Hi all! I recently aquired a '90 Jeep Cherokee 2 door. Found it on craigslist for a CRAZY good deal and even talked the guy down 500$ from his original asking price. I have an 08' KK that ive built the hell out of and loved every minute of doing so, so ive decided that since i have it for my DD, im going to build this XJ into a monster. The first build list is basically restoring the motor and all components as much as possible. I want to be sure that this thing is in good running/mechanical order before i build it up, take it out in the woods, and break down somewhere

After i get everything under the hood and the undercarriage all serviced and cleaned up, the plan is to go ahead and build it tall and reinforce everything necessary to run a 37"-38" tire. More than likely going with a 8" LA lift and and run 35's at first ,on the stock axles. I need to know a few things in particular and was hoping some of you guys could chime in and help a fellow Jeeper out.

1: If i plan on running a 35x12.5 on the stock D35 and C8.25 axles, does any thing need to be replaced/reinforced on the axles to ensure good operation without breaking/bending anything?

2: My future plans for this thing involve replacing both axles and converting the rear to a spring style suspension instead of leaf. What axle combos would be best suited for a 37"-38" tire but still using the 4.0L? Rockwells would be sick, but c'mon, i would need a V-8 to push the added weight!I considered a pair of D44s, but im open to suggestions

3: last, i guess i would be curious to know what the most universal size for a wheel that would fit a 35, 36, 37, and 38. Im assuming it would be a 15x10, but i personally dont like the look of a huge tire on a darn 15" rim. But once again, im totally open to suggestions!

 

if you want a monster just go to 38s dont mess with those punny 35s

 

Well, theoretically most would tell you that a 35" tire is too much for stock axles, however its all in how you drive it. I'm running 35"s on a chrysler 8.25 with no major modifications to it other than gears and a locker. You will want to regear if your going to run 35s. I've heard of people running 35s on a dana 35 however it is strongly advised against, but it is once again all in how you drive.

Next was the question about axles. A dana 44 should hold up to your tires if you plan on going big. Another common swap for the rear at least is the ford 8.8, which is just as strong as a dana 44 and swaps in much easier, the only draw back is that it is c-clip, but that can be eliminated with the superior kit. If you really don't want to break anything a dana 60/14 bolt or 60/60 combo will work for you as well.

Another easy to find rim for most all size tires is a 17x9. This would give you the width you want, but also give you a little more rim and less tire, like you mentioned in your first post.

That's just my .02 and I hope it helps a bit.

Pretty much everything can be built differently to match the builder's specs and driving style.

 

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i think u gotta good plan,i say go for it for the most part,the lil things and questions u need help with can be answered here

 

You got two rear axles and no front one?----- 1. better gears.-----2. Rear d 60 Front d 44.-----3. 16 inch.

 

Personally, I think that is too much for a XJ. I the XJ is more suited to a 30-33 inch tire and no more than a 4.5''-6'' (Max) long arm.

If your end goal is a Huge tire then consider just gutting the entire vehicle, engine, axels everything. Re-inforce, then cage, then….

 

That will be what he has to do so it dont break in halve

 

i've done the monster thing and isn't worth it unless it's a street thing or you live in alabama with fields of soup.....a trail rig should not go bigger than 35s... the chassis and motor of an xj will not like you if you go 35+ unless you are strictly crawling and go crazy gears

 

well, at this point, essentially the plan would be to do a really nice lift that i can modify or resuse later after i go into stage 2 which would mean doing minimal things to the axles and focusing more on frame stiffening, motor and trans work and just beefing up in general. Once i have this thing restored to a usable state, the idea is to get my complete suspension replaced and go as big as i can, tire wise, on that D30 and Ch8.25. Once I save up some or those axles start to slip (which ever comes first), im going to axle swap and go bigger... i probally wont re-gear or lock either of the stock axles, but Ill probally get better shafts for them. Im just gonna have fun with those stock ones until they give out on me. I have a very reliable DD so this guy is strickly a toy. My real concerns for the moment are the body/frame rigidity and mechanical operation of everything. As long as i can cruise town and hit the small trail down the road from me, is plently for the moment. Im not really planning on wheelin her real hard until the swap, but in the mean time just some light climbing and trailing will hold me over.