Creating the ideal Jeep without road vehicle niggles
Imagine being able to tow an offroad/overland vehicle to the location of choice in utter comfort.
Imagine setting up a base camp, offloading the ‘Trailer Queen’ (TQ) off-roader and going out adventuring secure in the knowledge that a breakage is going to be nothing much more than an inconvenience – a minor recovery operation, then load the TQ on the trailer and motor off home. Deal with the issue as and when is appropriate – because the TQ isn’t the daily driver. Then – as they say – ‘rinse and repeat’.
Chris Harvey is enjoying Jeep heaven. Not only does he run a Wrangler trailer queen for fun, he tows it with a pretty nice Jeep Grand Cherokee that he describes as ‘fairly stock’ but well up to lugging the jeep and a full campsite’s worth of gear to set up his base camp for after his jeep adventures.
He started creating his ideal off-roader with the Jeep TJ Wrangler with original 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine and three speed automatic transmission. In 1990s New Zealand, the Wrangler was very much responsible for the rebirth of the Jeep brand.
The benefits of having a TQ are many, the downsides few. No rego. No certification for mods. A community of likeminded individuals online to consult with and share brag photos. Even better when the 4WD in question is a direct descendant of the one and only original general purpose (GP=Jeep) four-wheel drive.
So, to the build. Much of the work was done at home in the garage, which is part of the fun of having a TQ to tinker with. Not quite finished a job on Sunday evening? No sweat, it’s not needed for Monday’s commute.
Chris went with a 100 mm (four inch) suspension lift kit and a 25mm (one inch) body lift. For a road vehicle, that would have triggered the requirement for a low volume certification. Score so far: TQ1, road vehicle nil.
He fitted eight adjustable suspension arms with flex joints for off-road articulation. Score now: TQ 2, road vehicle nil.
The lift and articulation called for extended brake lines. The rear end received a brake disc conversion (donor: Ford Falcon).
In went a slip yoke eliminator and Tom Woods driveshaft, creating a shaft 76mm (three inches) longer that reduces the operating angle on the drive shaft and allows for up to 100mm (four inches) more suspension droop.
It’s all about keeping all four tyres in touch with the ground in extreme conditions.
Small tweaks: a relocated gearbox breather and a modified shifter cable.
Chris says storage and comfort features were also a priority.
The Jeep has a classic Bikini Top and tonneau cover keeping occupants and gear dry and clean (ish) off road. He fitted a set of internal drawers for safe stowage of recovery gear, then a self-designed cage tray for temporary stowage. Also on the DIY list: a rear bumper with swing-out tyre carrier and a new front bumper on which to mount a Runva winch with internal controller.
The almost-finished 4WD travels on aggressive 35-inch Simex tyres that are fitted with tubes.
Chris says the Jeep is about to receive some DIY Rock Sliders and what he describes as a “DIY Tummy Tuck”.
Has anyone been keeping count of all the times a Trailer Queen trumps a road registered 4WD? The key, always, is to engineer or over-engineer the modifications made to the TQ so it’s a safe and fun ride off-road and to minimise breakages and failures of stock gear. In the case of a Wrangler, the best thing is the online resource. Any part, any upgrade, any bit of advice needed is right there at the tap of Mr Google’s limitless resource. Just phrase the search or question to best find what is needed.
Then if it appeals, do what Chris did: buy a WK2 Grand Cherokee with the massively torque-endowed 3.0-litre diesel engine to tow the fun-truck with. Then try to resist also improving the tow vehicle.
What to buy, what to spend
Pre-loved, pre-owned Wranglers are out there, and registered/warranted vehicles can be had for between $18,000 and $90,000. That is really only TQ-bait for a lucky few at those prices. But look closer: a 20-year old soft-top comes in at $14,000. Still with WOF and rego.
If a long wheelbase Renegade appeals, Trade Me lists a 2010 model at just $13,000. Bear in mind a ‘long’ Jeep will not go the places a shorty will.
Finding an unregistered Wrangler may mean going into the late 1990s, and will mean buying a vehicle with 200,000km on it. It will also deliver a robust starting point for modification for less than $10k, possibly much less. Tatty Wrangler Sport ready for stripping-out and rebuilding as a TQ? It could cost as little as $5,000. Often the search will uncover a 4WD with a fault that makes re-registration impractical or uneconomic. Perfect.
For those with some DIY skills, who enjoy updating and upgrading their off-roader, the Jeep is a commendable foundation for modding. Just beware – as Chris has found out, the process of improving the TQ is addictive and may never actually end.
