Hey guys I've been driving this stock xj forever and finally decided its time for some change, originally i got this for free and looking to get a more rugged look on the road as well as for some light offroading. Has alot of highway miles but still runs pretty great. New to modding in general and wanting to learn for later rigs.

Pros
-Body is in great shape
- strong 4L Engine
-Brand new battery and tires


Cons
- 208k miles
- 2wd
- minor front transmission leak (need help fixing)

Overall im looking to keep it as my daily driver and to have a rugged look with some light offroading capabilities all for a budget, i don't wanna get too crazy since this will be my first rig.

Future Upgrades:
- 4.5 inch rusty add a leaf kit
- 32x12.50 all terrains
- maybe a locker?
- Roof rack
- fog lights
- perhaps another bumper as well
- Exhaust upgrade
- spacers
... the list will go on

Top 3 goals:
1. Lift!
2. Wheels!
3. Exhaust

Open to suggestions as to what i should do since im a beginner...

 

need 2wd to 4x4 transformation! haha. where abouts in tx are you? (i can see in the license plate)

 

haha, i just saw your bio i live in frisco texas as well!

 

i KNEW those apts looked familiar.. those are right off eldorado next to home depot right?

 

Yes they are, are you pretty knowledgeable bout offroading?

 

eh somewhat. im only 19. i dont know too much about building these jeeps up. i just got mine a couple months ago. i'm gonna do a 3inch lift to start with some 31's. random question but did you go to high school over here? i went to centennial.

there is a couple of offroading spots by us.

 

Yes, im actually 18 ... maybe we should both help eachother out hahaha

 

yeah we probably will have to do that. i actually work for ups at the moment and hopefully will have my lift by this upcoming year.

 

Im ready to order the lift now, i just dont think i have the right tools or knowledge to do it.

 

order it up. i'll definitely try and help you with it. i work mon-fri so im only free on weekends. but we could do it. honestly if i was you i'd look more into a swap into a 4x4 or look into selling it and get the 4x4...

 

idk, if i sold i'd have to get an older xj and im not looking for insane offroading... more aesethetics but do you have any tools?

 

yeah i still live with my rents and we got quite a few. should be plenty to get it done.

 

any idea on where to start haha?

 

With it being a 2wd, definitely get the locker. You can get a Powertrax, or Aussie locker for a good price and they will get you much better off road performance, with better on road performance then a "Lincoln locker", and only slightly worse on road performance then a LSD.

2wds can do pretty decent with good tires, true 2wd (locker), and strong usage of the skinny pedal.

 

depends on what kind of lift you are going to order. there are write-ups for 4.5 inch lifts.