TJ as road trip/overlander?

[Dan Grec]

didn’t Dan Grec from the Road Chose Me put about 100,000 touring miles across both American continents in a TJ?

I drive my 2.5ltr 4cyl TJ with a soft top 40,000 miles from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina.

Yes, it was gutless and noisy, but it took me on life-changing adventures.

I loved that little Jeep, and some days I think about flying down there and buying it back.

-Dan

 

[deserteagle56]

TJ owner for 24 years...first one was a 1998 Sahara, now a 2006 Rubicon.

Unless you are going to do a lot of hard-core trails, do yourself a favor and go with the 4Runner. Our tolerance for pain/discomfort decreases with age...my TJ does beat me up enough these days that I'm shopping for a new Rubicon Unlimited these days because they are a bit more civilized. I had high hopes for the new Bronco till I sat in one and saw what a mess Ford has made of what could have been an awesome trail vehicle. So now I'm hoping Toyota updates the new 4Runner so it at least gets better fuel mileage because reading about all the troubles with the new Jeeps on the forums is downright scary.


These days, I trailer my Jeep if I have to go more than a couple hundred miles. Guess that tells you what I think as far as a TJ as an overlander!

 

[rnArmy]

Think of your TJ as your friend. Do you want to take your friend with you on your trip? If so, then you'll put up with your friend's little idiosyncrasies. My Jeep and I have bonded over many a trip. We have common shared memories. When it hurts, I hurt. It's a Jeep thing.

I've driven my 98 TJ (2.5/five-speed, 3.5" lift, 4.88 gears [dana 44 rear], 285/75/16" tires, etc.) up into Canada and Alaska multiple times, and literally across the country multiple times. Usually, I'm pulling a small overlanding trailer, but not always. Noise is probably my main complaint. That and being slow sometimes on the highway (off-road not an issue).

It has been awesome as an overlanding vehicle (most often it's with the trailer). This is my primary overlanding vehicle. Usually you're going slower overlanding, and I like having the lockers front & rear. It is very maneuverable off-road in tight sections. You can't sleep inside it though - I've tried. The small home-made trailer makes up for any lack of space inside the TJ.

Here's my upcoming overlanding trip I'm leading (July/August 2022) with my TJ and trailer:

US Northwest - Idaho BDR (and then some!) | OVERLAND BOUND COMMUNITY

The trip will be about 4000 miles total for me, and about 1500 or so of those miles will be paved.



Some helpful hints if driving your TJ on the highway for long distances and multiple days based on my years of experience (in no particular order):

1. Have a decent stereo system. I'd rather have a relatively cheap stereo and quality speakers than the other way around. Crutchfield is my go-to.

2. Have a way to mount your phone on your dash. I use the phone's GPS function a lot on trips, and like having it in front of me. I've got this from Rugged Ridge and have been happy with it:

Jeep TJ dash phone holder - Video Search Results (yahoo.com)

3. Lots of threads are out there about what tools to bring (not trying to go off on a tool tangent here, but hear me out). My experience is what you need will all fit in a small lunch pail sized bag. 1/4 and 3/8" drive sockets (with extensions), assortment of wrenches, screw drivers, plyers, needle nose plyers, wire cutters, etc. - the usual basic stuff. But think small. Like you need a set of torx drivers for those small screws that hold the sensors on the throttle body. Or sockets/wrenches to replace a battery or alternator or starter or O2 sensors in a parking lot - nothing huge. A code reader also comes in very handy. Other than having to swap out a rear driveshaft U-joint once on a trip, most of the few repairs I've done on a a trip (has been rare - the TJ's pretty reliable) have required the small tools.

4. Is your seat comfortable? Do your legs cramp after a while driving it? I put a set of RC 1.25" seat risers in my TJ and it made a huge difference with leg cramps.

5. Taking the rear seat out frees up a lot of space in the back. Mine's out, and I can put a fair amount of stuff back there.

6. Jeeps aren't speed demons. The 2.5 is even worse than the 4.0 (but I love my lil' TJ!). Plan on being passed a good bit. That is ok. In the higher elevations in CO I had to go quite slow on the highway. Off-road in CO (picture below) was not a problem.



7. Do you have H4 headlights like I do (a popular inexpensive mod)? Bring spare bulbs (more than one).

8. It should go without saying, but have a matching spare tire.

9. I like having the hard top. It still isn't quiet inside, but better over the soft top I ran. I haven't tried any soundproofing (like dynamat stuff). But mainly I like it for security reasons - I feel better knowing stuff is locked inside.

10. Currently I'm running a new set of Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT tires 285/75/16" that measure pretty much within 1/4" of 33" tall. They are an aggressive all-terrain (which is what I prefer for the Jeep), with the snowflake/three-peak snow rating. They're an E-rated tire with three ply sidewalls (they are heavy - not helping the 2.5 engine any). I'm saying all this to say they aren't the smoothest riding or quietest tire. But I don't want a highway tire on the TJ - this Jeep is built for off-road and overlanding. So I make allowances and put up with a little more noise and road rumble (it isn't bad - just a little worse than the DC FC-II tires they replaced) for strong performance off-road.

11. Take pictures of your Jeep at places you go. Yeah - we ran Route 66 pretty much from start to finish. I took the long way home once.

 

[cruiserdude80]

I have a 99 TJ I bought new and have modified over the years. Not really a long distance vehicle but I have typically driven it from central Kansas to Ouray, New Mexico, and The Black Hills. I do find myself contemplating a 4 door Wrangler or Gladiator simply because of the extra room and being more travel friendly. However, the quality problems with the new Jeeps make my 99 fairly problem free in comparison. I do not highly recommend a TJ for an overland vehicle, but it is tolerable. I do know, when I get back from a trip with it, I am content to not drive it for several days.

 

[rnArmy]

I drive my 2.5ltr 4cyl TJ with a soft top 40,000 miles from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina.

Yes, it was gutless and noisy, but it took me on life-changing adventures.

I loved that little Jeep, and some days I think about flying down there and buying it back.

-Dan

I didn't know that Jeep was a 2.5 - all these years for some reason I figured it was a 4.0. Makes me respect your trip even more!

 

[1000arms]

didn’t Dan Grec from the Road Chose Me put about 100,000 touring miles across both American continents in a TJ?

I drive my 2.5ltr 4cyl TJ with a soft top 40,000 miles from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina.

Yes, it was gutless and noisy, but it took me on life-changing adventures.

I loved that little Jeep, and some days I think about flying down there and buying it back.

-Dan

I had a 98 TJ that I enjoyed for many many miles. It did have the 4.0L inline 6 cylinder engine.

On one trip, I drove 14,000 miles (using my soft-top) in 7 weeks and spent time in 28 US states. One day in the trip, I drove 500 miles in Utah, with 180 of those miles on dirt roads. I had a blast!

I barely squeezed in to my TJ. The newer Wranglers are way too short for me to fit in.

Many people have happily driven Jeeps many miles, but, believe it or not, some people actually don't like them.

I've included some links to Dan's books and websites. You might find them interesting and/or useful.

The road chose me

Detailing Dan's solo 80,000 mile journey around Africa in a modified Jeep Wrangler. Stories, photos and videos from the road

theroadchoseme.com

 

[billiebob]

Dans youtube channel has some great insights into mods worthy and mods to avoid including his logic.

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheRoadChoseMe

about the 1 minute mark the video shows his route driving a TJ SE.

 

[billiebob]

I guess I've always loved primative vehicles. My first buy in Grade 12 was an M38, no roof it was my daily driver thru winter in Edmonton. I sold it because the military parts like spark plugs with o-rings and fine brass threads were outrageously expensive. From that point on I have avoided anything military.

A few luxury cars thru the 1970s, a few rally cars that I kept breaking, a few muscle cars and license suspensions and I fell in love with 4WD trucks. The more basic the better. I've had 3 automatics give me grief but never been stranded with a clutch. Luxury is way too soft. I'm happier listening to the suspension than tunes on the radio. I have never used the radio/CD in my TJs in over 20 years. And summers are doorless even thru a rainstorm.

If you need luxury and tunes definitely buy a Chev or Toyota but if you like a bulletproof vehicle with few things to go wrong get solid axles with a clutch, manual windows and as few electronics as possible. Which is pretty much every CJ, YJ, TJ.

 

[Dan Grec]

I didn't know that Jeep was a 2.5 - all these years for some reason I figured it was a 4.0. Makes me respect your trip even more!

I bought the 2.5 because it was $5k USD, it got 19mpg every single day, and it was plenty enough for what I needed.

I sold it in Argentina 2.5 years later for $5k, so it was actually "free".
It also never broke down even once.

So I have to think that is the perfect vehicle, and I miss it dearly.

I'll have to contact the guy I sold it to (in 2011!) and see if he's still around / still has it / wants to sell it!

-Dan

 

[Eric_]

TJ owner for 24 years...first one was a 1998 Sahara, now a 2006 Rubicon.

Unless you are going to do a lot of hard-core trails, do yourself a favor and go with the 4Runner. Our tolerance for pain/discomfort decreases with age...my TJ does beat me up enough these days that I'm shopping for a new Rubicon Unlimited these days because they are a bit more civilized. I had high hopes for the new Bronco till I sat in one and saw what a mess Ford has made of what could have been an awesome trail vehicle. So now I'm hoping Toyota updates the new 4Runner so it at least gets better fuel mileage because reading about all the troubles with the new Jeeps on the forums is downright scary.
View attachment 724465

These days, I trailer my Jeep if I have to go more than a couple hundred miles. Guess that tells you what I think as far as a TJ as an overlander!

Nice Rubi! I was so sure I wanted a new wrangler and ended up canceling my order, even a non-Rubicon model will go for nearly 50k after taxes. But they have the comfort of a 4runner with the capability of a solid axle rig. Thats how I came up with wanting a TJ or 4Runner. one has a little more comfort, the other more capable. I value long road trip, national park type of trips much more, but I also love rock crawling. So Rubicon, Dusy (dusty!) ershim, sand hollow, all places Ive been to with friends. I can Probably do it in the 4Runner but it'll cost more, CVs tend to snap, etc. whereas the jeep will be less comfortable for me and the gf on a 2-3k mile trip. Comments like yours get me a little stuck because im very 50/50 on which I prefer lol. I love the idea of the jeep, but I also value comfort.. 20hr drives get rough even on modern rigs.

Think of your TJ as your friend. Do you want to take your friend with you on your trip? If so, then you'll put up with your friend's little idiosyncrasies. My Jeep and I have bonded over many a trip. We have common shared memories. When it hurts, I hurt. It's a Jeep thing.

I've driven my 98 TJ (2.5/five-speed, 3.5" lift, 4.88 gears [dana 44 rear], 285/75/16" tires, etc.) up into Canada and Alaska multiple times, and literally across the country multiple times. Usually, I'm pulling a small overlanding trailer, but not always. Noise is probably my main complaint. That and being slow sometimes on the highway (off-road not an issue).

It has been awesome as an overlanding vehicle (most often it's with the trailer). This is my primary overlanding vehicle. Usually you're going slower overlanding, and I like having the lockers front & rear. It is very maneuverable off-road in tight sections. You can't sleep inside it though - I've tried. The small home-made trailer makes up for any lack of space inside the TJ.

Here's my upcoming overlanding trip I'm leading (July/August 2022) with my TJ and trailer:

US Northwest - Idaho BDR (and then some!) | OVERLAND BOUND COMMUNITY

The trip will be about 4000 miles total for me, and about 1500 or so of those miles will be paved.

View attachment 724493

Some helpful hints if driving your TJ on the highway for long distances and multiple days based on my years of experience (in no particular order):

1. Have a decent stereo system. I'd rather have a relatively cheap stereo and quality speakers than the other way around. Crutchfield is my go-to.

2. Have a way to mount your phone on your dash. I use the phone's GPS function a lot on trips, and like having it in front of me. I've got this from Rugged Ridge and have been happy with it:

Jeep TJ dash phone holder - Video Search Results (yahoo.com)

3. Lots of threads are out there about what tools to bring (not trying to go off on a tool tangent here, but hear me out). My experience is what you need will all fit in a small lunch pail sized bag. 1/4 and 3/8" drive sockets (with extensions), assortment of wrenches, screw drivers, plyers, needle nose plyers, wire cutters, etc. - the usual basic stuff. But think small. Like you need a set of torx drivers for those small screws that hold the sensors on the throttle body. Or sockets/wrenches to replace a battery or alternator or starter or O2 sensors in a parking lot - nothing huge. A code reader also comes in very handy. Other than having to swap out a rear driveshaft U-joint once on a trip, most of the few repairs I've done on a a trip (has been rare - the TJ's pretty reliable) have required the small tools.

4. Is your seat comfortable? Do your legs cramp after a while driving it? I put a set of RC 1.25" seat risers in my TJ and it made a huge difference with leg cramps.

5. Taking the rear seat out frees up a lot of space in the back. Mine's out, and I can put a fair amount of stuff back there.

6. Jeeps aren't speed demons. The 2.5 is even worse than the 4.0 (but I love my lil' TJ!). Plan on being passed a good bit. That is ok. In the higher elevations in CO I had to go quite slow on the highway. Off-road in CO (picture below) was not a problem.

View attachment 724498

7. Do you have H4 headlights like I do (a popular inexpensive mod)? Bring spare bulbs (more than one).

8. It should go without saying, but have a matching spare tire.

9. I like having the hard top. It still isn't quiet inside, but better over the soft top I ran. I haven't tried any soundproofing (like dynamat stuff). But mainly I like it for security reasons - I feel better knowing stuff is locked inside.

10. Currently I'm running a new set of Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT tires 285/75/16" that measure pretty much within 1/4" of 33" tall. They are an aggressive all-terrain (which is what I prefer for the Jeep), with the snowflake/three-peak snow rating. They're an E-rated tire with three ply sidewalls (they are heavy - not helping the 2.5 engine any). I'm saying all this to say they aren't the smoothest riding or quietest tire. But I don't want a highway tire on the TJ - this Jeep is built for off-road and overlanding. So I make allowances and put up with a little more noise and road rumble (it isn't bad - just a little worse than the DC FC-II tires they replaced) for strong performance off-road.

11. Take pictures of your Jeep at places you go. Yeah - we ran Route 66 pretty much from start to finish. I took the long way home once.

View attachment 724495

I freakin Love that route66 picture! did that same route in my tacoma! I appreciate the advice, I almost feel like I need to drive a TJ on the Highway to get a small idea of the noise and comfort of them, which is hard to do when I don't personally know anyone that owns one.

 

[Somecallmetimm]

I always joke that I buy jeeps for their quiet luxury ride. I love my '05 TJ, it's my daily with a soft top. Heater and ac are powerful enough to overcome the thin material separating me and the elements. IMHO it's the best wrangler platform with great suspension and excellent drive trains available. The hard top makes a huge difference in comfort and security, but aren't necessary. For traveling alone, they're awesome. If you're bringing a family, you might be better off looking at a bigger platform.
Good luck on your search!

 

[rnArmy]

Nice Rubi! I was so sure I wanted a new wrangler and ended up canceling my order, even a non-Rubicon model will go for nearly 50k after taxes. But they have the comfort of a 4runner with the capability of a solid axle rig. Thats how I came up with wanting a TJ or 4Runner. one has a little more comfort, the other more capable. I value long road trip, national park type of trips much more, but I also love rock crawling. So Rubicon, Dusy (dusty!) ershim, sand hollow, all places Ive been to with friends. I can Probably do it in the 4Runner but it'll cost more, CVs tend to snap, etc. whereas the jeep will be less comfortable for me and the gf on a 2-3k mile trip. Comments like yours get me a little stuck because im very 50/50 on which I prefer lol. I love the idea of the jeep, but I also value comfort.. 20hr drives get rough even on modern rigs.

I freakin Love that route66 picture! did that same route in my tacoma! I appreciate the advice, I almost feel like I need to drive a TJ on the Highway to get a small idea of the noise and comfort of them, which is hard to do when I don't personally know anyone that owns one.

Thanks!

Surely (don't call me Shirley) there's someone in your area that would let you go for a ride in their TJ to see what it is like. Isn't there a club around you somewhere?

 

[billiebob]

TJR vs F250 Diesel....

All my priorities, Gas motor, Floor lever transfer case shifter, Clutch were proven today.
Met a guy on the beach with a chipped diesel....
First his 4WD would not work,,, theres a fuse and FOUR relays for the electric shift on the fly thing..... they were all good but NO 4WD.
His chipped diesel had zero bottom end,,, or his automatic was screwed but he had zero lift then was suddenly digging holes and spewing black exhaust.

The little Rubicon winched him 200' to solid ground. Run out the cable. 4LO locked in reverse to bury the tires and winch in a 7K# truck with a 4K# Jeep.

I swear by the manual floor lever for 4WD, even if it breaks, you can shift it with vice grips.
I've never had an issue with a clutch but have had 3 automatics leave me stranded with a several thousand dollar repair bill.
And gas... compared to todays electronic diesels, an old straight six gas motor is way more reliable.

 

[Eric_]

TJR vs F250 Diesel....

All my priorities, Gas motor, Floor lever transfer case shifter, Clutch were proven today.
Met a guy on the beach with a chipped diesel....
First his 4WD would not work,,, theres a fuse and FOUR relays for the electric shift on the fly thing..... they were all good but NO 4WD.
His chipped diesel had zero bottom end,,, or his automatic was screwed but he had zero lift then was suddenly digging holes and spewing black exhaust.

The little Rubicon winched him 200' to solid ground. Run out the cable. 4LO locked in reverse to bury the tires and winch in a 7K# truck with a 4K# Jeep.

I swear by the manual floor lever for 4WD, even if it breaks, you can shift it with vice grips.
I've never had an issue with a clutch but have had 3 automatics leave me stranded with a several thousand dollar repair bill.
And gas... compared to todays electronic diesels, an old straight six gas motor is way more reliable.

Man, I just can’t wheel a manual. I feel like I’d need a crawl box to reduce the gears enough to make it drivable. I had a buddy that rock crawled a manual trans and all we would ever smell was burned clutch. Lol.

 

[redruby]

I have an 06 LJ Rubicon that is both my overlanding and rock crawler, I go topless all the time I do have upper half doors for when I find rain and on windy days on the Highway, yes it’s noisy can’t really hear the radio or the cb or gmrs or ham and when I talk on them nobody understands me but on the trails all is good. I also recently got a 21 Gladiator Rubicon that is strictly my overlanding vehicle with an Alu-Cab camper, talk about comfort and luxury it’s a hell of a lot better than the LJ but I’d rather be in the LJ the openness is really great.