Third Time?s a Charm 2005 LJ Build

[en480c4]

So, after trading my 2015 JKU Willys for a low mileage Touareg for my wife, I found myself Jeepless for the first time since 2014.

It didn?t take long to find Jeep number 15, and given the title, my third 2005 LJ. After missing out on a few CL and FB Marketplace finds, I was first on line to look at a 2005 LJ with 39k miles fully only $13.9k. When I went to check on out, it was just as described... Exceptionally clean inside and out. There was a fair amount of rusty scale on the front half of the frame and front axle, but the frame was solid and the the underside of the tub was perfect. So I have some work ahead of me cleaning that up, but it?s solid place to start for a 15 year old Jeep in New England.

I also came with a light duty Curtis plow. I wasn?t thrilled about this, but after giving the Jeep a one-over, it clearly hasn?t been abused and if I decide to keep it, the plow will definitely save me a ton of time during the winter.

And I found a soft top nearly complete about an hour and a half away that I was able to pick up for $300. It was missing the roll bar brackets. Despite being unobtainium, Davey?s had a set and a complete top before even picking up the Jeep.

So here it is.

 

[en480c4]

Working from home had its benefits. My wife and I were able to get the hard top off and get the soft top on during lunch.

Other big mods today included Mopar entry guards, a 13? antenna and new windshield wipers.

 

[en480c4]

And now for my short-term goals... Small lift. 33?s of some sort, LJR rocker guards and new fogs. A new head unit. And maintenance and cleanup.

Long term goals? CJ tailgate like my last LJ, and maybe another Swag rear bumper. I really liked the last one. And maybe add a BL, MML and a high clearance skid.

And luckily I just got the prorated refund on the JKU service contract refund, sold the JKU soft top and cashed out some CC rewards, so I have some money to work with.

My last LJ for reference.

 

[en480c4]

Wasn?t sure what direction I was going to go for wheels and tires. I?ve been looking for JL Rubicon takeoffs, but people are out of their minds for what they?re asking, and I wasn?t sold on the look. But I knew I didn?t want to keep the Ravines, didn?t want steelies and was hesitant to go with TJ Moabs because of the limited options for 16?s. Then I stumbled on a FB Marketplace listing for JK Rubicon Recon wheels. 5 for $200. They?re like new, I love the gunmetal and at that price I can afford retail for a set of 285/70 KO2s. 5x4.5 to 5x5 adapters have been ordered. And I?ll still keep an eye out for a deal on tires.

Edit: Got home and just placed one next to the Jeep... Yup, that?ll work!

 

[TexNVA]

last LJ looks like a clean machine. FB marketplace is killing it with the wheel deals.

 

[G Beasley]

The recons are gonna look great under your LJ!

 

[en480c4]

The recons are gonna look great under your LJ!

Thanks... I?m pretty excited.

I had planned on going with a cheap stop-gap lift to get the tires I want on there, but I?ve decided to list my 1952 M100 trailer for sale in hopes to use the money for an OME setup with the 934/949 coils. That should work well with the weight of the plow frame and larger spare, sit fairly level and should give plenty of room for the 285/70R17 KO2s.

 

[G Beasley]

Did you list the trailer here? And OME?s should work well for your desired tire height.

 

[en480c4]

Did you list the trailer here?

I hadn?t... just FB Marketplace. Didn?t want to be that new member who joins and immediately starts listing stuff for sale. If anyone?s interested, let me know. I can certainly add a FS ad. 

1952 Dunbar Kapple M100 Trailer

Bought in 2012.  It was partially stripped and painted to match my a Jeep at the time. I added new springs, shackles, lights and reflectors from Walck?s 4wd. I rewired it and added new safety hooks. Pintle lunette was cut for a standard ball hitch. I had the lunette sleeved and welded with a new end, with some added length to improve handling. And the back panel was previously cut to make a tailgate. Welding it back in was beyond my skill, so I bolted it back together using angle.

The good? A lot of new parts. The landing foot, lunette bracket and brake lever are present. It rolls easily. And it still pulls well and can handle a lot of materials.

The bad? There are spots where the floor has rusted through and needs repairs, and there is definitely rust all around. The paint has not held up well and has flaked off. Tires don?t hold air but it still tows OK.

Asking $750 

I have more photos during the rebuild.

 

[G Beasley]

I hadn?t... just FB Marketplace. Didn?t want to be that new member who joins and immediately starts listing stuff for sale. If anyone?s interested, let me know. I can certainly add a FS ad. 


I have more photos during the rebuild.

Be that member and list it! Heck I?m interested for that matter.

 

[en480c4]

Well, today got real expensive, real fast!

Ordered:
OME 2934/2949 Coils
OME 60047/60049 Shocks
OME SD40 Steering Stabilizer
OME FKWTJ02 Track Bar Bracket
OME FK16 Tear Bump Stop Extensions
(4) 285/70R17 BFG KO2 BSW

Just need to track down a spare and...

...Now I wait.

 

[G Beasley]

Well, today got real expensive, real fast!

Ordered:
OME 2934/2949 Coils
OME 60047/60049 Shocks
OME SD40 Steering Stabilizer
OME FKWTJ02 Track Bar Bracket
OME FK16 Tear Bump Stop Extensions
(4) 285/70R17 BFG KO2 BSW

Just need to track down a spare and...

...Now I wait.

Nice parts list!

 

[en480c4]

Definitely getting some rattling under load. Low miles, but I?m guessing the age has caught up with the cats. Some more fun to look forward to.

 

[G Beasley]

Definitely getting some rattling under load. Low miles, but I?m guessing the age has caught up with the cats. Some more fun to look forward to.

  How does the power feel?

 

[en480c4]

  How does the power feel?

Hard to say... it?s my first auto with the 4.0 in 20 years.  I?ve been a little underwhelmed, but I assumed that was the slush box until the noise picked up the past few days.

 

[Tobaccoroad4wd]

Time for an LS or R2.8 swap...

 

[en480c4]

Starting to get delivery notifications for next week. Getting pretty excited.

 

[en480c4]

Got (most of) the plow frame off. Had to make some cuts due to some limited access, interferences and frozen hardware.  Leaning towards pulling everything and listing it for sale after fabbing some bracket repairs. I know I won?t be beating on it but I know it?s not great for wear and tear on the front end and I?ll just neighbor to plow the driveway moving forward. Looks a hell of a lot better, too.

 

[G Beasley]

Much cleaner without it!

 

[en480c4]

Back when I had my first JKU, I had an AEV tire carrier. I didn?t love that the tire was offset to the PS. I understood it was so you could run up to a 40? tire, but I didn?t like how it like with my 35?s. I bought a JK spare spacer to modify to center the tire, but sold the Jeep before I could get to it.

Tonight I had a minute to myself so I dug it out, drilled it to a TJ pattern and put it on with a wheel to see how it will work. I think it will do... Fixed my bolt pattern and move it up and out. I just need to get the tires mounted and balanced figure out what I need to extend the snubbers.

The color on these seem to change a lot with the light... They looked more bronze than gunmetal, which has me second guessing my wheel choice. But any change will have to come down the road as the rest of recent purchases have depleted the Jeep fund.