larsbc
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Vancouver, BC, Canada
Brief history: I recently sold my YJ of 16 years. It went through a lot of changes over the years and when I sold it, it had Scout axles, front/rear Detroits, a 4:1 Dana 300 tcase, spring-over suspension, and 37" Iroks plus a bunch of other junk. I sold it because I wanted to get back into exploring forest service roads, finding old mines, getting into hard-to-reach places, etc. The YJ was just too uncomfortable (no a/c, not bug-proof, hot [I removed all the carpets and had the tub Rhino-lined so no insulation from the engine heat], and crappy on the highway.
I think the 4.0L was getting tired plus the 4.10 gears with 37" bias plies wasn't a good match. ;-)
The YJ was also way too small now that I have two little kids that I want to bring bush camping.
Ok, so now on to my questions:
My plan is to buy a '97-98 XJ and build it up as a capable off-road vehicle that will also be comfortable to drive at highway speeds for several hours at a time. Although I will mostly be doing easier fourwheeling, I'll stick like to hit the occassional hardcore trail, but will be ok with avoiding the ones where sheet metal damage is a strong possibility.
So far I've got an 8274 winch and four Staun beadlocks left over from my YJ. I've also got a Ford 8.8 with disc brakes that I found for a good price.
I've also found a high pinion Ford D44 that's been narrowed and loaded with a Detroit, 4.88 gears, Superior alloy shafts, and Denden knuckles. It's running a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern and the seller also has some 5 on 4.5 -> 5 on 5.5 adapters he can give me. So if I get that, I'll probably end up regearing the 8.8 to 4.88 as well, and throw a Detroit or ARB into it.
The problem I'm having right now is deciding what my tire size limit should be. I'm really tempted to keep it at 33" but I can go quite a few more places if I move up to 35's (based on my experience with my YJ). But I'm wondering how crappy it will be to drive a Cherokee on 35" tires on the highway?
Will the 4.88 gears be enough? (BTW, I'm planning on finding a Cherokee with the AW4 auto.) Or will it have to be so tall to fit the 35's that the wind resistance will kill the fuel economy?
For that matter, is there a big difference is loss of power when going from 33's to 35's?
I'd try to do as much fender trimming as possible to keep the lift as low as possible. What would I be looking at as a minimum lift to fit 33's, and to fit 35's?
Anyone here running 35's and doing a lot of highway driving?
And finally, are 4.88's too low for 33's on the highway?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
...lars
I think the 4.0L was getting tired plus the 4.10 gears with 37" bias plies wasn't a good match. ;-)
The YJ was also way too small now that I have two little kids that I want to bring bush camping.
Ok, so now on to my questions:
My plan is to buy a '97-98 XJ and build it up as a capable off-road vehicle that will also be comfortable to drive at highway speeds for several hours at a time. Although I will mostly be doing easier fourwheeling, I'll stick like to hit the occassional hardcore trail, but will be ok with avoiding the ones where sheet metal damage is a strong possibility.
So far I've got an 8274 winch and four Staun beadlocks left over from my YJ. I've also got a Ford 8.8 with disc brakes that I found for a good price.
I've also found a high pinion Ford D44 that's been narrowed and loaded with a Detroit, 4.88 gears, Superior alloy shafts, and Denden knuckles. It's running a 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern and the seller also has some 5 on 4.5 -> 5 on 5.5 adapters he can give me. So if I get that, I'll probably end up regearing the 8.8 to 4.88 as well, and throw a Detroit or ARB into it.
The problem I'm having right now is deciding what my tire size limit should be. I'm really tempted to keep it at 33" but I can go quite a few more places if I move up to 35's (based on my experience with my YJ). But I'm wondering how crappy it will be to drive a Cherokee on 35" tires on the highway?
Will the 4.88 gears be enough? (BTW, I'm planning on finding a Cherokee with the AW4 auto.) Or will it have to be so tall to fit the 35's that the wind resistance will kill the fuel economy?
For that matter, is there a big difference is loss of power when going from 33's to 35's?
I'd try to do as much fender trimming as possible to keep the lift as low as possible. What would I be looking at as a minimum lift to fit 33's, and to fit 35's?
Anyone here running 35's and doing a lot of highway driving?
And finally, are 4.88's too low for 33's on the highway?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
...lars