Thinking about a project TJ Jeep

I've been busy upgrading a few items on our 2018 JLUR but miss the idea of working on a project vehicle. In the past I owned two TJ's and loved the platform (JK and JL are great). But as I like to say, every Jeep I've purchased has been "the best Jeep I've ever owned" until I sell it and buy a new one, then the it starts all over again.......LOL

Now, I'm thinking of adding to the vehicle family a TJ series (I prefer Rubicon) model and building it up from what ever state its in when I buy it. I'm not looking to to a frame up restoration, more of a fix what is aged, upgrade what needs upgraded and turn it into a workable off-road ride for weekends.

Any advice on what to look for (trouble spots) with TJ's? How many miles is too many miles on a TJ engine? Despite the purists point of view, I want an automatic I'm too old to be messing with a clutch....LOL

Thanks in advance for advice.

Bob

 

Locating a TJ with a solid frame plus six cylinder are top priority.

 

I my opinion the 4.0 was the best engine that was ever in a Jeep. It did have an ignition flaw I would say with the crank position sensor that was mounted on the driver side off the starter ring. It worked off magnetic pulses and metal chips from the starter gear against the starter ring would get on it and upset the operation, also it would just wear out. This would be evident by the engine stalling first intermittently then completely. Sometimes a restart was possible after a cool down. There was an aftermarket kit to mount the cps on the front of the engine at the harmonic balancer. The cam position sensor had a similar effect, it was located under the distributor cap, it usually lasted longer than the crank position sensor though. There was also an issue with the oem exhaust manifolds cracking, this gave guys an excuse to buy headers. I am not sure if this affected all years that the 4.0 was made. It is always a good idea to carry a few extra parts anyway. In my '86, I carry an extra ignition control module along with a mess of other stuff.

 

This is all good to know, now the issue is find a TJ Rubi that has a decent engine, body and frame and isn't too overly upgraded with someone else's dreams and hasn't been rolled over on a rock crawl......sounds like I'm looking for a unicorn....LOL

 

May have found a 2006 TJ Rubi, with 90,000 miles. Waiting on more pictures and responses to a list of questions about the vehicle before I decide to go see it. Initial pics look good, but I see plenty of room for my upgrades and improvements.

 

I've been wanting to do a build like what your looking to do for some time now. Something to run around on the streets and trails. Just don't have the funds at this time. Look forward to what you come up with and your build.

 

Well, if I am able to make a deal on the 06 TJ Rubi and it passes my inspection, my plan is make a build, or should I say re-build thread on the Jeep.

 

@The4x4Guys if the plans are to "build" the TJ wouldn't a low mileage clean rust-free example be a good starting point? Paying a premium for a Rubi that are worn or worn out or will be upgraded might not be cost-effective unless you land a "barn-find" Rubi.

 

I most certainly agree. Finding a low(lower) mileage Rubi is the goal. Prefer to find a grocery-getter/mall crawler for my build platform. Prefer not to rip off someone else's aftermarket stuff to add mine. That being said, in my search to date, I find a ton of Sports and X models, fewer Rubi's and even fewer that aren't already built out or worn out. But the search is on........

 

So the good news is that I've found a 2006 TJ Rubi, but the owner reports that there are "small 1" inch rust spots near both the passenger and driver door windows" which sounds like an odd place for rust to me. Next he says that there is "condensation" which I think is a euphemism for an oil leak "between the engine and the transmission".

Since the Jeep is pretty far from me, I am relying on more photos that I hope to get tomorrow of the rust and the underside of the Jeep. Do either of these issues sound curious to anyone?