98customking

so here it goes guys, I am turning 30 next month and the wife bought me a 4.5 in lift and gave me 1000 for anything else that i need for the truck. i already have 2000 saved for the truck that i was getting around to buying a lift. so with my bday gift i have a lot more than i originally thought. so what else should i get. i have 3000 to play with but i want to get the most out of it. so ill list what i already have

i have these items already

4.5 lift
rear disk brake upgrade
dana 44 axle
chromoly axle shaft (rear only)
arb air locker
truss for the dana 44

i would like to get the nates 4x4 rear bumber/tire carrier and jerry can holder but im open to anything else. thanks for all the help guys
side note still not sure what size tire im going to go with. the truck is 4x4 auto and the arb i know will do 4.56 but not sure if it can do 4.88

let me know what you guys think i will be ordering all my parts withen the next week so ill post all the pics when im done thanks guys

ill be calling it Project O.S.O.K (one shot one kill)

98XJ40K

The gearing will depend a lot on the tire size. Is this a DD, or strictly a trail rig?
Recovery points, armor, tires, etc. Just depends on what you want to do with it.
A long arm upgrade and some good shocks will go a long way no matter which route you are going.

98customking

i have another car as a dd but i dont just want a trail rig if that makes sense

98XJ40K

Makes perfect sense. I was going to say if it's street driven, then you probably want to know tire size before gearing. 4.56 will get you close to stock on 33's while 4.88 would be better for 35's. If it were trail only, 4.88 would probably be fine for either size.
Are you locking both axles? I saw that you had an ARB listed as well.

98customking

i have one locker right now for the rear i was thinking about doing both but not sure

Fred/N0AZZ

With 4 1/2" lift you need a slip yoke eliminator for the transfer case, new rear driveshaft and at least a V8 GC tie rod upgrade for those tires. You might want to read some more about the upgrade path as to proper sequence.

98customking

i was looking into a SYE. is there something would tell me everything i needed to do it once and do it right.

98XJ40K

Most SYE kits are complete and come with good instructions. There are also a few write ups that will have more info.
You can find the rugged ridge SYE on amazon and serious offroad. JB Conversions has a few different styles to choose from.
All of them are mostly the same.

Big David

Tires will be $1k of your funds unless you get a set good set of used tires..

98customking

thanks a lot guys. i still have a lot to go over i have *** decent bank to start with and i want to take my time and do this right. once again thanks for all of the help

Fred/N0AZZ

As David said tires will be around that price point.......if using the big name brands. I shopped local (*note I live in a small farming/cattle ranch area about 50 mi from a larger town) mine is pop. of 8,500.

I bought my Cragar wheels from Jegs (lowest price doing a price match) and these tires from a local tire/repair shop. The tires have a very aggressive M/S tread and have worked very well off road so far in rocks, mud, snow 2+' of it and loose dirt on hillsides. I do carry an air compressor and air down to 17 psi. for off road makes a world of difference in traction and ride. Then 30 psi. for the roads only on road thing noticed are some tire noise, steering is good.

The price on these tires were $672 tax included for all 5 (you will need a spare tire and wheel) of them 33x12:50x15's mounted, balanced, new stems and 35,000 warranty.

Here is the best photo showing the tread on mine but I'm sure you can find some like them for a similar price. The fellow that owned the tire shop even had a set of these on his 2 Jeeps.




If your not in a big hurry lots of parts come along on sale a member here posted an eBay link on an SYE for $99 with free shipping right before I needed one. At the same time I found a custom Driveshaft Shop on eBay that had a driveshaft for mine with the SYE all HD joints, balanced shipped for $199 so bought it also.

I'll answer another of your posts also on lockers I have both front and rear Detroit Lockers and with the gear change to 4.56's were no doubt the single most effective upgrade made to my XJ as far off road goes.

Fred/N0AZZ

It helps if you have a year for your XJ listed by your screen name as far parts go for it and weak points.

My XJ isn't a DD either but does see some time on the roads, not trailered all the time for off roading.

The very first thing before you do any up-grades is to replace any worn in the steering, ball joints U/L, if these aren't in excellent shape the rest will be a problem from the very start. The lift alone will increase these existing problems 5 fold before you go any further.

Bumpers are meant to be HD ones for Off-Road use and I choose strength, build quality, materials over looks and price. Here is one place that makes only front $ rear XJ bumpers 2 price ranges of them, mine is the Crawler series. The tire carrier bumper is one of the strongest ones as far mounting to the frame work made and internal receiver hitch vg. Bering's and swing-out are greaseable zerks. The bumper has a built-in Hi-Lift Jack Mount and a radio antenna mount both included.

Front bumpers need to have recovery points (D-Ring type) or frame mounted (2) no chains are allowed in any off-road parks because of the danger involved. Tow straps/ropes required and a planned on extra plus D-Rings also to attach them.

Here is the web sight if you care to check them out roxolidtrailarmor.com



For my 33" tires I went with 4.56's, I guess you have a D30HP front differential and stock 3.55 gears. When you re-gear to 4.56 or 4.88 in it if you do not use a full size locker you will have to buy a new center carrier for them. For gear kits I used Rustys Off Road kit ft/rear + a vg Master Install kits for both about $430 I think, one of the reasons I went that way was the brand of gears Motive with the kit. I had used them in racing apps for a long time drag racing using a transbrake and up to 900hp launches held up well. My installer said the Master kits were very good ones not cheapies.

I have no idea what came with your lift but a 4 1/2" requires an Adj. Track Bar and I would suggest buying a good one the first time a Dbl. Shear Track Bar. Also at 4 1/2" IMHO ADJ. LCA and if the budget allows uppers also to center things up again. Extended SS brake lines are needed also and I need shims for the rear differential also just a few small items.

98customking

It's a 98 classic. Thanks guys does anyone know if I can fit 35 without rubbing with my 4.5 lift or should I stay at 33

98customking

Ps Fred nice freaking ride man that's what I'm looking for. Could you fit 35 or is it better to just stay with 33

CanXJ

Even with 33" you will most likely rub if flexing it out. I have around 5" of lift 33's, trimmed fenders and was rubbing, need to tweak the bumpstops and a wee bit more fender trimming. Have a question - why are you putting a trussed dana 44 in it, what are you running now?