NeedMorHP

I just bought a 91 XJ specifically to go surf fishing.
I go down to Padre Island National Seashore to do my surf fishing.
My GMC 2500HD is way too heavy and it sinks in the shell and gets stuck.

I want to build this Jeep to take the deep and rough beach for the 130 mile round trip, most of the time in 4 wheel drive.

Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jack..
1991 Jeep Cherokee 4Door 4X4

_StationWagon_

Air down

NeedMorHP

I was thinking more about what shocks, what kind and size of tires and lift.

Jack..

MurderedXJ

If your willing to cut fenders you can fit 33x12.50s with a 3 inch lift. the wider tires should help you disperse the weight. What kind of budget are you on. If low then look up budget boosts you can use the front springs from a zj and then a poly spacer then do a bastard pack for the rear. If high then go all out

sthon

X2

Also remove as much weight as you can. Doors, back seats etc.

1991Jeep_Man

I know this is off-topic, but that looks almost just like my Jeep did when I first bought her.

As for your sandy adventures, lighten the load (replace the rear hatch with a net, removable doors, etc) and find wider tires. More surface area gives better weight distribution, as stated above.

Now, also remember your engine. Beach to me usually means hot, and 4x4 plus loose sand equals more heat. I'd say toss in at least a 2-row all metal radiator (radiatorbarn.com is great!) and install an extra tranny fluid cooler (if it's an automatic).

JerseyJeeper

I take mine on the beach all the time in the summer to go fishing off the surf. What works great is a tire over 10" wide. I have 31x10.5 tires but they do make 11.5" wide tires in a 31" height. Interco is one company that comes to mind. Their truxss all terrain comes in that width. You will require a 3" lift which you can easily do by using V8 ZJ (Grand Cherokee) coil springs in the front with a small spacer approximately 2" in height this will net you 3" of lift for the front. As for the rear you have a few options. One option is to replace the springs with springs that are arched to give you 3" of lift. If your spring pack is in good condition, you can use an add-a-leaf to give you the boost. Or you can go to a junkyard and take the leaf springs out of an S10 Blazer and using your main leaf swap over the leaves from the blazer spring pack. This should bring you to about 3-4" of lift in the rear dependent upon the condition of the springs. Things for the beach that you should look into are things like front and rear tow points. Hooks work great for the front and a hitch is great in the rear. Tow hook brackets can be had for cheap at a junkyard. Of course the oldest trick in the book as mentioned above is airing down your tire pressure. I recommend around 18psi for a 11.5" wide tire and 15psi for a tire 10.5" wide.

Hope this all helps and have fun out there.

N20jeep

wide non-aggresive tires seem to work best in the sand.


that and lockers

Jordan1996 ZJ

i go up in the dunes a lot and i have 30" by 9.5 mud tires, they worked better than my buddy's chevy and he has the same tire but 35" by 12.5... so im sayin is that the lighter it is, the better it will fly across the sand

NeedMorHP

Thanks for all the hints. I didn’t think about locking differentials.


Now starts my build on this 1991 Jeep with 206,500 miles no A/C, radio, cruise or lockers.


I bought this jeep from a nudist. I went into the naturalist RV resort to look at it. The couple that I bought it from, they were dressed. They were from Oregon and they towed it here to South Texas behind their RV. The Jeep did not have A/C and after one drive in the Texas heat in March they posted it on Craigslist.
After I got it home I got out the bleach and water and started scrubbing.


Now to Pick-n-Pull to find an A/C system.


Jack..

jbetit

I would start by keep cleaning them seats! haha

wide, all terrain tires will be your best match as stated above. prolly a 12.50 wide will work really good for you. Lockers are also a great combination. Wheeling in sand, you want have the case in 4 hi, 4 lo will just dig holes and you will be very frustrated.

_StationWagon_

Yeah, I know you meant more technical stuff ... but that's all I knew! Now I know more . But I'm not into the sand stuff. Good luck.