35s vs 33x10.5 for an xj. Help me make a decision on my build

[88Xj]

Hey guys I'm stuck trying to decide what I wanna do with my jeep. Being in the desert I wanna make a jeepspeed style rig and would stick to 33x10.5s. If I make it more camping/trail/expo style I would do 35s.

I've got an 8.8, trussed, tubes welded to the 3rd, 4.56s, Aussie locked, disks, ruff stuff cover. My d30 is on hold for its truss until I decide what to do, expo or jeepspeed. Jeepspeed would be under truss while the expo/camping style would be an over truss. It's got a wj swap, trutrac & 4.56s, 10factory chromos. I've got the axles to hold the 35s no worries, but I just can't seem to decide.


I think an expo style rig would be more $$ overall. A expo/camping style would probably come with a winch(not needed but a want)and a tire carrier. While a jeepspeed would entail rear shock hoops, simple tube bumpers(already have the fornt done) & I'd carry the spare in the back. something like this.



I'd have a low profile rack on either version. I figure I could build it jeepspeed style and use it for plenty of desert expedition type stuff, hauling everything in/on the rack or a hitch basket. The expo style I would probably want a tire carrier minimum which is like 600 even to have a small time shop fab it up. And a few other mods to better suit that style build.

I've plated my frame front to rear, would need new coils and rear shocks for a jeepspeed setup. Ok I just can't figure out what to do with my build.

 

[Papasxj]

Sounds like you already have decided on the tire size based on the build type. Problem is, you haven't nailed down the build type.
I'd make two lists: 1) a "yes" list of places you go and want to go and 2) a "no" list of places you "currently" have NO interest in going. Study your lists for a month or two and see if any of the "no's" move over to the "yes" list. Then chose which build will enable you to fulfill the "Yes" list. I built mine with the Rubicon as my target. Good luck.

Cheers,

 

[jeepdreamer]

Expo in the Jeepspeed areas...doable.
Jeepspeed in expo areas...maybe come a little short.?.
I vote expo.

 

[stioc]

If I make it more camping/trail/expo style I would do 35s.

I don't know. I disagree needing anything close to 35s on a short-ish wheel base 'expo' rig. My tires are barely 31" (245/75/16) and they do fine on all the mild-to-medium trails I would want to attempt on a typical 4-5 day trip into the backcountry. They're also great, MPG wise, for covering long distances on the highway. I'm personally going up to 32s on my next set and I think 33s would be about perfect for most ExPo rigs unless you prefer rock crawling over exploring the backcountry or you drive a LWB vehicle like a Power Wagon.

 

[DaJudge]

If you are building a rock crawler, go for 35s. If you are building an expedition rig 33s are more than plenty. I have 33s and many times have wished that I had stayed with some smaller tires.

 

[MtnClimber]

I run 33x10.5's KM2's spun by 4.56's on my 4.0L powered 00 XJ (Aussied 8.25/modified HPD30). I haul an expo trailer w/a RTT and also go rockcrawling, as it flexes quite well with the longarms. I've had absolutely no issues on the rocks, getting groceries, or off in the boonies for 7-10 days with this size tire.
:safari-rig:

If you go to 35's I'd suggest 4.88's or maybe even 5.13's. I tried running 35's and the 4.0L/AW4/4.56's didn't care for them.

 

[bat]

good luck fitting 35"s without cutting

 

[88Xj]

She i get a bit more time ill do a better post explaining more details ect. But I've got a 5speed which puts me close to 2500 at 65mph with 33x10.5s. 35s knocking me around 2350 or so. Which would be pretty decent with the stroker I've got.

 

[88Xj]

Alrighty, got some quite time now. Ive got 4.2L WILD mini stroker, 4.56s, ax15, np242(by choice I wanted it for fulltime)!

The goal I have is explore, camp, daily drive but all around still have fun in the desert. I love the desert, hate the dry heat and sweaty backs against the seats lol. A/c is being kept and looking as a simple yet effective seat cooler to remedy those issues.

Anyway I have the basics for a jeepspeed or a little more built expo rig I think, talking suspension/drivetrain wise.. Plated front to rear with 1/8 from HD offroad, 2x6 rocker replacement vs sliders, so no lose of ground clearence. Re 3.5" coil up front (would get replaced with deaver or pac jeepspeed coils if I went the jeepseed route). Deaver leafs rear with HD offroad no lift relocator brackets, currently stock shackle, but will be going custom once I decide the route I'm going. I have 10" bilstein 7100s front and would do 7100s in the rear either way I went. If I went jeepspeed I would do simple hoops for now, probably the universal trail gear ones. Unless I can swing a cage and go through the floor with the shocks all the way and would carry my spare in the back like in the pictures posted above.
If I went expo style I would do a tire carrier. No way I'd run in the desert at speed with a tire carrier..all that weight behind the rear axle would suck & I've seen carriers swing open or even break. Would be more weight expo style I think.


Idk what else should I be considering. Its not that I would "need" 35s but the fact that lower my highway rpm a bit is nice over the 33x10.5's. I have baja t/as & bfg at/s currently 33x10.5 flavor. I would rather have 35s over the 33's if I went expo style, cause yes if it were a expo them I'd crawl it alot more like I used to & I love the look with my 3.5-4" lift. I had 35's for short time before going back to 33x10.5's and loved it for crawling with the wj swap. If I had the stock brakes & y link steering I wouldnt even consider it.
I see no issue in still expoing/camping in my jeepspeed style setup..pack inside & the roof rack. Unpack at camp & go play. Crawl or go fast honestly. If I do an expo style I would have more camping friendly type stuff & could crawl, but would loose the go fast type stuff..at least go fast like I currently do.

 

[88Xj]

Expo theme would probably be dual batteries, OBA vs a co2 tank that I have now. If I'm out camping or exploring, I'd rather be self sufficient with air. Wouldn't mind some form of "engine oven", or a hot water shower, similar to the black wj on this site. This stuff would probably all be avoided on a jeepspeed type rig if I were to follow that path and would be down to the basics.

It's a very hard design for me my want says jeepspeed. My logic says build a expo(camping) rig and camp with the family(fiancé & daughter). Maybe I could get a little baja bug or something, maybe a little ranger or taco and build something like that...jeepspeeds are so amazing cool, being able to haul but past a beamed, coilover truck lol.

 

[G.Nenzel]

88xj, the type of build depends on intended use.

You said it in the opening sentence, "Hey guys I'm stuck trying to decide what I wanna do with my jeep."

Once you have decided how you want to use the vehicle it makes sense to ask for advise, not before.

Not trying to be an ***, I have tons of XJ experience, but imo the exercise is pointless atm.

 

[88Xj]

88xj, the type of build depends on intended use.

You said it in the opening sentence, "Hey guys I'm stuck trying to decide what I wanna do with my jeep."

Once you have decided how you want to use the vehicle it makes sense to ask for advise, not before.

Not trying to be an ***, I have tons of XJ experience, but imo the exercise is pointless atm.

Well I've already ruined 1 jeep xj crawling it and flopping it after a few good long years. So full crawling type stuff is not for me for sure. I'm in the desert, I do wanna go fast and play around, but also be able to take extended camping rigs, more than just weekends. Wen went up to the red wood forest for 6 days last year. I feel like making it more go fast friendly would take away that.

 

[Bigjerm]

Do you need to "make" it a camping rig? Any vehicle that carries you and your stuff to a camp site is a camping rig. You don't need a RTT, hot water shower and such to camp (although its nice!). You can still build removable shelves and a spot for a fridge if you want and remove when you don't need.

You say you ruined a jeep before flopping during crawling. I have never done the desert running stuff but seems like you could break just as many parts and flip going fast as well! Sounds to me like you want a fast jeep (lol) so might as build it that way and learn how to adapt it for camping as needed.

 

[88Xj]

Do you need to "make" it a camping rig? Any vehicle that carries you and your stuff to a camp site is a camping rig. You don't need a RTT, hot water shower and such to camp (although its nice!). You can still build removable shelves and a spot for a fridge if you want and remove when you don't need.

You say you ruined a jeep before flopping during crawling. I have never done the desert running stuff but seems like you could break just as many parts and flip going fast as well! Sounds to me like you want a fast jeep (lol) so might as build it that way and learn how to adapt it for camping as needed.

Hey jeeps can get it.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=in9l2pUsCHw

 

[bob91yj]

Check this build....

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/desert-racing/1082739-filarskis-xj-pre-runner-build.html

Need to build them tough when you drive like this...

[video=youtube;4dU9M055RlU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4dU9M055RlU[/video]

Same guys built this F-150...

http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ity-F150-Pre-runner-Expo-build?highlight=f150

Without excessive lift, you're going to have to do a lot of trimming to get 35's under an XJ, the problem with the 4-doors is the rear doors start getting in the way of the trimming. Curious what a "mini stroker" is?