I have a stock XJ 4.0 Liter 5 speed, I already plan to do a 3" lift and put 31x10.50/15 on it. Is there any other modifications that won't cost a bunch and is fair simple to do to get decent daily driving and a decent trail rig? Don't forget liability, I have had a truck break on me before and my friend just order his lifts and tires for his Toyota but he is mechanically stupid and its going to break on the first bump.

 

Install a posi or locker in front or rear or both...traction defeats lift any day... You would be surprised where you can go with a set of posi's or lockers... More than a lift and open diffs

 

Do all the basics first. Fluids, plugs, wires, filter, etc... basically just a full blown tune up. Make sure you have any kinks worked out before you start modifying it. It will save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.

 

Cheap cheap thing you could do, google it lol reading here and on naxja will give you a good idea what you need and what would suite you best. Sounds mean but it's true.

 

That's a fact....that's what I will be doing with mine when it arrives next week..I've already started getting all the tune up parts, lubes, filters etc...lift and suspension will be my last mod.

 

Do a coolant flush, address any possible oil leaks, do a tranny flush and filter (may want to read into whether or not you should really do it depending on milage). Installing a transmission cooler is pretty cheap and it's great insurance. Check out all the main grounds under the hood.

 

I like the locker idea and the tune up. I plan to make sure this engine lasts and have a spare that I want to put some money in for more power.

 

Lockers are great, but do them after you have everything mechanically sound and after you have addressed recovery points and possibly a winch. It will also depend what kind of wheeling you do and how big your budget is.
As Frank Z says, lockers get you into trouble, a winch will get you out.

 

I plan to use it as a daily driver but I don't want to look down a trail and second guess whether my jeep can or can't. I want to look and go and learn the hard way if necessary.

 

The best thing you can do is to wheel your xj how it is and figure out what you really want. 31s are good for a little extra clearance, but lockers are necessary in some situations. If you cut your fenders out a bit you could fit even bigger tires, but then you need to worry about regearing and blah blah. Welcome to the bottomless money pit we call love

 

Seeing as you have a 5 speed, you have 3.07 gears. Pick up a set of axles from an auto, they have 3.55 gears. You can usually pick them up for 100 or less per axle, and it makes a huge difference. Its the first thing I do to any 5 speed i buy.

 

Tune up and up keep first once all of that is good i would look around our vendors for armor like off road bumpers front and rear and maybe rock sliders depending if you need them or not.

 

When you change fluids go with high quality / heavy duty / full synthetic. Get a wix or napa gold oil filter too