Tim's Jeep LJ
When I saw the LJ on the lot I had to have it. Once it was in my possession I started with a 3.5-inch short arm lift kit from Rubicon Express and 33-inch Pro Comp Extreme mud terrain tires. SMR bumpers, from Just Jeeps, was installed along with a T-max 9,000lb. winch.
Written/Photography by: Albert Vandervelde/Tim Forbes
I purchased my TJ used from a Chrysler dealership in 2007 which was a demo the executives used. I had been out of the 4-wheel drive scene over 16 years, my first 4x4 was a Suzuki Samurai that I had modified with a spring over lift, 31-inch tires, 4.56 gears, rock lobster transfer case gears, LA locker in the rear axle and had enjoyed traveling and wheeling it in Big Bear and Santigo Canyon in California, and 2 trips to Moab. But between work and two kids the Samurai was barely used and eventually sold.
When I saw the LJ on the lot I had to have it. Once it was in my possession I started with a 3.5-inch short arm lift kit from Rubicon Express and 33-inch Pro Comp Extreme mud terrain tires. SMR bumpers, from Just Jeeps, was installed along with a T-max 9,000lb. winch.
My wife Amy and I drove the LJ to Moab in 2008 for the Easter Jeep Safari. We spent the week doing trails with ratings from 5-7 and the Jeep performed really well. The only problem was seeing the quality of the Jeeps at the event and this left me with too many ideas of what I wanted to modify next. I left the vendors show at the Safari with an abused credit card and an order with Genright.
A new fuel tank, 12-inch travel king coilover rear shocks, full aluminum corner guards, 4-inch rear tube fender flares and the rear 4-link long arm suspension kit was delivered shortly after. I installed these parts which allowed the rear axle to be moved back 3-inches. 4.56 ring and pinion gears, a H.D. Warn free wheel hub kit, one-inch body lift and step up to 35-inch Pro Comps.
In 2010 we returned to the Easter Jeep Safari to test the new parts. With the rear suspension now upgraded and the short arm lift still in the front, the ride was smooth in the rear but rough up front. This led to Genright’s 3-link long arm kit, 14-inch travel king coilovers, hi steer kit, twisted pitman arm and 4-inch flare tube fenders. A call to Dynatrac and they sent me a PRO Rock 44 front end complete with 4.56 gears, ARB locker and TJ ends so I could reuse my existing knuckles, free-wheeling hub kit and brakes.
A Viair compressor and 2.5 gallon tank was installed to operate the ARB locker and air up tires. With the new front suspension and steering the wheelbase was stretched to 109 inches total. Just before leaving for the 2011 Easter Jeep Safari a friend offered me a good deal on 37-inch BF Goodrich Krawlers, so I acquired a set of 17-inch Walker Evans beadlock wheels and we where good to go. I had originally debated back and forth on 35’s or 37’s and I should have just went with the 37’s.
Once in Moab the Jeep performed well until the last waterfall on the Pickle trail broke a rear drivers’ side axle shaft, which in turn busted the housing of the original Rubicon locker. Steve, at the 4x4 Outpost, fixed it up with new G2 axle shafts and a Detroit locker. Future plans include a Currie Rockjock 60 rear axle, Atlas 4-speed transfer case and a Hesco aluminum cylinder head. All of these parts are sitting in my shop waiting while I rebuild my daughters 06 TJ Rubicon. (that was wrote off in an accident this spring).
Engine: 4.0 Liter, 6-speed, Manual transmission, Air Raid intake system modified for Genright Coilover kit, Air Raid throttle body spacer, Truflow cleanable oil filter
Spintech Muffler, Odessey Battery.
Front Axle: Dynatrac Prorock 44, TJ ends, ARB locker, 4.56 gears, Warn heavy duty free wheel hub kit, 5 on 5½” bolt pattern, EBC brake pads.
Rear Axle: TJ Rubicon Dana 44, Detroit locker, 4.56 gears, G2 Axles, EBC brake pads.
Drive Shafts: Tom Woods front and rear
Suspension: Genrights long arm builders kit with 14-inch travel King coilovers on the front, 12-inch travel king coilovers on the rear. Genright sway bar on the rear only. Approximate lift is 4 ½ inches, wheel base extended to 109 inches. Urethane bump stops and Limited straps.
Body Lift: one-inch Daystar
Steering: Genrights high steer kit, Tera-flex passenger side knuckle, PSC heavy duty ram assist kit with cooler (added in Moab) aluminum skid plate on the steering box.
Body: Genright’s aluminum side panels, steel 4-inch rear fender flares, 4-inch steel front fenders and Rocker guards.
Bumpers: Savvy aluminum front bumper, Smitty built XRC rear bumper and tire carrier.
Other Mods: L.E.D. tail lights, front blinkers and marker lights, Chromoly tubing added to original roll cage, T-max 9,000 lb., winch with synthetic rope, CB radio, High lift jack mounted to roll cage, 8 L.E.D. rock lights for night runs, Viair on board air compressor and 2 gallon tank. Teraflex belly up skid plate, MB 40 engine/transmission skid plate.
For the full story and photos check out Volume 14 Issue 1