xj's gonna get a makeover

[Harry]

If money is a concern like it is for me, I often have to remind myself that it's almost always cheaper to keep what you have.

But that's not a reason to keep something you're unhappy with. Maybe build a 4.6/7 stroker?

[CntStpTheStnk06]

Sooo Im going back and forth on a few things.
One. Sell jeep, and buy v8 ZJ. Start over and do some things differently.
Two. Sell front axle and t-case. Buy pass drop D60, 5.86-6.17 gears, regear D70, and do 231/300 doubler without flipping 300.
Its been on my mind for a long time to get another 67-72 pickup. With the price of them continuing to go up Im debating selling the Xj, buying a truck and stock ZJ, and making a new long term project.
V8, pass drop 60, 70 rear, 6.17's, linked front and rear, 40's etc.
I like to drive my jeep and the 4.0 isnt cutting it. But with 6.17's it probably would. 6.17's and a v8 would be great though.
Maybe I should just save my pennies and buy the truck I want and leave the Jeep alone. I dont know. Selling the front axle is looking very appealing.
Someone tell me what to do lol.

[Bigbike]

Stroker? v8 swap your XJ? Forced induction?

[ct67_72]

Stroker? v8 swap your XJ? Forced induction?

I hate to do anything to make it unreliable. I think any option other than swapping a stock v8 would do that. I was looking at ls engines and the cost is really up there. I guess I could get the same result with a TBI engine much cheaper. But my Jeep is a 2000 so it would have to be an OBD2 engine for emissions.
One of the reasons for doing what Im thinking would be to use the money for a truck. Then picking up another chassis to build. Which if I did it all over I really like the ZJ's and could have a factory V8.
I could do it once with a 300 and a pass drop axle to gear it how I want.
I think that most likely I will just wait and save some cash to buy a truck. With what I would spend to build a jeep again I can just save and buy what I want.
I had my first truck when I was 15. I have owned 7 since. They are my favorite vehicle. I have never had one done enough to be on the road. I really feel lately like Id rather be driving a decent truck and building another jeep rather than trying to save money for a decent truck or making another project out of one and having the jeep sit here. I dont mind driving it, and its reliable. But its certainly not fun to drive, or something I want to be driving down the highway in for any amount of time.

[kracker]

Wow...didnt see this coming....

[ct67_72]

I could also probably sell my front axle and buy a gm front. Put a 300 behind the 231, regear the rear and go 6.17. Probably drive pretty well on 6.17's.
I really wish they made them for a HP60.

[clean4drxj]

I could also probably sell my front axle and buy a gm front. Put a 300 behind the 231, regear the rear and go 6.17. Probably drive pretty well on 6.17's.
I really wish they made them for a HP60.

why not just do a Dana 20 DD with a teralow? You could probabley get a case in stock form for cheap, or save and buy a used atlas case?...

[ct67_72]

That doesn't help on the street. Lowest I can go in a high pinion is 5.38. With a low pinion (pass drop) I can go 5.86, 6.17, technically 7.17 too but is be looking at probably the 6.17's. Then it would be nice on the highway and have plenty of power.
I don't know why no one makes a lower gear set for the HP fronts. I think there's a big enough market.

[clean4drxj]

That doesn't help on the street. Lowest I can go in a high pinion is 5.38. With a low pinion (pass drop) I can go 5.86, 6.17, technically 7.17 too but is be looking at probably the 6.17's. Then it would be nice on the highway and have plenty of power.
I don't know why no one makes a lower gear set for the HP fronts. I think there's a big enough market.

one would think that since HP is a more valueable/more commonly used axle that they would...

[ct67_72]

one would think that since HP is a more valueable/more commonly used axle that they would...

You would think so. But the LP60 was used in industrial applications like fork lifts and such so Dana makes the low gears for them in industrial equipment.
But still you would think someone would make a 5.86 or something.

[ct67_72]

Did a little wheeling at one of my favorite spots. Everything is working very well.
I swapped out my front 5150's for a set of BBC's. The body is a little longer at the same travel, so with my taller springs I didnt have to change the shock mounts.
The only issue I had really was steering, still tough when bound up. So last night I pulled the pressure fitting out of the pump and opened it up. Seems better, but Ill find out once I get it out again.

[ct67_72]

After taking my chances for the last few years I finally smashed my fuel tank and broke the pump outlet off. Requiring a tow off the trail. Decided to get it out of the way and make way for more stuff to come.







Before the carnage.

[Schickos881]

I run the same set up on the tj. Fuel tank ratchet strapped to the tub.

[ct67_72]

I'll get a cell at some point just to package it in the hatch better, but this will work just fine for now.

[Luke95]

Hey dan, What did you think of the ballistic joints on your long arms? I know it was a while ago but any complaints on them?