I'm building a buggy out of an XJ body, but to the specs OF the ultra4 buggies. Will it compete at KOH, no. Will it be to the same spec so I never fail any tech inspection at any race I do enter, yes. Shop smart, know people, and teach yourself things haha. $5k, as it five thousand. I'll go over for sure, but it's going to be less than $10k by a long shot.
-$780 for a PRISTINE XJ (already made back my money by selling off everything I didn't need).
-$520 for a '89 Ford front d60 and 10.25 (selling the 10.25 and I'll be in the d60 for ~$280)
-$140 for a 14b (selling the OEM gov lock and will get back that money)
-RuffStuff vendor account, check.
-Learn to gear, check.
-Have friends that sell coil overs all the time for cheap, and are AWESOME fabricators/welders, check.

Pretty much every purchase I make, I make back the upfront cost buy selling something off whatever o bought that I don't need. Even if I didn't know anyone to weld I would have taught myself as well.

 

so 44 or 45 class? I'm sure it can be done on a budget but that is some true diligence to have it tech ready at all times. Sounds like a fun project. I don't think I could even put together the axle rebuilds, 2" tubing, ruffstuff links, heims, brackets, seats, harnesses, siren, racing lights, and safety equipment for $5,000. Post your progress man! I'm doing the same thing but abandoned the idea of adhering to rules, mine will never be a racer lol

 

Will do! Build coming soon! I have a tendency to make a build log after it's all over haha.

To the OP, this Chuggy (Cherokee-buggy) will be powered by none other than the OEM '98 4.0, rebuilt top end, and new everything. Only thing I'm adding is bored tb and cowl intake. It well drive the OEM aw4/231 as well. I have no doubt that to start it'll be all the power I need. Later on, yeah maybe a turbo project or stroker. But who knows.

 

ah that's how you're keeping cost down stock class doesn't allow coilovers so I know you're not going EMC. And factory drivetrain will never be competitive with 44/45... you'll want a different chassis by the time you're ready for an LS! hmmm. I'm stoked to see the build man, definitely interested in figuring out what you've got cooking up

 

Yup, when I blow it up I'll figure out what to do. I'm not going to compete in anything 44/45 as you're right I'll be under powered, but built to they're specs strength wise and everything else. I'm thinking more like crawling, maybe some small races at Line Mountain to start, go from there.

To be honest my friend that's going to do my welding is doing a tube chassis buggy, and they get boring after a while; they're all the same. He's as excited to start my build as me because it'll be a different build for sure. Not too many XJ's racing like this, mostly TJ's, and small bodied ones.

 

That's why I'm not doing anything to the motor until the rest of the jeep is complete.

 

I definitely need it to be streetable. This project was never supposed to be purely off-road, although I see myself taking it out often and having some fun, but not going to do anything too hardcore. I'm sure at some point in the near future I'll want to build something that is never meant to hit the road, but I'll focus on this build for now, and like I said possibly one for my wife so we can take them out together.

 

Then my personal opinion is you're not going to do any better than a built 30 and 8.25, or even a 8.8 (I'm partial to the 8.8). I wouldn't even consider the 44/9 combo of your max tire is a 35. If you were dead set on 37's id say yeah, but for a 33/35 OEM axles are more than capable. I can wheel everywhere on my 33's, and more, than my friend can on 35's, and my other forens can out wheel me with a stock jeep on 31's. It all comes down to driver. I think you're on the right track; 4.5-5.5 with 33/35 would be perfect for a dual purpose rig, and be able to do 95% of the trails out there.

 

Nice. Thanks for the input. That seems to be the direction I'm going. I've had a few people tell me the 8.25 will be strong enough for what I need but I was hesitant. If I can get away with not having to replace them that's the route I'll go.