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Topic: Build ideas, stages, from stock

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HavenSOV
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Build ideas, stages, from stock
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So I want to upgrade my '91 XJ to a bit more trail worthy, and I'm thinking of doing it in stages.  I'm going to have to do this on a budget, and will be doing most of the work myself.  I would like to stick to components that bolt to the original holes and preferably require no drilling or welding.

The only parts i have already put on are some decent air shocks and some other replacement parts to keep her running.

But, being new, I would like to get everyone here's thoughts on my plan of attack.  I have no preference when it comes to manufacture as long as its a good bang for the buck.

Please post your suggestions on both parts as well as order of purchase (IE You should get the sliders before the lift...).

Stage 1
2in economy lift
Sliders
New hitch, 2in, rear
Hitch, 2in, front
Transfer case skid plate
Armor for both axles
31in tires with more aggressive tread but that are still decent on the street.
60in long roof rack
High output alternator
Lights and sound

I don't want to go any higher then 2 inches until  my youngest is out of her car seat or I have another Jeep thats easier to transport her in.

Stage 2
4in lift
Transfer case to drive shaft piece to handle the extra lift( I don't remember what is called).
33in M/T tires
Rear bumper with sing out for spare, water or gas jug, and High jack.
Front bumper with shackle points, winch plate, possibly with easy to add brush guard later
Winch, 9k LBS
Engine over haul, need thoughts on this?

At this point I will also need to keep it so that I can tow one of two trailers, so i don't want to go much higher.

Stage 3
Need ideas....

So theres my plan, thoughts anyone?

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aci4369
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One thing that might save you a buck is if you are putting the hitch on the front for a tow point, just buy tow hooks instead. I bought these: http://www.xxxxxxxx.com/scripts/prodList.asp?idCategory=54
If you are using it for a winch then I would forget the tow hooks because you already have the tow point. Just my two cents.

Edited post: GLXJ does not support that retailer for private reasons.



-- Edited by 1BADMJ at 22:12, 2007-08-27

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HavenSOV
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I was planing the front hitch for a few reasons.

For recovery, with shackle or hook.

For towing, i hat having to back up trailers and think that it would be a lot easy pushing the forward in tight spots.

I have a winch that attach's to a hitch and could use it off the front with a bit of wiring.

The front hitch is half the price of a new bumper.

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Jeepin Jason
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HavenSOV wrote:
I would like to stick to components that bolt to the original holes and preferably require no drilling or welding.

Pretty much all rocker guards are going to require some amount of drilling to be installed. Most transfercase skid plates do too, other than the factory t'case skid.

I'd also recommend a gas tank skid if you don't already have one. These require no drilling, and it would be a perfect time to install one when you do the rear hitch since they basically use all the same bolts. smile If you can find a factory gas tank skid, they're pretty decent for light to moderate wheeling.

For rocker guards I'd recommend AJ's or JCR. For skids, it's hard to beat Skid Row in terms of bang for the buck IMHO. Warn as a t'case skid that's a little cheaper I think, but I'm not sure if it's as strong.

The drilling for installation of the rocker guards and skid plates is really pretty minimal and easy to do. It's nothing I'd be concerned about doing, other than the potential for corrosion if you have to deal with a lot of salt in the winters.

edit: oh yeah, as far as the order goes, I know it's not quite a much fun, or as cool looking, as a lift and bigger tires, but I'd go for the armor and recovery gear first personally.

-- Edited by Jeepin Jason at 15:15, 2007-08-28

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IntrepidXJ
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Jeepin Jason wrote:

Warn as a t'case skid that's a little cheaper I think, but I'm not sure if it's as strong.


I have the Warn skid on my 2000....and it's definitely not as storng as some out there.....but it is cheaper and much better than the stock skid.....so it's perfect for mild/moderate wheeling.

I just got it to hold me over until I can afford to order the T&T Y-Link from you (don;t hold your breath, it's gonna be a while) ;)




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HavenSOV
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Thanks for the advice guys.

I was leaning toward the armor first as well. Some what from an accented I stopped at this past winter involving a very nice moderately upgraded XJ and a supped up Civic where the XJ's sliders protected the doors from being banged in when the Civic slid on some ice on 94 and slammed into the XJ.

Another reason is that some of the Ren Faires I work could be considered mild off-roading. Hidden tree stumps, ruts, roots, mud, and some pretty steep hills.

If everything goes right, I should be able to most of what I want to do for a first stage with my upcoming taxes so the lift, hitch, armor and tires will all be there...

But I did for get rims. I will want to get those at the same time I get the tires. Any thoughts on good rims?

And being a newb, can someone please explain the basic difference and reason for "off road" rims?

Thanks again...

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aci4369
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If you want cheap rims go to a junk yard and get stock mustang rims.  Have them powder coated, or paint them yourself with a rattle can.  I did this on my old XJ and it looks pritty good.  I did have to grind down the center hole that fits onto the axle just a bit, prolly took 25 min. or so with a dremel, but only for the rears.  Here are some pics of what my mustang rims look like and then my buddy's stock rims on his wrangler repainted.  Keep in mind that they are both dirty and do actually shine up and look pritty.biggrin

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86cherokeexj799
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i had the skidrow t case on my old one and it was bent, bruised and had more rockrash than u'd believe and it still fit fine and i had no 2nd (or even a 1st) thought about dragging the belly on stuff. i would also HIGHLY recommend a gas tank skid. i nearly missed a weeklong spring break trip to windrock, tn cause when i was testing the jeep the week before i left i put a nice hole in the tank. luckily i got it mostly sealed and was able to make it but the tank still had a drip to it.

x10 armor over lift....what good is a lift and big tires if all the vitals are destroyed, its also a good way to shorten the life of the jeep if you do tooo much body damage to quickly

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HavenSOV
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I have the factory gas skid plate, still good enough, or should I get more?

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Jeepin Jason
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HavenSOV wrote:

I have the factory gas skid plate, still good enough, or should I get more?



 If you do have the factory gas tank skid (not just the plastic shield thing) then I'd call it good and focus on other things. 



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A lot of good info thus far in this thread. Not really a ton I can add.

As stated, armor is key. I'd recomend doing it as one of the first mods. Where we wheel, rocker guards (rock rails) would be one of the 1st things I'd buy. I can't tell you how many times they've saved my rockers. I'd also than look into a tc skid of sorts. I've been really happy with the DPG belly skid. It's a few bucks more, but it's total beef and worth the money. Armor is something I don't think you should skimp on.

I'd also add some recovery both front and rear. A rear hitch is great. For the front a hitch works well, or go with some C4X4 front tow hooks. JO has probally the best prices on them. I'd only recomend the factory or C4X4 as they have the added support plate. Stay away from the others on the market.

A simple budget boost would be a good start as well. We all know you'll want to go higher in the future and with a BB (spacer and shackle) those parts can be re-used down the road if you want, or easily sold.

As far as rim's go. Go with a 15x8 as you can run a 10.5" tire on it, or a 12.5" wide tire on it in the future. It saves you from having to get new rims down the road when you go with larger tires. Aftermarket rims will give you a better offset, thus not rubbing on the front control arms with the larger tires. A stock rim won't allow you to do that (they rub).

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HavenSOV
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Stage 1
Sliders
Transfer case skid plate
New hitch, 2in, rear
Hitch, 2in, front
2in economy lift
31in tires
Armor for both axles
60in long roof rack
High output alternator
Lights and sound
Cargo/passenger area separation net


Stage 2
4in lift
Transfer case to drive shaft piece to handle the extra lift( I don't remember what is called).
33in M/T tires
Rear bumper with sing out for spare, water or gas jug, and High jack.
Front bumper with shackle points, winch plate, possibly with easy to add brush guard later
Winch, 9k LBS
Engine over haul, need thoughts on this?


Stage 3
Roll cage, interior

Ok, here is the new order in which I shall buy things. I also have been pricing out some of the various components on-line.

Any one else have recommendations on what after market parts they loved or hated?

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Jeepin Jason
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Husky floor liners front front to rear. We've got them in both our Jeeps and in our truck. Really nice to not worry about the carpets getting mucked up.

I'd pick up a d-ring/shackle insert for the hitch(es). I'd also get a recovery strap that has loops on the end, minimum 2" x 20' in size.

IMHO it's also wise to carry a fire extinguisher (or two). Just a regular small garage unit from Lowes/HomeDepot would suffice.

And I'd recommend a first aid kit. Like a 'camper' or 'hiker' first aid kit from REI or some place like that. You could probably even find one at Wal-Mart.

Spare fuses, tire plug kit, tire pressure gauge, a multi-tool, flashlight or two and some spare batteries (I carry a 3-cell Maglight and a small LED light in my XJ), emergency poncho, jumper cables, small bottle of water...

Oh, and a CB!! Absolutely one of the best things to have on the trail to keep in contact with everyone.

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HavenSOV
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Ok, added the Husky floors to my list.

Once I have the Reese hitches orders, Shackles inserts will be ordered with them.

Already have the recovery strap, Michigan winters its almost a necessity.

The funny thing is, I already carry most of the other stuff listed all the time in any of my cars. Still have my 4-cell mag-light from when I delivered pizza, a full tool kit, jumpers cables (again, Michigan winters)...

As for a med kit, I have a huge one that lives in my XJ. My wife is the medic for our combat troupe, so she has the med kit with us all the time, you never know when you might need a finger splint or mountains of gause... The fire extinguisher for the same reason, tho I prefer the ones that are safe to spray people with... To many friends like to play with fire... but they get paid for it...

I will also add the CB to my list.

But you do bring up a good thought...

I know that I carry most of that stuff as just a general rule of thumb, along with duct tape, an few small blankets, candles, and non perishable munchies. It was one of those things that were second nature to me because my folk always had this stuff in the car, just in case. And there were more then enough times that we had to use it that it solidified it in my mind that you just don't travel with out the basics, especially in winter.

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