30% on road and 70% off road suggestions, Jeep TJ replacement

[iliketurbos]

Hey all! I have a 1997 TJ that has had a wonderful life, however the motor is going (very close to gone) and sadly I just noticed some (fair amount) of body rot. I love to go off roading with this thing even though I don't go nearly enough.

It has served it's purpose since I think I've owned it 9 years, it's pretty well modded but not a ton. ecgs 8.8, d30hp built out the ass, tummy tuck, 4" lift, 35's, etc...etc...

What I'm wondering is what I should do? Should I get another TJ and swap stuff over? I was looking at the 2 door JK but my stupid buddy todd pointed out the nice nice motor is in the 2012+, well those are pretty high out of my price range.

I am not 100% sure I can about sticking with Jeep, but something with a removable top is must, as well as fuel injection. Years don't matter to me at all really, any recommendations???

Thanks!!

Alan

 

[83oldyoda4x4]

What is your price range?

 

[iliketurbos]

Less than 15k

edit: but of course the cheaper the better

 

[obullfish]

Less than 15k

edit: but of course the cheaper the better

I’d look for a mildly built TJ Rubicon.

 

[iliketurbos]

I’d look for a mildly built TJ Rubicon.

I would destroy that in a matter of mins, unless you mean to swap axles over too.

 

[Reid]

removable top and under 15k miles with fuel injection.

unless you wanted a nissan murano convertible your pretty much looking for a JK.

 

[Reid]

or buy a CJ tub with vin plate..

frop 16k on roxor and swap the vin plate over. VOILA! mint condition CJ with fuel injection.

 

[obullfish]

I would destroy that in a matter of mins, unless you mean to swap axles over too.

I hammer on my Rubicon pretty hard and haven’t had any issues.

 

[shawn]

I hammer on my Rubicon pretty hard and haven’t had any issues.

My grandma can snap 760s with 37s.

 

[iliketurbos]

yeah I didn't want to be negative, but without a doubt I would forgo the rubi and get something and just swap my axles over if I did that.

Our definitions of 'hammer on' might be slightly different is all

thank you for the suggestion!

 

[drkelly]

How is the frame on your Jeep? Any rust? If not, how about buying a used rust free tub and swapping it on, then buying a good rebuilt motor or even a stroker motor?

Or buy this, and swap axles between the two and then sell yours.
2006 Jeep Wrangler 4X4

 

[WARRIORWELDING]

^this or invest even less. Swap fix motor continue. 70% off road, unless the body is going to fall off use it. Its not like its going to get prettier if you trail ride as hard as you let on. If your gonna "break Rubi's" I suspect mild trail scars are normal. Fix it, patch it some or trim and go.

 

[iliketurbos]

There is some rust on the frame sadly.

That's what i'm thinking about doing, make the most sense from a $$$ stand point of view.

Mild trail scars are nothing, some might say that the body damage is plentiful on the one I have now lol

Jeep Wrangler With 4.7L Stroker Motor

thanks all!

 

[DSM Turbos]

30% off road, you haven't gone at all in the past 18 months (probably longer!)! JK would be perfect for your mall crawling.

 

[shawn]

There is some rust on the frame sadly.

Define "rust".

 

[iliketurbos]

fuck off todd lol

@shawn
mild surface rust, some chucks here and there but nothing "major" compared to the frame.

 

[shawn]

mild surface rust, some chucks here and there but nothing "major" compared to the frame.

I only ask because it seems entirely subjective. Around Raleigh, if there's anything orange on the undercarriage, it's "OMG it's cancer". But if you go to Boone or Pennsylvania, 10yo trucks have holes in the cab corners and the bedsides are flapping in the wind.