Help my make my rock rig streetable

[nwoods]

Okay, its not really a rock rig, but our Jeep is a third car that only sees trail duty...up till now. With the economy tanking and my job on the line, I need to start thinking about selling my Land Rover and dropping down to just one car payment, the Jeep!

This means it will become my daily driver, about 25,000 miles a year (if I keep working). I can't imagine driving it the way it is now. Way too noisy, horrible gas mileage, generally poor ride (that might just be normal though, I have no idea).

What modifications or things would you recommend changing to make it into a daily driver capable of driving from LA to San Diego or Santa Barbara or sitting for hours on the 405?

Currently, its set up as follows:
2005 Rubicon Unlimited LJ
- softop
- 35" ProComp XTerrians
- 1" wheel spacers
- 1" body lift
- 4.5" Currie Short Arm lift
- 1" lifted engine mounts and radiator mount
- 4.5" RE springs up front
- 5.5" springs in the rear
- Currie steering stabilizer system
- Off Road Only "Swayloc" system up front
- stock anti-sway bar in rear
- Rancho 9000s shocks (typical set at the firmest setting for cargo capacity - family of 4)
- Nth Degree tummy tuck
- various sliders, skids, diff guards
- Hanson steel front bumper with Warn winch
- Hanson steel rear bumper with tire carrier and rack
- Alpine stereo head unit with iPod connector, but it's not iPhone compatible so needs upgrading.

[fun4wheelerguy]

Looks and sounds like it is perfect !! I would upgrade the stereo and get a really good bluetooth for your phone and you will be all set.........

[jimmyrig]

The only things I would change is ditch the X terrains and get some ATs and maybe upgrade your shocks to OME or similar high quality shock. Otherwise get rid of the jeep They suck on gas and ride like azz. But isn't that what we love about them.

[womb raider 940]

x2 on the stereo. I spend around 2 to 3 hours in my truck everyday. I have sat radio. better than ipod in my opinion.

Although I could not imagine my jeep being a
DD thing is too small. I dont have enough room in there for me.

[OU812]

Hard top, BFG A/Ts, and some good shocks. And if you spend much time on the 405 you might think about getting some corner guards.

[nwoods]

And if you spend much time on the 405 you might think about getting some corner guards.

LOL!

I was thinking of downsizing the tires and going 33" BFG AT's, or maybe some Nitto Terra Grapplers as street oriented tires. I think dropping the tire size will be better in ride and fuel, and hey, they might even balance and eliminate some of the 55mph wobble!

My stereo is set up for Sirus satellite radio, but the previous owner's subscription lapsed and I never renewed it. I like to charge the iPhone with the music adapter, but I get GSM feedback (first gen iPhone, not 3G) when its plugged in, so I need to redo the adapter.

I think a hard top will make a world of difference, but man! Hardtops seem incredibly expensive for an LJ. Anyone know a good place to get one for minimal cash?

Going with the OME shocks is probably a good idea. Would I need to swap springs also? Do they make 4" or 5" springs? I want to be able to bolt on the 35's when its trail time. So it would be nice if any mods I make are quickly reversable to keep it's great trail capablity.

Tombraider, I seem to have a decent amount of space in the LJ. Certainly holds my briefcase and worksite boots/hardhat. I will not be able to have clients in the back seat like I do in the LR3, but I suspect i will have fewer people asking to ride along with when they see the rig. With the LR3, it feels like I'm always the designated driver for group meetings.

[mrchips]

You still have the 4.10 gears so going to a 33 tire, will help with the gas mileage, and give you a little more pep. I run the Interco TRXUS STS all terrain. Great street tire, no noise, and it is incredible in the dirt, sand, snow and even on the rocks. Don't know if you will get 40k miles off a set, but still a great all around tire.

[OU812]

Dont be in a hury for a hard top. Watch craigslist. I dont see many LJ tops but if you keep an eye out...

[NAILER341]

get another car.
pick up an older camry and drive that to work.
the jeep is a bad distance daily driver.

[Materdaddy]

I'll trade your LJ for my wife's Malibu... It does pretty good on the highway. Quiet, about 30mpg, and handles much better than a Jeep. :devil:

[Kodiak Spirit]

x2 on the other car, an escort gets good milage, is dirt cheep and keeps the jeep wheelable...

[tony m]

Keep the Jeep ??

33" tires if you still got the 4.10's....AT's

Heard great things about BFG a/t's; and also the Nitto Tera Grapplers

Your 35's = Strictly for off road.

Hard top = more weight = more gas;
hard or soft, your call.

Check- change- flush fluids more often.

If you are not already, go with synthetic fluids = drivetrain running better = save gas!!

Also, if you don't already have : some good aftermarket seats (comfortable-lumbar support)

my 2cents.
Tony

[mrchips]

I saw you said something about a 55 MPH wobble, as for balancing your tires, try this product. I use it and it is amazing. No wobbles even caked with mud. No weights to worry about. self balances the tire from the inside. Unless you have a bent axle shaft or some other mechanical problem, and not a tire balance issue. Just thought I would throw it out there.


https://www.expeditionexchange.com/equal/

[The-Hurricane]

i have two friends that both dd their big jeeps. one runs a 302 v8 and 40's on an old cj. he just takes her slow and steady easy on the fuel. his comute is about 40 mins each way, mostly city. the other has 35's on his cj7 his comute is around 35 mins all highway. both just taker easy, and get there. both jeeps ride way rougher than a new jeep thats for darn sure, but they are both under 30 so they have young spines that can take the abuse. i say sell the landrover, buy a cheap cheap 4 banger car, like a civic or a ford fiesta and rock those to work, and no one will ever ask you for a ride!

[dadasjp]

Personally, I'd look at going to a 34" BFG A/T on a 17" rim and remove the BL and motor lift, and get a hard top. Also, dial down the shocks to their softest setting, I run mine there all the time. You'd only lose 1/2" of axle ground clearance and the A/T's would actually improve sand/snow wheeling not to mention wet traction, and they do plenty well on the rocks. FYI, I noticed a good bit more body vibration at highway speeds when I put the 1" body lift on mine vs. stock. Just my two cents.