knifeboy2
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Northbrook, IL or Macomb, IL
Well I don't have an XJ yet but I'm in the process of trying to sell my CJ to get an XJ. Here's what I'm thinking and if I'm missing anything or if my information is incorrect please help me out
I'm looking for a '91 or newer Cherokee Sport with the 4.0 and preferably AX-15 but I hear the auto is good too. I'd like to fit 33x11.5x15 under it so from what I gather 4.5 inches of lift would work with some trimming. I was looking at the RE lift, they make great products for CJ's and TJ's but does the quality carry over? What about other brands like Skyjacker and Rustys? I hear Rustys is crappy and sags, and Skyjacker doesn't have the greatest reputation in the TJ world. Now I'm also planning on swapping out axles so that I'm not blowing up the 35 in the rear. So my quest is to possibly find an Explorer 8.8 with discs for the rear with 4.10 gearing and get an XJ Dana 30 front from a 4 banger with 4.10's so I don't have to swap gears out in the axle that I get with the rig. I also know with the 4.5 inches of lift I'd need an SYE. Is there a certain brand or type ya'll like? I see RE makes two different kinds. With that do I need just a new rear driveshaft or do I need both front and rear? Next to carry the spare, from what I read its a pain in the arse to lift a 33 inch tire from the roof racks so would a swing out be better or could a 33 fit inside standing up with no modifications? Otherwise would I be better off getting a class 3 hitch/bumper/swing out tire mount? If so who makes good ones for a good price? Next I'm assuming I'd need rock protection. Whats a good place to start? Rockers....tranny....front dif....steering box.....etc? In what priority would you place those? I'd guess tranny then rockers then who cares. Now here comes the truly crazy part. I want to do a lot of this under $2,500. The axle swaps may have to wait a while until I can afford them. Or should I swap the axles and skip the lift and tires? I really like the look of a lifted XJ. Otherwise they just look like kinda tall station wagons (sorry if that offends anyone). This will see 90% street since I can't really afford to break things. So I think thats enough questions for my first post here, don't you? Thanks in advance.
Edit....
After more searching and finding a great website with photo's it popped into my head that 31's don't look that bad on an XJ and I could live with that. I also realized that with only 4.5 inches of lift I'd have to pull out the body saw for 33's. Then another conclusion popped into my head, and that was for 31's I really wouldn't have to regear so I could stay with the stock drivetrain until I could afford those wonderful axle swaps. Sooo, I guess I'm giving ya'll two scenarios
1. I lift it enough to fit 33's, do some trimming, and axle swaps sometime.
2. I lift it enough to fit 31's, hopefully no or very minimal trimming, and stick with stock gearing and axles.
The second sounds more economical at this time so does everyone agree to that? Why did I ever buy a Jeep in the first place? This never ends. I can't sleep some nights because all I think about is JEEP JEEP JEEP.
I'm looking for a '91 or newer Cherokee Sport with the 4.0 and preferably AX-15 but I hear the auto is good too. I'd like to fit 33x11.5x15 under it so from what I gather 4.5 inches of lift would work with some trimming. I was looking at the RE lift, they make great products for CJ's and TJ's but does the quality carry over? What about other brands like Skyjacker and Rustys? I hear Rustys is crappy and sags, and Skyjacker doesn't have the greatest reputation in the TJ world. Now I'm also planning on swapping out axles so that I'm not blowing up the 35 in the rear. So my quest is to possibly find an Explorer 8.8 with discs for the rear with 4.10 gearing and get an XJ Dana 30 front from a 4 banger with 4.10's so I don't have to swap gears out in the axle that I get with the rig. I also know with the 4.5 inches of lift I'd need an SYE. Is there a certain brand or type ya'll like? I see RE makes two different kinds. With that do I need just a new rear driveshaft or do I need both front and rear? Next to carry the spare, from what I read its a pain in the arse to lift a 33 inch tire from the roof racks so would a swing out be better or could a 33 fit inside standing up with no modifications? Otherwise would I be better off getting a class 3 hitch/bumper/swing out tire mount? If so who makes good ones for a good price? Next I'm assuming I'd need rock protection. Whats a good place to start? Rockers....tranny....front dif....steering box.....etc? In what priority would you place those? I'd guess tranny then rockers then who cares. Now here comes the truly crazy part. I want to do a lot of this under $2,500. The axle swaps may have to wait a while until I can afford them. Or should I swap the axles and skip the lift and tires? I really like the look of a lifted XJ. Otherwise they just look like kinda tall station wagons (sorry if that offends anyone). This will see 90% street since I can't really afford to break things. So I think thats enough questions for my first post here, don't you? Thanks in advance.
Edit....
After more searching and finding a great website with photo's it popped into my head that 31's don't look that bad on an XJ and I could live with that. I also realized that with only 4.5 inches of lift I'd have to pull out the body saw for 33's. Then another conclusion popped into my head, and that was for 31's I really wouldn't have to regear so I could stay with the stock drivetrain until I could afford those wonderful axle swaps. Sooo, I guess I'm giving ya'll two scenarios
1. I lift it enough to fit 33's, do some trimming, and axle swaps sometime.
2. I lift it enough to fit 31's, hopefully no or very minimal trimming, and stick with stock gearing and axles.
The second sounds more economical at this time so does everyone agree to that? Why did I ever buy a Jeep in the first place? This never ends. I can't sleep some nights because all I think about is JEEP JEEP JEEP.
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