Aloha everyone, I just bought a 98 TJ SE from a mechanics shop. It was cheap, and I live on Maui, so its a done deal. I need it to go certain places my sedan wont.
So I bought this TJ that had its blown motor replaced (a 2.5) and it was burning off oil when I first bought it that had blown down into the exhaust and catalytic converter. Mechanic didnt replace cat and check engine light is on for oxygen sensor. I bought a new cat and both oxygen sensors, waiting for them to be shipped here, hopefully that will fix that, its stopped smoking.
But I have some questions about tires, power and speed. Ive never owned a Jeep, or really even rode in one, beyond a few test drives. So the mechanic put rims and tires from a 14 wrangler on this TJ, and it seems i have to shift very early. it goes through first and second very fast, the idiot light telling me to shift out of the gear before i really had time to even let out the clutch fully lol is this normal?
also, the ride seems very "bouncy". taking the curves home last night, in my sedan i easily do 50 in this stretch....in the jeep, at 40, cornering felt a little crazy, judging by "seat of my pants" feeling/effect. Do these rims and tires affect stability? it has a wider stance, it seems it shold be more solid. is my cab just bouncing around? worn shocks? again im a noob, sorry if these questions sound dumb.
Oil, Brakes, Tires, Diff Fluid, Depending on mileage transmission and Tcase fluids, could test the battery. Check over the entire frame for rust. Pull the carpet up completely check to see if there is any rot underneath it.
If the 14 rims are 17" you're likely running a 32". 31" is the max size on a stock TJ, so unless yours is lifted you're pushing the limits. If they're 16" you're in the 30" range which is fine. Also, know that you have wheel adapters to accommodate the JK rims.
It's a Jeep, even in stock form, the TJ ride is going to feel primitive compared to a sedan. Now there can be other contributors that make you're ride worse such as tire pressure being too high, after market lift, shocks, etc. Or that your stock shocks, or springs are worn. That we don't know.
As for the shift light... forget about it. They all want you to shift early.
Many mahalo for your input guys. Yes, the tires are 255/75/17 so they are about 32s. I dont know if there is any lift installed, again Im a noob. But either a 1 inch body or suspension lift, either one is $100 which one should i get?
Post pics of your current suspension, body mounts (frame to tub), and transfer case skid plate so that we have a better idea of what you are starting out with. Otherwise we have to make a bunch of assumptions, and it can get confusing really fast.
good idea. i measured it is just about 1 foot between ground and skid plate. the shocks are old and gnarly but i dont know if they are stock or aftermarket. the rubber bumper on the bottom of the shock is completely destroyed and it prob needs new suspension.
allright well i just went and took a closer look at tire pressure:
front passenger: 40
front driver: 30
rear passenger 22
rear driver 30
When I test drove it, like i said it felt a little weird. So i set everything to 20 in front, 22 in back, and took it for a test drive. i hit a bump at 50mph and got death wobble, which had not happened while driving at the pressures above, thankfully.
so now what? where do i look to fix death wobble? uh oh i just opened up a can of worms, i knew it was too good to be true...
allright well i just went and took a closer look at tire pressure: front passenger: 40 front driver: 30 rear passenger 22 rear driver 30 When I test drove it, like i said it felt a little weird. So i set everything to 20 in front, 22 in back, and took it for a test drive. i hit a bump at 50mph and got death wobble, which had not happened while driving at the pressures above, thankfully. so now what? where do i look to fix death wobble? uh oh i just opened up a can of worms, i knew it was too good to be true...
If it is the real death wobble, (and I mean the jeep feels like it is going to shake itself apart), there may be something seriously worn or off in your steering system - a stabilizer might mask the condition, but only for a while. Can you take it back to the mechanics and have them inspect the frontend for wear?
thanks for the info Sudocalifornia, I went looking and didnt see any lift pucks or anything. I am trying to learn.
krisb it rode great yesterday at 20/22, the tread wear was perfect on the fronts, ill try 26 and see what happens.
as far as my picture, is this supposed to look like this? it doesnt seem right a 4wd has gears open on the bottom and exposed to the road...did they forget to reinstall a cover at the shop? did it fall of? I dont remember this looking like this when i looked underneath it.
Looks like someone left the dust cover off your bellhousing. Your flywheel shouldn't be exposed like that. I'd look to get it replaced. It won't hurt anything short term, but I certainly would be wary of any off road adventures.
oh and also about the death wobble - maybe i didnt get death wobble. i got manageable wobble. it started shaking, i let off the gas, it went away....i never dropped below 35mph
Dont worry krisb, he doesnt understand how you shake the pillars of heaven lol
So i bought JK springs and shocks, a 2" spacer for the front and a transfer case drop in case i ned them, a TPS (it idles high sometimes), a new cat converter, new o2 sensors, and the steering stabilizer.
i have read that too many parts at once makes it hard to track down any wobble, but i live on maui, this jeep will spend most of its life under 45mph. ive so far identified the 2 spots on the island that made my jeep wobble, both bridge junctions, so im honestly not really too concerned about it.
just want to make this a nice, reliable safe ride. The parts for TJ are nice and cheap so that helps.
Why would you buy JK springs as opposed to suspension components made for your jeep?
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