New Guy in SoCal

[Panda_XJ]

Hey Guys,

I Just purchased a 00 XJ 2 wheel drive fom an auction about 2 months ago and I love it. Ive wanted a Jeep for a few years now and I'm glad I got one . I will be using it as a daily driver to and from school but also want to go camping and slight off roading with it. Any suggestions on how high I should go and tire size? I dont want to murder my MPG which kinda sucks already.

Also I really need to get rid of the stock tape deck has anyone had any experence with using an android tablet as their head unit?

 

[mako my day]

Welcome!
35" tires on a 5.5" with 538 gears would be perfect.

 

[souske]

Come on out to socalfest. Make some new friends and talk to people. There will be no shortage of opinions in the " best" setup . Good beer is appreciated

 

[Panda_XJ]

Thanks I have marked my calendar, I will probabbly only make a day trip due to not having camping stuff this year maybe next meet I can have some stuff ready.

Beer Will be brought :cheers:

 

[souske]

Camping stuff as in gear? Or reservations?

 

[dirtweazle]

After my head unit was stolen about two years ago I went with a 10" tablet for a while.. To much to carry around.. I now have my smrt phone auto connect to the bluetooth receiver that connects to two amps that run the speakers.. Works well.. Never listen to radio anyway. Big square hole in my dash prevent any more theft. Google up bluetooth receiver and tons out there now. Will need your speakers on an external/aftermarket amp because teh BT needs a line in from a headphones jack or RCAs.

Still want to fiberglass in an 8" tablet to that hole in dash and hardwire to the amps but just haven't done it yet.. BlueTooth does give some sound quality loss, reason for hardwiring.

 

[PhotographerMike]

From another 2 wheel drive XJ owner.
First mod. I did was add a PowerTrax limited slip becaise it's no fun getting stuck on wet grass :laugh:.

I also added factory front and rear skids, factory hitch and full gauge cluster. The wiring is already there, so it's plug and play for most factory options.

Lift? You probably don't need any. I run 235 / 75 all terrain tires for a bit more clearance.
I've been on the easy trails around Big Bear, Geology Tour and Dillon Road in Joshuah Tree and plenty of places in Death Valley.
I've never needed more height for clearing obstacles because with 2 WD there's not enough traction to make it over.
I also have a stock '89 4x4 and there's no way I'd try Old Dale Road in Joshuah Tree without 4 WD and low range. Nothing that needs height, just off camber, steep lava "road" with a long way down.

So, welcome and enjoy,
Mike

Hey Guys,

I Just purchased a 00 XJ 2 wheel drive fom an auction about 2 months ago and I love it. Ive wanted a Jeep for a few years now and I'm glad I got one . I will be using it as a daily driver to and from school but also want to go camping and slight off roading with it. Any suggestions on how high I should go and tire size? I dont want to murder my MPG which kinda sucks already.

 

[Panda_XJ]

Both I guess if I get a spot i could just sleep in my jeep.

 

[Panda_XJ]

I'm looking to put my Samsung Galaxy tab 2 7 inch tablet mounted into my dash and hard wire it with an amp. I think i have most of the issues worked out. I was wondering if any one had a write up on it. guess not :-( looks like I get to be the first plently of pictures. I hope I can have it done before the socal meet on May 2-4th so I can show a few of you guys.

 

[Panda_XJ]

I hate the dummy lights that are on my cluster!!!!! I found a shop locally that has the good cluster in stock for $60 it seems thats the going rate for them so I should have the extra cash to pick it up soon (starving college student haha) thanks for the tire size info and the PowerTrax limited slip info. So I must wait for the trails :-/

 

[sidewaysstarion]

Both I guess if I get a spot i could just sleep in my jeep.

David_Bricker can't make it and is willing to sell his site if you're interested. http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1111363

I'm looking to put my Samsung Galaxy tab 2 7 inch tablet mounted into my dash and hard wire it with an amp. I think i have most of the issues worked out. I was wondering if any one had a write up on it. guess not :-( looks like I get to be the first plently of pictures. I hope I can have it done before the socal meet on May 2-4th so I can show a few of you guys.

As for the tablet Dash mod it's been covered here. http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1091335

I hate the dummy lights that are on my cluster!!!!! I found a shop locally that has the good cluster in stock for $60 it seems thats the going rate for them so I should have the extra cash to pick it up soon (starving college student haha) thanks for the tire size info and the PowerTrax limited slip info. So I must wait for the trails :-/

Yup, the full gauge cluster plugs right in and is a plug and play install. As for a rear locker on a ramen budget I like the Lokka lockers. I recently installed one in a fellow members 2wd rig and he loves it. :repair:


P.S. I see you're a night owl like I am, if you pay to become a red letter we have a members only chat room I hang out in.

 

[Panda_XJ]

Good wite up by JAlVl3Z thanks fo rthe link. Itook a look at the Lokka loker aka the Ausie loker and I read some good reviews looks like I better start saving for it. How hard is the install for the locker? did you have to re-shim the ring to the pinion and do the whole meshing check?

How much is the paid member fee?

 

[sidewaysstarion]

Good wite up by JAlVl3Z thanks fo rthe link. Itook a look at the Lokka loker aka the Ausie loker and I read some good reviews looks like I better start saving for it. How hard is the install for the locker? did you have to re-shim the ring to the pinion and do the whole meshing check?

How much is the paid member fee?

The Lokka locker fits inside of the open carrier and replaces the spider gears, so there is no need to mess with the ring and pinion mesh. Installing it on that jeep took me about an hour doing it my first time and after I figured out the puzzle of how everything goes together it was pretty easy to install.

As for membership, One year is $35 and two years is $55.
http://www.naxja.org/forum/payments.php

 

[johnnyc]

Before you buy that cluster, check the mileage on it. I have one that you can have for free, but the odometer reads over 200K miles.

 

[David_Bricker]

Both I guess if I get a spot i could just sleep in my jeep.

Buy my tent site for SoCal Fest, right in the thick of the activities, and the rest of the campground is sold out.

Better yet, if you become a member, $35 for the year, you not only support the club, but you will get one of the campsite nights ($30 a night) reimbursed by the SoCal Chapter. So, you're first year's membership is only $5. Such a deal!

David Bricker / SYR

 

[PhotographerMike]

Panda XJ has a 2000, so gauge cluster plug & play might be harder to find, but IIRC vehicle mileage is stored in computer and not cluster.

Just my opinion, but for me the PowerTrax is worth the extra $$. Much easier to live with (quieter w/o "racheting") and for someone in college, chirping the tires every time you park might bring unwanted attention.

Mike

 

[johnnyc]

Nope, mileage is stored in the cluster. The one I have is from a 97+.

 

[sidewaysstarion]

Just my opinion, but for me the PowerTrax is worth the extra $$. Much easier to live with (quieter w/o "racheting") and for someone in college, chirping the tires every time you park might bring unwanted attention.

Mike

Hey Mike,

Can you please explain how a PowerTrax is "quieter" than a lokka or an aussie locker? They are both the EXACT same design, so why spend the extra money on the same locker?

Lokka

powertrax

 

[TheCaptain]

He's talking about the Powertrax No-Slip

 

[PhotographerMike]

Thanks for the correction.
I've had it in for 50k + miles and it's done the job.

Although with a manual trans and no low range to crawl over obstacles I've had to bonsai where slow and steady would have been the better choice.

Mike