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My radio came from www.1factoryradio.com. They’re awesome. You can either send in your radio to have an aux or I think even full Bluetooth added in, or just buy another head unit identical to yours with the options you want if you’re impatient. My Jeep has the basic radio and I’m impatient so I just bought a new head unit. It’s roughly the price of an all new radio, but their work is top notch and you get to keep that stock look.
As far as the 3in lift, yes, there was trimming to be done. The front bumper end caps have been trimmed quite a bit. I’ve yet to have any trouble rubbing the flares though. Just the bumper end caps. This could obviously be solved with a new front bumper, but if you like the stock bumper be prepared to trim some. As my lift has slowly settled I’ve found myself taking a little more and a little more off of the end caps. Luckily mine are sprayed in bed liner so blending in after the cuts it’s super easy. If you don’t have a dremmel it will probably become pretty annoying but I can spend 5 min trimming and be back to no rubbing with a dremmel. That being said, I still highly recommend a 3in lift on 31s. It’s lifted and capable enough for just about anything short of hardcore rock crawling, and you don’t have to spend a fortune trying to get everything back in line like you do on bigger lifts.
I’m definitely going to get my radio done.
As far as the lift goes I’d love to keep a stock bumper but I may end up getting a different one to prevent myself from having to trim a lot. I’m going to go with Old Man Emu and from what I’ve read the settling is a little less extreme than other brands so I might be able to get by with just the initial trimming.
As far as the lift goes I’d love to keep a stock bumper but I may end up getting a different one to prevent myself from having to trim a lot. I’m going to go with Old Man Emu and from what I’ve read the settling is a little less extreme than other brands so I might be able to get by with just the initial trimming.
I would probably stick with the stock bumper and do a good initial trim to give yourself some room. I just trim as little as possible each time which is why every few months I wind up going back and doing more. I just can’t see dropping the cash for a bumper that I don’t really even want.
I would probably stick with the stock bumper and do a good initial trim to give yourself some room. I just trim as little as possible each time which is why every few months I wind up going back and doing more. I just can’t see dropping the cash for a bumper that I don’t really even want.
I’m with you on that. I’d much rather have something I’m happy with.
So, I keep coming back to the idea of new bumpers for some reason. Mainly because I'd like a spare tire carrier and a new bumper is the most effective way to accomplish that at this point. My heart was originally set on the Tailbone from Detours, but I'm leaning towards the Tanker from AJ's offroad now. I'm not sure I want to do a cut and fold on the quarters though. I'm pretty sure the front bumper is going to be a DirtBound MantaRay Winch with the Pre-Runner hoop. And I'm probably going to throw the Aj's Super Rockrails in the cart while I'm at it since at that point whats another $260. I don't know. Anyone have any thoughts? I'd love for someone to either talk me into it or tell me I'm crazy and to leave my Jeep alone since none of this is really necessary for what I do. A spare tire carrier would be nice, but is it worth the coin? I think if I do a rear bumper I'll pretty much have to do the front to keep it from looking ridiculous, which puts this series of upgrades into the $2k range. I'm also a little concerned that at just 3in of lift the bigger bumpers will make the Jeep look like its not tall enough. Let me know what you think.
So, I keep coming back to the idea of new bumpers for some reason. Mainly because I'd like a spare tire carrier and a new bumper is the most effective way to accomplish that at this point. My heart was originally set on the Tailbone from Detours, but I'm leaning towards the Tanker from AJ's offroad now. I'm not sure I want to do a cut and fold on the quarters though. I'm pretty sure the front bumper is going to be a DirtBound MantaRay Winch with the Pre-Runner hoop. And I'm probably going to throw the Aj's Super Rockrails in the cart while I'm at it since at that point whats another $260. I don't know. Anyone have any thoughts? I'd love for someone to either talk me into it or tell me I'm crazy and to leave my Jeep alone since none of this is really necessary for what I do. A spare tire carrier would be nice, but is it worth the coin? I think if I do a rear bumper I'll pretty much have to do the front to keep it from looking ridiculous, which puts this series of upgrades into the $2k range. I'm also a little concerned that at just 3in of lift the bigger bumpers will make the Jeep look like its not tall enough. Let me know what you think.
Man, I’m in the same boat too now after I saw an old thread here of a low profile hidden winch custom bumper. I’m really starting to get farther and farther away from my original plans of leaving it as stock as possible in appearance. I’ve convinced myself that if I go too far from stock on this one I’ll just buy another stock one lol. I say go for it and try not to trim too much so if you decide to go back stock you can just throw the original bumpers back on.
Ive also found someone that can make me a custom rack with kayak mounts that will found down inside the rack when not in use and one reason I didn’t want a rack is because it wouldn’t be easy to carry kayaks but now I could do that AND have extra cargo space?
Man, I’m in the same boat too now after I saw an old thread here of a low profile hidden winch custom bumper. I’m really starting to get farther and farther away from my original plans of leaving it as stock as possible in appearance. I’ve convinced myself that if I go too far from stock on this one I’ll just buy another stock one lol. I say go for it and try not to trim too much so if you decide to go back stock you can just throw the original bumpers back on.
Ive also found someone that can make me a custom rack with kayak mounts that will found down inside the rack when not in use and one reason I didn’t want a rack is because it wouldn’t be easy to carry kayaks but now I could do that AND have extra cargo space?
I would definitely do the rack. My rack is probably the most useful upgrade I’ve done since it not only gave me tons of storage, but also gave me somewhere to mount my awning which has been incredibly useful. On the bumper note; the rear bumper I want requires a full chop of the lower quarter panel that the stock bumper currently covers up. No going back if I go that route. I probably just need to build a rack for my trailer and move everything that typically goes in my roof basket over to it to make room for a spare tire in my basket. That would be the more practical approach. Then later down the road if my Jeep gets upgraded from DD to toy status maybe I’ll go for the new bumpers. Bumpers are just so expensive it’s hard for me to justify it just to have a spare tire carrier.
How do you like that radio? I’ve had one saved on my eBay page now for over a year, just haven’t been able to justify $200 for a factory radio. I’m like you, I like the factory look. Aux part work good and everything?
Originally Posted by TrueNorthXJ
Sitting much higher in the rear with the new leafs. I’m sure they’ll settle a little but it’s still a massive improvement. Bed/Storage setup. Just simple storage bins from Fred’s. Dry foods and other supplies in the longer tote on the right. Cooking supplies/utensils and Coleman stove on the left. Entry space and seat back storage Smittybilt seat covers. Factory radio with Aux hookup from 1factoryradio.com. I really wanted to keep a stock dash. Just seemed wrong to put a big touch screen radio in the dash. Homemade window vents. Keeps air flowing through and rain/bugs out.
How do you like that radio? I’ve had one saved on my eBay page now for over a year, just haven’t been able to justify $200 for a factory radio. I’m like you, I like the factory look. Aux part work good and everything?
I like it. Aux port works perfectly. It overrides the other modes of the radio when a chord is plugged in since there’s no actual button to switch over to aux from fm, etc. It could probably use a resistor since it picks up a little from the engine, but only when you have a chord plugged in. But then again who doesn’t want to pretend their Jeep is supercharged? Lol. Personally I wouldn’t go any other way. It does what it’s supposed to do and keeps the factory look. I have a Griffin iTrip hooked to mine to make it Bluetooth capable.
So, I keep coming back to the idea of new bumpers for some reason. Let me know what you think.
Your call man. I played the bumper game on my last XJ. Had to have over 5'' of lift before she looked the part. Bumpers have their obvious pros, but remember with all that weight will require more fuel, more lift, and possibly retuning your bumpstops. That being said, I am one year into successfully keeping my XJ stockish in terms of body. I have definitely been using this XJ hard this season too. Been remote camping and exploring every chance I get so far no issues. If my bumpers get damaged or torn off, I'll replace. But till then, it only makes a little scraping sound and I continue down the trail getting still getting 15-18mpg. Again, your Jeep you call. But from a Jeeper to another, I dig the simplistic look you have; like mine.
Your call man. I played the bumper game on my last XJ. Had to have over 5'' of lift before she looked the part. Bumpers have their obvious pros, but remember with all that weight will require more fuel, more lift, and possibly retuning your bumpstops.
See that’s what I’m afraid of. The bumpers are definitely overkill for what I do, and I don’t even want to think about having to add more lift. I just haven’t come up with a solution I really like for carrying a spare. I’ve got onboard air now so I guess I could say screw it and just carry plugs and slime? I’m not crawling with it so that would probably suffice in a pinch. Idk.
On a little different note, I’ve started modding my 5x8 Lowe’s trailer. The plan is to have a rack built for it to carry a 2nd roof basket and maybe eventually a rtt. I’ve done the axle flip, added 13in wheels with 175/80 tires, and sprayed it with bedliner already. Looking to get a tongue jack for it today, and then start looking into building a rack for it. Sadly this will have to be custom to give me the height I need to still get bikes underneath, and strong enough to eventually hold a rtt if I decide to go that route. Pics to come!
Last edited by TrueNorthXJ; 08-23-2018 at 10:04 AM.
Reason: Spelling
See that’s what I’m afraid of. The bumpers are definitely overkill for what I do, and I don’t even want to think about having to add more lift. I just haven’t come up with a solution I really like for carrying a spare. I’ve got onboard air now so I guess I could say screw it and just carry plugs and slime? I’m not crawling with it so that would probably suffice in a pinch. Idk.
What about carrying your spare overhead? I've used Surco Safari roof racks on all my XJ's and love their versatility. I keep a spare up there full time and have no added wind noise and no noticeable wind drag. When I go out into the bush, I load that thing up with firewood, camp chairs, chain saw or cooler. Turns the roof of my Jeep into a little truck bed. Here's what it looks like (sorry to post a pic of my Jeep on your page man).
What about carrying your spare overhead? I've used Surco Safari roof racks on all my XJ's and love their versatility. I keep a spare up there full time and have no added wind noise and no noticeable wind drag. When I go out into the bush, I load that thing up with firewood, camp chairs, chain saw or cooler. Turns the roof of my Jeep into a little truck bed. Here's what it looks like (sorry to post a pic of my Jeep on your page man).
lol No worries, I stole your fog light mount location so it’s fair. But I’ve tried not to put anything on my rack full time because I use it for storage boxes when I go camping and riding. My plan is to add a rack and basket to my utility trailer, which will free up the basket on the Jeep for a spare tire. My only problem with putting it up there is the added weight and how difficult it would be to get back down. We’ll see once I get the trailer finished though.
Does anyone know if a TJ seat cover will fit the XJ? The seat designs look pretty much identical, but I've heard that the XJ seat is a little wider or something? I really miss my Bartact seat covers from my wranglers, and would love to have them for my XJ if they will fit.
Well, after 20k on my BFG KO2s it’s time for a new set. I ordered the Cooper STT Pros and they should be in next week. Hopefully I have better luck out of them. Pics to come.
08-07-2018, 10:17 AM
