$1k to spend on a $500 XJ. What to do?
 

As the title says. I've got a stock rusty 92 XJ with a great drive train, sadly the rust is pretty bad so I dont think she'll be around for more than a couple years. I'm going to put in some replacement panels and fix up the body to the point it isnt embarassing and that'll be it. Probably do a Duplicolor Bedliner rattle can paint job. I don't do rocks, but I spend a lot of time in the mud, snow, trails and sand dunes. It's not a DD, but needs to be legal...All the maintenance is done, and stiffeners were just welded on (it really needed them). It came with year old 31's from Tread Wright the pattern looks like the Guard Dog not positive though...

I'd like anyting put on it to be bolt on or easily removed if welded.

My thoughts are the R.C. 3" SERIES 2 KIT. Cut fenders. Hood Vents, Aussie Locker for the C8.25 and some wheel spacers, that leaves me with about $350-400.

JCR is a 30 min drive and I've had my eye on the Pre Runner Bumper for awile, but other than it looking sweet I dont need a bumper for the type of wheelng I do.

Anything I'm missing, what would you do?

look into what parts from the yard that will add lift. get some used 33's and do a bastard pack in the rear with shackles, find some springs that will lift the front with maybe some coil spacers. get a drop pitman arm and an adjustable track bar or track bar drop bracket. if you just research and find what parts will work you wouldnt have too much into the lift at all. since it is a 500 dollar beater. or get nice stuff and put it on the next when this one dies.

The idea is everything on my beater will be removed once she rusts apart and I'll swap it onto the new hopefully rust free rig. I've done JY builds with pretty good success. I figure now that my bills are paid and money's just sitting in my savings I'll put it to use on some things I've always wanted and couldn't afford.

Buy 2 more xj's?

While I'm at it, can you tell what rear axle this is? It's the only pic my wife send...I'm thinking 8.25 looks a little squared on the bottom. Hard to tell through my inexperienced eyes...


Attachment 48249

that is an 8.25 so that's good.

I would just do a spacer lift up front, a shackle relocation lift out back for good flex and good ride. Put a locker in there, keep the 31s and trim. Maybe have enough for a locker or truetrack for the dana 30. Add some used lower control arms and some recovery.

dana 35 are some what oval and measure 10 and 5/8. a chry is like 11 and 3/8 ish. they are both oval looking but the chry is more of an oval. the dana 44 looks similar to a stop sign

Id try and fix the rust problem and Bedline it.

Thanks, I was thinking it was a 8.25 just wasn't 100%. Putting in an order though Rustys right now. Kinda needed to know. I'll let ya know my decision in a little bit.