    596
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Donald
    Vehicle:
    1986 CJ7
    Fuel Injection, Dana 44s, T18, 4.10s w/lockers
    I my opinion the 4.0 was the best engine that was ever in a Jeep. It did have an ignition flaw I would say with the crank position sensor that was mounted on the driver side off the starter ring. It worked off magnetic pulses and metal chips from the starter gear against the starter ring would get on it and upset the operation, also it would just wear out. This would be evident by the engine stalling first intermittently then completely. Sometimes a restart was possible after a cool down. There was an aftermarket kit to mount the cps on the front of the engine at the harmonic balancer. The cam position sensor had a similar effect, it was located under the distributor cap, it usually lasted longer than the crank position sensor though. There was also an issue with the oem exhaust manifolds cracking, this gave guys an excuse to buy headers. I am not sure if this affected all years that the 4.0 was made. It is always a good idea to carry a few extra parts anyway. In my '86, I carry an extra ignition control module along with a mess of other stuff.
     
    Jim Beam, Apr 10, 2019
    #4
    chris4x4 likes this.
  5. Apr 10, 2019 at 3:32 PM
    #5
    The4x4Guys

    #5
    The4x4Guys [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2019
    Member:
    #3048
    Messages:
    175
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    2018 Black JLUR
    Mopar 2" lift, 37" BFG KO2's, KMC Rockstar 17" wheels, JCR Offroad front and rear bumpers, WARN Zeon 10-S, CoolTech CB Radio Kit, Rock Slide Engineering step sliders, TeraFlex adjustable steering stabilizer, Rock Krawler adjustable track bars,Magnaflow dual tip black exhaust.

    This is all good to know, now the issue is find a TJ Rubi that has a decent engine, body and frame and isn't too overly upgraded with someone else's dreams and hasn't been rolled over on a rock crawl......sounds like I'm looking for a unicorn....LOL
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2019
    The4x4Guys, Apr 10, 2019
    #5
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  6. Apr 10, 2019 at 6:16 PM
    #6
    The4x4Guys

    #6
    The4x4Guys [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2019
    Member:
    #3048
    Messages:
    175
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    2018 Black JLUR
    Mopar 2" lift, 37" BFG KO2's, KMC Rockstar 17" wheels, JCR Offroad front and rear bumpers, WARN Zeon 10-S, CoolTech CB Radio Kit, Rock Slide Engineering step sliders, TeraFlex adjustable steering stabilizer, Rock Krawler adjustable track bars,Magnaflow dual tip black exhaust.
    May have found a 2006 TJ Rubi, with 90,000 miles. Waiting on more pictures and responses to a list of questions about the vehicle before I decide to go see it. Initial pics look good, but I see plenty of room for my upgrades and improvements.
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2019
    The4x4Guys, Apr 10, 2019
    #6
    JKBob 25 likes this.
  7. Apr 10, 2019 at 7:22 PM
    #7
    JKBob 25

    #7
    JKBob 25 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2017
    Member:
    #1197
    Messages:
    3,893
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Jersey Shore, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2016 JK Wrangler Sport
    I've been wanting to do a build like what your looking to do for some time now. Something to run around on the streets and trails. Just don't have the funds at this time. :( Look forward to what you come up with and your build.
     
    JKBob 25, Apr 10, 2019
    #7
  8. Apr 10, 2019 at 7:31 PM
    #8
    The4x4Guys

    #8
    The4x4Guys [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2019
    Member:
    #3048
    Messages:
    175
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    2018 Black JLUR
    Mopar 2" lift, 37" BFG KO2's, KMC Rockstar 17" wheels, JCR Offroad front and rear bumpers, WARN Zeon 10-S, CoolTech CB Radio Kit, Rock Slide Engineering step sliders, TeraFlex adjustable steering stabilizer, Rock Krawler adjustable track bars,Magnaflow dual tip black exhaust.
    Well, if I am able to make a deal on the 06 TJ Rubi and it passes my inspection, my plan is make a build, or should I say re-build thread on the Jeep.
     
    The4x4Guys, Apr 10, 2019
    #8
    chris4x4 and JKBob 25 like this.
  9. Apr 11, 2019 at 4:19 PM
    #9
    aggrex

    #9
    aggrex Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2016
    Member:
    #203
    Messages:
    4,912
    DE
    Vehicle:
    Backcountry '16
    Tuffy>AEV>TTO>JW>STech>EVOcage>MagnaFlow>SpiderTrax>RockHard>TF>SpringTail>67design>Bolt>GPCA>Curt>
    @The4x4Guys if the plans are to "build" the TJ wouldn't a low mileage clean rust-free example be a good starting point? Paying a premium for a Rubi that are worn or worn out or will be upgraded might not be cost-effective unless you land a "barn-find" Rubi.
     
    aggrex, Apr 11, 2019
    #9
    JKBob 25 and The4x4Guys[OP] like this.
  10. Apr 11, 2019 at 4:22 PM
    #10
    The4x4Guys

    #10
    The4x4Guys [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2019
    Member:
    #3048
    Messages:
    175
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    2018 Black JLUR
    Mopar 2" lift, 37" BFG KO2's, KMC Rockstar 17" wheels, JCR Offroad front and rear bumpers, WARN Zeon 10-S, CoolTech CB Radio Kit, Rock Slide Engineering step sliders, TeraFlex adjustable steering stabilizer, Rock Krawler adjustable track bars,Magnaflow dual tip black exhaust.
    I most certainly agree. Finding a low(lower) mileage Rubi is the goal. Prefer to find a grocery-getter/mall crawler for my build platform. Prefer not to rip off someone else's aftermarket stuff to add mine. That being said, in my search to date, I find a ton of Sports and X models, fewer Rubi's and even fewer that aren't already built out or worn out. But the search is on........
     
    The4x4Guys, Apr 11, 2019
    #10
    aggrex and JKBob 25 like this.
  11. Apr 11, 2019 at 6:42 PM
    #11
    The4x4Guys

    #11
    The4x4Guys [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2019
    Member:
    #3048
    Messages:
    175
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Bob
    Vehicle:
    2018 Black JLUR
    Mopar 2" lift, 37" BFG KO2's, KMC Rockstar 17" wheels, JCR Offroad front and rear bumpers, WARN Zeon 10-S, CoolTech CB Radio Kit, Rock Slide Engineering step sliders, TeraFlex adjustable steering stabilizer, Rock Krawler adjustable track bars,Magnaflow dual tip black exhaust.
    So the good news is that I've found a 2006 TJ Rubi, but the owner reports that there are "small 1" inch rust spots near both the passenger and driver door windows" which sounds like an odd place for rust to me. Next he says that there is "condensation" which I think is a euphemism for an oil leak "between the engine and the transmission".

    Since the Jeep is pretty far from me, I am relying on more photos that I hope to get tomorrow of the rust and the underside of the Jeep. Do either of these issues sound curious to anyone?
     
    The4x4Guys, Apr 11, 2019
    #11
    chris4x4 and JKBob 25 like this.
Register FREE to Reply!
To Top