I was thinking about it the other day. How capable would a non-lifted but greatly equipped XJ be? Toss any ideas or theories out here.

 

Locker locker locker. If we cant lift it then we have to lock it. Other than that, I will run what ever I can slide over.

 

How capable would a non-lifted but greatly equipped XJ be?

Considering you can fit 33x10.5's with enough massaging...
I would say with no lift you could make a very capable rig.
Custom long arms, double shear track bar, over the knuckle steering, shackle relocation and long travel shocks would allow very stable/usable flex. If you really wanted to get out there remove the inner fenders, run hoops front and rear and go coilovers front and rear... but I think that is getting away from the "stock-no lift idea...
Rugged low profile bumpers front and rear, belly up skid, gas tank armor, boatside the rockers, diff armor, control arm skids, chassis reinforcing... cage would be smart...
Super 30 kit and truss up front with 4.88's and an arb, 8.25 with heavy axles welded tubes 4.88's and ARB... 4:1 with upgraded chain and output shaft...
If that was not capable enough, throw in a winch and keep lots of clean underpants on hand.
If that still was not capable enough, lift it 2-3" and toss 35's under it...

I suppose a budget version would be...
31x9.5's or 32x9.5's with less trimming than above.
long travel shocks, double shear track bar, clearence the lower shock mounts to allow more control arm movement... If budget allowed, hiem joint control arms... for even greater droop.
Rugged low profile bumpers front and rear, belly up skid, gas tank armor, rocker skids, diff armor, control arm skids, chassis reinforcing...
4.56's with lunch box lockers and if budget allows 4:1 t-case gears.
That would be an awesome rig., definately capable of running 4.0 trails.

 

There are people who have run the Rubicon in stock XJ's. I never wheeled my XJ without a lift, but I had a 93 ZJ first. I wheeled it stock for several years, I was able to run trails that were rated as 33" and lockers MINIMUM, without issue. It's all about picking the correct line.
When the ZJ was wrecked, I bought my XJ. It came with 5.5" of lift, which I have lowered to 3.5", because it wasn't done right.

 

Watch this, it is better than any advice...

 

I have seen stock XJ's run the green trail at Badlands. You will get stuck more with stock tires but overall they were great lil Jeeps.

The only time the stocker got stuck was when were driving through a muddy area he just didn't have enough Diff clearance and bogged down in the mud.

 

they are pretty capable stock but you will hang up on the diffs and crossmember other then that you can go just about anywhere that does not require tons of clearance

 

Bama, did you get your leather seats out of a Grand Cherokee?

 

some more thoughts...

I ran mine with tow hooks, factory skids and rock rails on 235's and open/open for several years...
Routinely ran 3.0-3.5 rated trails... not easily mind you... and got hung up on the factory t-case skid lots... ended up wrinkling up the fenders and the stock bumpers got destroyed...
I would say a stock XJ is capable enough to need good bumpers/rails/belly to tap it's true potential... otherwise, it'll get you into (and out of) spots that'll tear up the sheetmetal.

 

I love that video....it's waaaaay better with sound!!!!!!

 

My XJ came with leather seats from the factory.

 

I can compare my stock xj to my stock tj. The tj goes alot further. I couldn't do much with my stock xj cuz it was just too damn low and the rockers were asking for damage on every bump or mound that i would go over. I wheeled it once, banged the oil pan, and didn't try it again till it was lifted and fully skidded underneath. But that's my terrain....others may differ.

 

well i know(from experiance) that you can jump them pretty high, and they fishtail really good on dirt roads,

 

I'm just above stock. I have decent tires and the Dude Rob is referring to had street tires. He would have totally made it if he had traction. Soo......... you're calling my Jeep great Rob?

 

Ive taken my stock 87 Limited in a few place where my brother k5 with 4 inch lift and 35's and lockers has gone. I have had a few difficulties in the deeper mud that seems to reach the rocker panels pretty quickly. ( my fault for being dared by my lil brother) I have never really had an issue with negotiating rugged trails but I also have never attempted anything at paragon that required clearance for rock crawling.
I have done back woods trailing where downed trees and the occational rock formation had to be negotiated but the old girl just loves to prove my buddies wrong and loves to keep wth the herd...