"super-stock" builds

[casm]

I don't think the ZJ V8 coils will give you enough to match the rear, especially if you've got an aftermarket bumper. You'll probably still need the spacers.

Yeah, I should probably clarify what I meant when I referred to ZJ V8 coils: when I did my lift, I ordered OME 3" lift springs all around. The coils were for a V8 ZJ rather than an XJ, but the rear leaves and AAL were the heavy-duty XJ units. Sorry if it seemed like I was saying to use Mopar ZJ V8 coils; that wasn't my intention.

FWIW, the rear leaves did cause the back to ride about half an inch higher than the front; this was with retaining the stock spring isolator (spacer) at the front. I was OK with this because it gave a little extra spring in the rear for towing, and the Jeep sat pretty much level when loaded. This worked pretty well in terms of combating the tendency they can have to be a little bit nose-up when handling heavy loads.

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

10-4, understood on the coil clarification.

Also good to hear is the nose down setup, as I'm trying to plan ahead of time for a heavy spare tire carrier, logan's metal rear bumper and tire carrier, and jcr quarter armor. ( all color matched for stealthiness)

 

[casm]

10-4, understood on the coil clarification.

Cool, glad it helped.

Also good to hear is the nose down setup, as I'm trying to plan ahead of time for a heavy spare tire carrier, logan's metal rear bumper and tire carrier, and jcr quarter armor. ( all color matched for stealthiness)

Yeah, one thing I'll warn you about in advance as regards XJ rear springs: the OEM ones are weak. Take a good look at the next few parked XJs you see - chances are the springs are going flat if they're not already there yet. If you're seriously considering a bastard pack, there may be better ways to do it; my recollection is that S-10 Chevy springs were the hotness for this, but could be off on that.

Upcountry springs may be an option. They're factory, but give about an inch of lift over stock and seem to last longer (or, at least, did in my case) than the standard springs. I also preferred the ride with them vs. the standard springs. I don't have part numbers for them offhand, but they've been discussed quite a bit so a search should turn them up. Quadratec did carry them at one point, but they weren't clearly listed on their website so a call to them may be worthwhile.

 

[Brad M.]

The coils were for a V8 ZJ rather than an XJ, but the rear leaves and AAL were the heavy-duty XJ units. Sorry if it seemed like I was saying to use Mopar ZJ V8 coils; that wasn't my intention.

Ah, I missed that part. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

I"m also planning on an airlift setup for the rear, much like what xjmike did to his, to combat the weaker stock springs sagging prematurely.

and yeah, I've heard of the s10 setup, but its honestly more lift (4-5) than I think I'm looking for.

cool.

 

[c-bass]

Heres my daily driver. Its a 95 with a 3 inch lift, and 31's. Its all pretty much stock except for my home built rocker replacement sliders.

 

[c-bass]

I think the next few mods I'm going to make are some bar pin eliminators and headlights, both things annoy me equally as bad

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

that looks "just right" to me, c-bass. very nice.

I think my complexity comes when i start adding all the armor, camping gear and my three kids in the back.

I think what I've resolved to do, though, is acheive ~3" with basic armor like sliders, rear quarter armor and a tire carrier, and then install the airlift springs to keep it from sagging when I add "incidental" loads like a trailer, kids or camping gear.

 

[lazyxj]

[FONT=&quot]My 2001 XJ should qualify as a 'super-stock'. It is my DD and gets towed behind our small motor home. We wanted an all-weather vehicle that would work great for touring city and countryside, while being able to wheel with our friends and their built TJs.
It rides on 33 X 10.50s, stock alloy 7" X 15" rims, 1-1/4" spacers and a 3 1/2" lift. This combo allows maximum articulation without hitting the fenders, flares or wheel-wells, even with 5 1/2" of front-end up travel. The fenders have been trimmed and the flares moved up; the idea being to retain a stock look while gaining as much off-capability as possible.
It looks like the Cherokee I wished the Factory had built.

Not wanting to have a winch bumper or snorkel screaming out to be noticed, I built a hidden winch and installed a cowl intake.
BTW, the cowl intake recently passed the semi-annual California smog test.
If needed, the cowl intake can be quickly removed and returned to stock in just a few minutes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/4113762835/in/set-72157622830310636/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/3905008020/in/set-72157622830310636/[/FONT]

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

[FONT=&quot]My 2001 XJ should qualify as a 'super-stock'. It is my DD and gets towed behind our small motor home. We wanted an all-weather vehicle that would work great for touring city and countryside, while being able to wheel with our friends and their built TJs.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]It rides on 33 X 10.50s, stock alloy 7" X 15" rims, 1-1/4" spacers and a 3 1/2" lift. This combo allows maximum articulation without hitting the fenders, flares or wheel-wells, even with 5 1/2" of front-end up travel. The fenders have been trimmed and the flares moved up; the idea being to retain a stock look while gaining as much off-capability as possible. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]It looks like the Cherokee I wished the Factory had built.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Not wanting to have a winch bumper or snorkel screaming out to be noticed, I built a hidden winch and installed a cowl intake. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]BTW, the cowl intake recently passed the semi-annual California smog test. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]If needed, the cowl intake can be quickly removed and returned to stock in just a few minutes.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/4113762835/in/set-72157622830310636/[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/3905008020/in/set-72157622830310636/[/FONT]

wow! very stock looking!, those are 33's?!

 

[casm]

Well, since we're getting all photographic :

That's 3" on 31s. I'm at 4.5" now, but still on 31s and with rocker guards.

 

[Brad M.]

Well, since we're getting all photographic :

That's 3" on 31s. I'm at 4.5" now, but still on 31s and with rocker guards.

Is that the XJ on DPG's website? What a beautiful rig. Reminds me of when mine used to look that good. This one and srmitchell's are 2 of the cleanest, purdiest, modified XJ's I've seen in awhile. Very nice.

End hijack.

 

[lazyxj]

wow! very stock looking!, those are 33's?!

They are 33 X 10.50 KOs so they will safely fit on the Factory 7" alloys.
A 33 X 12.50 requires an 8" or wider rim.

 

[casm]

Is that the XJ on DPG's website? What a beautiful rig. Reminds me of when mine used to look that good. This one and srmitchell's are 2 of the cleanest, purdiest, modified XJ's I've seen in awhile. Very nice.

End hijack.

Thanks Well-spotted; it is the same one. Dirk used some of my photos for the site. Can't believe that was four years ago already.

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

My DD could be a "super stock" build but I have always called it a "resto-mod" since i brought this XJ back from the dead. It was my Dads Jeep until he died in 2003. It was sold after his death and I found it in 2005 with a blown 4.0 and a homeless person living in it.

I don't wheel this one, it means too much to me to tear up! It is built to go where ever I need it to though.

Engine; 4.0 RENIX, bored/decked/milled
Tranny; the AW4 is still all original
T-case; rebuilt with a P.O.R.C. SYE/Tom Woods shaft
Axles; HP non-disco D-30 geared 4.10, 8.25 29 spline with Detroit Tru-Trac geared 4.10
Suspension; 2" RE spacers(front) XJ 2.5 " "bastard pack" rear
Interior; Uniden 510 CB, Pioneer stereo, IPod, Bazooka 8" sub, TomTom Nav. New carpet and many replaced panels.
Exterior; New paint, all top shelf PPG($1700 for the paint alone!) TJ "Canyon" 15x8 wheels and BFG AT KO 30x9.5 tires

Other mods; Upgraded to 96 XJ steering box. Upgraded to 96 XJ master cylinder/brake booster. Upgraded to 96 XJ wiper motor/transmission. Upgraded to Ford 5.0 fuel injectors

forgot to mention. I think this rig is VERY good looking. I bet your pop would be proud!

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

Have you taken a look at Danwho's rig? He has 31s on his with 4.10s and locked front and rear, it looks extremely nice and very capable. He can do stuff much more built XJs can do, just takes him a little longer haha. I kinda wish I would go back down to 31s and do what he did, I felt invincible when I had 3.5" of lift on 31s. The COG was perfect for me. Plus it was a heck of a lot simpler.

Missed this the first time, Cody. Yeah, I've seen Dan's rig. very nice!!

I think I've decided for sure on 31's, since they're cheap, easy to find, and honestly I just needed to make a decision..haha!

so much of everything else is based on tire choice, I've found.

Picked up a 8.25 this weekend, too, to everything is progressing pretty well. I have to say I saw a rig on 5" and 31's and REALLY liked it. didn't look too big at all, but alas as you say, it gets a lot more complicated.

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

very nice rig, casm. like that color!

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

made some progress on my super-stock build...

picked up a karma'd stock front skid and a stout gas tank skid...

both are tougher than I'll likely need them to be, and definitely are
better than exposed components.

I have to say, too, having seen the shipping weights of some of the available aftermarket skid plates, that one really does have to consider the cost/benefit of adding a bunch of heavy armor to a rig that needs to do ALL things well, including daily driving.

A superstock XJ needs to retain its mall-rated status, IMO..haha!

Oh, and BTW, a new lower steering shaft (firewall to steering box) is whisking its way to san diego, to finally tighten up the sloppy, dangerous play in steering. The rubber bushing has long since been past its service life.

Since this rig will be driven to and from the trailhead, the more controllable on the road, the better.

 

[ruehmann]

how is the ride and mileage after the 2inch lift? I want something along this line too. I've had the 6 inch lift and now I want an everyday driver with just a little more. And without the major drive line issues and death wobble.

My controll arms and shocks are shot so I figure this is the perfect time to upgrade. Any lift kit advice?

Thanks

 

[SanDiegoOverland]

how is the ride and mileage after the 2inch lift? I want something along this line too. I've had the 6 inch lift and now I want an everyday driver with just a little more. And without the major drive line issues and death wobble.

My controll arms and shocks are shot so I figure this is the perfect time to upgrade. Any lift kit advice?

Thanks

I'll chime in here. After about 6-8 months driving every day on my 2" lift, I can say it's everything I needed and nothing I don't.

My rig is MUCH more comfortable on the road, still flexes very well, and has not caused any adverse/accelerated wear on the rest of the drivetrain. I might move up to a 235-85R16 tire from my 225 75r16's in the future, but my tires are wearing like iron, so we'll see.

The bastard pack in the rear(xj/xj) and pucks up front are doing well, with no noticable sag, even with a winch bumper, and carrying kids and gear loaded to the gills.

I've got a long list of to-do's(armor,winch, snorkel, CB/Ham radio's,etc...), with installing a stock spare tire carrier being next on the list, but I've been using it as-is long enough to know that super-stock is the way to go for me. :loveu:

cheers,
Brian