2001 XJ, auto, stock except for RIGID front bumper.
I'm about to hand the XJ over to my 16 year old son, and he wants a lift and tires. He is on a budget, and while he wants to go "higher and bigger", he is constrained by finances as he will have to pay for all mods himself 100%.
He wants a 6" lift and 35s. I told him that the Dana 35c rear axle will not handle those tires very well, and even if he can find a 44 or 8.8 for cheap, he is still looking at $$$ for a quality lift, longarm kit, wheels with the proper backspacing, regearing, SYE, new driveshafts, etc. I'd guessitmate that he is looking at a cash outlay of around $3k or so (at minimum) for what he needs, but he thinks that he can do it for a little over $1k.
I suggested to him that he place a 3" lift on it, and run some almost brand new 235/85R16 tires that I just pulled off of my mud truck. I believe that those will fit on the stock 16" XJ rims. With this combo he may still need the SYE and driveshaft, but will have (in my opinion) a very capable offroad vehicle for not a lot of $. If/when he decides to upgrade or gets "inch-itis", he can reasses his budget and needs at that time.
The majority of his driving will be to and from town for school and work. When he does play offroad, it is almost exclusively mudpits in the back pasture.
This old man would appreciate your opinions here. I'm not going to make his decision for him, but want him to gather enough information before making a decision. He has about $850 to spend right now.
Thanks,
Bud
I'm about to hand the XJ over to my 16 year old son, and he wants a lift and tires. He is on a budget, and while he wants to go "higher and bigger", he is constrained by finances as he will have to pay for all mods himself 100%.
He wants a 6" lift and 35s. I told him that the Dana 35c rear axle will not handle those tires very well, and even if he can find a 44 or 8.8 for cheap, he is still looking at $$$ for a quality lift, longarm kit, wheels with the proper backspacing, regearing, SYE, new driveshafts, etc. I'd guessitmate that he is looking at a cash outlay of around $3k or so (at minimum) for what he needs, but he thinks that he can do it for a little over $1k.
I suggested to him that he place a 3" lift on it, and run some almost brand new 235/85R16 tires that I just pulled off of my mud truck. I believe that those will fit on the stock 16" XJ rims. With this combo he may still need the SYE and driveshaft, but will have (in my opinion) a very capable offroad vehicle for not a lot of $. If/when he decides to upgrade or gets "inch-itis", he can reasses his budget and needs at that time.
The majority of his driving will be to and from town for school and work. When he does play offroad, it is almost exclusively mudpits in the back pasture.
This old man would appreciate your opinions here. I'm not going to make his decision for him, but want him to gather enough information before making a decision. He has about $850 to spend right now.
Thanks,
Bud