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Help me outfit a "new to me" 2004 TJ Rubicon

2K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  MoA 
#1 ·
Hey guys and gals,

I am about to buy a 2004 Rubicon with 50k miles on it (I was told that about 15K of which was clocked on the odometer while the Jeep was a "Toad" being pulled behind an RV). Here are the specs below.

2004 Rubicon Stone White
ACOS adjustable suspension spacer system in front (currently set to match the rear)
Teraflex 2" spring spacers in rear
Currently stock front and rear bumpers
Stock Moab wheels

Most important thing first, this vehicle will be used for mixed purposes. I plan to take it for a fair amount of trail riding and light crawling. Eventually, I plan to upgrade the suspension to a short arm system likely no higher than 3" and add a 1-1.25" BL, but this will be done as both time and funds present themselves. As of now it will not be a daily driver as I plan to run my '98 2.5TL into the ground to save gas and miles on my TJ. The Jeep will see a fair amount of road time as well, therefore I want a setup that is road friendly with good tire wear.

Wheels: I plan to put 15x8" 3.5-4.0 backspace black alloy wheels on it. I'm leaning towards the Mickey Thompson Sidebiter's but I am open to suggestions.

Tires: Currently thinking of 32/11.5-15 tires. This limits my choices, but I'm looking at BFG A/T KO's, GY MTR Kevlars, BFG KM2's. Any Input would be great. How would this size tire do with my current suspension setup?

Bumpers: I want a good tire carrier rear bumper (not even sure if I can mount the 32"s on the tailgate with stock bumper) currently leaning towards the LOD or ARB rears. I want to put either a Front Bumper is still up in the air. I live in Birmingham, AL so I may have Blue Torch Fab see what they can do for me.

Suspension: Always heard good things about Teraflex but I'm gonna have to do a bit more research on others before my purchase.

Thanks in advance.
 
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#2 ·
One thing I can say is that the odometer does not add mileage when being towed, at least it does not do so on mine. Also, the 6 cylinder will not get any worse gas mileage than your 4 cylinder. 32 inch tires will fit nicely with the 2 inches of lift you have now along with the back spacing you are suggesting. If you are planning on a 3 inch lift and also adding the body lift I think you will want to go to bigger tires. I have my 33 inch spare mounted using my stock rear bumper as well. The different backspacing on the aftermarket wheel makes it clear the bumper. As far as bumpers, there are a lot of threads regarding all the brands available.
 
#3 ·
stock bumpers look decent if you take out the bump stops

as far as buying a set of bumpers, i'd look for a cheap local shop that does off roading

in NC we have a lot of local shops that do jeep fab and bumpers cost a few hundred less and look better imo

as for gas milage

i get 17 mpg on a 2.5l 97 jeep in town
15 hwy mpg with 31's

a inline 6 4.0l gets 20 hwy with 31's for my freind and 17 in town so...its better for mpg on the HWY with a engine can doesnt have to run at 3.200 rpms to maintain the speed

i am doing the same with my jeep running my 2.5l into the ground before wasting miles on my other ride
 
#4 ·
stock bumpers look decent if you take out the milk jugs
as far as buying a set of bumpers, i'd look for a cheap local shop that does off roading

in NC we have a lot of local shops that do jeep fab and bumpers cost a few hundred less and look better imo
Fixed for you....

But as for bumpers you can check out a seller on ebay named thedirtworx for some cheap quality bumpers
 
#7 ·
Yeah but my work commute is 60 miles round trip 6 days a week. It's my wife's old car. Gave my old Dakota to my brother. But if it wasn't so good on gas I would sell it. I hate it!

Thanks for the replies guys. Do you think 33"s would fit with my current setup?? Would open up more tire options. Just worried at full flex that it would take out my fenders ;) more reason to get the bushwhackers or the tube fenders.
 
#8 ·
You should be able to run 33's fine with that set up. I have a 3.25 on my ruby and run 33's.
 
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