Yea you can give that a shot. If it doesn't work at least it's a cheap and easy fix.

Yeah im thinking it will be. Im not going to lie, im going to be cutting it close. I got my 8.25 rear to swap in and getting a locker for it isnt an issue, its regearing the front to match the 3.55s thats going to be the time consuming part. Still deciding between a whole front axle that already has the gears or just regearing what i have. Besides that i need to replace my motor mounts and it will be ready. Looks like ill be going stock ride height

What gears do you have in it?

I just got my new tires on my TJ and have very little clearance, worse than before. I don't' want to cut/damage these tires like I did the last ones by stuffing them into the fender and cutting the lugs. Bumpstops are not on the menu just yet, lol. I did finally get my JKS body lift, MORE MML, Teraflex belly skid and a Skidrow engine skid installed, but still need more clearance.

Here's how I sit now:


I'm mounting some TnT crush corners with 6" metal flares later this morning and I want to open up the front wheel wells too. I fell in love with the 6" arched metalcloak fenders a few years ago and finally have the chance to get them. I'm concerned about passing PA inspection with that much open space around the tire. Has anyone heard of issues passing?


pic for reference:

As long as your tires don't go past the body (or fender flares) it's legal. They could try and get you for lift height though if they're jerks.

Ok, so I should be getting my cat tomorrow. I went out to look at the old one to plan things out today, and I was wondering how I should get the new one in there. I ordered a 2.25" cat, and I was wondering which piece of the pipe is the 2.25" diameter? I drew a line in the one picture where the weld is on the old cat. Any idea? The other problem I'm seeing is the extra piece of useless metal welded onto the pipe before the cat. here are some pictures.

X2 you should be fine. I dont know how the cops are in your area but in mine as long as they aren't sticking out your fine.

I'd also watch how much higher your gonna go with a lift or your gonna be deflating the tires to fit her in the garage.

Mine has that stupid little metal piece too but I havent had an issue with my exhaust yet.

I'd just cut it off before the crossmember where it's nice and straight and just run a little straight pipe over the crossmember into the cat. Done deal, crack open a nice cold Yuengling and look at your job well done.

The diameter of the pipe up in front of the crossmember would be 2.25" outer diameter, right? Just need to make sure I pick up the right pieces.

That piece of metal is part of an exhaust hanger that breaks on every Xj.

The diameter of the pipe looks more like its about 2" before the cat, where it gets bumped up into 2.25" Am i right in thinking this? I held up a 2.25" clamp to it before the crossmember and it looked like it was too big

Take the piece you cut off with you along with your new cat. Then you can pretty much slap all your pieces on the counter and say ok I'm going from this to this and it's 10" away, hook me up.

I'm not sure what the stock pipe is if it's 2.25"OD or what it is. Maybe someone on here can fill in the blank.

I work at the Pep Boys here in State College, so I can get whatever I need. I know that the pipe is 2.25" after the cat, but what I'm trying to figure out is the diameter before the cat, I'm almost certain its 2" up there.

Jeff, I'm pretty sure Ryan is running the 3.07 stock gears right now. So jumping up a good bit to the 3.55s.

Must be a manual then....