New to me 99 Jeep XJ

[saburai]

Hi Gang!
Here are a few crappy pictures of our new ride:

Pics are from the PO's craigslist add - sorry!
I'm pretty stoked
It's very clean with only 104,000 miles, no rust, and it's set up pretty well.
Its got a 4.0 HO I6 with a header and a K&N cone. Trany wise it's got the np 231 command-trac transfercase, the ax15 5 speed transmission with hurst shifter, Chrysler 8.25" rear axle, Dana 30 front axle. Lift is about 4.5 inches. Springs, control arms and trac-bar with heavy duty mount from rustysoffroad. QD's on the sway bar, Old man emu shocks and shock conversions, shackles from rocky road outfitters. It's riding on 31X10.50 MT MTZ's mounted on Cragers. Warrior bumper.
More pics to come...

 

[ExpoMike]

Nice. Glad to see another XJ'er around. :arabia:

 

[Root Moose]

Welcome to the cult of XJ.

Needs bigger tahrs...

 

[IH8RDS]

Looks good. 33" tires would be perrrrrrfict.

 

[mountainpete]

Very nice truck. I've always had a partiality to those Bushwacker fender flares on an XJ.

Pete

 

[saburai]

Actuly...

Looks good. 33" tires would be perrrrrrfict.

Definitely would look awesome :safari-rig:
But...
First I'm going to take the front coil spacers out and remove the rear shackles to drop it an inch or so.
I know, I know! It looks bad MMM the way it is
95% of the time I'll be on the street or hi-way so a little lower with some good A/T tires will make it safer as well as a bit more low profile
Also, the PO did the lift with transfer case blocks instead of a slip yoke eliminator...
I want to do a "budget" winch and bumper too.

 

[Root Moose]

Definitely would look awesome :safari-rig:
But...
First I'm going to take the front coil spacers out and remove the rear shackles to drop it an inch or so.
I know, I know! It looks bad MMM the way it is
95% of the time I'll be on the street or hi-way so a little lower with some good A/T tires will make it safer as well as a bit more low profile
Also, the PO did the lift with transfer case blocks instead of a slip yoke eliminator...
I want to do a "budget" winch and bumper too.

Have the axles been regeared? Something to consider in the price of upsizing the tires too.

I like the look of the BWs but they need a big tire to fill them out.

 

[Maximus Ram]

beautiful XJ you have there. congrats on the "new" purchase:safari-rig:

 

[saburai]

Thanks Guys!

Have the axles been regeared? Something to consider in the price of upsizing the tires too.

I like the look of the BWs but they need a big tire to fill them out.

Nope, stock gears.
Not up-sizing. Staying with 31X10.50 just going to an "aggressive" A/T.

Any recommendations on a decent budget priced winch?
How about a winch bumper?

Many thanks

Rich

 

[Maximus Ram]

Winches are like vehicles, everyone's gonna like something different.
I picked up my MileMarker 8000 for under 400 bucks and if the military likes MM, why not.

Found my winch bumper on e-bay, factory blem and only 250 dollars.
I've been building mine up on a very limited budget, so if I find what I think is a bargin and have the $$, I get it. Most of it has been either found on e-bay or craigslist. or if your lucky, you can make a find at your local offroad parts store.

 

[saburai]

Thanks!

Winches are like vehicles, everyone's gonna like something different.
I picked up my MileMarker 8000 for under 400 bucks and if the military likes MM, why not.

Found my winch bumper on e-bay, factory blem and only 250 dollars.
I've been building mine up on a very limited budget, so if I find what I think is a bargin and have the $$, I get it. Most of it has been either found on e-bay or craigslist. or if your lucky, you can make a find at your local offroad parts store.

Mile Marker looks like a good unit! Where did you find it for that price? Any good links?

 

[IH8RDS]

Winches are like vehicles, everyone's gonna like something different.

True..

I ended up getting a Warn M8000 with an ARB bullbar combo from 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers years ago.



I have seen this Detours bumper in person and like it. Its a cost effective way yo install a winch up front and keeps the stock lines.

http://www.detoursusa.com/xjbackbone.php

 

[saburai]

True..

I ended up getting a Warn M8000 with an ARB bullbar combo from 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers years ago.

I have seen this bumper in person and like it. Its a cost effective way yo install a winch up front and keeps the stock lines.

http://www.detoursusa.com/xjbackbone.php

The ARB bullbar would be my choice:drool: . But - I'm looking at a grand just for the bumper! Can't do it...

 

[Maximus Ram]

Mile Marker looks like a good unit! Where did you find it for that price? Any good links?

I got lucky and my local Central 4wd was having a sale. The best advice I could give is keep checking on line and your local shop. Maybe ask them if any sales are coming up. And I have found that if you find one, it doesn't hurt to ask if they could come down on the price abit. I've gotten anywheres from 10 - 20 % of of stuff that way.:sombrero:

p.s. when looking at bumpers, make sure that it bolts to the "frame" for strength.

 

[saburai]

I got lucky and my local Central 4wd was having a sale. The best advice I could give is keep checking on line and your local shop. Maybe ask them if any sales are coming up. And I have found that if you find one, it doesn't hurt to ask if they could come down on the price abit. I've gotten anywheres from 10 - 20 % of of stuff that way.:sombrero:

p.s. when looking at bumpers, make sure that it bolts to the "frame" for strength.

Thanks!
Do you have any pics or a link to your bumper?


Rich