Yeah I wish he was giving it to me haha I'm paying $5000 for it. Your advice is really helpful. I think I'm going to do the axle upgrade and the head before I even think about lifting it. I want this thing to run forever before I even think about putting big money into it.

 

That post from extrashakey was excellent. That should get you headed in the right direction. I wasn't actually aware that you could send your oil in for analysis. I think I'm going to partake in that.

 

I often sound like I'm shilling for Blackstone, but I have no connection to them other than just believing in the service. I just got my 30K oil analysis back on my Subaru. It's a good feeling to open that email and see that everything is normal. I haven't had one on the stroker in my XJ yet, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the break-in process has gone.

Although you can send the black collection bottle through the mail exactly as Blackstone packages it, I would suggest instead that you put it in a small box. The USPS held the first sample I sent for about a month trying to figure out whether it was okay to mail it. I haven't had any delivery issues since putting them in boxes instead.

 

thanks for the advice

 

Don't worry about the axle until you get to the point of regear/lift/tires. Driveshaft may hit exhaust with HP and no lift on 2000+. Never saw mention before about the LP being weaker. I call BS.

 

The low pinion is driven off the coast side of the ring gear which does make it weaker. It's essentially like driving your rear axle in reverse. By going to the high pinion it moves the pinion back to the drive side of the ring gear bumping strength up a bit. Puts it somewhere between an LP 30 and an LP44 supposedly. It still has the smaller ring gear, tubes and shafts of a 30.

Having said all of that I would agree with Larry's XJ to just wait until you're ready to change gears or add lockers before getting too excited about swapping the axle. I ran the same LP30 in my TJ in some serious rocks for many years and it held up fine.

 

Welcome to the XJ sickness! It's good times!

$5000 for a 2001?!?! It had better be 100% spotless and rust free. I have a feeling you may be being taken advantage of. Watch out. That's not a "deal"!

 

$5000 for a 2001?!?! It had better be 100% spotless and rust free. I have a feeling you may be being taken advantage of. Watch out. That's not a "deal"![/QUOTE]

The guy at the jeep dealership appraised it for $6000 because it is rust free and spotless, everything is in perfect condition, not even a chip in the paint. I also know the guy me and his kid have been friends for forever so he wouldn't screw me haha.

 

Dealerships always appraise high. Have you personally inspected it? Just looking out for your best interest.

 

Yes, I've looked it over everything looks to be good to me. He's not a diy kinda guy so all the maintenance has been done professionally.

 

 

I just got my new baby 😍