After building a few rigs, you learn the hard way and we all wish we could go back and start from scratch.

So, say you had a bone stock XJ, and $5000 to build it. What would you do and still be under budget?

 

ruffstuff 3 link $600
bilstein 5100's $360
full width 8.8, 5.13's welded and junk $800
ford hp44 5.13's open for now $500
HDOframe stiffeners $360
35" tires with rims craigslist $650
2x6 rockers $100?
ruffstuff steering $300
3.5" coils + leaf packs $450?
SYE $200
$680 left over for cage materials

something like that. then add cool d44 upgrades and engine junk later

 

Pretty much the same things I've already done...

But with the remaining $3200 (after lift, wheels & tires) I'd finish a bunch of things on my current to-do list: longarms, bumpers front & rear, winch on a reciever, re-gear and lockers (lunchbox rear, e-locker front), sliders & skids.

I'd give the rest to my wife after that to go shopping...

 

Basically what i have now, plus longarms, lockers, 8.8 axle, and a mount for my winch. $5000 would cover that, plus the cost of my XJ easily.

 

I have about 2k in my suspension. 1k in tires
On top of that id go with ruff stuff steering, beef the axles (chromos, truss, gears, and lockers).