I'm in Australia so I'm struggling to figure out what the actual year of my jeep is, it was sold as a 1997 Classic, but the build date from the VIN puts it as a 1996, which makes sense because if I check the "Trim Levels" list, there is no "classic" for 1997, only 1996, 1998-2001. So...
Currently in a stock 1997 XJ Classic 4.0l i6 Automatic with DANA 30 front, DANA 35C rear and the Selec-Trac NP242 Transfer case. Running 235/75R15 Cooper ATR's on stock rims.
I need some help sorting out this build as I want to make it a bit more capable but not draw too much attention as the road laws over here are overly strict and this will still be a semi-daily driver.

Plans (I no particular order):

3.5" suspension lift. Looking at RE for this as they're available over here but I'm open to suggestions. Also having a look at the Iron Rock Off road gear as I've seen some good reviews of it and it seems reasonably priced. As part of this I'll have to do the SYE install. Anything else?

31" Tires on 16" steel rims, probably go for the Cooper STT's as I'll probably keep the ATR's on the stock rims and only swap in the STT's if I know I'm going offroad. If I decide to sell the ATR's then I'll change over to the S/T probably as it'll be a bit more forgiving on the pavement.

Locker - I'm still researching this one and probably need some pointers. At the moment I'm leaning towards an Aussie Locker (or Lokka Locker) to go in the rear. Rear is a dana 35C and i've heard this could be asking for trouble. without swapping diffs is this reasonable or would I be better of doing the front dana 30?

Front/rear Bumper replacement- Front in order to mount a winch, rear in order to mount a double tire carrier.

Diff skid plate covers.

Odds and ends:
Larger battery install- in the process of fabricating the new tray as we speak, in line with Go-Jeep's DIY guide, may wire in old battery to run as dual battery as it still has some life to it.

Thermo Fan swap

2nd-Gear locking switch

High-Flow water pump swap.


It's been maintained but just the standard oil change stuff for the last few years. What should I be looking at doing in the tune up department to get it back up to snuff? I'm thinking changing the AT fluid, Diff oil, fuel filter, belts & hoses. I don't want to waste time and $$$$ on anything that doesn't really need to be done though.

 

Easy way to ID the year compared to US models is the new front end appeared in 97.

A fellow Aussie has a fantastic webpage for the XJ that you should bookmark, your bound to find a ton of stuff to help you out.

http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/

 

Yep, already bookmarked, it's a brilliant website. Wish I had the welding experience that guy has, it'd make my mod work that much easier.

 

Can you elaborate? Mine has the steel front bumper with hard plastic/rubber stops on it and plastic corners that wrap around to the wheel well (front quarter panels are full, all the way to the bottom of wheel well and behind this bumper corner piece)

Has driver side airbag if that makes a difference as I know they started putting those in around 97. No ABS.

 

This is an 84-96 frontend. Airbag appeared in 95 model year here in the US.




This would be the 97+. They also restyled the interior for the 97+.

 

http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/


these people know there stuff

 

they must just run a year late here in Australia, 1996 build, but sold as 1997. Thanks for the help, those pictures are exactly what I needed to confirm.