How Capable Is My XJ?

[1988XJ]

I haven't been able to take my '88 Cherokee wheelin' yet since i've had it. I bought it last month for $800 and i've been daily driving it ever since. I've never actually been "wheeling" before. This is the second car that i've owned(I'm still in High School). The cherokee is all stock. I don't want to push it too hard but i've heard that a stock XJ can be pretty surprising! Are there any tips you can give me before I go for my first time out? Thanks guys!

[Ben H]

Go have fun. Its limitations and strengths will become obvious the more you wheel it. Challenge yourself, while remaining safe. Take your AAA card, a jack, a spare tire, a friend, and a tool box.

The xj does good.

[little red cheroke]

the XJ is only as capable as the driver.

[juryrigjalopy]

They actually drift quite well without any mods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH3sQ7X2V8E)

[UNCC_99XJ]

the XJ is only as capable as the driver.

x2. The driver ultimately makes or breaks the deal in terms of getting stuck. Use common sense. If you say "I think i'll try that path right there" and you start getting into it, only to find out that it's not going to work, stop and back out, and try a different one.

As mentioned...bring some basic tools, and a buddy. NEVER wheel alone (ask me how I know...)

[moparmatt]

They actually drift quite well without any mods (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vH3sQ7X2V8E)



LOL:laugh2:

That was cool and....

Funny as hell:roflmao:

It made it back over that is the greatest part:laugh:

[moparmatt]

I haven't been able to take my '88 Cherokee wheelin' yet since i've had it. I bought it last month for $800 and i've been daily driving it ever since. I've never actually been "wheeling" before. This is the second car that i've owned(I'm still in High School). The cherokee is all stock. I don't want to push it too hard but i've heard that a stock XJ can be pretty surprising! Are there any tips you can give me before I go for my first time out? Thanks guys!

Like everyone else says if you don't have tow hooks get'em, towstraps, a buddy, tools, fire extruguisher, first aid, and a cell phone is nice.

The most important thing is KEEP IT LEGAL!!! Don't learn the hard way.

OR I will come back on here and laugh at you.

Knowlege it the best tool you can take with you.

I still drive mine stock.

[juryrigjalopy]

This guy is perty much stock as well, just some fancy shocks, its mostly the driver doing the work (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dU9M055RlU)

[1988XJ]

I'm going to try it out in a small mud pit for my first time out then i'll keep building up and getting more experience behind the wheel and then go on bigger trails.

[Ben H]

the XJ is only as capable as the driver.
I agree with this, but what good does this do for this guy? He obviously is not yet a capable driver, but has the desire wheel his rig. He needs info on how to wheel and the capabilities of a stock xj. Now unless you are going to meet up and wheel with him, give him pointers about how to wheel in this thread, and not a statement that does nothing for him.

[Ben H]

I'm going to try it out in a small mud pit for my first time out then i'll keep building up and getting more experience behind the wheel and then go on bigger trails.

If you are going out to a mud pit then take a friend who can pull you out. Self extraction out of mud is very messy and difficult. The first vehicle in will usually have it the best, as it makes the tracks. Vehicles that follow will have to go deeper. Take a friend and tow straps.

[UNCC_99XJ]

I'm going to try it out in a small mud pit for my first time out then i'll keep building up and getting more experience behind the wheel and then go on bigger trails.

What type of tires do have on your rig right now? I would advise against mud boggin as your first adventure, especially if you have street or all season tires on right now.....mud can be (and often is) very unforgiving unless you got the equipment to show it who's boss.

[KarlVP]

Best advice I can give you is to Join a wheeling club.

I guarantee you will learn more there than you can wheeling alone.

Get some tow points front and rear. A good tow strap (without metal hooks on the ends, they can become missile hazards) and go wheeling with a club.

[1988XJ]

If you are going out to a mud pit then take a friend who can pull you out. Self extraction out of mud is very messy and difficult. The first vehicle in will usually have it the best, as it makes the tracks. Vehicles that follow will have to go deeper. Take a friend and tow straps.

I'm definitely taking a friend with me. I rode with a friend one time and it was only me and him and we got stuck. We had to sit out in the middle of nowhere for about 3-4 hours before we could get somebody over there to pull us out. Needless to say, it sucked! Thanks for the help.

[1988XJ]

What type of tires do have on your rig right now? I would advise against mud boggin as your first adventure, especially if you have street or all season tires on right now.....mud can be (and often is) very unforgiving unless you got the equipment to show it who's boss.

It has street tires on it right now. I'm really wanting to get seom BFG 30X9.50X15 All Terrains but I don't have the money for them.

[justme]

You are going to have SO MUCH FUN. XJ's are amazing. My son is still in high school. He and I both have '88 XJ's. I swear he thinks of nothing else but that jeep, (to the downside of grades sometimes).
I agree with all the comments on going with two jeeps instead of one. It makes all the difference between fun & stress. Especially in the winter!
We found the all terrain tires and a little lift to make the most difference on where we could and couldn't go.
Lifts can be cheap or expensive depending on what you're willing to do. If you decide to go that route, do some research first on how the different types affect your ride.
Have Fun! Jeepin's a trip...

[justme]

Sometimes tire stores will have deals on knock off brands that the store bought in large quantities. They look almost identical to the brand names. I was able to find some in the size you are looking for at $80 per tire mounted & balanced. (Super Sport Radial HT). They are actually manufactured by Goodyear. I swear they take me everywhere the brand names do. Just a thought...

[boise49ers]

Best advice I can give you is to Join a wheeling club.

I guarantee you will learn more there than you can wheeling alone.

Get some tow points front and rear. A good tow strap (without metal hooks on the ends, they can become missile hazards) and go wheeling with a club.
My thoughts exactly. They will be there and happy to assist if and when you run into problems. They have enormous amounts of experiance between them. Just watch out for the gungho ones who will push you to do stupid stuff you aren't ready for. You will spot them quickly though. Usually they have a built up rig and like to be able to make you look silly. This does push you to build up your rig though. So there is good even with these guys if you look for it.
:peace:

[Speed_racer]

x484729384798 on joining a wheeling club.

x2 on upgrading tires (I can find used sets of tires in the 30" size, AT or MT's, usually with 65+% tread for around $100-200.)

NEVER WHEEL WITH ONE RIG!!
Your jeep CAN roll over, and you CAN get hurt.
It would suck to be alone, hurt, or pinned, not able to reach your cell phone.

You'll be amazed what a $200 rear locker will do for you.

[XjKapp56]

small mud pits are awesome itll hold up great depending on tires. just be careful on thing such as rocks and deeper mud pits. i layed my stock xj on a rock while tryin it out and crushed my oil pan. id invest in skid plates while its stock.

[UNCC_99XJ]

It has street tires on it right now. I'm really wanting to get seom BFG 30X9.50X15 All Terrains but I don't have the money for them.

I'm actually looking at upgrading to those come spring or early summer. My old boss has a set on his XJ, in the stock size, and i was really impressed with how they did just on the street. He's taken his jeep offroad with them on and has nothing but good to say.

I'd like to do 30's, and i'd like to lift.....theres just one person holding me back...

[1988XJ]

I took the Jeep out for a spin today right after I got out of school. I climbed a few small hills and went through a small mud pit and it never even for a second seemed like it was gonna get stuck. I'm pretty impressed with it! And don't worry guys, I had another XJ and a Tacoma follow me all the way through the trails. I had so much fun. I can't wait to do it again. It's filthy right now, should I clean it or no? I think it looks pretty cool with the mud all over it. Thanks for the help and advice guys!!

[89Daytona]

There is also this video (http://www.break.com/index/how_to_destroy_a_jeep2.html) from this thread (http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=905187)

[xjtrailrider]

A stock XJ, aired down and disconnected will go a long ways if you pick good lines, and use common sense. Make sure you are with other 4wd's and pack some tools and safety equipement. Good quality front and rear recovery points is a must, no matter how hard you push it.