Hi all,

I'm new to the Jeeping community - just bought 05 TJ Unlimied 6 speed and I'm pumped to start customizing and get out on the trails. As you all know it's tough to figure out exactly what to do to make my Jeep mine, and the catalogs and photos online of other Jeep's only make my head spin more than my tires. I don't know if you can call it customizing exactly, but I broke the seal with Husky liners for the entire Jeep and entry guards.

So now I'm ready to break the bank and raise the Jeep up to accommodate some 33's and some decent trails. My hold up now is where to get the work done, as I, ummm, don't have the correct tools...

I live in Boston and the closest place I've heard of is Endangered Species in Holyoke, MA (Western MA), which was highly recommended by the way.

Does anyone know of a garage in the Eastern MA area that is experienced and trustworthy?

Thanks for any help. I've been going through the archive posts on this forum and they have been extremely informative, introducing me to aspects of owning a Jeep that would have otherwise taken me years to realize - THANKS!!! Hopefully I'll be able to contribute info too once I get into the crawl of things (am I allowed to use these corny jokes yet?).

Paul.

Well, you may not want to hear this, but here's my opinion.

I'd drive the Jeep off-road for a while, preferably with a club whose members drive some Jeeps, and learn how to operate your particular Jeep in various off-road situations. By seeing what types of terrain you have the most difficulty with, and by observing what modifications on the other Jeeps enable them to conquer those obstacles, you can then determine which modifications (in what order) you want to put on your Jeep. This would include such modifications as lift, wheels and tires, traction aiding devices, bumpers, etc.

If you have money nurning a hole in your pocket at the present time, I'd advise spending it on recovery equipment, such as: shackles, tow straps, tree saver strap, pulleys, winch & accessories, high lift jack, etc.

Paul! NO! You are not allowed to use jokes THAT corny!! A joke here and there is Ok but THAT corny?
I'm just bumping your post as from down here I cannot give advice on a yankee shop..
Before changing tire size make sure you have the gears in that ride that will keep her streetable..Too tall of a tire and there goes the top gear never to be seen again.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Bob... Test your Jeeps stock limitations, and then decide what would make it perform better to your personal needs. You do not want to spend money on a build, only to find out it is built for a different type of wheeling than you like to do, or have available aroudn where you live.

Sorry...from Texas so I cannot help you with your shop location. There are a few here from that part of the country. I believe BigBird lives up in Conn.

Congratulations on selecting one of the best made Jeeps for offroad. Above, Bob has given you the best possible advice. There is a lot to learn about your Jeep and four wheeling in the wilderness. The quickest way to learn about Jeeps and four wheeling is to hookup with other Jeep owners and go on a few trail rides. There are many advantages to cultivating a few knowledgeable Jeep buddies.
Keep in mind that building your Jeep for offroad excursions will reduce the Jeep's street-abilities. From what I've read of the New England Region, access to wilderness areas are extremely limited. It appears that unless you can travel a few hours into Maine, there really isn't any real good reason to modify your Jeep to fit 33" tires under it.

Your particular Jeep came equipped with many offroad advantages that earlier Jeep owners paid big dollars and a lot of time to have; specifically, the Dana 44 rear axle with the limited slip differential. True, the Unlimited's breakover angle will get you hung up more frequently offroad than the Wrangler Sport unless you increase the Unlimited's ground clearance; but the rear cargo area is that of the Cherokee's.
If you do decide to modify your Unlimited after four wheeling with other Jeep owners for an extended time, I would recommend visiting several 4x4 shops where at least some of the certified mechanics are Jeep enthusiasts and are actively involved in four wheeling. Just keep in mind, these shops make a living building Jeeps: buyer beware! Always do your homework, extensively, on any suspension lift and/or other shop work you have done. Cultivating some friendships with several certified mechanics is to your advantage if you decide to modify your Jeep.

Personally, if I lived in the Boston Area I wouldn't even bother modifying my Jeep. I suspect the Unlimited will handle just about all the trails available in Western Massachusetts. Bob's recommendation to install a winch and purchase recovery gear is sound advice. And, most likely all you'll need for your Unlimited for easy to moderate trails in NE. You need to understand, four wheeling is first about learning to drive offroad. Your Jeep is the most trail ready rig that Jeep has made over its long history, only the Rubicon has more capabilities. You need to go offroad (stay on designated Jeep trails) to acquire the driving skills and knowldege necessary. Your Jeep buddies will help you acquire this knowledge quickly.

Have fun with your new Jeep! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for all the info. I have been taking it off road here and there since I got it in the beginning of January with my cousin who has a TJ also - his second Jeep. His is lifted 4" suspension and he runs 33" mud terrains. I have been driving his and mine and learning how to handle them - dirt roads, mud conditions, climbing dirt hills and some rock. I also contacted the garage that I will have my work done at and talked to them for an hour or so.

My main concern when taking if off road is damaging the Jeep by bottoming out. I bottomed out a few times on a dirt road and I don't feel comfortable driving trails with that happening.

I understand that I won't be trail riding every day, but it is worth it to me to have the capabilities to drive these trails even if it's more rarely than if I lived somewhere with more options.

I also looked into some of the local Jeep clubs, of which there are a few, and am looking into joining one.

I am doing my homework!

By "bottoming out", do you mean that your suspension has conpressed to the point where it has contacted your bump stops, or do you mean that you have high-centered the vehicle or hit something with parts of the undercarriage of your vehicle?

Well both now that you mention it, but I was specifically referring to high-centering my vehicle (that's a new term for me). I high-centered a few times, striking the skid plate that runs across the center of my jeep. Also going through one deep puddle I bottomed out my front suspension due to a fast approach coming out of the puddle, which had a steep incline at the end. Bottoming out the suspension due to excessive speed is something that I plan on avoiding as much as possible as it seems unneccessary. My concern with that puddle was that the Jeep I was following had trouble crawling out with 33" mud terrains and my stock 30" GY Wranglers probably would not have been able to climb out slowly, so instead of turning back at that point, or making ramps, or hooking up the tow hooks to his Jeep, I went for it. Barely bottomed out the suspension but either way will now be more cautious.

I was looking at the Teraflex lifts when I was going to get 33" tires, but lately I have been thinking about going 35", in which case I have to start my search over - maybe long arm.

I know that when I say "my main concern" in regards to something - that I don't have the knowledge background to really know what I need to be concerned about, but with the 35's I am concerned about my gear ratio. I have 3.73 which I think will be fine but is as low as I would want to go. I know that now I shift out of 1st gear very quickly and am looking forward to getting a little more use out of it. When the time comes if the gears are really bothering me, or if I feel that I need the locking differentials, I will do both at the same time.

I am going to buy a winch and bumper before or at the same time as I get lifted. Any recommendations on either or combo's? I bet I can find that info in the forum archives- I'll check there after this post, which is now...

Whatever company you decide to get a lift from make sure you get a long arm....much more flex out of those than the short arm kits.

I would recommend Rubicon Express. Just my 2ó