shiftngo

Hello all,
I am currently in Iraq serving my first tour with the Marine Corps and I have become awfully intrigued by the XJ jeep. So much that I intend on building one when I come home. There is one problem though. I don't know that much about off road applications. I've been in the car scene since I was 16 and that's all I've cared about so I don't know how to set something up for off-road. I have an '04 Silverado with Nitto Terra Grappler 285/75 R16's on it and that's all i've ever done. I would like to build an XJ that has no problem getting through trails but is practical to drive around town in. I would like to put 33's or 35's on it but I don't know anything about suspension, transfer cases, good axles for wheelin, and stuff to that extent. If anyone could help me pick out a set-up I'd greatly appreciate it. Something that won't take alot of money and would make a good first wheeler.
Thanks,
Jake

shiftngo

Oh, also, tranny? What's better to have auto or manual. I loved snatchin gears in my car but I figured an automatic would be better for offroad considering all you have to worry about is brake and throttle. But I don't know. You guys are the experts. You tell me.

builtnotbought89'

Hey jake, first off I wanna say THANK YOU for defending our great country!!! As for an XJ there is a ton of info on here for all ur questions as well as friendly folks to ask!

shiftngo

I want to thank you for supporting us. I know there is alot of info on here but that's kinda the problem. See I don't know what half of the stuff on here is. If I didn't know better I'd throw on a 5.5" lift and some 35's and call it done. But I know there's more to it than that. I assume if I put on 35's it needs to be re-geared from my reading, and also probably some axles? But I'm not sure. I'm used to building a motor, droppin it in a car, puttin in a rear end to handle the power, simple. Building one of these things looks to be alot more complcated if you don't want to tear it up everytime you take it out.

builtnotbought89'

Really its not all the difficult. Most people don't regear on xjs they usually just swap out the axles for ford 8.8s, cause the dana 30 (front), dana 35 (rear), or even crystler 8.25 (rear) are all kinda weak axles! Some '87-'89 have dana 44 (rear) which is great but they are few & far between!

builtnotbought89'

I'll set it up with 32"s on a rough country 4.5" lift! Try to go for a later model XJ 2000 or 2001 4.0L I6 4x4 will come with the crystler 8.25 rear axle. U wouldn't have to rear tell u start pushing 33"-35" tires!!!

shiftngo

I was wanting at least 33's under it. What kinda lift would I need for that, so that it will flex good? With 33's I don't need to swap out axles right? Cause I'm tryin to keep it kinda simple but very capable.

XJSETH

Get a 1998-1999 without abs. RE 5.5inch long arm kit, trim some fenders, grab some 35s, and soft 8's. re gear front and rear axle with 4.56's put chromoly shafts front and rear and use the stock shafts for spares. buy or build front and rear bumpers the rear with a tire carrier and frame tie in. the front with a winch mount and winch. Add the usual cherokee roof rack and call it a day. That total your lookin at 4 to 5 grand IMO. builtnotbought the 8.25 axle isnt bad at all i wheel the **** out of mine, well i did lol

builtnotbought89'

Ya of all the comon xj axles I would agree for sure the 8.25 is the best!

Troth

you could get as into it as you want, I just learned as I got my hands dirty, you know? the best way to get to know what stuff is, is to just clean and take things off and see how they work and try and do most of the work yourself. and If there is something you dont know how to do you could to to cherokee tech and ask and chances are you will find out

Thank you, and all the troops!

shiftngo

Yea, I'm plannin on doin most everything myself. Except if I have to put in a ring and pinion, I tend to stay away from that kinda stuff cause I don't trust myself. If I buy, let's say a 5.5" lift. Will that most likely come with everything I need to install? Or will I need some other stuff like shocks and other stuff I don't know about. And I assume with 35" tires with a 5.5" lift I would need to cut the fenders right? Just trying to get it all figured out. Thinkin I might do 33" instead, I like the look of a factory body.

shiftngo

Builtnotbought yours looks pretty slick. You have 3" and 2" BB? Is that 5" over-all or 3" in front and 2" in rear or other way around?

Troth

you would get 4 shocks in the package likely. I got 3" ruggen country lift and it came with 4 shocks 2 front coils and an (add a leaf single leaf X2)

XJSETH

it really all depends on what you want to do. If you want to go a little crazy with it crawl some shiat and dent it up go with 33s or 35's i run 33s on 6 inches and i hate it. i should have bought 35s. if you want to just trail ride and not crawl as much go with a RC 4.5inch kit and 33s.

shiftngo

I'd like to attempt some crawling but nothing too crazy. Don't want to roll it. But mainly trails.