Jeep LJR build thread

[tomtaylz]

Selling this LJR to buy a taco around the end of the year, but thought it’d be fun to go through some build stages. It’s a 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, the Unlimited being the longer wheel base model from the TJ which they only sold for three years, so it’s a bit rare. I’ve done all the work myself, with help of a friend, so I’m pretty proud of it.

But before that, my TJ I had built up and sold for the LJR, this is it as I solid it, sold the first weekend I had it up for sale. It’s on about a 2.5” lift at 33s. I did take off the CB, my air compressor, and the headlights from my old Jeep to go on the new build.

So now onto the LJ, I bought it from NC sight unseen, it had a cheap quality crappy lift on that, but I knew that. When I got it delivered, with 28k miles. It did have a winch what was a plus! But I knew I wouldn’t keep much of the POs stuff on it:

Took it right away to a trip to Yosemite and had her topless

So I knew I had to replace the suspension, I tend to not cheap out with my builds so I went with a Currie 4” lift with savvy SA with the goal of running 35s.

Springs and shocks done! I just did some cheap Rancho shocks which I rattle canned as you can’t really go with higher travel premium kits on a TJ without outboarding.

A couple of odd jobs here and there like a new switch panel:

A new antirock offroad swaybar, bumper, light cannons and Grabbars to make it easier to get in.

First time really wheeling it at prairie city metalcloak event (no action shots )

Put my on board air back in, and added cruise which was a dealer install item.

More casual wheeling.

Body lift and motor mount lift:

Got the savvy control arms in. A look at that solid front axle.

 

[tomtaylz]

Save for part two

So continuing on.

I started a oil pan skid, “tummy tuck” and sliders all in a rush before Moab. You’ll notice in this picture two sliders of the same side. Whoops.

Slider on one side!

Next for upgraded brakes before going 35s. Went with Blaine’s BMB. Some of the best in the business and beefy!

Somewhere in here I did a regear also to 5.38

We have 35s and the tummy tuck!

Somewhere I upgraded my tire carrier also to handle the weight.

 

[tomtaylz]

Basically done building at this point, fully armored underneath, suspension all redone, regeared.

I also sound dampened the whole tub, to help with long trips in a loud brick.

Just now chasing small issues. Here’s a photo dump.

 

[Tyler]

Thanks for posting this up. I'm a total 4x4 guy, so I love almost everything. I also have a Jeep JK and I've always had a guilty pleasure for the LJ. I love loooooong trucks (hence the JK Unlimited and double cab, longbed Taco). My dream truck is a crew cab, longbed squarebody and I'd love to eventually own an LJ too.

Your TJ and the LJ are perfect! They have that ideal stock look with a beautiful stance and some meaty tires. That's how I like 'em. I'm not going to tell you not to sell the Jeep for a Taco, but it almost seems bittersweet because of how rad unmutilated this LJ is.

Side note: Maybe we can get @Chris to be a double agent like us. Nothing wrong with owning both, lol.

(If you need a part 4 post let me know and I will delete this post for you.)

 

[tomtaylz]

Thanks for posting this up. I'm a total 4x4 guy, so I love almost everything. I also have a Jeep JK and I've always had a guilty pleasure for the LJ. I love loooooong trucks (hence the JK Unlimited and double cab, longbed Taco). My dream truck is a crew cab, longbed squarebody and I'd love to eventually own an LJ too.

Your TJ and the LJ are perfect! They have that ideal stock look with a beautiful stance and some meaty tires. That's how I like 'em. I'm not going to tell you not to sell the Jeep for a Taco, but it almost seems bittersweet because of how rad unmutilated this LJ is.

Side note: Maybe we can get @Chris to be a double agent like us. Nothing wrong with owning both, lol.

(If you need a part 4 post let me know and I will delete this post for you.)

Thanks and all good on the part 4! Hah just going through my camera roll, it is a nice Jeep, living in the city I really can’t have more than one vehicle though and I think all around the taco will do a lot more what I need it to do.

 

[Tyler]

Thanks and all good on the part 4! Hah just going through my camera roll, it is a nice Jeep, living in the city I really can’t have more than one vehicle though and I think all around the taco will do a lot more what I need it to do.

Your Jeep is the exactly the configuration I'd want and built how I'd want one. I would offer to be the one who buys it, but funds won't allow me to anytime soon. Someone is going to be lucky to own this gem. And you'll be lucky to have a new Taco because they're beautiful and badass in their own way. You're going from one enthusiast rig to another, which is awesome.

 

[tomtaylz]

Your Jeep is the exactly the configuration I'd want and built how I'd want one. I would offer to be the one who buys it, but funds won't allow me to anytime soon. Someone is going to be lucky to own this gem. And you'll be lucky to have a new Taco because they're beautiful and badass in their own way. You're going from one enthusiast rig to another, which is awesome.

Yeah that’s part of the reason the Tacoma’s appeal to me so much, already planning in my head my future build which will be more overland focused.

I found my self doing a lot more camping and just need a rig to get to cool spots other people can’t, I don’t find myself doing intense crawling that much as I’m always nervous about damage. The Jeep will always be tight in space, and drives rougher than I like for some of the longer expedition style trips I have planned.

I still need to get a better grasp on Tacoma suspensions and things but I have a lot figured out and that’s what I’m here for!

 

[tomtaylz]

Also, I’m renting a 17 Pro this weekend from Turo for a get away to Tahoe, so I’ll get some time behind the wheel and should know better if it works for me.

 

[Tyler]

Also, I’m renting a 17 Pro this weekend from Turo for a get away to Tahoe, so I’ll get some time behind the wheel and should know better if it works for me.

Not sure how tall you are but the driving position isn't the greatest. You can't bring the steering wheel closer to you and the roof is kind of low. There are some blind spots from the a-pillars and rear view mirror. But with the rear view, it has two adjustments, one of them is just not so obvious. It adjusts as you would expect it to, but you can also move it up toward the roof so it is out of your way. I think most new vehicles can do that but it didn't seem like it did in the Taco (at least to me) for the first two years. When I realized it could move it way up, my life changed.

 

[tomtaylz]

Not sure how tall you are but the driving position isn't the greatest. You can't bring the steering wheel closer to you and the roof is kind of low. There are some blind spots from the a-pillars and rear view mirror. But with the rear view, it has two adjustments, one of them is just not so obvious. It adjusts as you would expect it to, but you can also move it up toward the roof so it is out of your way. I think most new vehicles can do that but it didn't seem like it did in the Taco (at least to me) for the first two years. When I realized it could move it way up, my life changed.

Yeah the driving position/feeling cramped and the transmission is what I’m most worried about for Tacoma’s. I’m about 6’1”.

The 2020s adjustable seat should help though too, I know little adjustments can make a big difference.

 

[Tyler]

Yeah the driving position/feeling cramped and the transmission is what I’m most worried about for Tacoma’s. I’m about 6’1”.

The 2020s adjustable seat should help though too, I know little adjustments can make a big difference.

I’m the same height. This is what sucks about the Tacoma but I just deal with it.

The transmission, as you probably know, can be mostly fixed with a regear and/or OVTune.

 

[RevN3]

As a CJ-5 owner...I approve. You'd get a wave from me.

 

[tomtaylz]

Sold the Jeep yesterday, it sold within a week of listing with someone flying in to get it. I'll miss it a bit, but looking to get a taco around the end of the year. With some time car-less I'm looking at all my options, but the taco is the one to beat. (And what I'm likely getting)

 

[WarFabArmor]

Sold the Jeep yesterday, it sold within a week of listing with someone flying in to get it. I'll miss it a bit, but looking to get a taco around the end of the year. With some time car-less I'm looking at all my options, but the taco is the one to beat. (And what I'm likely getting)

Just sold my TJ, had someone fly in and drive it back as well. I was nervous about it, but met guy at airport, he handed me cash and took off in it, and is already back in Arkansas with it. While the TJ I had was more of a hard wheeler than a driver, im not sure id give up the LJR for a newer tacoma. I guess it depends on if you spend more time on trail or on road. For us, its split pretty equally, and the tj being a 5 speed was killer after my botched knee surgery, so it went away. I dont think you're making a bad choice, but given the platform you left, its hard to say you made a great one too. Hope it all works out for you.