TJ Wrangler Parts & accessories

[Kristoffer]

Hi guys,

Is there a TJ wrangler shop in the Philippines? would be really great if you could help me out.

[racerx]

Jeep opened a dealership here in Manila and I doubt if they have after-market parts for even their new models however there are a bunch of Jeepers in-country that have been setting-up, modifying, trailing and racing their venerable Jeeps.

Try RIDE, 199 Off-road House or Downey Off-road Davao

[johnqpublic318]

As Racer X has mentioned, Jeep is now open and they should be able to diagnose and fix TJ Wrangler problems.  They may not have parts on hand but they should be able to order it.

As for independent shops, the only one I know of that specializes in Mopar (Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep) is Motortech in Quezon City.  The have a Chrysler DRB scanner that should cover up to many 2004 Jeep models, have maintenance parts and can order Stateside, if needed.

[Kristoffer]

thanks for the reply guys.. i was actually looking for some accessories... mopar is good.. but they are quite expensive.. not worth the money compared to the other ones out there in the net... my TJ is ok... just bought it last december.. sweet ride in the dunes.. no problems yet.. anyway thanks for the info.. i might check all those out.. 

[johnqpublic318]

thanks for the reply guys.. i was actually looking for some accessories... mopar is good.. but they are quite expensive.. not worth the money compared to the other ones out there in the net... my TJ is ok... just bought it last december.. sweet ride in the dunes.. no problems yet.. anyway thanks for the info.. i might check all those out.. 

Just bought last December?  Wow, it's still fairly new...  Hope you bought the class-leading Rubicon!

[Kristoffer]

Just bought last December?  Wow, it's still fairly new...  Hope you bought the class-leading Rubicon!

Nope... i got the Sport version ... the rubicon would be a cool toy to have.. Perfect in rock and rough terrains.. but it definitely sucks on sand..

at least with the sport, you can modify it anyway you want.. can get it up to class with rubicon.. or just customize it according to what you want... Im currently lifting it buy just 2" inches right now... bigger tires and clearance... enough not to ruin my center of gravity... so i still can sideslope and play hard on sand...

not a great pic.. it doesn't do the dune mountain justice (around 15 floors high)  but something like this

[johnqpublic318]

Nope... i got the Sport version ... the rubicon would be a cool toy to have.. Perfect in rock and rough terrains.. but it definitely sucks on sand..

Why would the Rubicon suck in sand compared to the Sport variant?  Same platform, same inline-6, same wheelbase and just a little heavier.  Its got taller and wider tires, heavier duty axles, 6-sp manual or 4-sp auto and selectable lockers.  Such options may not add to sand performance but it definitely won't make things worse.

[Kristoffer]

Why would the Rubicon suck in sand compared to the Sport variant?  Same platform, same inline-6, same wheelbase and just a little heavier.  Its got taller and wider tires, heavier duty axles, 6-sp manual or 4-sp auto and selectable lockers.  Such options may not add to sand performance but it definitely won't make things worse.

point taken.. but ..

The 4:1 transfer case isn't necessary for the desert - it's a rock thing... i can't quite explain this, but its one of the major factors... 

As long as you carefully select the components - aftermarket stuff is often better than, or just the same as factory. Nth Degree is an aftermarket company that is run by a guy that used to work at Jeep but left to do more exciting things. Hella and KC supply Jeep with lights. Auburn Lockers are being featured in new vehicles now.

Remember that factory stuff is done to a mass-produced budget, and for that reason, some of the aftermarket stuff is often better.

Anyway - for axles, I already have a Dana 44 rear, and adding the gears and lockers will make it the same as the Rubicon, and while Im at it, Im planning add stronger shafts to make it even better. (wife controls the budget though)
Front axle on the Rubicon is actually a mix of Dana 30 / 44. It's better but not by much. I'll go with gears and lockers and if money comes in, stronger shafts but they're more expensive up front because of the steering. As long as you're no bigger than 33" tires, the front axle is good enough. 35" if you don't drive like a mad man 
Transfer case you don't need to change.
Ground clearance only increases when tire sizes increase. Future Lift would be 3-4 inches and put 33" tires on it and you've got much better clearance than the Rubicon 

hope i answered your question.. man you really know stuff too... proud to be a new member here..

[johnqpublic318]

point taken.. but ..

The 4:1 transfer case isn't necessary for the desert - it's a rock thing... i can't quite explain this, but its one of the major factors... 

As long as you carefully select the components - aftermarket stuff is often better than, or just the same as factory. Nth Degree is an aftermarket company that is run by a guy that used to work at Jeep but left to do more exciting things. Hella and KC supply Jeep with lights. Auburn Lockers are being featured in new vehicles now.

Remember that factory stuff is done to a mass-produced budget, and for that reason, some of the aftermarket stuff is often better.

Anyway - for axles, I already have a Dana 44 rear, and adding the gears and lockers will make it the same as the Rubicon, and while Im at it, Im planning add stronger shafts to make it even better. (wife controls the budget though)
Front axle on the Rubicon is actually a mix of Dana 30 / 44. It's better but not by much. I'll go with gears and lockers and if money comes in, stronger shafts but they're more expensive up front because of the steering. As long as you're no bigger than 33" tires, the front axle is good enough. 35" if you don't drive like a mad man 
Transfer case you don't need to change.
Ground clearance only increases when tire sizes increase. Future Lift would be 3-4 inches and put 33" tires on it and you've got much better clearance than the Rubicon 

hope i answered your question.. man you really know stuff too... proud to be a new member here..

As far as showroom stock off-road vehicles go, the Jeep Rubicon is as good as it gets.  Yes, you don't need 4-to-1 low range on sand but it can't hurt since you can always use your transmission's higher gears anyway.  For instance,  use 4th gear low-range instead of 2nd.

The Rubicon has a real Dana 44.

What many people are complaining about is that the outer axles, steering u-joints and bearings are not Dana 44. Well they are, since 1996 Jeep upgraded the Dana 30 outers to the equivilent to Dana 44's. So at this point both the D30 and D44 front axles used by Jeep are the same design as far as the outer portions go.   With the a Dana 44, you get a stronger differential with no disadvantage.

Plus, the D44 in the Rubicon is even upgraded with thicker ring gears compared to standard D44s.  Check out Randy's Ring & Pinion or Reider Racing and they will have different RP's for the Rubicon D44 compared to standard D44s.

It's really great that you have a TJ cause I don't have one.   I don't even drive a Jeep.   However, I did the math one time and found it more expensive to upgrade a standard TJ to Rubicon specs than to buy a Rubicon in the 1st place.  Front and rear lockers, gears, 4-wheel disks and the D44 front axle can cost over $5,000 including installation.  Let's not forget the cost of the Rubicon Rock-Trac t-case in the aftermarket.  Sure, you can go with Atlas but that's also expensive.

Yes, the aftermarket stuff can be better but at what cost?

Yes, even a Rubicon can be upgraded...  Any vehicle can.  However, a Rubicon with a 3.5" Rubicon Express short-arm suspension, relatively narrow 35-10.50R16 Swamper SSR radials on stock Moab rims, Spidertrax 1.25" spacers, JKS 1.25" body lift, JKS 1" motor mount lift is enough for me.  The mild 3.5" lift coupled with JKS stuff should allow 35" tires without requiring a Tom Woods CV shaft.

On sand, you don't need the Nth Degree Mobility stuff.

Anyway, I'm glad there's another modern Jeep fan on the board and more power to you!!!  I'm personally not too fond of pre-TJ Jeeps.

I'll anticipate that you're going to ask what I drive.  I drive a Nissan Patrol.

No, I don't work for Daimler-Chrysler.  I work for Land Rover.

[Kristoffer]

As far as showroom stock off-road vehicles go, the Jeep Rubicon is as good as it gets.  Yes, you don't need 4-to-1 low range on sand but it can't hurt since you can always use your transmission's higher gears anyway.  For instance,  use 4th gear low-range instead of 2nd.

The Rubicon has a real Dana 44.

What many people are complaining about is that the outer axles, steering u-joints and bearings are not Dana 44. Well they are, since 1996 Jeep upgraded the Dana 30 outers to the equivilent to Dana 44's. So at this point both the D30 and D44 front axles used by Jeep are the same design as far as the outer portions go.   With the a Dana 44, you get a stronger differential with no disadvantage.

Plus, the D44 in the Rubicon is even upgraded with thicker ring gears compared to standard D44s.  Check out Randy's Ring & Pinion or Reider Racing and they will have different RP's for the Rubicon D44 compared to standard D44s.

It's really great that you have a TJ cause I don't have one.   I don't even drive a Jeep.   However, I did the math one time and found it more expensive to upgrade a standard TJ to Rubicon specs than to buy a Rubicon in the 1st place.  Front and rear lockers, gears, 4-wheel disks and the D44 front axle can cost over $5,000 including installation.  Let's not forget the cost of the Rubicon Rock-Trac t-case in the aftermarket.  Sure, you can go with Atlas but that's also expensive.

Yes, the aftermarket stuff can be better but at what cost?

Yes, even a Rubicon can be upgraded...  Any vehicle can.  However, a Rubicon with a 3.5" Rubicon Express short-arm suspension, relatively narrow 35-10.50R16 Swamper SSR radials on stock Moab rims, Spidertrax 1.25" spacers, JKS 1.25" body lift, JKS 1" motor mount lift is enough for me.  The mild 3.5" lift coupled with JKS stuff should allow 35" tires without requiring a Tom Woods CV shaft.

On sand, you don't need the Nth Degree Mobility stuff.

Anyway, I'm glad there's another modern Jeep fan on the board and more power to you!!!  I'm personally not too fond of pre-TJ Jeeps.

I'll anticipate that you're going to ask what I drive.  I drive a Nissan Patrol.

No, I don't work for Daimler-Chrysler.  I work for Land Rover.

I totally agree with you man... and i understand what you mean.. yes, the rubicon is a perfect stock "out of the showroom" wrangler.... to tell you the truth... mathematically, its really cheaper here in dubai to upgrade it yourself.. coz the so called "Rubicon Edition" they have here are crap... they are locally upgraded here by some workshop.. all the parts and options are crap comparing to the rubicon you get in the states.

but i have to correct you.. in sand, low range works fine.. but only for a while ( max 20 mins ) , its good for climbing steep and high dunes.. descending slipfaces... but keep in mind that in sand... you rev will always go as high as the cutoff... its a matter of playing around it.. the key to sand surfing is momentum.. hence the high revs... high range and low gears are the actual choice here.. plus the heat factor as well (jeeps are not popular with their cooling system for the engine) .. you really have to be careful on the overheating factor..

and man.. your really sound like you work for daimler-chrysler , you really know your stuff...   

A nissan Patrol.. hehehe.. its really kinda ironic... here in dubai.. the most popular debate that has been going on since ages is the " WRangler VS Patrol" topic.. on which is better on the sand.. .

man, if you are interested, i can post some pics of monster patrols here... mostly are customized for desert challenges though.

if i was going to buy a second car.. man i would go for the patrol...

[johnqpublic318]

but i have to correct you.. in sand, low range works fine.. but only for a while ( max 20 mins ) , its good for climbing steep and high dunes.. descending slipfaces... but keep in mind that in sand... you rev will always go as high as the cutoff... its a matter of playing around it.. the key to sand surfing is momentum.. hence the high revs... high range and low gears are the actual choice here.. plus the heat factor as well (jeeps are not popular with their cooling system for the engine) .. you really have to be careful on the overheating factor..

and man.. your really sound like you work for daimler-chrysler , you really know your stuff...   

Well, in that case, the 4-to-1 low of the Rubicon is, again, no disadvantage if you're gonna drive in high-range anyway.

Yup, I'm huge Jeep fan.

Patrols are also good and extremely reliable.  Just a bit heavy though and my version has a weak 4.2-liter diesel.  Something that would suck on sand.

I also like our LR Defender and Daimler-Chrysler's Unimog...  Let's not forget the fully-lockered Dodge Power Wagon with the 5.7 Hemi V8.  That would rule on sand!  Hmm...  I guess Daimler-Chrysler does indeed make the best off-road vehicles on earth...  From Jeeps, Power Wagons to G-Wagens and all the way to Unimogs and 6x6 Freightliner heavy-trucks.

[Kristoffer]

Couldn't agree more..

Patrols here rule in terms of reliablity and stuff... luxury+power...

their power to weight ratio is not bad at all. though it could have been better.. but with 4.8 EFi or a SWB 4.5 patrol.. these things are still monsters in the desert.

It was nice chattin up with you dude... message me if you need anything here in dubai...

[greenfield54]

Hi guys,

Is there a TJ wrangler shop in the Philippines? would be really great if you could help me out.

It's not in the philippines but try JCWhitney .com.

[boy sapot]

"Then God said, "Let there be Jeep," and there was Jeep.  God saw how good Jeep was.  God then separated the Jeep from the car.  God called the Jeep, "Datu" and the car he called , "Obstacle".  Thus Off Roading began and the morning followed - the first day.

The Gospel according to Boy Sapot
CJ1:7


Hi Kristoffer,

As you know, Pinoy's are jeep crazy, and the members of MORI (Manila Off Roaders, Inc) are prime examples, being jeep fanatics, jeep owners, jeep builders and jeep racers.

The owners of Ride and 199 Off Road House, MORI members Brian Diaz and Ramon To-ong respectively, are jeepers themselves.  Brian owns and races a TJ and a CJ5, while Ramon owns a YJ, a TJ and has worked on jeeps from CJ3Bs, M38s, CJ5s, CJ7s, YJs and TJs.  Whenever jeeps are mentioned, the racing CJs built by Peter Go of Downey Davao are never left out.  Chock full of Clifford Racing parts, they show the true potential of jeep's mighty engine.

With their help and know-how (not that you need it, you sound very well informed!) , you can take your jeep from mild to wild.  They can source kits for you from the various manufacturers (they are very open minded and won't push a particular brand on you, rather will help guide you to build a jeep that suits your needs) or they can do modifications to make your jeep even more capable.

Here are some pics to show their fine Pinoy craftsmanship, following divergent paths.  The first is a 199 Off Road House exercise in extreme modification, while the second is a Ride showcase of the best of bolt on mods.  The third set features the fine jeeps built by Downey Davao.  The vehicles shown are CJs, not TJs, but I'm sure you'll be delighted to see what Pinoys are capable of creating, and the modifications are indicative of the quality of their work and what they can do  to a TJ.  Enjoy...


Datu is a modified 1979 CJ7 built up for NasFOR style racing.  In this pic at the Santiago, Isabela race of July 24, 2004, Datu is sporting a Chevy 350, Turbo 400, NP205.  Axles are Dana 60 front and rear geared to 4.88, with a Detroit Locker in the rear.  Datu sports 42" Swampers, a rear mounted radiator and a full cage mounted to the chassis.  Recaro racing seats cradle the occupants, strapped into 4 point racing harnesses.  A Grant wheel handles steering duties, and a full complement of Auto Meter guages give engine readings.


Datu started out with the stock 258 inline 6, T150 3 speed tranny and  Dana 20 transfer case.  For axles, stock Dana 30's and AMC 120 loaded front and rear with ARB lockers, geared to 4.56.  Datu had a shackle reverse, a ProComp lift and longer shackles and Swamper 35's on Alcoa rims.  That's 199 Off Road House's manager, Boy Calvo on the cage at the Davao Damosa race of 2000.

When a full race Chevy 350 built by Ken Kepner was dropped in in front of an SM465/NP205 combination, Datu began eating cross-joints at an alarming rate.  When Datu ate his front ring and pinion at the Alabang race of 2000, Dana 44's, a Detroit lunchbox locker, 4.56 gears and a spring over lift were added, plus 39" Boggers.

To try something different, the SM465 was swapped out for a Turbo400, making Datu much more nimble.  The radiator was moved to the rear, starting the rear radiator trend  among Pinoy race vehicles.  A race spec fuel cell was also added, to remove the tank from under the body and isolate it from deep water.


Here's Datu articulating at the Cebu race, Jan 27, 2001

The full race Chevy 350 built for torque proved to be a monster.  Datu would wheelie at will whenever the throttle was mashed in spite of the heavy tires.


Datu's with the gas on at the Cebu race, Jan 28, 2002

In that Cebu race, Datu's owner gave him full throttle at a ditch obstacle and flew completely over ala Evil Knievil.  Datu survived the flight but the Dana 44 front snapped in half upon landing.  Here's a luckily timed pic.



The Dana 44's were junked and Dana 60's geared to 4.88 were swapped in, this time with full Detroit Lockers front and rear.  When the front end refused to turn when fully locked, the front locker was pulled so as not to sacrifice agility.  Datu went to 42" Swampers to compliment his wide stance.  The results speak for themselves...


Datu at the Cebu race of July 10, 2004


Churning mud as he claws his way out of the mud pit.


Charging up the hillclimb


Its the sweet smile of a happy jeep owner that tells you it's all worth it.

Second half featuring Ride's fantastic jeep will be posted soon...

It's a jeep thing....
and we MORI boys do understand!

[BryO.]

boss, ganyan pala epekto ng putik sayo...