jeryshery

Ok I'm building my xj 2.8v6 5speed to be an expedition vehicle.

Traction: I'm either going with 31x10.5s or 33x12.5x20s haven't decided yet. If I do the 33s I'm going to be violating my own rule about tire sidewall clearance but I won't have to spend money on tires. If I run the 31s I'm going to need wheels and tires. Lockers front and rear I'm thinking auto lockers but I haven't used them before and don't know how well they work.

Clearance: I'm thinking 4inch lift I don't want to go too tall I can always trim the fenders. I also am making a front and rear bumper out of channel iron. Both front and rear will have a receiver hitch mounted in them.

Storage: I need to be able carry at least 20gallons of water, 20gallons of spare fuel, lots of food, recovery devices(winch, bottle jack, hi-lift, straps, etc.), 2 spare tires, 2 spare driveshafts, comms, personal gear, etc.

If anyone has any recommendations on products that I could use or issues I may come across lmk.
Now for a photo of the jeeps I'm starting out with.

rmoore1031

Get a better engine and tranny set up. I haven't seen a running 2.8 around me. Would your current set up even have enough power to move 31"+ tires?

I like the expedition ideas, it's what I wanna do over time to my XJ/MJs.

jeryshery

It's got plenty of power to turn 31s as is. I've got 50hp and 50ftlbs less than a 4.0 but power isn't everything. The beauty of the 2.8 is I have a complete spare engine and trans for it. I may be wrong and if it does turn out to be completely gutless I'll have plenty of time to address that in the future.

SoCalxJ4.0

I've had one of those motors just go up in flames. It was awesome.

XJwonders

How did it go up in flames?

jeryshery

Going to be removing the rear seat. I don't need it. Don't have any kids. So what I'm going to do is pull the seat. Have someone weld me up a water tank that will make the area flat. Install a 12volt bilge pump and water hose. Cut a sheet of plywood to fit over everything with hinged pieces over the water inlet and outlet. I'm too tall to sleep in the back so I'm also going to build a hinged piece by the tailgate so I can fold it out and use it for a table or sleep in the rig comfortably. Then I'll carpet over the plywood.

XJwonders

How about taking passenger front seat off so u ca sleep inside comfortably. U can put something on floor and plywood on top to make a longer surface too. Perhaps a gasoline storage or cooler

jeryshery

That's a great idea but unfortunately I would be in the doghouse with my wife over that one.

XJwonders

How about a platform on top of jeep that u can stake a tent?

ZombieResponseJeep

Sounds like a cool idea. Don't forget to take into consideration the weight of 40 gallons of water and fuel. You're looking at 340lbs plus the containers. There are lots of guys with similiar ideas and mods in my group. You may find some good ideas on our page. Link in sig.

jeryshery

I actually had the calculator up this morning doing all the math on weight. I came up with 280lbs liquid weight plus containers which won't be all that heavy. With both spares, all the required gear and my wife and I, we should be a little over 1000lbs give or take. Also I'm definitely gonna check out your group. It is after-all going to be umbrella corp themed.

jeryshery

I'll have to get the camera out and take a picture of my current tent system. So you can get an idea of why I need the wood platform.

XJwonders

Looking forward to it

EagleXJ

This could be pretty cool.

jeryshery