Hey everyone! :sunshine:
We just picked up an XJ for what I feel was a pretty good price! But, we are trying to get it "trail worthy" with a set dollar amount in mind, and I have a few choices to make. Perhaps you all could lend some advice?
Our new XJ:
'95 4.0L, 5 spd, 220k...starts, runs, drives great...evidence of some minor leaks (oil pan or filter housing, possibly valve cover)...33" KM2's, 4.5" RC long arm setup, crossover steering, frame stiffening plates front to rear (the front most plates are not yet welded in), rear rock bumper w/ recovery points, sliders, Warn M6000 winch with control box hard-wired in under the hood (but the PO sold the bumper separately, so I can't mount the winch). D35 non-C-clip with a broken axle shaft and re-geared to 3.55; D30HP front with stock 3.07's (with a 3.55 set already in a carrier that I need to install). 52" light bar wires and mounts installed, but the light bar was stolen. Stout cargo rack on top. We paid $2000. I am trying to be "all in" and trail ready for $3500 total ($1500 for stuff).
Driving style/use:
We are moderate off-roaders, with trips once every 2-3 months. I have owned D35's on 33" XJ's, and I have never broken one; I'm more the "finesse" type. Trips in the SoCal area were anything in Big Bear and Panamint Valley mostly. The XJ will be street driven, and will need to tow a pop-up trailer. The next trip we have lined up (November, Panamint valley) will involve 2,000 miles of highway driving while towing the pop-up, so I am a fan of well-mannered A/T's for tires.
My build/repair/maintenance list (aka, how quicky $1500 disappears):
Maint/gaskets/fluids, $250 ish
A-A-L to correct rear sag, $75 ish
Rear axle repair/replace, $300-400
New 33" A/T's, $625
Light bar, $100
Front winch bumper, $200 (sourced locally...still talking with seller...if this falls thru, I may sell the winch and that adds $400 or so to the budget).
Axle/gear dilemma:
I need to repair the rear end, and match the gear sets so I can get her in the dirt. I have a few options available to me.
Option 1) Replace non-C-clip axles in the current D35; install matching 3.55's in the D30, done. Would need axles and bearing kits. Cost, appx $325. Maybe do an Aussie in the D30 in the future.
Option 2) Local Jeep guy has a stock 3.55 C8.25 pulled and ready to go. Install matching 3.55's in the D30, done. Cost, $300 (for reference, JY price around here is $275 + tax + core for a rear axle assy). Maybe do an Aussie in the D30 in the future.
Option 3) Here's where it gets weird. Local seller has a YJ D35 c-clip assembly with Yukon axles, Auburn ECTED, 4.10's. Also has a matched set of 4.10's for the front axle. He wants $450 obo, I figure I can get it all for $400. He says he bench tested the "locker," and it does actuate properly. But, the axle is not in a vehicle, so there's no way to road test. From what I've read, I can basically swap the YJ C-clip D35 internals to my XJ non-C-clip D35 housing, install the matched 4.10 to the front, done. Cost, $400.
How does this stuff sound so far? What would you do about fixing the rear end? Any other suggestions? Please let me know. Want to get this thing going ASAP but I need some guidance! Thank you so much! :rof:
We just picked up an XJ for what I feel was a pretty good price! But, we are trying to get it "trail worthy" with a set dollar amount in mind, and I have a few choices to make. Perhaps you all could lend some advice?
Our new XJ:
'95 4.0L, 5 spd, 220k...starts, runs, drives great...evidence of some minor leaks (oil pan or filter housing, possibly valve cover)...33" KM2's, 4.5" RC long arm setup, crossover steering, frame stiffening plates front to rear (the front most plates are not yet welded in), rear rock bumper w/ recovery points, sliders, Warn M6000 winch with control box hard-wired in under the hood (but the PO sold the bumper separately, so I can't mount the winch). D35 non-C-clip with a broken axle shaft and re-geared to 3.55; D30HP front with stock 3.07's (with a 3.55 set already in a carrier that I need to install). 52" light bar wires and mounts installed, but the light bar was stolen. Stout cargo rack on top. We paid $2000. I am trying to be "all in" and trail ready for $3500 total ($1500 for stuff).
Driving style/use:
We are moderate off-roaders, with trips once every 2-3 months. I have owned D35's on 33" XJ's, and I have never broken one; I'm more the "finesse" type. Trips in the SoCal area were anything in Big Bear and Panamint Valley mostly. The XJ will be street driven, and will need to tow a pop-up trailer. The next trip we have lined up (November, Panamint valley) will involve 2,000 miles of highway driving while towing the pop-up, so I am a fan of well-mannered A/T's for tires.
My build/repair/maintenance list (aka, how quicky $1500 disappears):
Maint/gaskets/fluids, $250 ish
A-A-L to correct rear sag, $75 ish
Rear axle repair/replace, $300-400
New 33" A/T's, $625
Light bar, $100
Front winch bumper, $200 (sourced locally...still talking with seller...if this falls thru, I may sell the winch and that adds $400 or so to the budget).
Axle/gear dilemma:
I need to repair the rear end, and match the gear sets so I can get her in the dirt. I have a few options available to me.
Option 1) Replace non-C-clip axles in the current D35; install matching 3.55's in the D30, done. Would need axles and bearing kits. Cost, appx $325. Maybe do an Aussie in the D30 in the future.
Option 2) Local Jeep guy has a stock 3.55 C8.25 pulled and ready to go. Install matching 3.55's in the D30, done. Cost, $300 (for reference, JY price around here is $275 + tax + core for a rear axle assy). Maybe do an Aussie in the D30 in the future.
Option 3) Here's where it gets weird. Local seller has a YJ D35 c-clip assembly with Yukon axles, Auburn ECTED, 4.10's. Also has a matched set of 4.10's for the front axle. He wants $450 obo, I figure I can get it all for $400. He says he bench tested the "locker," and it does actuate properly. But, the axle is not in a vehicle, so there's no way to road test. From what I've read, I can basically swap the YJ C-clip D35 internals to my XJ non-C-clip D35 housing, install the matched 4.10 to the front, done. Cost, $400.
How does this stuff sound so far? What would you do about fixing the rear end? Any other suggestions? Please let me know. Want to get this thing going ASAP but I need some guidance! Thank you so much! :rof:
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. That looks like a solid XJ to start with.
Thanks!
