I am new to off roading, and am looking for advice on what to upgrade.

[Heechee55]

I am pretty new to wheeling. I've had my XJ for 2 years now, but have never really used it that much for wheeling until recently. Stock, its been able to get me through almost everything that I have put it up to, though that hasn't been anything dificult yet. I am finding that I am in need of some extra clearance, yet I don't want to raise it too much. I also am not wanting to spend a ton of money either. What options are there to accomplish what I want to do? Also are there anyother things that I should do to my XJ before wheeling it too much more.

 

[tlman]

Be very careful. These are the first signs of "inchitis". Most of us have exhibited the very signs you are now displaying. We show up here looking for a way to get a small lift on a limited budget, achieve it, and end up wanting just "a little more" until it consumes us.

Seriously, welcome and I'm sure you'll find some valuable guidance here. Probably the simplest way to achieve what you are looking for is an add-a- leaf for the rear packs and a coil spacer on the front. You can easily net 1.5"-2" that way. If you have basic knowledge and tools the installation is straightforward and can easily be done in an afternoon.

But beware, this may be just the start of a very expensive obsession!

 

[Heechee55]

Thanks, I have always known exactly how expensive it can get, so that's why I'm looking for alternatives before I start pouring money into it. I have heard of playing with the spring pack, even heard of swaping some or all of the leafs with ones from a dakota. I just don't know what kind of effects that it'd have on driving it. This is also my every day ride, and I use it to take friends and myself to and fro.

 

[ThePhantum]

Welcome! What tlman stated is the best way to achieve a moderate amount of lift (1-2"). It will pretty much maintain the stock ride and allow you to run slightly larger tires (30" x 9.5") as well.

Aside from a small lift and bigger tires, one of the best things you can do is add a little armor...i.e. skid plates. Some of the first things you should armor up are (not in any particular order)
gas tank
front differential
steerning box
transmission

You can get as crazy with armor as you can with lifting...so be careful there too...

Good Luck, man!

Rock On!

Steve

 

[FitchVA]

ditto on the armor. if ya can't clear it, drag over it

 

[Ghost]

I have a daystar BB....

on top of my 3" lift and am very happy with it. The Daystar kit is a puck and greaable shackle. Gives about 1.5"-2" and will clear 30's easey. Ditto the armor! Especially rock rail! If you have basic building skills and know someone with a welder you can build a set cheap. Also, a TAD will help 10X more than more lift in some cases.

 

[Lucas]

Wheel harder until you know exactly what is limiting you. Get some rpacker gaurds and a skid for your gas tank and transfer case and try to slide over stuff. If you're getting hung up and high centered everytime you go out, then opt for some lift. If its just traction, spend the money on a locker and some mud terrains.

 

[poomba]

Might also want to get a copy of Naxja requirements for a sponsored trail ride. Things like correct type of tow hooks and the like. Keeps ya from tossing cash at one thing, then turning around and replacing it when you 'hook' up with the rest of us. Mostly basic safety gear and the like, but gets you thinking along those lines, too

 

[dmillion]

first things first

Okay, the very first thing you need to do, before you even begin to think about lifts or even armor (I can't believe no one has already mentioned this!) is to get tow points front and rear. Because the XJ is a unibody, you can't just loop a chain around the frame to pull yourself out if you get stuck.

Receiver hitches work well. Especially in the rear, that's probably the very best solution. If you don't want a receiver in the front (and they can be VERY useful!) then get a hook kit from Custom 4x4, or Rusty, or maybe even off a junkyard XJ with factory hooks.

Next thing is a few basics for inside the Jeep: tow strap, first-aid kit, tool kit, a decent jack (Hi-Lift is the best).

NOW we're ready to talk about armor. Gas tank and transfer case for sure. Rocker panel protection should probably be next. Differential protection is pretty important also.

At this point you're ready for swaybar disconnects.

After all this, then you can start thinking about lifts and bigger tires and the gear change that goes with them, not to mention an SYE when you get driveline vibrations, shocks, brakelines, trackbar, and all the rest. This is where the money starts to really add up!

Saw an XJ at the mall the other day. 4-5" of lift, big mud tires, winch on the front, and no tow points. What a poser!

 

[Ghost]

Saw an XJ at the mall the other day. 4-5" of lift, big mud tires, winch on the front, and no tow points. What a poser!

Ummm, correct me if I'm wrong but all the Winch bumpers I've seen take the unibody into consideration so there for it does have a front tow point.

 

[seanR]

The first piece of armor you should get is rock rails, IMHO, they will pay for them selves the first time out. If you want to keep ypur rig ad a D.D. Rocker panels are expensive to fix.

 

[BUCKYXJ]

I agree with everyone

First things first I need some answers from you. Where do you live many of us on here have the parts for a 2" lift and would help install for a few beers. Where do you wheel as in what kind of terrain that makes a big difference on lots of this stuff where my XJ is set up with a very low COG other need the extra lift to make it over stuff but I do lots of ledges and stuff where even my roof rack makes it questionable. Do you have any mechanical know how (i.e. can you change your own oil without draining the Tranny fluid.) But no matter what go with tow hooks and armor. This coming from a guy with no hooks or armor. but I am making them
And as always Keep Diggin it

 

[Heechee55]

I am currently attending college at UC Riverside, I live in the Glendale-Pasadena area near LA. I've gone wheeling at Hungry Valley and out near the Salton Sea just east of Mecca. I am willing to try anything so long as I know that my XJ can handle it, I don't want to do anything that'll get my daily ride trashed. So far most of the trails that I've been on have been easy, it wasn't until I started trying any climbing that clearance became an issue. I'm not real into rock crawling yet, and not too into mudding as of yet either. Mostly because I'm not equiped for that.

 

[Heechee55]

As for the mods that I have already done, I've installed a tow bar for the front. That does provide a place where I can loop a tow strap from the front, I also have the trailer hitch in the back. I know the importance now of tow hooks and straps, I just recently had to pull my friend out the other night when we went to a little playing area near our school. As for my mechanics skills, it is pretty limited, but I learn quickly.

 

[xj92]

You've stated a couple times that clearance is what you need right now, so I say go with a 2" lift. They're dirt cheap and you can have fun wheeling it while you save up for the armor. Just be careful and you won't trash your rig.

 

[Ghost]

Where are you located?

What type of wheeling?

 

[Heechee55]

Its mainly just trails that I'm doing right now, stuff out in the california desert and up into the mountains around here.

 

[Shanbo44]

I live in the Glendale-Pasadena area near LA. I've gone wheeling at Hungry Valley and out near the Salton Sea just east of Mecca.

Welcome to ,
I live about an hour north of you in Lancaster (just off the 14 freeway) I am not tryin to bust your b@lls, but Hungry Valley is off of the 5 by Gorman or Fraizer Park, but there maybe be one by the Salton Sea. :dunno:
I started just like then got the "itch". I got a small 2 1/2" lift but quickly upgraded to 4" and now after numereous bumps and bruises I just added rails and a rear bumper. I would try to decide whether you want "lift" it over or "drag" it over. As far as budget a lift may be the best for the wallet if you dont know how to weld. I saw a RE 3.5 on ebay for $75.

good luck

shannon
:us:

 

[Heechee55]

I know that hungry valley is off the 5, I would go there while I was near the LA area, last time I went with friends from UCR and we went out toward the salton sea. I know that they are completely different places.

 

[XJBill]

I would (and did) start with the 2" budget boost. The nice thing about it is, when you find its not enough anymore, you can incorporate it into say a 3" lift to get you 5" or a 4.5" lift to get you 6.5" of lift (which I'm doing now). That way your lift can grow with you.
Another big help, I found, is removing the rear sway bar (don't need it anyway) and disconnecting the front sway bar (when offroad only) to increase wheel travel. Obviously keeping all 4 wheels on the ground will help on the trails. When you do this though, you are going to want longer shocks and brake lines.

Here's a pic right after the 2" BB and 235's (should've got a bigger tire)

Here's a couple pics with the same lift and tires but, the sway bars are disconnected.

This is also my daily driver.