Fred/N0AZZ

I must agree with some of the others you need to do studying on the XJ's and what has to be done to them to achieve the level of performance desired.

This starts with the very basic rebuilding of front end as most all need, tune-up, cooling system replaced, etc.

I'm an old guy and been around cars all my life but was new to Jeeps and have spent the last 2 years learning about them every day. My advice slow down and read to find out what you really want/need to build then go from there.

stang65

My advise look up a local chapter here on the forum see if there is a recomended shop near you. If you find a good shop they might be able to not only help build your desired jeep but show and explain how it is supposed to work. along with saftey training classes and off roading groups or coarse that will teach you the in and outs of off roading. for a XJ the gap between stuff you should have for 33" tires and stuff you should have for 35" tires is acually a big difference.

above all manage the money cause it is easy to dump money into the wrong stuff.

scrubxjowner

After some "soul-searching" (read: wallet checking), I'll go with the 33's. After all, I can always go back later and change them again.

stang65

pry the wise choice. I went places on my old setup and 33 that alot of other vechiles couldnt with 37s

scrubxjowner

So I'm assuming then that by stopping at 33, I don't have to be an idiot and jump through all the hoops just for 2 more inches of tire?

Rogue4x4

The proper ratio for 33's is 4.56, if you have an auto trans, your ratio is more than likely 3.55.... However you can run 33's without too much issue. 33's is the ragged edge, but do-able.

scrubxjowner

Tomorrow I'll check the axle size to see what type of rings I should look at to get to a 4.56. Other than that, though, I would be set to do a lift (not sure if I want a 4.5 or 6.5) and throw some 33's on it and go have some fun?

Rogue4x4

Check out the link I posted earlier. That kit has everything you need to do a lift of 4.5-6.5 properly. Remember the higher you go, the more that's involved, and the higher the cost.

Jrozar

I would pull the engine, trans, transfer case, drivelines, axles and start your build there..

Do a 4.7 stroker kit and upgrade the rest of your driveline at the same time.

After that then consider lift, bumpers, a sound system, tires etc..

. Start with the foundation first before you build the house.

884x4

You said you want a good reliable DD right?
If you get 33s you would want to ''re gear to 4.56 like stated above. To get the most "reliable and good" DD you will want to 're gear. So why not get what you actually want and go 4.88s and 35s?
You could go with a long arm kit(what you really want if you want a good reliable DD)
Throw a c 8.25 or if you feel adventurous put an 8.8 back there. Also a hp d30. 're gear them, some inverted T steering(ruff stuff, serious, Jcr ect...) And be good.
Or, you could skip all that and put a 3" kit with some 31s.
I feel like if you want 33s it's not too much more work to go 35s.
I went from 31s on stock gears to 35s and 4.88s locked front and an 8.8 rear for way under your budget. I also did all the work myself though.
Idk man it's your jeep so you should do what you want but I highly recommended wrenching on it yourself a bit to see if you have the mechanical ability to learn and just do it all yourself so you can get what you truly want done

Bocefus

No mechanical ability means you will get hosed again and again by shops paying outrages labor rates and keep in mind any modifications will do basically nothing for resale value. The last thing you want to do is dump a bunch of money into an XJ when you are just getting into college and starting out in life. That money will be needed, trust me.

If you must have a lifted rig, sell it and buy one already set up like you want it from someone who already dumped the money and time into it.

scrubxjowner

Firstly, necroing my own thread for reasons. Second, update. I have done some serious soul searching, and combined with a few people I've met at college, I went out and tested it (completely stock except the windshield wipers and brand new 30 inch A/Ts) and holy crap are XJ's badass. I was on par with the lifted Rubicons on 35s and did better even than some truck on 33s.


That being said, I would like to go up. After months of researched I realize how stupid it was to jump straight out and gun for 38s. After actually testing it out, I think 33s on a 3 inch lift with trimming would be the best go. It's cheap, a guy at college I met who runs a Rubicon is a certified mechanic and is willing to help me out with mechanical issues, and my father just ordered a crapton of tools for me to store in my closet. Life seems to be good.


At most I'd like to pop up to a 4.7 stroker, upgrade the exhaust and do the aforementioned 3" with 33s.


Also, I don't remember if I mentioned transmission issues, but it turns out after finding the code reader my dad bought specifically for the jeep because of its issues in my brother's closet, but there were no less than 7 codes being flagged by the check engine light. It isn't the tranny at all but apparently the spark plugs are causing the cylinders to misfire, creating the jerky ride. Going to replace the whole ignition coil assembly.


My entire family (minus my dad, honestly) thinks I'm stupid for wanting to put any money into an old vehicle as opposed to using the whole $$ to go for, say, a new Challenger. Am I an idiot for wanting to make an off-roadable rig and still have money for college?

PocketsEmpty

I'm surprised at everyone jumping at you to regear. Regear is very costly, and not something you will be able to do on your own. You could be looking at $1500+ for a regear job. 33s on stock gearing isn't the greatest, but it will be fine for you. You can work on small performance mods to get a little bit more. The fact is, you're new to the Cherokee world so start off small & learn, learn learn. Regearing, stroker engine, 38s, all that stuff comes later if you desire it.

scrubxjowner

For sure I wasn't gonna regear the stock axles. If I ever was gonna do anything to regear I'd just go ahead and shoot for two new d44's as opposed to trying to fix up the stock axles. that way the 33s wouldn't stress the new axles as badly and if I wanted to I could go higher into the tires.

Kris smith

Man I have been running a jeep for a few years now instead of a new car. I have no payment my insurance is cheap I have a 3" lift on 31s geared and locked got led headlights Bluetooth stereo led light bar. I'm building bumpers soon. And all for under 5k. To be fair I bought it with most of the upgrades done. But I see some dirt and go **** it I can do that. A new car or even a jeep I would have to think twice about something like that.