Newbie, saying "Hi!" and a few Q's...

Hey Everybody - been lurking for a while now, and thought I'd finally post and introduce myself and my 90 XJ... I'm from Nor-Cal, and bought my Jeep about 2 months ago... Bought it with a 3" lift and 31's... so far, I'm loving it. Before the Jeep, I had a 73 Blazer, 6", 35's, and that was fun, but the gas mileage was killing my wallet! (7 MPG... on the HIGHWAY!) The Jeep has been great so far. Here's a pic of it:



It's got the 4.0, aw4, np231...

I've got plenty of plans for the little XJ, but of course, money is always the biggest concern...

A few questions:

First off, what in the hell was this?



Also, eventually, I'm going to want to lift it some more. Since I already have a 3" lift, is it possible to just buy new springs (front and rear), so I wouldn't need to purchase a whole new lift kit? I realize I'd need a SYE, but is there anything else I'm not thinking of? As much as I'd like a LA system, I think it's a little out of my budget... I would just like to get another 2 inches or so, and fit some 33's...

Anyway, I guess that's all... for now Also, If this is in the wrong forum, sorry.

Thanks!
Neil

you can always just add shackles and spacers to achieve the extra 2", but once you go above 3-4 you start to need things. trac bar lower control arms brake lines and i am sure there is more, also to turn those 33's better gears will be needed, or a very good tranny cooler.

napa90xj said:

It's got the 4.0, aw4, np231...

A few questions:

First off, what in the hell was this?

a little out of my budget... I would just like to get another 2 inches or so, and fit some 33's...

Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that was the sensor for old-school keyless entry...

I put 1.75" spacers on top of fresh 3" springs and it cleared 33" fine. I kept the OEM control arms, but I'd always recommend adding good upper & lower arms for both strength & angle improvement. If you retain the OEM for now, you can trim the rear edge of the lower shock mounts to increase down travel... .25" of metal gone there = a good bit more droop and relieves a 'hot spot' on the sheetmetal LCA. OEM YJ brake hoses allow this travel increase.

JKS makes a sweet pair of swaybar disconnects and adjustable trackbar... I don't have either yet but they are way up on the lust-list.

JKS and C-Rok make frame reinforcement for the steering. 33" and a few 'mild trips' through the woods made me a believer that this is almost a mandatory mod. I patched mine up with a C-Rok...either is a fine piece

Out back, you can add /swap around leaves and a slightly longer shackle, or just pop for 4.5" packs (which may get you some higher than the front)

4-door XJs make it less easy to clearance for 33+", two doors have ample room to trim.

HTH

Woody