2000 Miles to Graceland, here is what I mean

I live near Macon, GA and my mother lives on the Utah/ Arizona border.
This mid July I am driving from Warner Robins Ga to Cane Beds Arizona. 1977 miles, 30 hour drive. I thought it would be fun to fix this jeep, lift, tires etc etc and journey it to AZ to hit the dunes out there.


Picked up this 99' XJ back in OCT for $900
I wanted an XJ for awhile now, 1st 4wd rig ever...
One day the Craigslist Gods spoke to me and told me to check the listings. I did. Low and behold a 1999 sport, 2 owner, 146k for $1200 obo
When I picked it up
1. Sat for 2+ years under a carport with the driver window busted
2. Every insect/ spider found a home inside of it
3. Didn't run, heard it turn over, made sure it wasn't knocking.
4. Alternator was locked up
5. It was disgustingly dirty inside and out, everything was there though...





I did a lot of digging on common problems and issues so i knew what to expect, put in an alternator, figured i would go through the cooling system while i am there. New water pump, thermo, valve cover gasket, serp belt.
Now the disgusting interior....F@#$ vacuuming it, gut it, power wash, kill all spiders with fire...




Power washed eeeeeeverything besides the dash. Mucho better





Picked up 5 Trailhog tires on 17'' JK wheels with 2k miles on em for $500.








Waiting on my next paycheck and a lift is coming. Already have wheel adapters.

Now that this being my first 4wd vehicle I might need some help and advice. I want to have the lift on for at least a couple of weeks to work out any bugs before I just drive 2000k miles...1 way. SO, what are some things I should spend the extra money on, good add ons, things to worry about etc etc. Thank you all in advance, and I think the XJ earned the nickname blackwidow...after finding 3 in the trunk before cleaning and webs inside and out

 

Welcome to the community. I think you started in the right place with the cooling system, especially with that long road trip you have coming up. Make sure you change the front and rear diff fluids. Maybe check the transfer case fluid as well. Grease every fitting you can find including the ones on the drive shaft. Brakes should be checked before any long trip.

What size/brand lift are you going with?

 

Sounds good on all the above!
I am running a a 265/75r17? Whatever size comes out to be at around 32.4'' or something along those lines. I still am not sold between a do it myself 3'' and cut some fender or a RC 4.5'' full leaf pack and have zero worries about rubbing. I'll do some wheeling but nothing insane so I am still undecided. Thoughts?

 

Those tires are roughly the equivalent of 32s. I would go to a 4.5 lift. I have a 3 inch with 31s and get rubbing at full stuff. If you go with a 4.5 off the get go you won't have to trim for the 32s but if you want 33s or 35s down the road you can trim the fenders and won't have to put on a whole other lift. Also you can get 4.5 inch lifts that are comparable in price to a 3 inch lift. Although you can do a 3 inch lift on the cheap with spring spacers shocks and add a leaf fairly cheap.

 

Edit: I missed the 17" wheel info in you guys posts so I deleted my reference to 15".
One of the 'bugs' you may encounter is driveline vibration, even on a mild 2" to 3" lift. Not necessarily because of an increased driveline angle, but because the u-joints operate in a new position and the wear pattern causes the issue.
I suggest replacing all fluids due to their unknown condition and servicing all four brakes before that road trip. Fluids include brake fluid, front and rear differential, transmission, transfer case.
After lifting can give it a driveway alignment to get it close. Toe is always set last. http://go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoAlignment.htm

 

I second the motion for 265/75/17's and 4.5". However my 265's measure 3/4" taller than my 31's did at a 16" rim size. They came out to 32.01" tall. that seems to be the perfect combo for my uses.

 

Thanks for all the info fellas, I'm sold on the 4.5'' full leaf lift. Just have to wait on the wonderful state of MO to send my return back and it will get ordered.
Ill go through allllll the fluids this weekend.
Would it be wise to through in all new U-Joints when I install the lift since a lot of stuff is going to be off and somewhat out of the way? I would rather spend the money and have ease at mind then be 1000 miles away in Texas and throw a shaft down the road...

 

It wouldn't hurt to do the U-joints. You mide as well do new wheels bearings while you're at it. Also, for yoir lift, look at Zone or Rubicon Express for. RC has a hit or miss reputation with their products.