XJ 5000 mile expedition - is the XJ a good choice?
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XJ 5000 mile expedition - is the XJ a good choice?
This is my first post but have been reading and researching for the last few months, I am based in the UK and planning a long trip all next summer.
I have a 98 4.0l which I searched for about 3 months last year before buying with the intention of using on a 5000 mile trip across Europe in the summer of 2014 taking in the Pyrenees, Alps, Dolomites, Dinaric Alps, Balkan Mountains and finally into Turkey.
I have limited off road experience only starting this summer and will be putting in plenty of practise over the winter months. There are 8 vehicles making the trip with 3 of the vehicles/drivers that have extensive expedition experience, I am no stranger to the mountains as I am a keen hiker and climber and mechanically have built more than a dozen cars but only for circuit or drag racing so have no idea on what is needed for my XJ.
Here is my dilemma as I now need to push on with the build and start ordering parts, I have a budget of £ 10k which is just over US$15k but with shipping and import duties it will work out a straight £ to $ so let’s call it $10k in parts.
The other 7 are all using Defender’s and I have been taking quite a lot of stick for choosing an XJ and it has got to the point that I am also doubting that I have made the right choice.
I do want to stick with the XJ but want to make sure that I don’t have to call on them to winch me out, not unless it’s down to my ability rather than the Xj’s.
The trip will be mostly trails but they will also be highways, mountain roads, river crossings so the build needs to take this into account and will be camping most of the way so will have a roof rack and rear wheel carrier. With this in mind I wanted to keep the lift as low as possible while still being able to deal with the terrain.
So first question is am I mad going with an XJ should I just follow the others and get a 110 or 90 Defender and what is needed for the Xj to be able to hold its own against the Defender in terms of clearance, stability and approach angles.
So far I have been looking at
TNT Customs Rock-Tech 3.5”
TNT Customs under body, axle and sliders
Smitty Built front bumper and Warn rear
SkyJacker SYE
Super Pro Bushes
32” or 33” tyres and cut body to clear
What Shocks would be best to go and how much travel, what drive shafts and should I swap the axles or just rebuild them?
What about cooling engine/transmission?
What else have I missed?
Any help and or reassurance you can give that the XJ is a great choice for this trip will be appreciated.
I have a 98 4.0l which I searched for about 3 months last year before buying with the intention of using on a 5000 mile trip across Europe in the summer of 2014 taking in the Pyrenees, Alps, Dolomites, Dinaric Alps, Balkan Mountains and finally into Turkey.
I have limited off road experience only starting this summer and will be putting in plenty of practise over the winter months. There are 8 vehicles making the trip with 3 of the vehicles/drivers that have extensive expedition experience, I am no stranger to the mountains as I am a keen hiker and climber and mechanically have built more than a dozen cars but only for circuit or drag racing so have no idea on what is needed for my XJ.
Here is my dilemma as I now need to push on with the build and start ordering parts, I have a budget of £ 10k which is just over US$15k but with shipping and import duties it will work out a straight £ to $ so let’s call it $10k in parts.
The other 7 are all using Defender’s and I have been taking quite a lot of stick for choosing an XJ and it has got to the point that I am also doubting that I have made the right choice.
I do want to stick with the XJ but want to make sure that I don’t have to call on them to winch me out, not unless it’s down to my ability rather than the Xj’s.
The trip will be mostly trails but they will also be highways, mountain roads, river crossings so the build needs to take this into account and will be camping most of the way so will have a roof rack and rear wheel carrier. With this in mind I wanted to keep the lift as low as possible while still being able to deal with the terrain.
So first question is am I mad going with an XJ should I just follow the others and get a 110 or 90 Defender and what is needed for the Xj to be able to hold its own against the Defender in terms of clearance, stability and approach angles.
So far I have been looking at
TNT Customs Rock-Tech 3.5”
TNT Customs under body, axle and sliders
Smitty Built front bumper and Warn rear
SkyJacker SYE
Super Pro Bushes
32” or 33” tyres and cut body to clear
What Shocks would be best to go and how much travel, what drive shafts and should I swap the axles or just rebuild them?
What about cooling engine/transmission?
What else have I missed?
Any help and or reassurance you can give that the XJ is a great choice for this trip will be appreciated.
Last edited by SavMan; 08-20-2013 at 09:37 AM.
#2
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Is selling the XJ and purchasing a Defender feasible with time and financial constraints?
It makes a lot of sense to be in a vehicle where others could assist in repairs/knowledge and spare parts vs having to carry all your own stuff and know everything about the rig yourself.
How easily attainable are parts for your XJ in the areas you'll be visiting?
It makes a lot of sense to be in a vehicle where others could assist in repairs/knowledge and spare parts vs having to carry all your own stuff and know everything about the rig yourself.
How easily attainable are parts for your XJ in the areas you'll be visiting?
#3
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Sounds like quite the adventure. With that budget I think it's certain that you'll be able to more than keep up with your Defender buddies. I say stick it to 'em and show them who's boss! But, you'll have a lot of work to do. OverlandZJ is right, you'd miss out on the advantage of having a common vehicle with your buddies who might be able to help you or loan a spare part. So, you'll need to plan extensively for recovery gear, which includes a toolkit and spare parts such as axle shafts, fluids, etc. Also you should probably factor in front and rear lockers, and gearing. What tire size? River crossings? Plan on waterproofing everything you can, and a snorkel of some kind.
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I have 7 months before we leave I would have liked to have been further ahead but another project took longer than I planned. Financially it's possible but not at the £10k budget, the alternative option is to get a 110 that is already prepared or part prepared with a view of selling it when I get back to recoup the additional money. The XJ will stay no matter what I decide it has 30k miles on it and rock solid!
Spares are one of my concern's from the research I have done it will be less of an issue in the second half of the journey for the XJ.
I will be making the essentials as water tight as possible as well and running a dual battery setup.
Spares are one of my concern's from the research I have done it will be less of an issue in the second half of the journey for the XJ.
I will be making the essentials as water tight as possible as well and running a dual battery setup.
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And I would suggest setting up some sort of OBA system. U can run pneumatic tools to do repairs or filling up your tires in events of flats or after u have aired down your tires for offroad.
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Thanks for the replys so looks as if air lock diffs with an OBA, will take a look at the options.
Couple of questions though
What can be done on cooling is it possible to upgrade the standard engine and transmission cooling?
Should I stick with the standard axle's they rear looks like Dana 35, if I stick with them is there an obvious part to upgrade or just rebuild?
Couple of questions though
What can be done on cooling is it possible to upgrade the standard engine and transmission cooling?
Should I stick with the standard axle's they rear looks like Dana 35, if I stick with them is there an obvious part to upgrade or just rebuild?
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Thanks for the replys so looks as if air lock diffs with an OBA, will take a look at the options.
Couple of questions though
What can be done on cooling is it possible to upgrade the standard engine and transmission cooling?
Should I stick with the standard axle's they rear looks like Dana 35, if I stick with them is there an obvious part to upgrade or just rebuild?
Couple of questions though
What can be done on cooling is it possible to upgrade the standard engine and transmission cooling?
Should I stick with the standard axle's they rear looks like Dana 35, if I stick with them is there an obvious part to upgrade or just rebuild?
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Thanks for the replys so looks as if air lock diffs with an OBA, will take a look at the options.
Couple of questions though
What can be done on cooling is it possible to upgrade the standard engine and transmission cooling?
Should I stick with the standard axle's they rear looks like Dana 35, if I stick with them is there an obvious part to upgrade or just rebuild?
Couple of questions though
What can be done on cooling is it possible to upgrade the standard engine and transmission cooling?
Should I stick with the standard axle's they rear looks like Dana 35, if I stick with them is there an obvious part to upgrade or just rebuild?
#9
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The stock cooling system is efficient, as long as all the parts are up to par. The best thing I have found for the cooling system is an e-fan switch. Plenty of write-ups on here on what to do. Basically, when the switch is off, your fan works as factory standard, once switch is on, e-fan is on.
This info is based on where I live. I am basically in Death Valley, 50 miles west of Vegas. I wheel in the middle of summer when temps can reach 120. When I'm crawling, and I turn the fan on, my engine stays at 210.
This info is based on where I live. I am basically in Death Valley, 50 miles west of Vegas. I wheel in the middle of summer when temps can reach 120. When I'm crawling, and I turn the fan on, my engine stays at 210.
#10
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I would recommend a 3 row radiator and a flowkooler water pump if you want peace of mind for temps. Crawling at low speeds your temps can creep up real quick. Pick up a large transmission cooler for the AW4 as well. Double check the rear axle if you have a 98 you should have the Chrysler 8.25 which is decent. Attached pic is a c8.25 rear.
Is is supposed to have the towing package which I think came with additional cooling but will look into it.
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Do some reading here.. www.expeditionportal.com
Might get some input from areas local to your destinations, or others who have passed through.
Might get some input from areas local to your destinations, or others who have passed through.
#12
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Do you have ABS? If so you have a D35, if not then you have a 8.25. Unless it's after market this is always then case from factory
#13
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Do some reading here.. www.expeditionportal.com
Might get some input from areas local to your destinations, or others who have passed through.
Might get some input from areas local to your destinations, or others who have passed through.
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