Newb here

[arctycfox]

ok, had a 95 YJ........totaled it on Thur.:tear: Now i'm looking at XJ's for a little more room for the family. Curious what to avoid, check when buying an XJ? I'd like to get a manual. I'm beginning to think they're rare. Found a 96' that seems ok, but the lift'd have to be redone, and it squeeks real bad upon take off (from the wheel bearings I think). What would YOU do to a mostly stock cherokee with $4500.00 to spend?? It's on 33's with a spring and block lift now. that's about it.

TIA Adam

[Hypoid]

Edit: First and foremost, welcome aboard!

The great thing about XJs is that there are a lot of them. Don't get your knickers in a knot over one, there's plenty more coming up for sale.

We have a '90, it's our first XJ, 225K miles on the odo. I like to wrench, my wife picked out this particular one, so it's a win-win for us.

It would help to set some intended usage parameters. Some of the rigs here can barely be called Jeeps after all the modifications. LOL They go anywhere but the street.

More knoweledgable people will be along soon.

[arctycfox]

Well it has to be good on the highway as well, cause I'll be driving it to and from work daily. I'd like it to be capable of takling trails such as Chinamans Gulch in Buena Vista. I drove one this morning that was very extreme (6.5" short arm, 9" rear, exo, ARB's, etc.) but seemed to wobble pretty bad. Is this a common problem, or just something that goes with short arm lifts? I'd like to be in the 33-35" tire range. Also I'm not real great at identifying axles. Any easy way to establish D35, D44, 8.25? I know the D44 has a "stop sign" shape, but other tan that I'm just guessing.

[arctycfox]

was looking at this one

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/674966712.html

[arctycfox]

what's a good lift kit for around 6-8"

Rock Krawler 6.5"LA http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/rock-krawler-factor-plus-long-system-p-7775.html
Rubicon Express XDLA 7.5" http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/rubicon-express-re6307-extreme-duty-free-combo-p-6168.html
Full Traction 6" LA http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/fulltraction-long-suspension-system-hydro-shocks-p-5052.html
Rusty's 8" LA http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=rustys&Product_Code=RK-800LT-XJ&Category_Code=sus_xj_kit

[YELLAHEEP]

Dood - that red XJ in the Craigslist ad you posted looks like a problem.

As advertised, it has a 3" lift and 33" tires....... you can't get 33's on a 3" lift without adding spacers/blocks and that's exactly what it looks like it has.

Look at how far back the front wheels are in the wheel well opening...... those lower control arms are dropped at way to steep of an angle. With as tall as it is, you should be able to see much more of the leaf springs.... which tells me it has lift blocks on either stock leafs, or a 3" pack. I don't even see longer shackles on the rear....... that thing must ride like crap!

He doesn't mention if it has better gears either - if it's still the 3:73's, it's gonna be a slow gas hog.

Avoid it unless he'll take a bunch less.

Personally, I think you'd be best to find an un-lifted rig in the $2000 range and do the lift correctly from the start. The remaining $2500 would get you lifted with tires/wheels and if you find good sales/used items, you could get the right gears too.

[arctycfox]

sorry for the confusion.......I was saying 4500 after purchase price. I was figuring on just keping the wheels and tires and scrapping the suspension. I'd offer him 3500 and go form there. It seemed to have good power, can't tell if it was regeared cause he bought it that way and didn't seem to know what he had at all.

[Led]

Some of the rigs here can barely be called Jeeps after all the modifications. LOL They go anywhere but the street.

More knoweledgable people will be along soon.
my shit runs on the street:lecture:

[Hypoid]

my shit runs on the street:lecture: LMAO Led! I'm sure you've built a few trailer queens as well. Even with free labor, the parts are way out of my budget.

So what advice do you have for the OP? :worship:

[XJNOOB93]

Sorry to hear about your YJ =[

I would listen to Yella. He is the most knowledgable person on here about xj's. I bought my '98 stock Xj last August and put a 4.5" lift with 32" tires on it and I love the thing. I would start with a stock then build up from there.

[JEONLYEP]

I would listen to Yella. He is the most knowledgable person on here about xj's.

No, don't go praising Troy too much. I don't want his head invading Kansas.....


As to the OP, I'd just say, stay away from 90 and under and anything with a V in it's motor. Other than that, it's personal preference on trans and t-case.

With that being said, I'm more of a fan of the 231 over the 242 t-cases.

Buy stock and lift it yourself, or check very carefully a lifted XJ before buying...

Good luck, and welcome to NAXJA...

[Stang5lgt]

Also I'm not real great at identifying axles. Any easy way to establish D35, D44, 8.25? I know the D44 has a "stop sign" shape, but other tan that I'm just guessing. Look at the bottom of the pumkin from the back if it flat then it is 44 or 8.25 if it round then it everyones fav axle D35. Just make sure you buy 91 and up should get you away from most of the bad parts. Plus get ya 4.0HO motor. Most auto 4.0 came with 3.55s and most 5 speeds came with 3.08s. If you can find a 99 and up I believe that is first year of NV3550 5 speed. And 91 and upto then are all AX15. Plus you wanna stay away from Central axle discount front axles. 92 was last year they used those that I know of . They are real plan when they start acting up. When you get one and ready to lift let me know I can come help.

[JEONLYEP]

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h8/Jeonlyep/axle.jpg

Somewhere I had the other two, but i can't find the pictures.

If I find them I'll post them. But the 44 is easy to distinguish...

The 35 and 8 1/4 look some what similar, at lest with this you can see what the 8 1/4 looks like.

.

[arctycfox]

I HAVE AN XJ!! I bought a 95' stocker with a 5-speed, 4.0, 158k mi., and I'm not sure which axle cause it looks a lot like the axle in my YJ(which is still sitting in front of my house), but the bulge for the ring gear is definetly not as pronouced, and it looks a little bigger. It is oval with 10 bolts, and the tag is mostly gone, just a peice remains. The housing is flat or the cover is flat along the bottom?

[JEONLYEP]

Have a digital camera?

[arctycfox]

yeah but the battery is charging, I'll have pics up tomorrow

[arctycfox]

I got it for a song so I have quite a bit left over for the lift and such....any suggestions?

[Stang5lgt]

I got it for a song so I have quite a bit left over for the lift and such....any suggestions?Should be flat on the bottom of the pumkin not the cover if it is 44 or 8.25. If it looks the as your wrangler then it is 35 since that is the only axle I know of that came in the YJ. Do you wanna hit the trails alot? If so get a long arm kit. Rubicon Express makes a good kit. Little pricey but if you have enough left over you won't be sorry with there kits. I am going to upgrade to there LAs when I have the money. I just put on there 5.5 SA with drop brackets. Drives pretty nice. http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c16/Stang5lgt/Lift028.jpg
Here it is with 35s. The rear is going to need more lift. I used shackles and leafs to try and get it as high as the front but leafs I got were not as tall as I was told by guy I got them from.

[Stang5lgt]

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c16/Stang5lgt/Lift.jpg
Dana 35
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c16/Stang5lgt/Lift001.jpg
Dana 35 next to Ford 8.8 I just put in my XJ

[arctycfox]

that 35 doesn't look like either one of the axles I have..........? Don't tell me I've had a 8.25 in my YJ this whle time........well that would explain why it hasn't broken yet. I'll get some pics posted later, maybe i'm just retarded nd can't tell what I'm looking at.

[Hypoid]

http://www.yuccaman.com/jeep/gear1.html

this has pictures

[arctycfox]

SWEET!!! I have the 8.25" rearend. Not as good as a D44 but hey i'll take it. Next question is will the 8.25 handle 35's? I'm not heavy footed or anything but sometimes wheeling requires a goose now and again. and what lift would you almighty XJ gurus recommend in the 33" - 35" tire range? Oh and one more...what's the how, what, and why about putting a ZJ steering setup on an XJ? I hear about it all the time and don't get why, how it's done.

[Stang5lgt]

SWEET!!! I have the 8.25" rearend. Not as good as a D44 but hey i'll take it. Next question is will the 8.25 handle 35's? I'm not heavy footed or anything but sometimes wheeling requires a goose now and again. and what lift would you almighty XJ gurus recommend in the 33" - 35" tire range? Oh and one more...what's the how, what, and why about putting a ZJ steering setup on an XJ? I hear about it all the time and don't get why, how it's done.V8 ZJ came with soild steel for the drag link. Where the XJ is like a hollow tube. 6-8 inches for 35s. I have 5.5 and 35s clear. I need cut out flares so they don't rub when wheeling. D35 will handle 35s until you lock it. 8.25 should be good. You can always swap in Ford 8.8 out of Explorer with disc brakes. I just put one in I bought for 60 bucks. Works like a champ and stops alot better with 35s. Just have to run spacers if you run stock rims. Since 8.8 is narrower.

[arctycfox]

any specific lifts (brands) you recommend? I was thinking rusty's or RE. they look the most complete.

[Stang5lgt]

Alot people on here hate Rustys. They say they are junk. I don't know myself. But I can tell RE makes some nice stuff. Rustys is cheaper but there is probably a reason for that. I would go with RE lift. I bought mine used and it is still in good shape. Put on whole front 5.5 RE front kit and Jeep drives nice and everything works. So I am happy. That 7.5 RE LA kit you posted looks pretty sweet.

[Kiefer316]

if you decide to go with rustys heres a little story my buddy has a 96 and he got a rustys trackbar and it broke on him so he says F rustys i also dont know aobut rustys but i know a couple guys who have RE and they love them. i seriously need to get rid of my pro crap lift kit i don't like the way it rides at all way too stiff for my liking

[XJNOOB93]

I have a Rough Country lift. 4.5" with 32" tires. I love it to death. Check out rough country and RE.

[arctycfox]

ok, what about rustys skid plates and such?

[Stang5lgt]

ok, what about rustys skid plates and such?Should be ok just peice metal that doesn't move. I hade some on my old ZJ and they were fine. Pain in butt to change oil. Other then that worked pretty good.

[arctycfox]

what do you guys think of Protofab's rear bumper/tire carrier? I'm thinking of either this or just mounting the tire on a roof rack. I need the interior space, so it can't go inside, especially once it's a 33" or 35" tire

[arctycfox]

http://www.protofab4x4.com/products.php?ID=00&ID2=32

$570..........maybe

[Stang5lgt]

http://www.tomken.com/catalog.php?search=terms%3D%26model%3DXJ%26year%3D all%26cat%3Drearbumpers

[Stang5lgt]

http://www.tntcustoms.com/page.asp?pageid=70

[arctycfox]

I'm pretty sure I'm going with rustys front winch bumper, but the rear is perplexing me

[Stang5lgt]

Tomken is good one. I had one on my ZJ. Good price plus it is made here in CO.

[Fred]

I have no experience with these guys, but I like what I see and read about them.

http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=XJB


I have a Tomken rear bumper, it's fine. For a tire carrier I'm just going to use the Mopar carrier welded to a hinge attached to the Tomken bumper. Wouldn't work for a 33 or 35 inch tire.

Fred

[arctycfox]

I like em....i think I'm just going to put the spare up top though. i really don't like the extra verhang it takes to put the spare on the back. Seeing it those pics really sends home the amount of hang i'll have. Guess I'm still used to having a short Wrangler.

[JEONLYEP]

I have no experience with these guys, but I like what I see and read about them.

http://www.jcroffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=XJB

Fred

I have some experience with those guys, great bumper at a good price, If I weren't going to build my own rear, I'd deal with them again.

Daryl

[dabeersboys]

I have some experience with those guys, great bumper at a good price, If I weren't going to build my own rear, I'd deal with them again.

Daryl
Congratz on not having a cigrette for so long! Keep it up!

[JEONLYEP]

Congratz on not having a cigrette for so long! Keep it up!

Thanks

19 Days
16 Hours
13 Minutes
11 Seconds

:D

[jeepfreak1020]

Hay i dont know if your still looking for a XJ, but i found this on on craigslist.

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/684064334.html

[JEONLYEP]

Hay i dont know if your still looking for a XJ, but i found this on on craigslist.

http://denver.craigslist.org/car/684064334.html


I think he has it covered....

I HAVE AN XJ!! I bought a 95' stocker with a 5-speed, 4.0, 158k mi., and I'm not sure which axle cause it looks a lot like the axle in my YJ(which is still sitting in front of my house), but the bulge for the ring gear is definetly not as pronouced, and it looks a little bigger. It is oval with 10 bolts, and the tag is mostly gone, just a peice remains. The housing is flat or the cover is flat along the bottom?

[ColoradoRaptor]

Sorry to hear about your YJ =[

I would listen to Yella. He is the most knowledgable person on here about xj's. I bought my '98 stock Xj last August and put a 4.5" lift with 32" tires on it and I love the thing. I would start with a stock then build up from there.

X2 Find a good stocker and go from there. That way you know what is what and that everything is to your satisfaction.

[MILEHIGHXJ96]

Look in the local auto auctions. I got a peach white 96 with 121,000 miles for 2k and put about 5k into it and its an awesome ride. If you ge.t 33's and its your daily driver you might want to get engine management computer for around $300 bucks, it'll save you gas and give you more horsepower with those bigger tires.

I think it better to buy stock and then built it yourself, you'll know your rig better and you can trust the parts you put into it.

[ColoradoRaptor]

I got it for a song so I have quite a bit left over for the lift and such....any suggestions?

BDS-Suspension :peace:

[arctycfox]

nah, i already have a 95'. I didn't know they made computer modules for that old. looking at doing 7.5" RE and 35's. I just bought some wheels from a guy with a newer one, that had 10" of lift and 36's for a daily driver. Man was it sick!!

[TomMcD]

Coming in a little late on this maybe but I had a Protofab pre-runner winch bumper on my MJ, may go the same way again if I don't buy a welder to do this http://www.ironscorpion.com/cart/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=9 Top quality stuff, I would highly recomend.

--Tom

[arctycfox]

yeah i got the Iron Scorpion kit on Wed. Now i'm gonna be up i Gilcrest rebuilding the power grid for the next week and a half or so.