Xj ome

[mc2az]

My first post here with an introduction and seeking help. I used to spend a lot of time on NAXJA until I got tired of the negative comments & conflicting info. When I found EXPO I started to realize that this type of Wheeling is more in line with what I plan on enjoying with my family. I'm looking at several XJ's in the 99-2001 range to buildup with the basics like lift, 30x9, rack so on. Mostly Arizona forest road stuff. My problem is I have done several XJ's with RC lifts but never get the quality or dependability I hope for.
I have been looking at OME systems and really like the reviews but I need help understanding the parts....or lack of full lift kits. I see some sale sites have 1.5" and some have 2". Some just sell a la cart parts and you have to match up everything. Hopefully you can educate me or help me wade through all this. I am looking for 2 inches and medium weight class. No winch or big front bumper. Just the spare on the rack with a HILIFT and me, the wife and and some overnight gear. Any ideas.

 

[photoman]

I am going to pay it forward here and recommend you contact DPG Offroad for your needs. http://www.dpgoff-road.com/. I think 5 members here recommended them to me and I was very impressed when I called.

I am saving up for the setup I worked out with them for my 98 XJ-
4" Lift- OME Shocks, Springs & Coils
Adjustable bump stops
Disconnects
Upgrade Stabilizer
Slip Yoke Eliminator and custom drive shaft
plus more.....

Every part was picked for the terrain I will be driving and the weight I will eventually add with accessories. My trips are usually 70% paved, 20% forest road, and 10% rough off road.

 

[ExpoMike]

Yep, I agree with photoman, Dirk at DPG Offroad is a great guy to work with and he can set you up with the right OME stuff. I have kept my build fairly mild (listed below) but I can get to about 90% of where most anyone goes. Hardcore rock crawling is just not my thing so I stay away from that stuff.

Sounds like you are figuring out what YOU want to do and then getting the approprate stuff for that. Something I would highly recommend regardless of lift hight or type of wheeling you will do is a set of rock rails. They will save your bacon more times then not and actually get you thru places (allowing you to slide across rocks if needed) without damaging your rig. Highly recommend AJ's Super Rock Rails.

Good luck and feel free to ask whatever questions you need to. ExPo is a great group of poeple.

 

[winkosmosis]

It's too bad DPG took down the "anti tolerance" stuff from their website. It's the reason I decided to not send them my dollars. Now all that's left is the normal evangelical and creationist links.

I bought my springs from Jeepinoutfitters. The guy's name is Jason, and he's registered as a sponsor on jeepforum http://jeepspace.jeepforum.com/Jason, aka: Jeepin.com

He explained the springs to me and when I asked, he separated them from the shocks so customers could buy them separately.

Here is my advice with the 2" Old Man Emu leafs... Buy the shortest boomerang shackles you can find for them. Otherwise the shackle is dangerously close to the box. I think mine hits, but not sure. Eventually I will add these, and hopefully the extra 5/8" you are supposed to get isn't enough to cause vibrations http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/m...ES&Store_Code=JKS01&Category_Code=Leaf_Spring

 

[XJLI]

OME shocks/springs will suit your needs quite well, though i'd suggest the heavy option if you plan on camping with it, since gear weight can load up pretty fast, and youll get a full 3" of lift out of the heavy kit. that and i'd recommend 31" tires over the 30s.

Dirk is great, calling him would be your best bet on OME parts.

 

[Root Moose]

I agree. If you are going to bother doing this might as well go with 31" tires.

 

[winkosmosis]

Here is mine with 2" light duty and 31" tires

 

[mc2az]

Thanks guys, I was worried that I didn't actually communicate my ideas well(happens a lot with my wife). Anyway, thats good info. I really like the clean-green XJ too, pretty much what I stay awake building in my head at night. Any thoughts on Rocky Road Outfitters? I've been looking at a few XJ's in Utah and a trip up there could be in our future and maybe save lift shipping cost.

 

[FishPOET]

Any thoughts on Rocky Road Outfitters?

The horror stories of folks buying from RRO are plentiful. I steer clear of RRO.

 

[XJLI]

The horror stories of folks buying from RRO are plentiful. I steer clear of RRO.

big ole x2 there. their site is literally full of lies.

 

[mc2az]

OK, It looks like DPG's in and RRO's out. I don't have to be beat with that stick more than two or three times to get the message. Seems like we have a team build here so let's keep it going. I have about a month left for all the blueprints then I take the plunge. This is what I have in mind for phase 1
Unmolested/stock 99-2001 XJ, I also subscribe to the Tall/Narrow philosophy, hard to find in the 31x9.5x15 range though. Hope to stay clear of the need for a SYE in this phase due to $$ but want to do the 2"-3" one time and get it right. Not too much into the camping thing in the Arizona heat but want to know I can get "OUT" there and get back. Big tires and flash are many miles behind me. So help me out and your ideas too could be under my early Christmas Tree.

 

[winkosmosis]

OK, It looks like DPG's in and RRO's out. I don't have to be beat with that stick more than two or three times to get the message. Seems like we have a team build here so let's keep it going. I have about a month left for all the blueprints then I take the plunge. This is what I have in mind for phase 1
Unmolested/stock 99-2001 XJ, I also subscribe to the Tall/Narrow philosophy, hard to find in the 31x9.5x15 range though. Hope to stay clear of the need for a SYE in this phase due to $$ but want to do the 2"-3" one time and get it right. Not too much into the camping thing in the Arizona heat but want to know I can get "OUT" there and get back. Big tires and flash are many miles behind me. So help me out and your ideas too could be under my early Christmas Tree.

I like narrow too, that's why I stayed with stock wheels. I think it makes smaller tires look beefier too.

My BFG ATs are 31x10.5, and I had to put washers in the steering stops to stop rubbing at full lock. The turning circle is noticeably reduced, but isn't that bad. Jeeps start out with a small radius.


List of OME springs http://jeepinoutfitters.com/scripts/prodList.asp?manufacturer=56

What I have (with stock shocks)
Light load coils http://jeepinoutfitters.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1187
Light load leafs http://jeepinoutfitters.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=1183
Bushings for the leafs http://www.jeepinoutfitters.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=691

Here is what I want to add http://www.jeepinoutfitters.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=89


And here is the complete Old Man Emu 2" kit http://www.jeepinoutfitters.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=645
You also need the bushings to go with that kit http://www.jeepinoutfitters.com/scripts/prodView.asp?idProduct=691

People recommend replacing the old U bolts also, but Jeepin's supplier sent out the wrong size U bolts to me, so I kept the old ones.

 

[Root Moose]

In 31" you are stuck with 31x10.5 AFAIK.

If you move to metric sizing you could go to a 245/75-16. That is roughly a 30.5 x 10.1 x 16.

Keep an eye out for someone upgrading a stock TJ Rubicon and selling his tires and wheels. These are 245/75-16 and will bolt up to a XJ (5 on 4.5" bolt pattern). IIRC they are a 16x8" wheel so if you wanted to go to a larger tire in the future (say 265/75-16, 285/75-16 or 255/85-16) it would not be a problem with those wheels unless you decided to go to a much larger/radical size that required less backspacing.

HTH

 

[mc2az]

This is some great info. I was really hoping to do this right the first time. Maybe learn from my younger XJ & CJ3B (wish I still had the 3b) attempts and your experiences. Don't care what others see when I go by, "spend $$$ to impress thousands I don't even know". Maybe even in a little comfort if the right XJ comes along.

You have me leanin in the OME 2" HVY w/31x10 BFG AT's. Any SYE opinions.

Also really like the Baja Rack http://www.bajarack.com/themule.html for the spare and HILIFT. I know...think CG, but trust me I want to see the "forest & mountains" not the rock I'm crawlin over. Besides I can't put enough hand holds in an XJ w/o a cage for wife.

 

[winkosmosis]

I dunno about you, but I never want to have to pull a spare off the roof, much less put one up

About the SYE, usually people don't get them for 2" lift. At some speeds I get a slight vibration, but I have no way of knowing if it's the driveline or something else.