Expo TJ?

proper4wd

proper4wd

Expedition Leader
Hey all, been reading through the backlogs of the Jeep forum here and haven't seen too much from TJ guys. I have a 2003 Rubicon and feel that it's the perfect expedition vehicle for me. I usually travel either alone or with 1 other person, and like to hit some more difficult trails in my travels.

The combination of a capable vehicle like the TJ Rubicon with a small trailer with RTT seems like it would be the ultimate. But, I'm curious to see what you other TJ owners have done with your rigs!

Theres enough info on the web about swapping Dana 60s and stretching wheelbase and 40" tires. Lets see what the expo crowd has done with theirs.
 
goodtimes

goodtimes

Expedition Poseur
It can be done....I did it, and still do...to a point.

I set mine up for solo + 70lb dog. It worked really well until I added a girlfriend to the mix. Now it is really cramped unless we leave the mutt at home (and then it is still "sorta" cramped). There are random threads about some of the modifications I have done, but I don't have time to search them all out....

But basically I started with rock crawling in mind (3.5" RE lift, custom bumpers/radiator hoop/skid plates, winch, roll cage, sliders, etc...). As I drifted away from that, I added the fridge, storage cabinets, aux electrical system (well beyond a dual battery system), sleeping platform (remove passenger seat, bolt platform in, enough room for me and the dog to sleep inside the jeep--assuming the dog doesn't stink to bad), custom roof rack + roof top tent (for the times the g/f comes along), a folding table from ORTT, and a bunch of little things here and there....
 

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proper4wd

proper4wd

Expedition Leader
Have any better pictures of the roof rack? I've been running a few ideas through my head more intended for carrying a canoe with the soft top on. Looks good, mine's silver too :D
 
1

1speed

Explorer
How about an LJ? Plenty of pics in my threads, IF the data base gets restored.

DSC00345.jpg
 
grahamfitter

grahamfitter

Expedition Leader
I have a TJ and so far its been big enough for two people to be self-sufficient for a week in the woods. I have a Congo Cage roof rack and various combinations of Overcamp RTT, kayaks, rocket box on it. I can't find any photos of it in the woods with the RTT though so this is my driveway in the full moon!

DSC_1484.jpg

Cheers,
Graham
 
nwoods

nwoods

Expedition Leader
1speed said:
How about an LJ? Plenty of pics in my threads, IF the data base gets restored.
Click to expand...

Would you consider using your own photo hosting service and linking us to the photos? You've got a sweet jeep and seem to have solved some of the problems I am facing. Would love to see your stuff!

Regards,

Nathan
 
FlyingWen

FlyingWen

Explorer
I don't have a Wrangler, just a simple KJ.

We are replacing my existing roof rack for a Baja Rack which will eventually hold an ARB RTT. We have an Eezi-Awn on the Taco and decided that we could have the best of both worlds with the ARB.

I'll show pics when we get it all together
 
Rube4x

Rube4x

New member
Hey all,

Well.... as you know, the limiting factor for the TJ is the diminutive size! :)

I have my '04 Rubicon pretty much set up for a decent (for me) combo of daily driver, off road & occasional Expedition runs. I typically run alone, or with wifey if she's in the mood to get dusty & dirty for a week or more!

I don't have a roof rack, but have found that the Olympic Mountineer interior rack is a necessity - too much vertical "stuff" to stack inside if you don't have two layers. I also installed "eye bolts" on the top of each bolt to have extra lashing points. I've found a cooler and heavier equipment fits well below the rack, with the lighter "camping/clothing" gear strapped to the top.

I have the Garvin Wilderness rack & rear bumper system. Overall I like the setup, but I would do the Rock-Hard system - better hinge for the pivot point on the rear tire swing-away feature with actual bearings - makes a huge difference! My wife can't swing the tire clear of the Jeep with the Garvin when I have it loaded - there is simply too much resistance.....

I have about 5.5 inches of lift using several companies - mostly Rubicon Express - 33" BFG Mud Terrain Tires. I also have lots of armor underneath - mostly Nth Degree Tummy Tucker - engine & tranny.

I have the ARB front bull bar with a Warn 9.5ti winch & synthetic line - along with an ARB Snorkel. I got the snorkel mostly for running the deserts out here in the Southwest - traveling all day in the middle or end of a long line of vehicles can kick up a lot of dust & having the air intake higher really helps keep the engine clean.

AEV did much of the basic build for me back in 2004 - I've continued to make upgrades over the years.

My next major investment will likely be a Rock-Hard roll cage for that "Just in case" protection.

I don't have a roof-mounted tent - wanting to try to keep the center of gravity as low as possible is the main reason for that.....

That's about it....

RUBE
 
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