Where to start with modifying?

[tigerchief]

I know I want MT tires, what brand? I went to BFG but i guess they dont make the MT tires for my jeep?

I love these tires, on my second set. First set (235/75R15) were on stock rims (like yours).


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Firestone&tireModel=Destination+M/T

They're not siped, so ice is a bit of an issue (if your state allows it, you can get them studded), but in snow, slush, rain, mud, they are oustanding.

They last very long too, if you rotate regularly (like 50 000 miles). They also stick like fawking glue on rocks.

 

[fubar XJ]

It was mentioned earlier, if you really want 33"s-35"s, lockers, longarm suspension, etc. It's cheaper to just build it once the way you really want it as opposed to doing a 3" lift / 31"s build initially. There is certainly value in doing a "small" build first and driving it for a year or so that way, as you gain valuable driving experience and it also gives you a chance to evaluate how much you really like/love wheeling before dumping $5-6K into your rig.

My order of build would be as follows:

Heavy-duty aftermarket bumpers, rock sliders, skid-plates first. You want to protect what you have first and foremost, a dented-up Jeep won't sell for nearly as much should you decide that this isn't for you, and skid-plates keep the running gear intact so that you are able to drive home from the trail. Bumpers should also include tow points, saving you the hassle of getting the factory ones and bracketry that go with them.

8K lb winch for the front bumper. You want to be as self-sufficient as possible, a winch is great peace of mind on the trail. You may not use it much down the line, but initially it will pay for itself in relatively short order once you've extracted yourself and your buddies a dozen or so times on the trail. I personally think a winch should be mandatory on the trail, some folks disagree.

Now we get into dubious territory, because suspension/tires/gears/lockers are very subjective to what you want to do with the rig. I opted to do mine all at once and go straight from stock to 6" longarm suspension, SYE, 4.88" gears, selectable lockers, and 35" tires. I didn't want to spend money twice when I already knew what I wanted to do with the rig, which was take it on all but the most insane trails around. You may not think you want this, and may settle for a 3"-4" lift and 31"s, that's up to you.

Think about it and decide now, it'll save you a couple grand in stuff that you'll end up selling a year or two down the road.

 

[STUCKHEAD]

Thanks for all the great info guys, I am trying to get to it all but I have been VERY busy at work! I need to make money for all this stuff you guys are saying.

As far as shopping, where do you go for armor/skid plates/tow points?

Where to buy a lift kit? What brand?

What are lockers? and yes, I am the newb :wave:

 

[fubar XJ]

STUCKHEAD, the search option will reveal many, many opinions and experiences with tons of different aftermarket components. Some companies that come quickly to mind are AJ's Offroad bumpers and sliders, Clayton's and Rubicon Express suspensions systems, and ARB air lockers. None of the above is "cheap", either in price or quality, but you get what you pay for. Like I mentioned earlier, you can build an XJ relatively cheap with the right combination of components, but how long do you want them to last and how happy do you want to be with your finished product? Throwing on a $500 lift and a $250 lunchbox locker is okay for many people, but I've found that most people (myself included) end up upgrading such equipment down the road.

Do a search with various manufacturers' names and the particular product you're interested in, i.e "ARB air lockers", read about what people have said about them over the years.

 

[spikeypuck]

Well i am still new at this myself. But i can tell you, I have a 3" lift and 31's. I honestly want to add another inch. After heading up to TSF last weekend i will be adding a front sway bar quick disconnect as soon as i can.

So i would suggest a 4to 4.5" lift and quick disco if you plan on taking it to play. Oh yea, i got some nice rocker damage too, so sliders are a good thing. :viking:

 

[2xtreme]

I don't have the time currently to give you as much detail as I would like, but I think this may be helpfull.

Here are a few critical things that you will want ASAP, in some sort of priority list.

1. Front and rear tow points. Could be bumpers, stock front hooks (junkyards) with brackets, rear tow receiver (Junkyards), etc.
2. Rocker protection (AJ's comes to mind)
3. Front and rear diff guards (TONS of options here, any of the vendors to search).
4. Stock gas tank skid (search junkyards).
5. Transfer case skid (look at DPG off road).
6. Tools, hi-lift, first aid kit, etc.

Lift kits, Stick to Rubicon Express, Old Man Emu, BDS, Rusty's, Clayton, DPG. You can search all of them for different sizes, search on Naxja, etc. But stick with these basic companies and you should be OK. Rusty's will be on the cheaper end and OME will be on the upper end.

The difference in cost between a 3" lift and a 4.5" lift is the following (read this as "understand these items").
1. SYE (Slip Yoke Eliminator), and new rear driveline.
2. larger tires (32's or 33's? instead of 31's)
3. Gears (you will NEED gears for larger tires, not as necessary for the 31's).
4. IF you are doing gears, set up is cheaper to add locker or limited slips at the same time (this is an EXPENSIVE proposition).

I hope this starts to help.
Michael

 

[2xtreme]

Well i am still new at this myself. But i can tell you, I have a 3" lift and 31's. I honestly want to add another inch. After heading up to TSF last weekend i will be adding a front sway bar quick disconnect as soon as i can.

So i would suggest a 4to 4.5" lift and quick disco if you plan on taking it to play. Oh yea, i got some nice rocker damage too, so sliders are a good thing. :viking:

I hope you don't take offense to this comment, it is not ment to be bashing, but I believe it needs to be said.

"Just because you WANT it, doesn't mean you NEED or SHOULD have it".


It is true that building what you want from the begining is the cheapest solution, but it is often not doable or as educating. Keep in mind that in Doug's case he has been wheeling for a long time and knows what he wants at the begining of the project.

Michael

 

[BPB]

Rock wells and coil overs would be a great place to start!!!!!:looney:

 

[AIbandit]

Rock wells and coil overs would be a great place to start!!!!!:looney:

I would of saved alot of money if I didnt go 7.5" with 35's first.

Then again I enjoyed my rig very much before and now I can't go play sooo...

 

[WaXJ_Skier]

My 2 cents.

Looks like your rig is a DD, If you want it to ride close to stock I would pieice together an OME lift. since they stopped offering a 3" kit.

I would do 2" OME coils with a 1.75" spacer and 2" leafs with a 2" shackle (rough country has a pair for $50). I would Get the OME long travel shocks and decent set of lower control arms and some rock rails. If you do it right you should be able to buy most of those parts for around $1000 and have room to fit 31s or 32s easy with trimming.

 

[Ba-Riedo]

Better plan, sell your jeep now and never think about modifying a vehicle ever again.

-Alex

 

[GunshowfoshoW]

from experience roll cage!

 

[Shane_92-XJ]

i guess the better question is where do you stop modifying......lol anything you do it that has a practical purpose is worth having it so.....its your rig man do what you will'

 

[tigerchief]

i guess the better question is where do you stop modifying......

No. The better question in this case is: where do you start modifying?

That question is only answered when you fawking actually know when something isn't working as well as it should. And guess what? You only find that out in the field wheeling.

It's one thing to read up on shit here, but get out there in your own rig and see it first hand: you start to understand much better what it is you were reading about.

Hand the keys of a Ferrari to a 16 year old who's only ever driven a lawn tractor, and then tell him he's a star. He'll believe he's got talent after driving that.

Up front bolt-on builds are for show, incremental builds are for those that want to know.

:dunce:

 

[mud1059]

Hand the keys of a Ferrari to a 16 year old who's only ever driven a lawn tractor, and then tell him he's a star. He'll believe he's got talent after driving that.
:dunce:

What the hell are you talking about?

 

[tigerchief]

What the hell are you talking about?

I wasn't too clear there. I mean to say if you modify your rig before learning how to drive it when it isn't modded, you'll never really know your limits (or the rig's). So if you lift it, mod it, make it a much better truck than stock, and then take it out to wheel, it'll be a lot easier. But it could also get you in bigger trouble faster without having the experience to handle it.

YMMV. Don't know if the OP has done a lot of wheeling or not.

$0.02

 

[Shane_92-XJ]

No. The better question in this case is: where do you start modifying?

That question is only answered when you fawking actually know when something isn't working as well as it should. And guess what? You only find that out in the field wheeling.

It's one thing to read up on shit here, but get out there in your own rig and see it first hand: you start to understand much better what it is you were reading about.

Hand the keys of a Ferrari to a 16 year old who's only ever driven a lawn tractor, and then tell him he's a star. He'll believe he's got talent after driving that.

Up front bolt-on builds are for show, incremental builds are for those that want to know.

:dunce:

and sir' i reply your pure awesomeness with this:dunce:

take your rear sway bar off.....its almost useless unless you plan on towing.....and it give you more travel in the rear.....sway bar disconects up front....then locker...then armor....get to know your xj on light trails before you go and think you have a rock crawler lol armor then lift

i need a highliter but read closly "get to know your xj on light trails before thinking you have a rockcrawler"

 

[tigerchief]

Missed that part. I concur!

:cheers:

 

[STUCKHEAD]

ive asked a few times, aside from making your own stuff/junkyards... where do you guys shop for stuff?

 

[TORX]

ive asked a few times, aside from making your own stuff/junkyards... where do you guys shop for stuff?

It really depends what you're looking for. Sometimes it's easier to buy local, other times online vendors are the way to go.

Local (Vancouver/PDX):
Woody's 4x4: They can get you pretty much anything you need. I use them for the really odd parts (U-Bolts, TRE's, CB Supplies, etc).
Central 4wd: Similar to Woody's, but across the river.
Driveline Tech: The only place I go for drive train related parts (U-joints, yokes, and drive lines)
KNA Offroad: Gear Setups
4WheelParts: Only if I have to

Online:
FullsizeXJ Gear
Northridge 4x4
Ruffstuff Specialties
Rustys Offroad
Rubicon Express

Check out most of the sponsors here, and our NWC vendors here. I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but that's a good start. Research what you're looking for, and you'll start to see some specific vendors mentioned too.