XJ Build

[xjh3]

Test drive was a success. Anybody wanna do a winter Rausch run???

[smichaelR22]

i have a 94 4 door being parted out you xj guys need anything?

its white

[xjh3]

I think the chain in my 231 is stretched. How many miles? Also, have a couple people that may be interested in swapping a HP 30 for their LP. I will think but I\'m sure there is stuff I could use. Will be home around Christmas again.

[smichaelR22]

120k on this one, not sure the case will be available, but deff the front HP non disco axle is available.

[Callelle]

How about an engine or gas tank skid?

[smichaelR22]

motor is gone, i can check on the skid

[xjh3]

Callelle, if you are having trouble finding a gas tank skid, ZJ skids fit but don\'t have holes in the right spot. That\'s what mine is, redrilled the holes and fit great. May want to consider beefing it a litte, mine is a little mangled.

[xjh3]

And just to keep things slightly on topic, here is an updated pic with my new $160 tire/wheel combo.

[xjh3]

Haven't added to this in a while and haven't really started another build thread elsewhere, so just an update.

The three link did awesome at Rausch in January. I'm very pleased with it! Right now my shocks are limiting my travel. Might be getting a hold of Ryan about some 12" travel Profenders to get rid of my 10" Skycrappers. I have longer SS braided brake lines for it when I do this as well. Will probably do some front unibody stiffening, brake lines, and shocks all in one shot.

Rear shocks are super short and limiting flex. Not much room on an XJ so the mounts either have to go down on the axle (not happening) or up through the floor. That's in the planning phase as well. This will probably be accompanied by more uinbody stiffening.

I have decided to not spend ANY more money on these axles other than junkyard parts to keep me wheeling. They're fine axles, but I see the writing on the wall and tons are in the future.

So, in the quest for more gearing, I have started to look at doublers. If I buy this kit: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=696803 I can use my current 231 as the donor. If I use a flipped D300 transfercase behind it, it already has fixed yokes and is shorter than a 231 and people report not needing to change driveshaft lengths. Right now I have matching shafts f/r which is pretty awesome.

This seems like something I will almost surely need running tons and 38" or larger tires with my 4.0 (which I have no plans of losing.) What do you guys think? Good time to upgrade? Or am I just going to blow up my axles?

[Callelle]

Assuming you have the 8.25 29 spline, you'd probobly be better off upgrading to new axles if you wanna run 38s. the 8.25 can handle 35s pretty well with upgraded shafts, but anything beyond that, you'd just be running on borrowed time. If it were my XJ and my money, I'd just go ahead and throw tons under it rather than waiting for the small axles to explode.

[xjh3]

Nooo I wouldn't dream of running 38's on stock axles! I've got a HP30 and 8.8 right now with 3.55s. I'm weary of going much larger than 33's with this setup. My thought was to spend the money upgrading to a doubler now to get some gearing back in the rocks. It would also be an upgrade that will be very beneficial when it does get tons and big tires.

I guess I should clarify... With my Jeep as it sits with 33"s/3.55s, am I going to blow stuff up with a doubler? Or should I just wait till it's actually on tons and stuff? I like the idea of putting money into parts that will complement future parts...

[rejeep]

your 8.8 will be fine with just about anything...

your D30 will be fine as well..

[Callelle]

guess I should have gone back and read a little bit >.<

[xjh3]

guess I should have gone back and read a little bit >.<

No worries! You're Jeep is coming along nicely! Maybe you'll do a better job than me at keeping the body straight.

[MrMindless]

231/300 ought to be a nice setup. It will help you not break things more than break things in most cases IMO because you can be gentler.