Who knows a ton about XJ's in the Midwest?

[Double Down]

Simply put, my 97 XJ has been built pretty nicely by me...and that's the problem...I need someone who KNOWS what they are talking about when it comes to XJ's and help me go over my system to find flaws, improvements, help with steering, and make me smarter. I want to go over my system from head to foot, check leaves, shocks, pinion angles, control arm angles and lengths, steering, etc.

Why? Well, because I built it and although I have used all the knowledge from this place and others, I have this weird feeling that I am just not setup right or could do things to better my vehicle that would save hassle in the end.

Does this make any sense? Hopefully it does and if you or several of you are interested in actually sitting down, maybe having a wrenching party or whatever, I will drive to see you, pay for drinks, food, whatever.

Just want to set this thing up right and learn more.

Thanks,

Chris
Cincinnati, Ohio

 

[Gil BullyKatz]

Drive it to Winterfest and have a whole panel of experts tear it apart around a campfire I say...

 

[Lawn Cher']

Long trip, but I could provide my expertise.

 

[Double Down]

Winterfest, not a bad idea at all. But as we all know, this cocktail:

MIX -

1 part Tons of guys in one area
1 part Tons of guys with tools in one area
add splash of The woods
throw in some Mud and Gasoline and Exhaust
Garnish with Receding hair lines
Pour over Rocks with Testerone

add you get a drink I call "EVERYBODY has the best idea"

So as the day goes on and the drinks come out, how the heck am I going to pick out the good crud from the bad crud?

"Well, you know what you need here is a..."

"Heck, all you need is some string to take the gravitional pull of the moon to align your...."

Thanks,

Chris

 

[XJ_ranger]

take it with a grain of salt -

pinion angle for example should be EXACTLY the same as the front driveshaft angle - BUT on a d30, that royaly fawks over your castor...

some like me dealt with the handling querks and ran 0* castor, and others set the pinion lower and pull the driveshaft in between trail runs to avoid blowing up their driveshaft, but have a decent castor...

as long as you dont show up with dana 60's, a full cage, no flex and orange ringed beadlocks - you'll be fine. ask for help and you shal recieve - offer drinks and people will open their books of knowledge...

Id love to help, but Cincinati is a little far for either of us, and i have no shop... not even a garage...

in the end - its your rig right? decide what you want to run - if it works for you then by all means - RUN IT!


hope that was somewhat helpful...

 

[Rev Den]

add you get a drink I call "EVERYBODY has the best idea"

Never met any of us in person have you? You may find that we are in agrement on many of the best ways to build an XJ. There will be differences, but all valid opinons based on experiances.

Rev

 

[Double Down]

Nah, haven't really met people in person, the cocktail was tongue in cheek, so I look forward to meeting you all and learning.

If you need a picture or list of mods reference, this is me:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=69758

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=65992

Thanks,

Chris

 

[OT]

Never met any of us in person have you? You may find that we are in agrement on many of the best ways to build an XJ. There will be differences, but all valid opinons based on experiances.

Rev

Ditto x 1000

 

[LBEXJ]

A common phrase used here is "compromise". It is possible for an XJ to be built so that everything is set perfectly ... the problem is, perfectly for what. A perfect suspension for road use would not be worth a hoot for trail. Most of us just try and set our Jeeps up so they fit our driving style and personal preference. Ranger touched on this with the front pinion angle ... some will sacrifice a little extra driveline vibes for better handling. To do it right, the knuckles have to be removed and re-welded so caster and the pinion angles are correct. Most of us settle for the compromise.

I'd suggest you look at how others have their Jeeps set up, ask questions, and just build your Jeep to satisfy yourself. You can go as far as your pocketbook and initiative will take you. The important thing is to not cobble your build. Keep your Jeep safe.

Les

 

[Roxtar]

A common phrase used here is "compromise". It is possible for an XJ to be built so that everything is set perfectly ... the problem is, perfectly for what. A perfect suspension for road use would not be worth a hoot for trail. Most of us just try and set our Jeeps up so they fit our driving style and personal preference. Ranger touched on this with the front pinion angle ... some will sacrifice a little extra driveline vibes for better handling. To do it right, the knuckles have to be removed and re-welded so caster and the pinion angles are correct. Most of us settle for the compromise.

I'd suggest you look at how others have their Jeeps set up, ask questions, and just build your Jeep to satisfy yourself. You can go as far as your pocketbook and initiative will take you. The important thing is to not cobble your build. Keep your Jeep safe.

Les

Compromise?
We don't need no stinking compromise.
Build all out, for hard core.
The advantages are as follows; no drive is boring, you never have to worry about falling asleep at the wheel, and you can let your health club membership expire (just driving to the store is a cardio workout).
Fear is a great motivator.

 

[Double Down]

Yeah, I agree with the building the Jeep for yoru own purpose, but what I am talking about is that what I have built mine for, has been built right. I mean, right shocks, right angles, right parts, etc. I drive 80% on road and the rest off, for right now, so driveability, mpg, safety are concerns, but that doesn't mean I am not concerned about what I don't know to ask...if that makes sense. Just because everything feels right and looks right to me doesn't mean a thing. I want people who definitely know what they are talking about to look over, talk with me, etc and say, yeah you may need to change this, or if you don't do this you will be weakening this...or this is overkill.

Anyway, I'm sure I will find that Winterfest hopefully. In the meantime, if anyone is interested in helping out, let me know.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[ILLXJ]

Drive it to Winterfest and have a whole panel of experts tear it apart around a campfire I say...

This is not a problem. Getting it put back together could be. JIM.

 

[monkeysxj]

i could i am not saying i know tons about them but i know a lot of how to build cars and and trucks i have done so damn many of them and working at lots of car places

 

[Captain Ron]

Drive it to Winterfest and have a whole panel of ... pressure washers clean it before the circle jerk... I say...

I KNOW what you guys do. Fawkin disgusting.

--ron