Never said he couldn't run 35's...just said I'd regear if I ran them, and if i went any bigger than a 35 then I would swap axles.

 

Sorry I thought you meant it wasn't a money saving route and you don't suggest it

 

Well you may save money if you can find it all for a good price and i do agree skids are a great thing to have off-roading...but if you look at it outside the box...you'll have a stock xj, stock height, and most likely street tires...you will have very little axle clearance or bumper height...so you still wouldn't be very off-road capable at all...but if you rounded up parts for a lift and find a good deal on tires you wont spend much money, and you will have a lot more ground clearance to drive over things, rather than trying to smash through them.

 

I would say a stock XJ is very capable.

 

The search button is your best friend

 

And i would say u dont read very well...because yet again i never said a stock jeep wasn't capable..but a lifted one with bigger tires is obviously more capable than a stock jeep with skids.

 

from experience in building two jeeps now im going to say this, whatever setup you decide on, odds are your gonna wanna go bigger and go stronger. best bet is to build your "dream" setup even if the parts you use arnt top brands can always switch in n out later. but id suggest anywhere from 3-4.5" lift 31-33" tires depending on lift size and wheather or not you wanna remove your fender flares and trim. if your staying with a smaller lift then skids will be incredibly helpful. engine/tranny skids r only useful for very hardcore wheelers. rock sliders have proven too be my most useful mod id highly suggest those if your doing any kinda wheeling on rocks. diff covers and gas tank skid arnt 100% needed but highly recomended. also MAKE SURE you have front and rear recovery points. whether its just tow hooks or bumpers. also id highly suggest front and rear bumpers. locker and gears are for later on down the road.

 

I suggest you get atleast 1 recovery point, a hitch being the most versatile, a bud with another 4x4 and go wheel the PI$$ out of that thing. Learn to pick good lines and what your rig is capable of and needing.

That way you learn what you need, not what some bozo on the web said you "need", but more importantly you learn both your rigs and your capabilities.

I'm amazed where my rig with a small lift and decent tires goes with no lockers.