what would your xj build be if starting over ?

[1cleantj]

The purpose of this thread is to see if you were to start fresh on a new xj, what parts would you do first and in general based on the following :

smaller budget -
33" max tire size , 4.5" max lift which must include rear leafs, ride real nice ( what shocks etc.)

would you go with an off the shelf lift again or piece one together ?
rocker protection ?
clocking t-case ?
skids ?
springs ?
shock hoops ?


discuss. I am very knowledgeable with Wranglers but this being my first XJ id like to hear all your stories/advice/etc on what parts/mod's you liked and some you didn't like and would do again

[clean4drxj]

33 4.5 inch longarm kit(belly/tcase skid), bilstein's 4.56's rear locker and some diff armor and recovery points front and rear.
Boxed rockers since he factory rots anyway.
sye on the Tcase and maybe some internal upgrades
rear shock hoops because thats the only way to fit a decent travel shock on the rear without having mounts that hang down like ankors.

[CntStpTheStnk06]

33 4.5 inch longarm kit(belly/tcase skid), bilstein's 4.56's rear locker and some diff armor and recovery points front and rear.
Boxed rockers since he factory rots anyway.
sye on the Tcase and maybe some internal upgrades
rear shock hoops because thats the only way to fit a decent travel shock on the rear without having mounts that hang down like ankors.

i would type my response but it would say the same thing.....

[ninetysix-ex-jay]

How small is the budget we talking here?

[Buffalo Phil]

Dentless.

[1cleantj]

How small is the budget we talking here?

about $5,000 max

[ct67_72]

High pinion 30
D44
4.56
Lunchbox lockers in both.
6.5" main leaf with 4.5" pack (6.5" is longer so it will push the shackle back)
4.5 coils
1" shackle.
Dom steering
Dom trackbar
Zj discs in rear
3 link front
Plenty of skids
Box rockers
Bump stops

If I was limited to 33's.
If not 4.88 and 35's and the same for everything else.

If I had a 5k budget and starting again with no tire limit I would go tons first. No messing around.

[Burton58]

i did this already after parting out my old one. decided to go smaller for streetability.

3.5" RE superflex
33's
aussie's front and rear
4.88's
JCR skids tcase, gas tank, sliders and bumpers (or AJ's)
WJ front brakes with ruffstuff steering
zj rear brakes
bilstein 5150's 8" travel
SYE with xj front shafts f+r

to be honest mine still drives like shit on the road. if i were to do it again i wouldn't build another XJ.

[clean4drxj]

@ 4.5 inches with longarms a decent set of shocks mine rides well considering it's lifted truck/SUV.

[Zullock Holmes]

Currie9's, longarms, 4.5 of lift, 37" krawlers, and some armor.

OBV, that's without a crazy tight budget.

[ct67_72]

That's funny because I think mine rides great, even better when it had a sway bar.

[1cleantj]

how is the 8.25 rear axle strength wise ? obviously not stomp on the gas till you make it over axle, but hold up well for occasional trails ?

alex, how is winter driving with aussie's ? my girlfriend will drive this jeep in the winter so questionable about that. (axle locking up and then sliding). ps white honda still living


so far mixed opinion on how they ride with lifts, keep the opinions coming. I had good luck with my TJ with 4" of lift and the highline it road much better then a stock one, even on turns etc.

[Zullock Holmes]

35's, 4.56's, and 4.5" of lift with longarms and mine drove amazing on the highway.

I could cruise at 75, with no worries. Mine rode better than stock.

[clean4drxj]

The only problem/s with having 35's on a Dana30 is 1. you can't lock it without exploding something 2.balljoints and unit bearings aren't as reliable 3. braking sucks so it you have the money +time then go for 35's but if you dont have have a whole lot of cash+time and want to keep the vehicle reliable on both the trails and road stay with 33's.
8.25's are bad and tend to not break with 35's unless you beat it like a rented mule, however the stock brakes suck worse than 44. You can also go a cheaper route... 4cyl hpd30 and 8.25 with 410s or 8.8 with 4.10's w/disc and keep it on 33x10.50's with a 4.5 inch lift. I always keep in my head that I dont want my XJ to be just a deidcated wheeler because it has other purposes ( i have a child) and i know you're in the same situation..

[ninetysix-ex-jay]

The only problem/s with having 35's on a Dana30 is 1. you can't lock it without exploding something 2.balljoints and unit bearings aren't as reliable 3. braking sucks so it you have the money +time then go for 35's but if you dont have have a whole lot of cash+time and want to keep the vehicle reliable on both the trails and road stay with 33's.

I never had a problem with braking. Once I upgraded my rear 44 to disc the thing stops really quick. For what its worth, I have yet to brake anything on 35s now and gone through 2 u-joints on 33's. Its just how you wheel it man.