Hello all, newbie here.

I have been looking to buy and build a jeep for a daily driver and something that I can take off road (not extreme rock crawling, yet!!!).  I found this site and just subscribed to the magazine.  These forums are awesome.  I am learning a lot from reading them.  With that said, lets get down to business.

From the little research that I have done so far about the CJ, YJ, and TJ, I think that the YJ would be the best fit for me.  I don't want to spend the money on a TJ.  I figure I could get a YJ reasonably priced and build it the way that I want. 

It sounds like the coil suspension is better then the leaf for a daily driver and off road capabilities.

All of the YJ's that I have seen have a lot of miles on them.  So I figure the first step you be to put a new engine and tranny in.  I thought I might buy a 4 cyl YJ and convert it to a small block Chevy motor (maybe a 350).  Of course I am for better suggestions though.  What is the best tranny for my daily driver needs?  What transfer case would be best?

I was also thinking of a 3" lift and adding 35" tires.  Would that be enough clearance?  I see that there is body lifts and suspension lifts, what is the difference and which do you recommend?

That is enough questions to start with.  I am sure that I will have plenty in the future.  I belive that will help me make the right decision for my new purchase.  Any and all information will be appreciated.

Thank you,

Chris

a jeep 4.0 inline six is a tough engine and can take alot of miles i had a cherokee with 285,000 on it and drove it daily. so unless you got a big bank account and are just set on the 350 swap i would wait. if you can find a wrangler with around 100,000 you will save some money and still have a good jeep. the stock np231 tcase is plenty strong for the 4.0 and the 35's. a body lift goes between the frame and body of your vehicle and its basically a bigger body mount. a suspension lift goes between the frame and your axles (bigger springs or spacers or add a leafs) suspension lifts are the way to go body lifts create a lot of little problems (fan and radiator, speedo cables, shifting linkages) just to name a few. as to how much lift you need im about 98% sure that 3 inches will clear 33's im sure another member can tell you exactly.

I agree about the 4.0.  They are great engines, but if you haven't got a Jeep yet, look for a '93 or newer.  more power.

Suspension lift is certainly the way to go.  Coil springs would be better, but YJ's are a leaf sprung Jeep.  i think there are companies that sell kits to convert a leaf sprung Jeep to coil springs, but for a bit more coin American Frame Works sells frames for CJ's and YJ's that use TJ suspensions, then you could get the lift kit needed to clear your 35's.  Realistically, you could get a '97 TJ for the money it would take to buy that frame and YJ.

I think you would need at least 4" of lift to clear 35's and be able to wheel the Jeep without them rubbing.  If you have a friend in Sawzall, then 3" and some body trimming would do.

You'll want to probably run 4.88 gears to keep that Jeep spunky with 35's

Great info so far.  I knew I would love this forum.  You guys rock.  I will continue to look for my new toy with these thoughts in mind.  So there is no advantage to the V8 over the V6 for my purposes?  

the 4.0 is an inline six not a v6

u would be way better off getting a tj for a daily driver because all the flaws of a yj are worked out in the tj

your gonna need little more than 4 inches to fit 35's on a yj,i had a 4' and 33's and still had to do a little trimming,i agree on sticking with the 4.0,better torque for off-road and good for daily driving,also be able to keep stock wiring harness and fuel injection.i would still look around for a high mileage tj,night and day compared to the yj.  

Most ppl want way more lift then they need just for THE LOOK. It's not worth it for a dailly driver though. You'll also spend WAY MORE money!

Have you priced tires these days!! You'll also need front end parts and a SYE and a new rear drive shaft! Alot of money for "the look"

So what size tire would you recommend for a daily drive with some off roading?  

its up to you really, if you want the look go for thirty fives but in all honesty, with a daily driver and that big a lift you will be losing alot for that cool look

it all depends on how much daily driving youre gonna be doing and what kind of off roading you want to do...for me in Grand Cherokee ZJ with a 5.2L V8 i am going with 31s cause it sees alot more pavement than dirt...

31s are small for wranglers i guess, but they won't slow you down too much and are great compared to 35s for gas mileage...if you really want the big look 33s are okay too...

its your truck man its up to you but personally with a daily driver truck i would stick with 31s without rgearing...33s are good if you want to re-gear

go with 31 or 32's. I just got a 3.5 tuff country lift and 31's on my ZJ and it looks great. ppl slow down now to look at it.  

Chris,
You have alot of options with the range of Jeep vehicles built, etc... I would recommend if you can dish out a little bit more money, buy a nicely used higher mileage 97 TJ with the 4 banger. I just installed a 3.5 RE super flex on my TJ with 33 BFG MT's and it's frickin awesome. The 4 banger will be alright with a  3 In or lower lift and tires up to 33's but getting a set of some better gears will help out tremendously. Also you should start looking around for a 91-95 HO 4.0L engine for it that's mated to a AX-15 tranny. I buy many of cars here in KY and IN and the auctions get alot of Jeeps through there. I could possibly help you out with getting a older model cherokee with the HO 4.OL that's been wrecked hard in the rear and get you a deal. Then you will have the ECU, wiring, etc. to set you up. My friend Darren owns Rock Logic off road here in Ky and would be a great source for what your looking for. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at ryan.jordan@wku.edu
Happy Jeepin,
Ryan  

Well my decision making for my purchase ended yesterday.  I found and bought a 1990 YJ with the 258 I6.  It has 120,000 miles on it.  I cannot find any rust on the frame and just surface rust in the usual places.  It also cam with a 2 piece hard top.  It is stock as far as I can tell (no body or suspension lift).  So I appeciate all of the info and recommendations.  Now that I have my new toy, I am sure I will be posting a lot of questions in the near future.

Chris

Sounds cool! congrats! any pics?  

I will try to take some pics this weekend and add them to the forum.  

I finally got the time to take some photos of my new purchase.  Here they are.  I am sure that I will be posting a lot of questions shortly.