Protection or Lift?

[MudslinginXJ]

I finally got a job that is bringing in enough money to start adding some parts to my jeep. I would like to get a winch bumper, but also want to lift it. I was wonderin what you fellow naxja members thought i should do. Buy a winch bumper, then lift after i get some more money saved up? Or Lift first, bumpers, rockrails and stuff later?

 

[xray]

I would lift it first then get some tires after that maybe some skids. The reason for this being if you put an aftermarket bumper and a winch on a non lifted xj you will be adding alot of weight on the front end and it will sag maybe an inch or two depending on how worn the front springs already are. this is just my opinion others might do it another way.

 

[ChuckD]

It really depends on what you want to set you initial limit to.

31" tires, 3" lift and stock gears

33's, min 4.5" lift/trim and min 4.10 gears

35's, min 5.5"/trim and min 4.56 gears

Since I mention gears in the last two, you should also consider what axles do you plan on running. Stock axles or d44 rear? The consensous used to be to buy armor, but I'm starting to lean toward drivetrain(HD axles/gears/lockers/tcase), and then suspension/armor and then tires.

Also is your XJ Daily Driver? That can create issues while trying to get all your wrenching done before you have to drive it back to work. If you have another DD, then you can take your time and do just about anything you want to.

Also for armor, consider buying a welder and steel and have fun!

 

[aduke]

dude buy a t-case skid and a front skid. ive seen tcases crack like an egg. and a front skid will keep you engine from getting muddy and offer a little protection for you suspension. if you shop around that will be about $100 +/-

youd be suprised the stuff you can go through with your stock xj. wheel it stock for a while then buy a good lift. by wheeling stock youll learn a lot and be better than lots of other guys

 

[MudslinginXJ]

Ok. It is my daily driver. I plan to go with 4.5" of lift and 32" tires. I have been calling around salvage yards looking for d44 rear ends but no luck yet. Right now i got the d30 up front and d35 c-clip rear axle in the back. If i were to find a d44 i would go with that first. Then work from there. I want to buy a winch bumper because i want it to be strong and know that it will work. I really like the jcroffroad.com front winch bumper. I do plan to buy a welder since im taking welding at my local vocational school. Had numerous welds of mine tested by my parents friend who does weld tests and all checked out to be great. As far as skid plates and rockrails, i will build those myself.

 

[red91]

Also is your XJ Daily Driver? That can create issues while trying to get all your wrenching done before you have to drive it back to work. .

Herein Lies my problem....But I have the guys at work play with it on the weekends when I pull duty and it's slow.

BUT GOD....try and get anything done when it absolutely, positively has to be road worthy at 7 am Monday morning.

NOT easy.

 

[Gunner]

Man save up and do it all at once. You also my check for a Ford 8.8 from an Explorer, disc breaks are better, they are stronger and I think M.O.R.E makes a conversion kit. But since you can weld just put the perches on top. I had a D44 and a D35. 8.8 is the way to go by far..... THey have the same lug pattern and just a tad narrower than the jeep axles, it basically bolts in aside from the perches (exploeres are spring under)

 

[Dirt]

i would say lift first but.... dd? I would wait 'till i had some extra cash layin around for the things that will go wrong. make sure you get everything you need for the lift also. (drop brackets, longarms, whatever route you want to take) do it right the first time. GL