How would you...

[Baja_XJ]

If you had 2K and your prerunner had 210K miles on it would you...
A)Rebuild stock motor elcheapo with a cam and do decent shocks
B)Build a hellacious stroker as in 4.8ish
or
C)Get a hellacious set of race shocks and say to hell with the motor and worry about rebuilding when it takes the shit

 

[Swamprat]

STROKER!!!! hell you might save some gas money

 

[Baja_XJ]

The main concern with going stroker is Im still renix and its a pain finding oversize throttle bodies which arnt cheap anyway and most kits dont include a cam so to actually do a stroker it will be more within the 4.3 to 4.5 range.

 

[karstic]

You'll be limited quicker by suspension then you will by horsepower

 

[Baja_XJ]

thats why I was thinkin shocks, and then do the motor in the winter

 

[Ryan93]

do shocks in my opinion... you can always swap motors and have a mean set up for suspension etc..

 

[crazyjim]

I also say go for suspension. Motors are cheap and easy-ish to replace if you look at the right places.

 

[tcm glx]

I also say go for suspension. Motors are cheap and easy-ish to replace if you look at the right places.

x2

 

[BajaCurt]

C)Get a hellacious set of race shocks and say to hell with the motor and worry about rebuilding when it takes the shit

My 4.0 knocks for a couple seconds when I first start it but man I love my new front suspension LOL
I say run that renix till it dies (if it ever will die that is!!!)

 

[GrimmJeeper]

xhowever many we're up to. spend your $$ on suspension and worry about the motor when you have to.

unless its your DD that is, then you might need to make sure its in good running condition :dunno: depends on your situation.

 

[dirtbagXJ2103]

cut it in half and make it a limo!!

 

[Baja_XJ]

Well mine dont really knock it just has a quiet desiel sound when you first let off the throttle are when you give it a little more throttle than it wants at a low rpm. Other than that it really runs like a champ. The motor may be fine I really have no clue, engines noises really worry me quick though. Im leaning more towards the shocks right now and then just rebuilding the extra block back basicly stock and putting in it this winter. Once I get back to school in 6 weeks it really only gets drove about once a week so unless I go to play a little. I know I need to measure before I actually order but anyone want to give me a ballpark of the travel I need for shocks? Its 6" lift for now but plan on going deaver next spring but it really shouldnt sit much higher now. Both front and rear shocks still mount factory which sucks but the front mounts I can change no problem

 

[chris_amrein]

I'd run 2.5 body shocks on all 4 corners. 10 inch travel in the front (w the T&J upper mount) and 14 inch travel out back. Keep in mind Part of your $2000 budget will need to include the shock mounts themselves, which in the back, requires a bed cage type of mount.

Chris

 

[Baja_XJ]

Well I dont think Im ready to go through the floor with them just yet. That another year or 2 down the road when the cage goes in...what are some alternative ways to mount rears? Im sure the stock setup is about the least desirable. Or would it be better to go ahead and go deavers all the way around and go with some mild shocks until I decide to actually go through the floor? I think if I did that I could maybe sell the springs and shocks Im running now and get the King 2.0 2 tube bypass's that Im wanting for the front and run a budget bilstien out back

 

[chris_amrein]

I'd say Deaver's and a 2 inch monotube shock may be the best way to go for now. If you run 2 inch monotubes just run them in the stock location, but if you step up to 2.5 inch run them through the floor. I think you would have a hard time running a 2.5 under the floor and you probably wouldn't be too happy with the results.

And for what it's worth, I'd stay away from the 2 inch bypass. Either run a 2.5 smooth body or bypass, but you'll probably cook the 2 inch shock and the cost versus benefit of the bypass isn't that great in your application.

Chris

 

[dakineJ]

Don't forget to cycle your suspension to get your min.,compressed,and max.,extended,shock length's.Then you can shop for shocks that fit your suspension.

 

[Baja_XJ]

Ok then with that said would it be worth the investment to go ahead and do the 2.5 bypass in the front since the front suspension will be finished and just a budget 2.0 bilstein 5125 or 5150 or even the 7100 in the rear? I think I can do some enough work in the side during the week to come up with 400 or so and sell my old suspension I may be able to come up with 2750 or so. Im just gonna have to run polybumps for now but around here theres no way I'll fully cycle the suspension enough to hit bump

 

[chris_amrein]

Your idea of running 2.5's in front and 2.0's in back is probably a good way to go since your not ready to pull the shocks through the floor yet.

Chris

 

[Baja_XJ]

How do I go about cycling the rear?

 

[chris_amrein]

Remove all the leafs out of the pack except the main. Add a block that is approximately the height of the leaves you took out (maybe 1") to the main leaf. Bolt it back in and cycle it.