Got an XJ for FREE!! Ideas?
 

Thats right. FOR FREE. Not pretty, but it Runs/Drives!

http://i361.photobucket.com/albums/o...h/IMAG0309.jpg


I called my sister to see if she was interested in selling it. She says " I was thinking about it, but since you want it, you can have it as long as you come and get it today." SO here it is. 1990 XJ with a 190xxx miles. 4.0 and the 4wd works (tested in the ditch).

I'm KIND-OF up in the air on what to do to it. Obviously, lift + tires followed by alignment and what not but this is MY first 4x4 of any kind. I'm not loaded and have no plans of anything EXTREMELY off road. More than likely a curb hopper or stump puller occasionally, mostly DD.

I've come across an inexpensive way of lifting the way I want here but just wanted to see if anyone had any opinions on what to do or maybe which direction to go aesthetically or mechanically.

Blast away! (hold the piss please)

Re: Got an XJ for FREE!! Ideas?
 

Mechanically, I think your fine. Can't go wrong with a Jeep 4.0L, as much as I hate to admit that :rolleyes: Your next problem, if any, will probably end up being the D35 and D30 axles since it's approaching 200k

The budget lift, in my opinion, is the perfect route to take given what your going to be using the truck for. Don't get all stingy on the tires though!!

Good find:thup:

Re: Got an XJ for FREE!! Ideas?
 

Ill give you 250 for it..

/Profit.

Re: Got an XJ for FREE!! Ideas?
 

Now what can I do to prevent the axles from grenading on me? Some kind of fix or just have to replace them? Maybe swap from a newer chassis (yj,etc.)?

I may cheap-out on the tires but more than likely will be on 31-10.50's or 32-11.00's depending on fitment. Unless you have something laying around? I'd love to have a set of the ranger/explorer steelies. :)



Throw in a blow-ee and I'll have the title in hand. (Blow-ee must be from you) :D

Re: Got an XJ for FREE!! Ideas?
 

The axles are good as long as you don't go all rock crawley on 'em!! hahah And I mean I've got a set of 31x10.50's on some American Racing 15x8's that'll fit on your Jeep I may let go for the right price, I forgot the tire brand, but it's an A/T. I was saving them to go on a ranger project.. but I might let them go.

PM me if your interested, I'll shoot you some pic's and a price.

EDIT- they were my old Jeep Wheel/tires..
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/2084/jeep2hdr.jpg
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/980/jeep3hdr.jpg

Links instead of images to prevent thread hijack, :P

Re: Got an XJ for FREE!! Ideas?
 

Nice find for free!

As far as the axles go, You will be fine. You always hear people breaking them but they never tell you how they broke. They were either beating on them, didn't keep the maintenance up on them. You drive like a redneck and you're driving on borrowed time anyway. Axles or not. If you're worried with them, companies do make axle shaft upgrades for them. The 30 / 35 will be fine on 31 / 32" tires. Don't feed into the "They are pieces of shit hype".

As the lift goes, I always say learn the vehicle first before lifting it and jumping in head first. In most cases, the vehicle may surprise you with what it can do. I'm not saying don't lift it, just learn it. If you are willing to cut / trim he fenders / flares you will be able to fit 31 / 32" tires just fine with a 2-3" lift. Also there is what's known as a bastard lift. You take rear springs and add them to your XJ rear springs and get lift that way. Its just not knowing the exact lift height I don't like about doing it that way.

The lift I am more than likely going with will be this one. It's a budget boost 3" to keep it a DD and get clearance for trails also.
http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch...egory_Code=PFX

Sometimes with lifts over 3 - 3.5" you can open up a can of worms. You can get nasty drive line vibes which you can alleviate by a transfer case drop or a slip yoke eliminator. Take in mind the maintenance thing again, cut corners and it will get shitty quick w/ these.

There are TONS of lifts ranging from cheap to HOLY HELL you expect me to pay that!?, out there for the XJ.

Swapping out the chassis on the XJ is a no go. They are a unibody vehicle. If you are worried about it's strength you can get stiffeners for it. Plenty of companies make them for the XJ.

Re: Got an XJ for FREE!! Ideas?
 

WHEW.... glad to hear that shit. I have ZERO intention of crawling, climbing, cliffing, etc. so the axles will be fine. Like seriously... this rig will probably see the occasional beach, field, maybe even camping. NOTHING extreme, not even the mediocre stuff you guys probably do. I can tell you for sure it will see a curb or median or two at max, and I have no intention of slowing down for R/R crossings unless it's gonna be a Kinevil jump.

Basically it will be all show and no go ( all dirt and no hurt? ). This isn't my first rodeo as far as lifting a truck goes, but it will be MY first lifted JEEP product.



Brandon.. you have a PM.

Re: Got an XJ for FREE!! Ideas?
 

Sounds good, nothing wrong with that!

Yeah, your axles under it now will be fine. I just suggest changing the fluids if they haven't been in a while. Also if the rear has a limited slip or any other traction aid, factory or not, you'll wanna do that on a regular. (change fluids)

They ca be fun! I would still consider the purchase of no more than the 3.5" lift or you'll get into paying big prices for stuff you won't ever need or use. 2, 3, 3.5" will do it pretty good with the 31/ 32"ers.

Re: Got an XJ for FREE!! Ideas?
 

Look around on craigslist and local forums and piece a lift together. I pieced my lift together and got everything either brand new or with less than 1000 miles on it, then got wheels and tires and all for about $1000 and it's all quality parts. RE, rustys, n RC stuff.

People say the D35 is weak but I've had no issues with mine turning the 33s and it'll do a mean burnout.

I've got some procomp springs kickin around if you want them. i think they are a 3.5" lift for the front. $50

here's my rig on a 5.5-6" lift and 33x12.5"s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v8...l10001-1-1.jpg

Re: Got an XJ for FREE!! Ideas?
 

Hey nice find, free is always good. Id say go with a 3" lift trim the fenders up and you can run a set of 33x12.50 if you want to. That's what I did and it served me great no problems at all. But im in the process of going higher now up to about 8" when im done and gonna be running 35's. But here's a pic of mine with a 3" budget boost on 33x12.50

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/...-27-40_875.jpg

http://i1177.photobucket.com/albums/...-27-27_805.jpg