Fightin' the urge...

[kodiak1232003]

Camel Trophy cars had open diffs? amazing

yup.

all they had were HD springs, mud-terrains, and skidplates.

granted, i've never pulled a diff cover on one of them, i have, however, had several several ex-drivers and a bunch of rover sites atest to their "openness".

this is on the disco's, not sure on the backup D90's and 110's

 

[cshontz]

Ah, the ExPo spirit - the embodiment of reason. I seriously love you guys. My mindset is improved today, and once again, I'm content with the Cherokee's current configuration. You guys really helped restore my perspective. Next time it happens, I'll just dig up this thread.

I'm constantly exposed to modified vehicles, and I'm fairly active on the Jeep forums. Combine that with a little chemical imbalance, and its fairly easy to lose sight of the ball.

:088:

 

[FourByLand]

don't do it.

yours is fine.

become a better driver.

watch a few camel trophy videos, and realize what they did with basically stock vehicles (open diffs)

that is all

-Brian

They were also driving Land Rovers. I say lift it.

:shakin:

Here was my 2001 somewhere in Tucson.

 

[cshontz]

They were also driving Land Rovers. I say lift it.

:shakin:

Bad form!

 

[xr8dxj]

Your XJ is awesome. And it would look bad-*** at 8"! :wings:

 

[IH8RDS]

I know this was said before, but built it for your purpose.

I have always been a low CG guy. I have allot of armor on the underside of my Cherokee. I would always keep up with the more heavily equipped vehicles. If I got stuck I would literally drag myself over the rocks with my winch. Over the years I have done allot of damage to the under carriage. If I would have just put bigger tires on, I could of easily traveled over allot more. 31" tires and 4" lift work well on a Cherokee, but 33" tires and 4.5" to 5" lift make a huge difference. If you are sticking to fire access and unimproved roads you will be fine with what you have.

With a SYE already installed you are one step ahead of the game. If you want to do some more challenging trails put on a slightly bigger lift, rock rails and at least one locker.

But really do what you're comfort level and anticipated purpose of your vehicle

Don't let this happen to you're rails:

Shortly after, I installed these. Damage was already done though.

 

[xr8dxj]

I fully understand the lower CG thing. There are a few times while on the trail I wished my XJ was a tad shorter!

I'm actually looking for a second project XJ that I will keep relatively low. I've been informed I'll be restationed in Germany in mid '09 and the lift laws in Europe are apparently a little more stringent than Colorado.

My "plan" as I peruse Craigslist is a post '97 Cherokee Classic. In white of course. I want a snorkle, ARB front bumper, ARB mesh floor roofrack, TNT Customs rock rails, & an Armorology rear tire swingout bumper. A 2" lift (if EU/DE laws will allow) and I'm thinking Goodyear's Silent Armor pseudo-speed rated tires in the 31"~ish range for the Autobahn's rain & snow.

Anyway "the color scheme" would be the Cherokee Classic's all white with the ARB bumper, TNT Customs rock rails and the Armorology rear bumper powdercoated to match the ARB roofrack's Millennium grey powder-coat finish.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Armorology rear XJ bumper here are a few pics! Obviously this XJ isn't mine... it's too short!

 

[FourByLand]

Bad form!

:26_7_2:

 

[Big Daddy Chia]

I see it this way. I only went with 3.5 inches of lift and 31x10.50 bfgs. I have taken it off roading once so far and it did great, I went the same places as the guys with IFS on 33's or bigger. I went the same place as guys with solid axles and 35's. I dont plan on making this a hard core rock crawler. Not now any way. Heck even when I had my old Xterra, I would keep up with the jeeps, and it only had 2 inches of lift and 31's. In my opinion its not necesarrily about the rig as it is about the driver.

My old X and My Cherokee.

 

[cshontz]

I agree with everyone's points. In fact, despite being slightly bipolar, I'm one of the biggest advocates of low cog and minimal suspension modification. Honestly, I enjoy being told I won't make it, and then being asked if I'm locked.

Folks invest so heavily in modification that they lose sight of what is capable with a stock platform. Modification obviously has its place, but it is not a replacement for technique.

Besides, its more fun when there is at least a little doubt.

 

[WJinTRSC]

I say go for it. I personally think that a 2" lift is really beginner and capability improves DRAMATICALLY w/ a 3" kit. I don't think you'll be disappointed w/ the ride at all, but the tires will change the gas mileage a bit, unfortunately. Just remember to extend the bumpstops a bit and maybe play w/ wheel spacers to avoid rubbing. Sway-bar disco's also make a BIG difference in performance offroad while maintaining a sweet ride w/ good handling on road. Good luck. My best is advice is research research research, which you've done and will continue to do.

I love the jeep!

 

[cshontz]

I personally think that a 2" lift is really beginner and capability improves DRAMATICALLY w/ a 3" kit.

I value your input, but if you are implying that ride height is proportional to experience, then I must heartily disagree - not just for me, but for anyone. Don't subscribe to that misconception. I do agree that 2" is potentially limiting on technical terrain, but 1) I haven't been limited yet, and 2) it being perceived as beginner isn't a good enough reason.

I love the jeep!

Thanks - likewise! :beer:

 

[IH8RDS]

Folks invest so heavily in modification that they lose sight of what is capable with a stock platform. Modification obviously has its place, but it is not a replacement for technique.

I disagree. I drove my XJ on the trail for years before I lifted it. It did OK, but... It dramatically increased with improvements to the suspension. Then I got a winch and armored up... even better. Then came the lockers. amazing.

Stock Cherokees have there capabilities and places. A stock Cherokee can go to 98% of the roads on the continent. But I know that I could not take my stock XJ where my modified XJ can go now. It is not technique. Trust me. Its physics. Stock XJs are lower then the average stock 4x4. I used to get hung up all the time when my Cherokee was stock.

I have not lost sight because I modified my jeep. I just refined it. It evolved. That is the reason I installed ARB's. I run unlocked first. If I cant make it after a couple tries. I flip the switches.

These are my opinions. I have been on the trails now for over 20 years. I would not go out to the places I go in stock form and not expect some sort of damage. Body or mechanical. The stress that has to be exerted on a stock vehicle to bump over an obstacle at higher speeds as opposed to slowly crawling up and over with better approach and departure angles sold it for me.

Sorry I went a little long winded. I think you have made up you mind. You are the one who owns the title so do what ever you want

I still say lift it though. :26_7_2:

 

[cshontz]

I disagree.

No you don't. I intended for my "modification has its place" comment to cover everything you just said. I'm just too damn vague.

EDIT: I can't agree with you and me at the same time, if you disagree with me. That's paradoxical.

 

[WJinTRSC]

I value your input, but if you are implying that ride height is proportional to experience, then I must heartily disagree - not just for me, but for anyone. Don't subscribe to that misconception. I do agree that 2" is potentially limiting on technical terrain, but 1) I haven't been limited yet, and 2) it being perceived as beginner isn't a good enough reason.


Thanks - likewise! :beer:

Yeah, I understand what you mean, and No I certainly don't consider you and your jeep to be in the "beginner" category. I now see how I could easily be misunderstood. I guess it's all about personal ability and comfort w/ a vehicle really, but IMO, there's only a minor change to the vehicle w/ 2" or less. I'll be the first to say there is a lot gained w/ a 2" kit from stock, but RELATIVELY speaking, w/ 3"+ on XJ's/WJ's/ZJ's and a few others, the ability for significantly larger tires and greater articulation begins at 3". Driveline issues shouldn't appear for you until 4"+. Yes, it will be more wear/strain, but not excessive w/ a good quality lift done right(aka PLANNED PROPERLY), which I'm confident you will only exemplify.
By beginner, I think I was referring to most people kinda get their feet wet w/ lifts/major vehicle alterations by going w/ a 2" OME or BB and use it to learn. Then they realize their vehicle's potential and decide what they really want long term and for their own intentions. My apologies to make such generalzations. It's not negative; but as you said, you've now thought about what you could do w/ just one more inch and slightly larger tire. I don't associate you w/ some "Newb" just cuz you gotta 2" OME. Quite the contrary; your Jeep is what my WJ was intended to become, but I couldn't find one and came across mine as a good deal. Now, I love it!

As before, Good luck and thanks for the compliments!