CustomCrawler
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Kennewick WA
First off, I admire teens that are into vehicles, especially Jeeps. I started working on cars with my dad when I was 12, nothing major, but I learned alot. I have been around the Jeep world for over 4 years now and it's a great place. One thing I learned quickly is that everyone has different opinions and taste as to what is right. The best advice I can give you is to listen to advice, do some research, maybe even take a ride in a few different rigs. Then decide what you want.
I rode in these rigs:
88 ranger 4x4 on 31s, capable, Ford has done a very capable IFS!! :worship: .
88 dakota 4x4 on 31s, dodge should have been shot, chassis is lower then my brothers mustang
91 GMC sierra on 35"s and a lift thats it, very nice, but IFS? Chevy should have been shot for that big of a rig.
There are many options available. Two of the biggest things to know are your budget and your knowledge/ability to work on your Jeep.
Know how much you can spend each time you do an upgrade. Most folks start with a lift and tires, then get armor/tow points, some folks get bumpers or racks, then gears or axles.
I plan on rock armor first thing, cuz Ive been out light wheeling twice driving in my XJ and well I notice that armor would be my best first thing :lecture:
So here's my recommendation:
4-4.5" lift, 33's, rock rails, tow points, gas tank and t-case skids, gears and lockers. Now, all of this does not have to be done at one time, that would be eexpensive.
True, Im really think a Rough Country 4.5" with 33"s now, cuz Im a slow wheeler, not heavy on the throttle, besides one time (Almost got stuck, wheeling, with no tow out vehicle, and its illegal wheeling but not on a trail or anything and on bumpy unused offroad terrain)
Depending on your budget, you can start out at 3.5" and 31 or 32 (trimming) and not have to regear so quickly. You can throw in a lunchbox locker and be set. Do get the armor! Even if you don't go "rock crawling" rocks and stumps seem to find rockers...
I started with 3.5" and 31's and went all over the place. I invested in armor and I am glad I did! I wheeled that set-up for almost 2 years, then I went to 4.5" and 33's, changed both axles, geared and locked them! Huge difference!
Why change both axles? Are you a hard wheeler?
There are many places to get your stuff. I recommend using a sponsor. One like, DPG OFfroad. Dirk has some great prices and complete kits. He is a great guy to deal with as well. He has one of the best gast tank and t-case skids out there!
His site is hard to navigate so I didnt even look at his stuff for very long! :doh:
For brand - Rubicon Express is my choice. I have never had a problem with any of their product.
Tires - MT/R's are awesome, but not good in the mud. I love mine and they work great on the street and trail. A little noisy on the road, but nto too bad.
TruXus tire's seem cool, but I hear they wear extremely fast, but perform well, even in mud. See what folks in your area are running.
Most run MT/Rs for the snow/trail/rock/street
Like other have said, stay away from add-a-leafs. They do provide a little lift, but they fail and wear out faster. The leaf packs are more money, but they are easier to install and last longer.
Okay, I will go a RC 4.5 rear spring, for 700!
You will hear folks bash to D35, with good reason. BUT, I say run it til it breaks, right. Some folks run 33 & 35 inch tires, lockers, alloy shafts, etc.. in their D35 with no issue. Unfortunately, lots of folks have seen failures with no or little mods... I think it's a crap shoot....
Problem with waiting until it breaks, is you don't know when that will be. It could be on a trail and then you have to get it home or it could be on the road, which you still have to get it home. Then you HAVE to find a new axle or rebuild the broken, so your Jeep will be down for a while while your repair it.
I dont plan on lockers, most people in my cluib dont have lockers that have XJs. Plus if i run a D35 and 33s I dont want to put stress on it, so I might put a limited slip locker?
Ok, enough rambling.... learn about your Jeep, your driving style, and what others in your area are running. Determine your budget, find your kit, throw a lift party and have fun!
Good luck!
Thanks
I rode in these rigs:
88 ranger 4x4 on 31s, capable, Ford has done a very capable IFS!! :worship: .
88 dakota 4x4 on 31s, dodge should have been shot, chassis is lower then my brothers mustang
91 GMC sierra on 35"s and a lift thats it, very nice, but IFS? Chevy should have been shot for that big of a rig.
There are many options available. Two of the biggest things to know are your budget and your knowledge/ability to work on your Jeep.
Know how much you can spend each time you do an upgrade. Most folks start with a lift and tires, then get armor/tow points, some folks get bumpers or racks, then gears or axles.
I plan on rock armor first thing, cuz Ive been out light wheeling twice driving in my XJ and well I notice that armor would be my best first thing :lecture:
So here's my recommendation:
4-4.5" lift, 33's, rock rails, tow points, gas tank and t-case skids, gears and lockers. Now, all of this does not have to be done at one time, that would be eexpensive.
True, Im really think a Rough Country 4.5" with 33"s now, cuz Im a slow wheeler, not heavy on the throttle, besides one time (Almost got stuck, wheeling, with no tow out vehicle, and its illegal wheeling but not on a trail or anything and on bumpy unused offroad terrain)
Depending on your budget, you can start out at 3.5" and 31 or 32 (trimming) and not have to regear so quickly. You can throw in a lunchbox locker and be set. Do get the armor! Even if you don't go "rock crawling" rocks and stumps seem to find rockers...
I started with 3.5" and 31's and went all over the place. I invested in armor and I am glad I did! I wheeled that set-up for almost 2 years, then I went to 4.5" and 33's, changed both axles, geared and locked them! Huge difference!
Why change both axles? Are you a hard wheeler?
There are many places to get your stuff. I recommend using a sponsor. One like, DPG OFfroad. Dirk has some great prices and complete kits. He is a great guy to deal with as well. He has one of the best gast tank and t-case skids out there!
His site is hard to navigate so I didnt even look at his stuff for very long! :doh:
For brand - Rubicon Express is my choice. I have never had a problem with any of their product.
Tires - MT/R's are awesome, but not good in the mud. I love mine and they work great on the street and trail. A little noisy on the road, but nto too bad.
TruXus tire's seem cool, but I hear they wear extremely fast, but perform well, even in mud. See what folks in your area are running.
Most run MT/Rs for the snow/trail/rock/street
Like other have said, stay away from add-a-leafs. They do provide a little lift, but they fail and wear out faster. The leaf packs are more money, but they are easier to install and last longer.
Okay, I will go a RC 4.5 rear spring, for 700!
You will hear folks bash to D35, with good reason. BUT, I say run it til it breaks, right. Some folks run 33 & 35 inch tires, lockers, alloy shafts, etc.. in their D35 with no issue. Unfortunately, lots of folks have seen failures with no or little mods... I think it's a crap shoot....
Problem with waiting until it breaks, is you don't know when that will be. It could be on a trail and then you have to get it home or it could be on the road, which you still have to get it home. Then you HAVE to find a new axle or rebuild the broken, so your Jeep will be down for a while while your repair it.
I dont plan on lockers, most people in my cluib dont have lockers that have XJs. Plus if i run a D35 and 33s I dont want to put stress on it, so I might put a limited slip locker?
Ok, enough rambling.... learn about your Jeep, your driving style, and what others in your area are running. Determine your budget, find your kit, throw a lift party and have fun!
Good luck!
Thanks