Just look for a 76-79 f150 or bronco, for the Full width Dana 44 front and 9" rear. The rear is almost bolt in, other than shock mounts and the front will need some work to be mounted, if you search on google you will find alot of build threads on this setup. both axles can be built to handle the 37s in mud and parts are cheap and available. Also a lightweight option. I put these axles under my xj with a rustys 3" lift and minimal trimming and cleared 35s on stock dodge wheels with no problems.

 

any opinions on just going with a late 90's dodge 2500 with a v10 in it as a mudder? lift it up and throw some 37's under it?

 

for what its worth

i have seen more broken leaf springs than links

 

would a v10 be to heavy of an engine to make a good mudder?

 

uh, yes. why do want something that big...for an XJ? you better build a custom frame for it if your gonna use a big engine like that.

 

sounds like a better option then trying to stuff 37's under a xj and doing the axles and motor to get it mud ready but either way good luck

 

okay so scratch the idea of 37's on the XJ... how about 37's on the dodge v10 and then 31's on the XJ with a 4 in lift for some room for flex?

 

the v10 is in a dodge 2500.... its not goin in the XJ

 

that sounds more realistic

 

37s on an xj are not an uncommon thing? I dont see it being more realistic by putting 37s on a fullsize truck instead. The 4.0 has plenty of power to spin 37s with the correct gearing and swapping in axles is fairly easy for anyone that knows how to weld.

 

Aye, 37s are definitely doable on an XJ, might get more opinions on setup at naxja.org. I think the XJ would get farther than the 2500 just because of the weight difference, imo.

 

i know the dodge v10 is gonna be haevier... the problem in my situation is im in high school and me and my friend are wantin a mudder/beater that we wont have to worry about scratching or denting. you know what i mean.. ?

 

xj's are probably the cheapest, most reliable, easy to repair,cheapest to repair,cheapest to mod,easiest to mod, vehicles out there.

 

So why wouldn't you want to use the XJ? lol

 

I don't think it's out of the question at all to run 37s on an XJ. Especially for a mud machine. It won't be super cheap to do, but I bet you could fit it into a reasonable budget. Start by doing a budget lift, making rear bastard spring packs and using commonly available junkyard springs as spelled out in this article...

http://www.lunghd.com/Tech_Articles/...udget_Lift.htm

Throw a 2" shackle/spacer budget boost on top of that for around 6" of total lift. Now the pricey part, you'd have to source some stout axles, at least D44s, or better yet a D44 up front and a D60 rear. Budget option would probably be to run Waggy 44's front and back. Weld the spider gears in the rear for a fully locked rear. Regear down to a 4.88, or 5.13 gear. Get and SYE, or if that's too expensive, drop the x-member and shim the rear axle.

You'll probably need longer control arms, so shop wisely and find some cheap ones. Rusty's makes inexpensive fixed arms for various lift heights. And buy some inexpensive shocks like RC or Rustys. And trim the crap outta the fenders. Get your wheels and tires and hit the mud! I bet it could be done for just a few grand including the purchase price of the XJ, and you'd have a very capable mudder!