Eagle564

Ok so i havent done anything new to my xj in a long time and ive got a good chunk of change. Ive got a few things id like.
-Roof rack, nates 4x4 has one for a good price. Allows lights and gets my spare out the trunk area.
-Ford 8.8 swap, i want a stronger axle and a locker, and i have an 8.8 here already just need a shop to do it.
- Front bumper, would like a winch and some lights and a recovery point for my front end. RC has a new winch bumper i kinda like.

Any opinions on what I should do first? What would be more important?

PurpleToxin505

Do you plan on going bigger than 33s? if not Id say build and lock the 8.25, or lock front and rear.

Bumpers are nice but make sure you buy quality that tie all the way in, I have never seen the RC so I cant speak on that.

Roof rack are overrated imo, make the xj more top heavy and drops the mpgs. If you want lights, Id do a 40'' bar and mount it to the roof real low pro

Rogue4x4

Axle first if you value function over looks...bumper with recovery, then rack...that's my opinion

Eagle564

I plan on eventually running 37s. Ill grt new steering and everything also. My 8.25 is tbe 27 spline and i dont wanna deal with it. Rear axle and frame stiffeners? Then a 44 for the front or super 30 and regear and fully lock it. Sounds good but its a ways away lol

Eagle564

Does anyone have a link to some good 40" leds that come with the mounts?

And whats the general opinion on building a super 30 vs finding a dana 44 and having it built and shortened to 60"? Super 30 kits are less than a grand if i remember correctly.

Atmos

Super 30 is a waste. And it still can't handle 37's because the ring and pinion will blow. You'd be building a time bomb. And a fairly polished D30 can handle 35's just fine so I put the super 30 kit as a waste of money all around.

Don't narrow an axle, run wheels with a high backspace. If you're running a 5 lug D44 with 5" back space it will be narrow enough.

You can't go wrong with frame plates. If you plan on doing a D44 later then just wait on a the axle swap. Find a full width 5 lug 8.8 and build that. You've got a long long way to go if you're thinking 37's

Eagle564

I dont think full width 8.8s exist. But from my understanding. A regeared 8.8 on stock 31 splines can handle 37s locked no problem. A 44 regeared with some chromolys can handle 37s locked. Then just need 37s id think. Long arms ofcourse and one ton steering. I dont feel thats a long ways off just a lot of work.

Atmos

There is a ford truck 8.8 that is 65" wide and 5x5.5 lug. Yes it can handle 37's with some polishing. It's a lot of freaking work man. A full build like that from scratch will take you about a year for the average guy. Unless you're a super human wicked fabricator with a good chunk of time on your hands. You better do some more research on D44's if you think it's just a pair of chromos and you're good for 37's

Eagle564

Meh youre probably right. Ive seen dozens of rigs in person that run 35s to 37s on theyre garbage stock axles fully welded and dont have issues. Maybe occasionally break a shaft or strip some splines but on a rare occassion. And theyve wheeled in moab and crap i wouldnt think of trying anytime soon.
If dirty 30 toyota axles can handle 40s a ford 8.8 and 44 can run 37s. Just my opinion i guess but ive seen it.

Atmos

First, yotas are gutless. And yota axles are way different than ours and they don't utilize ujoints. Long fields have similar strength to D60 shafts from what I've read. If stripping splines or breaking stuff is fine with you then build what you like. I prefer being rock solid and that means you'll need to be reasonable with your tire selection. But if you're not even wheeling Moab status obstacles then I would just stick with a D30 and 8.25. Which on 35's can probably handle most of Moab fairly well

Eagle564

Yes you are correct about the yotas lol. My buddies just blows my cherokee away even when he had bald 35s. Now on new 37s its not even fun to go with him. And he only has his rear welded.

Honestly if i had the 29 spline 8.25 id just lock it and save money to build another set of axles. But i wont buy a $400 locker for a 27 spline axle.

Atmos

Go find a 29 spline and build it up on the side. They're not exactly a rare find lol

Basshark7

Recovery points. Whether it is as simple as the IRO tow hook mount or a whole bumper. Recovery points are always #1 on the to do list.

andrewmp6

Ford has put the 8.8 in the rear of f150s since about 1987 when they dropped the 9 inch.For 37s i would be looking more at a 70s ford dana 60 and a 14 bolt rear for it.The cheapest led light bar i would run is http://olympusoffroad.3dcartstores.com/ If you want a light mount you won't ever knock off http://www.detoursusa.com/led-head.php

PurpleToxin505

Portal axles FTW!