Another new Guy from Alabama!

[highspeed]

Hello all,
My name is Brandon. Although this is my first post on here, I am hardly a noob. Long story short, I have been a car guy for way too long.Over the past 12 years I have owned 9 DSMs, 1 3kgt VR4, 1 Galant VR4, 2 SVT Contours, Multiple Civics and Integras of all disciplines(years ago when I was younger), 1 Isuzu Impulse RS AWD, 1 Audi A4, 1 95 Grand Cherokee(loved it), 1 2001 Wrangler, and finally 1 2001 Audi S4.

So, my last car was a 2001 Audi S4. I loved the car, but damn..........those things can get expensive fairly quickly. So I finally took this opportunity to look for an XJ. Luckily I found a guy in Sevierville TN who was looking to get an S4. This is what I ended up with.

- 96 XJ
- 139xxx on the clock
- RCX 6.5" with 2 in spacers up front and shackles in back, no blocks. So 8.5 total with
- RCX control arm drop brackets
- RCX discos
- Rusty's Off Road 8" pitman arm drop
- HD tie rod ends
- Skyjackers 7000 8" lift shocks
- 5 MT classic Lock 15x8 with 33s
- Iron Rock Adjustable track bar
- Rocky Road outfitters
- HP Dana 30
- 29 Spline C8.25
- Flowmaster
- and a ton of maintenance

There is more of course, I wouldnt give up a really nice audi for some POS. My main reason for doing this was to have a good trail rig for camping and fishing with my girls, and own something that wouldn't bankrupt me if something broke. I drove 112 miles in it yesterday and it was fine but needs some small things like TC drop, regearing( 5speed ), and LOCKERS. Has great A/C and heat. New sound system. It does seem to wonder slightly at highway speeds, but no death wobble or anything like that.


I can't wait to meet some of the locals and be apart of the community.............I know they exist because I see XJs all the time riding around. I also know that I will need some help, and I am also willing to help if anyone needs anything.

 

[rredalty]

Sounds like a nice start. If it were mine I'd start by sorting through the steering by ditching the drop pitman arm and invest in a nice system that will work well with what you got. I too have owned more dsm product than I ever should have and with the last one making 658awhp with a buschur block and a head off sheps car, I realized that I'd rather work on jeeps again instead of buying all of sheps stock of intermediate shafts. Welcome to a community that has the best guys/ friends you'll ever have the pleasure to meet.

 

[highspeed]

Thanks. So far I like it and I hope to be of some use around here eventually ;-)

 

[Alexia]

You are not too far away from me in the Huntsville area. Welcome!

 

[highspeed]

Yeah, I have an Owens Cross Roads Zip code but I really live in Hampton Cove.

 

[Built2Flex]

Bring that POS, as you called it, out to Gray rock next weekend, I'll help you "break" it in.

 

[highspeed]

LOL, I wasn't calling this a POS.............I was saying that I would not trade my Audi for a POS...........and that there was more stuff on the XJ than I had listed.

Before I go to Gray Rock.........I need to atleast do a TC Drop. So I will order that tomorrow.

 

[XJ Stryker]

Welcome to naxja

 

[highspeed]

Thanks Stryker

Took the XJ down some trails today with my daughter........didn't even go into 4wd, it was nice to be back in jeep..........and my daughter loves it.

 

[256offroad]

Welcome you have probably seen me in one of my many xjs.

Ill keep an eye out. And if you need any help or parts let me know.

 

[highspeed]

Thanks 256. Sent you a pm. I would love to meet the local XJ owners and jeep owners in general.

 

[Team Willys]

The wandering is most likely due to lack of caster. With that much lift you'd pretty much have to eliminate all the caster just to get the front drive shaft any where close to a vibration free angle.

 

[highspeed]

Makes sense. Its really not that bad, just have to stay on top of it when driving. There just seems to be a neutral spot in the steering. It really feels like tie rod ends are busted, but they are fairly new and greased. I did 80mph for over 100 miles with little issue, just had to get used to it.

It does need SYE though, I was going to go with the TC drop but I don't like the way it tilts the motor. Its not gonna be a full off road only rig so I am thinking the Iron Rock SYE and custom length driveshaft for the lift.

 

[256offroad]

Rustys sye kit goes on sale alot keep an eye out for the sales. And get Frankie at Huntsville driveshaft to make them.

 

[highspeed]

Thanks for the info. Im gonna try to order the SYE this week.

 

[cr2000xj]

I'm another in the Huntsville area, if I can do anything to help let me know.

 

[highspeed]

Cool, We will have to get all the HSV guys together and find some trails. I haven't been on any in a while, and I wanna see what this thing will do.

 

[Alexia]

Cool, We will have to get all the HSV guys together and find some trails. I haven't been on any in a while, and I wanna see what this thing will do.

Sure, I will bring my LJ.

 

[highspeed]

Traitor!

 

[Alexia]

Traitor!

My MJ keeps turning on the check engine light, I think it might be missing! Took it out for a stroker and I am in the middle of repainting the engine bay today.