FNG here...

YFZsandrider

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Pacific NW
Hey all, just thought I'd chime in. Bought my first Jeep recently, a '98 XJ. Its already got a 3" Old Man Emu lift on 31's. Been digging through the search function quite a bit in hopes to find some good info as I turn this into a reliable weekend getaway rig.

Thanks!

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Welcome aboard!
Glad you found us.
This is a great place to meet fellow Jeepers, and offroad enthusiasts, and to find a lot of real good information, and support when you need it.
Hope to see you around!
 
I bet that thing rides nice. Welcome to the club

It does, and I was a little surprised after driving several in my slumming around Craigslist. This one was fairly smooth. Though it does have a wobble around the 50mph mark, but with 10yr old tires that look a little unevenly worn from over inflation, I'm not sure that's not a large part of the problem.

The previous owner put the lift, wheels and tires on, then just drove it around town. It has 144k on it, and he took pretty good care of it, with the exception of never changing the coolant. That took a couple flushes to get right, but it looks clean and green now!

Ideally, I'll end up driving this half the time to work, and screwing around as a camping/fishing rig. I took it out, aired down the tires a little, and was pretty impressed what it could do, in its current trim. It needs new tires for sure, but I might leave the lift the way it is, and work on supporting gear, in an attempt to keep it as road worthy as I can, while getting the most out of it offroad.

Thoughts??
 
Keep it how it is, wheel it, then figure out what you want to change if anything. Spend money on recovery gear and skidplates/armor.
 
your set up pretty much like I am, even the same color! I also have a slight vibration around 50 -60mph. You may want to see if your rear driveshaft is balanced. that's my issue. Last month when I blew my rear driveshaft I drove around town with just my front engaged and I got no vibrations. I put the rear shaft back in and I got vibrations. Any drive line shop will be able to balance it for you.
 
It feels more like a front end vibration, and its only at 50mph, maybe 2or 3mph a love and below, it once I'm cruising at freeway speed, its gone.

I found a fair amount through the searchesnive done, but is there a more comprehensive FAQ page that would have good info for a first time jeep owne? I'm going through and changing all my drive line fluids, anything in particular they like, or anything particular to these vehicles that I should know? Last time I changed the tranny fluid on a Toyota pickup, I found out it did not like all the expensive synthetic I was pouring in it. Don't want to end up in that boat again.
 
Take a look at the Tie rod ends, and the control arm ends.....
These can wear out over time and could also cause a front end vibration.
Ball joints and unit bearings can too....
To check ball joints, jack up the front end to get the tires off the ground, then grabbing the tire at the 12 and 6-o-clock position, try and rock the tire like it was on a pivot.
Do the same at the 3 and 9-o-clock positions. if you feel a lot of movement or hear clunking, its time to order parts.
As far as checking the rod ends in the steering linkage, thats a two man job. Have someone turn the wheel back and forth real good, while you examine the rod ends for any excessive play or movement.
Unbalanced tires could also cause some vibrations, looks like those are Les Schwab tires, ...take it in and ask them to check balance on those. (wouldnt hurt at least)

As for fluids and the like, thats a good idea, just for peace of mind. I swapped out both differentials fluids, the transfer case fluid, and of course did an oil change and tune up.
The 4.0L Engines dont like fancy spark plugs, so stay away from the platinum's, and E3's and the like. Plain ol copper plugs seem to work best in a lot of our engines.

Axle and Driveline U-Joints are another thing that if replaced now will give you some peace of mind on the trail..... especially if you dont know if/when they have ever been replaced.
 
I would start with new tires. Warn tires cause all kinds of vibes. I highly recommend the good year duratrack. I run them on our cherokee with about the same set up as yours, my Yukon, John runs them on his cherokee, and most of the black list group runs them on their tow rigs
 
Nice rig! I really like those deep dish wheels. I've built my jeep very similar as a "back country touring" rig and am totally pleased with it, as I hope you are/will be with your new ride.

Congrats. :)
 
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