Hey guys, not sure what to buy, here's what I plan on doing...

[BlackAura]

Kinda new to the site, I joined about 5 years ago, but I was still a student back then and determined that I just couldn't afford to get into offroading at the time.

The Jeep bug left me, and when I was done university I looked for a more practical car (although that failed, as I ended up getting a summer only sports car).  Just recently I've been looking for a winter car, and I saw a beautiful jeep for sale in Arizona (of course, it had a lot of work done to it, and was a lot more showable with the top off in 20 degree weather down there).  It was enough to rekindle the idea of getting a Jeep.

I checked around while I was down there, but I basically determined the guy was asking about the same for his TJ in Arizona as what the market value would be up here in Calgary, so I decided against buying one down there and importing it (not worth it once you add up all the additional costs).

After doing some more research on the site here, and reading a few "what should I buy?" threads, I've determined that I want to go with a TJ, probably a Rubicon.

The main reason for that is that I plan on using it as my winter daily driver, and not putting too much stress on the vehicle during that time.  Then in the summer I'll have a couple other vehicle options (car, motorcycle), so I won't be depending on it as much, and can wheel it to my hearts content.

Which from what I've read means I'd want a few upgrades over the standard TJ for when I wheel it, including:
- minor lift, to allow for slightly bigger tires,
- bigger tires
- locking rear diff (although ideally front and rear)
- front/rear tow hooks
- winch (Warn, of course )

The Rubicon provides most of those upgrades straight from the factory, which is nice.  I have heard that the vacuum locking diffs on the Rubicon can get iced up and not properly lock though, is this something I should take into account, and maybe look for a TJ with an electronically locking diff?

I saw this TJ for sale up in St. Albert, and emailed the guy to get a little more information.
1997 Jeep TJ (Kijiji.ca)

He's the second owner, although he's only had it for less than a year.
It's never been in an accident.
He must have had some issues with the drivers side door lock, as he replaced all the internals.
He mentions replacing the windshield as it has a significant crack I guess, and he doesn't believe it will pass the insurance inspection.  He said it would cost around $200 to replace, and I saw a thread on here where there was a place in Calgary going it for $175.
He also said tire life is about a year or so, and he's willing to email me pictures of the engine bay and interior, he just has to take a few first.

My worry with this one is the tires .... I read somewhere that you can't go too big with the stock TJ axles, and he didn't say anything about the axles being upgraded.  Plus he mentions they're not really meant for pavement, so it would probably be a good idea to purchase another set of tires for winter, and save these ones for spring.  And the type of rear diff, beyond the fact that it's an electronic locking one, is not mentioned, so it could be a Dana, Eaton, etc. (from the little research I've done, might be totally wrong too).


So it might be a good Jeep for me, but I'm not too sure.  Since I'll be using it as a daily driver I think I'd rather have some smaller tires on it for the winter.

There aren't many affordable Rubicons on the market now, but I did find one that, while stretching the limits of my budget, is doable:
2004 TJ Rubicon (Autotrader.ca)

Unfortunately I'd have to purchase a winch and mounting plate (or bumper?) as well, so it's looking pretty pricey, and I'd like to keep a bit of savings in case I have issues with any of my vehicles.  Plus it's already getting up there in the kms (120,000) for only being 5 years old.


Wow, this ended up being way longer than I originally intended.  But that's okay, hopefully you guys can answer some of my questions, and maybe give me a few recommendations.

Thanks!

--Kevin

[specialk]

Welcome back to the fold, Kevin!

I can speak to the 04 Rubi because that is what I've got.  You can wheel that rig as is today and is also a great winter driver stock.  I've never had any issues with the lockers on mine.

If you're patient, you will be abe to pick up a used winch Warn or Ramsey winch from someone on the site.  I'll be selling my Warn winch plate in the next couple of months...  You can add mods as you can afford them.

Go for it,ya know you want to...  

[hps4evr]

i say spend the extra coin and get the '04 rubicon. it looks to be stock, which is good. "upgraded" jeeps come with "upgraded" issues. go stock. 13G aint bad for a stock rubi. 120kms aint bad either considering the mileage this thing can get to without any issues. 120k in 5 years is just under 25k a year, which is less then average in calgary. check the jeep over very good, get some service history. get the vin if you can and take it to a dealer and see whats gone on with the jeep. all in all, a good buy even at that price.

[Rubi03 jef]

i have a 04 rubi its great   

no issues withh the lockers in the winter yet

seems to be a good price i iknow i over paid for mine   but that was cuz i got it at the wrong time


as you up grade you can build it stronger 

but in stock form its great

[Spinalguy]

It is WAY cheaper to buy something in the States. If you buy 15 years or older, it can come across the border MODIFIED. There are some very well built, rust free YJ's and CJ's in Washington, Oregon, Arizona and California.
i just brought a modified CJ home from Washington.

[BlackAura]

Awesome, thanks for the welcomes guys!

I can speak to the 04 Rubi because that is what I've got.  You can wheel that rig as is today and is also a great winter driver stock.  I've never had any issues with the lockers on mine.

If you're patient, you will be abe to pick up a used winch Warn or Ramsey winch from someone on the site.  I'll be selling my Warn winch plate in the next couple of months...  You can add mods as you can afford them.

That sounds like a great idea since I won't need the winch until I'm wheeling in the spring (unless something goes seriously wrong on the roads in Calgary )

i say spend the extra coin and get the '04 rubicon. it looks to be stock, which is good. "upgraded" jeeps come with "upgraded" issues. go stock.

That's a good point, I found the same thing when I was buying my car....upgrades meant it was driven hard.  Managed to find a low km, almost stock car, which has only had a few minor issues in the 3 years I've owned it.

i have a 04 rubi its great   
no issues withh the lockers in the winter yet

Awesome!  So far everyone has recommended the Rubicon, which is good to hear.  Too bad there aren't more of them on the market right now.

It is WAY cheaper to buy something in the States. If you buy 15 years or older, it can come across the border MODIFIED. There are some very well built, rust free YJ's and CJ's in Washington, Oregon, Arizona and California.
i just brought a modified CJ home from Washington.

Congrats on the CJ!  Actually when I was first looking (when I was a student) there was no way I could afford a TJ and so I was checking out CJs and YJs.  But now I think I'd be better off buying a TJ.  Less kms and basically stock implies (but doesn't necessarily mean) it will be a little more reliable, and since my plan is to use it as a daily driver in the winter, I need reliability.


I have a few more questions.....on the Rubicon can you independently lock the front or rear diff?
I've seen a couple transfer cases (i.e. the Pajero that Spinalguy has for sale) where you select 4hi lock or 4lo lock, when you want the diffs locked.  I've also heard of setups (this was with an electronically locking rear diff) where you just hit a button.  Is the Rubi's locking setup part of the transfer case drive selection, or a separate system?

I've read the Rubicon's transfer case (NP241) is preferred over the stock NP231.  Do the numbers imply the ratio when in 4lo?  I.e. 3:1 vs 4:1?  Thus the Rubi's case would be better for crawling?  Or is there another reason for this?

I've also read the 5 speed transmission (older) is much better than the newer 6 speed, but I'm not sure why exactly (I'd guess strength mainly, and the 5 speed is better for wheeling?)

I understand people like to remove their swaybar for wheeling, does this allow for more suspension travel?  I guess if you don't, there's a chance you could break your swaybar links?

In addition to the winch to go wheeling, looks like I'd also need tow hooks and a a recovery strap (not a tow strap).  Would I be better off buying something like this bumper (I'll need one for the winch anyways, I understand).  Picture is at the bottom of the linked thread:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=823417


When I'm ready to actually go check out some Jeeps, would anyone mind coming along to help add an extra pair of eyes that know what they're looking for?  Expecting to go out shopping mid-late January, if all goes well.  Possibly sooner but chances are the end of the month will be when I'm ready to buy.  If not, does anyone have a recommended mechanic to take it to?  I've heard good things about National, but I can't remember if that was for parts, or for mechanical work.

Thanks again for all the help guys!

[parabs]

the stock xfer case is 2.7:1 vs 4:1 in the rubi.

The 6 speed came in 05 i believe, so you could get the 03-04 rubi's with the 5 speed, however if you want the LJ, you could only get the rubi unlimited in 05-06, with the 6 speed.

I know my jeep stock came with 2 tow points on the front, and came with the hitch factory installed that would work as a tow point as well.

The rubicons come with a D44 standard, and are the only TJ's that come with a D44 in the front.  All other TJ's have a D30 up front.  Standard rear end on a TJ is a D35, but more desirable is the D44.  The rubicon comes with 4:10 gears stock, some TJ's (like mine) have 3:73's but most common seems to be the 3:07 gearing.

Also, the rubi comes with stock rear disc brakes, and it was an option on some other jeeps.

[parabs]

Just stumbled on this:

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-pickup-trucks-2006-Jeep-TJ-Rubicon-W0QQAdIdZ177007856

That is the ideal one I would want.  The Unlimited/LJ (whatever you want to call it) has a 3500lbs towing capacity, more room for your crap inside, and has enough room underneath to put in a 120l tank.  Gen-right makes that tank.  72l tanks suck, IMO. 

Nice low K on that unit too.