If you had a choice!

[cfi4u]

Ok! I’m want to build me a good rig. (Ok background info). I have just done the old mud riding thing, camping and hunting with my previous Jeeps. So my Jeeps have all been pretty much stock. I have had an ’81 Cj 4cyl. A ’90 wrangler with 4.2 that I put a ad a leaf on. A ’87 stock 4.2 and my next to last that I bought new and still have a ‘06 Tj Sport (aka Betty) 2.5 Rough Country lift and 32” bfgs, this vehicle is in excellent working condition 95k miles. And in Feb I bought a ’23 Mojave gladiator (aka Ginger) currently still stock(w/ bumper and winch)

Question for you crawlers/overlanders, which I want to start doing (the sport not the people) Would you modify the ‘06 Tj the ‘23 Mojave or sell the ’06 Wrangler and buy a 2015 or newer Rubicon model and lift and add tires? I’m sure there are a lot of opinions out there and I’m stuck on fence on which to do and to see if there is something I’m not thinking about. I have researched axle up grades and gearing and bigger lift and ‘35s to 06 TJ. 23 Mojave is my daily driver and I would hate to do much more than front locker and spacer lift with 37 and gears. The Rubicon if that happened, thinking lift, gears and 37s. The last option selling an buying a Rubicon will cost me about the same as upgrading the ‘06 with options I’m thinking. I got the needs of going 35 on the 06 and I’m not thinking cheap lifts.

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[Jteakus]

JK Rubicon is a great platform to build from. After driving a CJ-7 for 15+ years as a daily the 4 doors are a gamechanger.
It really depends on your final goals for the rig though.

 

[Mojave21]

I would either mod the TJ or buy a JK and mod that. If you have the ability to have 2 vehicles, it's nice to have one that's reliable and the daily, Gladiator in this case, and then have the "toy" on the side. That way you don't have to worry about breaking something on the weekend and getting it fixed so you can drive to work on Monday, you can take your time modding, you don't have to balance the daily livability with off road mods, etc.

Between the JK and TJ, I would just say it depends on your attachment to the TJ. You already have it and know it is reliable. If you really like it, just make it into whatever you want it to be since you've already had it for so long.

You mentioned crawling and overlanding. They aren't really the same, but a lot of people just throw them both into "going off road". If you want to actually overland, a 4 door would be nicer because of the extra space to carry camping supplies and what not. 2 door vs 4 door rock crawling they both have advantages and disadvantages in different situations.

If it were me and I wasn't attached to the TJ, I would probably go 4 door JK. If I didn't want to sell the TJ after nearly 20 years, I would just say forget it and go all in on it.

 

[cfi4u]

I would either mod the TJ or buy a JK and mod that. If you have the ability to have 2 vehicles, it's nice to have one that's reliable and the daily, Gladiator in this case, and then have the "toy" on the side. That way you don't have to worry about breaking something on the weekend and getting it fixed so you can drive to work on Monday, you can take your time modding, you don't have to balance the daily livability with off road mods, etc.

Between the JK and TJ, I would just say it depends on your attachment to the TJ. You already have it and know it is reliable. If you really like it, just make it into whatever you want it to be since you've already had it for so long.

You mentioned crawling and overlanding. They aren't really the same, but a lot of people just throw them both into "going off road". If you want to actually overland, a 4 door would be nicer because of the extra space to carry camping supplies and what not. 2 door vs 4 door rock crawling they both have advantages and disadvantages in different situations.

If it were me and I wasn't attached to the TJ, I would probably go 4 door JK. If I didn't want to sell the TJ after nearly 20 years, I would just say forget it and go all in on it.

Great points thanks

 

[Stuntman Mike]

I would keep the JT for overlanding as it is and (maybe) modify the TJ for more serious offroading.

That's at least what I am doing ...

 

[ScottBeach]

Where you wheel matters. I would guess Alamaba offroad is a bit like florida. Sands swaps mudholes. Which means you don't need a hard core rock crawler. The longer wheel base of the Mojave isn't a hinderence the stronger frame and axles are a bonus for any off roading. So upgrade the Mojave.
But if cool.factor is the goal upgrade the TJ

What ever you pick. You win!

 

[GI Grandpa]

Ok! I’m want to build me a good rig. (Ok background info). I have just done the old mud riding thing, camping and hunting with my previous Jeeps. So my Jeeps have all been pretty much stock. I have had an ’81 Cj 4cyl. A ’90 wrangler with 4.2 that I put a ad a leaf on. A ’87 stock 4.2 and my next to last that I bought new and still have a ‘06 Tj Sport (aka Betty) 2.5 Rough Country lift and 32” bfgs, this vehicle is in excellent working condition 95k miles. And in Feb I bought a ’23 Mojave gladiator (aka Ginger) currently still stock(w/ bumper and winch)

Question for you crawlers/overlanders, which I want to start doing (the sport not the people) Would you modify the ‘06 Tj the ‘23 Mojave or sell the ’06 Wrangler and buy a 2015 or newer Rubicon model and lift and add tires? I’m sure there are a lot of opinions out there and I’m stuck on fence on which to do and to see if there is something I’m not thinking about. I have researched axle up grades and gearing and bigger lift and ‘35s to 06 TJ. 23 Mojave is my daily driver and I would hate to do much more than front locker and spacer lift with 37 and gears. The Rubicon if that happened, thinking lift, gears and 37s. The last option selling an buying a Rubicon will cost me about the same as upgrading the ‘06 with options I’m thinking. I got the needs of going 35 on the 06 and I’m not thinking cheap lifts.

I have a built '02 TJ on 40's, long arms, coil overs, dana 60's, Atlas 4 speed, etc. as my rock crawler. I also have an '21 Gladiator Mojave as a daily driver and overlanding rig. to me it is the best of both worlds.

 

[JeepDaddyJT]

i own an 06LJr / 12 JKr / 20 JT and a 22 JTmojave , Build the Mojave for the most reliability , ride quality and comfort.

If just wheelin trails n not caring about body damage the TJ is great for that, and i'd never tell anyone to get a JK with an auto transmission

 

[Minty JL]

I simply went JTM for mere functionality, both trail and day to day use cases.

 

[Riverdog]

If the Mojave is your daily, I'd build the TJ. But if you decide to sell the TJ, hook a brother up! I love TJ's and around here most have turned to swiss cheese by now.

 

[JeepDaddyJT]

my daily on 40's

If the Mojave is your daily, I'd build the TJ. But if you decide to sell the TJ, hook a brother up! I love TJ's and around here most have turned to swiss cheese by now.

 

[Sweetums]

The TJ is small for overlanding, but doable. That was my choice because it's cheap to buy into, leaving more money for mods. The 4.0 is durable, but not powerful, and you can throw a RubiCrawler doubler in there pretty easily.

I love our LJR, and I'd kind of like to build another one for myself so my wife and I can have his/hers LJs.

 

[Supazuk]

My stock Mojave on 35’s has been amazing at overlanding. ...... If I still had my old Samurai, that’s what I’d be doing with it.

Hey I'm not alone here another sami lover !!!
. I have a couple of zuks

and to the OP sorry to thread jack... keep the 06 mix in Clayton long arm with kings 60's, LS and 2 speed T-case ...

no back to thread jacking:

I bought my max tow to tow my zuk buggy (was a 94 ) on 39's bought it in 2001 stock so I could DD it while i built up a another truck it's last street able set up was on 36 SX's and body wrinkled like a raisin yj/cj springs on locked 4:30 yota's 1.6 FI, dual t-case, ifs steering .... now its all Tube full hydro linked and tubed

.... I fighting w/ my self with the Gladiator to stay mild .... we will see how that turns out ... I took the JT to Jericho park in NH on a wim (badge trail)

 

[cfi4u]

Ya’ll have all made extremely good points And been very helpful, thanks!. Lots of options and ideas. If went with JKU or JKL it would be manual for sure. Tj for crawl and Mojave for overland is a great idea.
Right now I’m in the mood of small upgrades to Mojave and I’ll let the vote decide the fate of Betty VS the JK/JL. Awesome pics those are exactly some places I would like to go. I lived in California for three years, Mojave desert to be exact and loved the scenery/landscape.
Hope I can see more option pop in before this post dies out!

 

[Figmo]

Hey I'm not alone here another sami lover !!!
. I have a couple of zuks

There are several of us here....

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