Came into some cash...need to choose some mods...

[Momrocks]

A member of NAXJA, "BruceB83" is building an inexpensive skid plate sold through his company Appalachian Armor. If skid makes your list, this one adds a lot of protection and piece of mind on a budget. Research the product on NAXJA, not a bad word is said about the skid. Very few products appearing on NAXJA don't have their share detracters, however people seem to be quite satisfied and Bruce sells out as soon as a batch is built.
http://www.appalachianarmor.com/

x5 on the rocker protection. Should be one of the first elements of any XJ build. Sucks to get off the trail and not be able to open or close your doors well (maybe ever again). Let's face it, dents aren't a badge of honor. They are great for accessing the length of your of your roof rack too.

I think you need to add tow points like the HiCountry front and Detours rears. At the very least deal with XJMike for his receiver hitch and add front hooks. Even though I don't philosophically agree with the agenda of most local 4WD Clubs I am exposed to, I do enjoy the occasional 'club ride'. Recovery points are mandatory fare (as well as a good idea) for any club events. You don't want to clog the trail or force a bypass (by impatient mud slingers) by working a lengthy recovery when you could just be simply strap snatched along your way.

 

[ExpoMike]

Outside of some front and rear recovery points, the very first things I would add, if I added nothing else ever, would be rocker protection (aka sliders) and a transfer case skid. I happen to have a Warn one because I got a good deal on it. There are better ones out there.

I have hit both of these and was damn glad I had them. The transfer case is a solid unit (mechanically wise) but the lightweight housing does not take abuse at all. As noted above, hit your rocker hard enough and you won't either get your door(s) open or closed. Buddy of mine learned the hard way and this was after years of offroading. It only takes one Opps to do it.

As for me, I have a stock front skid and I don't really see it so much as rock protection but more to help keep crap out of the underside of the engine area. Likelihood of hitting it with a rock is very low. Same with a fuel tank skid. I will add one at some point but it really hasn't been an issue. I have just caugh the end of the hitch coming off a ledge but it would not have it the fuel tank.

It's really easy to start going overboard. XJ's are very capable vehicles in stock form. Tires play a big part and a good AT tire, aired down to about 18 psi will get you a lot of places. Disconnecting the front swaybar offroad makes a world of difference. First few times I went out, I just unbolted the nuts off the upper part of the link, tied the swaybar up with zip ties and rotated the links forward to keep them out of the way. Worked great.

Here's some flex, bone stock but disconnected the front swaybar,

 

[BIGdaddy]

Outside of some front and rear recovery points, the very first things I would add, if I added nothing else ever, would be rocker protection (aka sliders) and a transfer case skid. I happen to have a Warn one because I got a good deal on it. There are better ones out there.

I have hit both of these and was damn glad I had them. The transfer case is a solid unit (mechanically wise) but the lightweight housing does not take abuse at all. As noted above, hit your rocker hard enough and you won't either get your door(s) open or closed. Buddy of mine learned the hard way and this was after years of offroading. It only takes one Opps to do it.

As for me, I have a stock front skid and I don't really see it so much as rock protection but more to help keep crap out of the underside of the engine area. Likelihood of hitting it with a rock is very low. Same with a fuel tank skid. I will add one at some point but it really hasn't been an issue. I have just caugh the end of the hitch coming off a ledge but it would not have it the fuel tank.

It's really easy to start going overboard. XJ's are very capable vehicles in stock form. Tires play a big part and a good AT tire, aired down to about 18 psi will get you a lot of places. Disconnecting the front swaybar offroad makes a world of difference. First few times I went out, I just unbolted the nuts off the upper part of the link, tied the swaybar up with zip ties and rotated the links forward to keep them out of the way. Worked great.

Here's some flex, bone stock but disconnected the front swaybar,

yeah, like I said before, I've wheeled for a while, I just tend to build my truck very slowly. One of the main reasons I picked the XJ to build was low entrance fee with high levels of ability in stock form. I've installed enough IFS lift kits to know that I'm never doing that again, solid axles only for me.

I put a set of rokmen mercenary sliders on my LJ just before it got stolen. Talk about BEEF!!! I don't think I ever would have exceeded the protection they offered.

With three kids to keep clothed, I'm never at a point of overboard, cuz they take all my money!! haha! just kidding, we're pretty committed parents and they always come first and are even a consideration as far as safety/comfort is concerned as I build this new rig. (I can't believe I'm actually considering curtains for long trips)

BTW, I checked out that "appalachian armor" website, looks like a good unit at a great price ($78.00). I'll have to read up on that. I like that you get some extra clearance when its installed too.

Thanks for that disconnected shot, Mike, I'm definitely tossing my front swaybar in the dumpster...bye-bye..lol.

 

[ExpoMike]

Thanks for that disconnected shot, Mike, I'm definitely tossing my front swaybar in the dumpster...bye-bye..lol.

No, that is definitely not what I would recommend. Get JKS (or others) quick disconnects and disco only when offroad. I had to drive home from Superstition without the front swaybar back when I was stock (lost one set of the bushing when the nut backed off while disconnected). I could really notice a difference, especially when cornering like taking off ramps and such.

If you were making a dedicated trail only rig, go for it but for a DD and something you will have the family in and loaded up for trips, I would be 100% against that and could risk you and your family safety. Disconnects are the way to go. I really am happy with my JKS and they make a set for stock height.

Now if you were just kidding, then :elkgrin:

 

[BIGdaddy]

$450.00 budget
- $50.00 hitch and nutstrips
_______________________
$400.00 budget

:chef:

 

[saburai]

You need an anti sway bar on the street!

No, that is definitely not what I would recommend. Get JKS (or others) quick disconnects and disco only when offroad. I had to drive home from Superstition without the front swaybar back when I was stock (lost one set of the bushing when the nut backed off while disconnected). I could really notice a difference, especially when cornering like taking off ramps and such.

If you were making a dedicated trail only rig, go for it but for a DD and something you will have the family in and loaded up for trips, I would be 100% against that and could risk you and your family safety. Disconnects are the way to go. I really am happy with my JKS and they make a set for stock height.

Now if you were just kidding, then :elkgrin:

+1 on that! Stay safe on the street, please.

Allocate the cost of some quick discos, while your at it, buy or make up a set of cables and snap links to keep the bar and QD's out of the way - you won't regret it!

 

[BIGdaddy]

+1 on that! Stay safe on the street, please.

Allocate the cost of some quick discos, while your at it, buy or make up a set of cables and snap links to keep the bar and QD's out of the way - you won't regret it!

understood. I'll think on it.