Changing Directions 2001 XJ Expedition Build

[KeepExploring]

A little while ago I came to expedition portal for the first time. Up until a week ago, I was a proud owner of a beautiful 1986 Toyota 4x4. After quite a bit of thought, I decided it was time for something with more space, airbags, and a solid axle for a little more capability. So here I am, new owner of a clean 2001 Cherokee Sport. I am very enthusiastic about this build and already have the parts starting to pile up. Hoping to install the lift within the next couple of weeks.
Purchases thus far:
-Rubicon Express 3.5 superflex with Bilstein 5100 shocks
-Summit racing black steel wheels with 3.75" backspace
-Goodyear wrangler authority tires
-SYE kit and driveshaft

Plans:
-Rigidco front bumper
-Rear bumper with tire carrier
-Roof rack
-lockers front and rear
-Rock sliders
-various interior expedition style upgrades

Let me know what you guys think. I will post pictures when the process starts. Thanks.

Toyota Sold:

New XJ:

 

[Deleted member 48574]

Good truck! It'll be interesting to hear your opinions once it's built and driven a bit as compared to the Toyota. I know it's a bit sacrilegious around these parts, but I've been drooling over Tacomas for some time (though likely will go with a Triumph XC first!)

Any ideas what 'various interior and expo upgrades' means?

Cheers
Craig

 

[KeepExploring]

Good truck! It'll be interesting to hear your opinions once it's built and driven a bit as compared to the Toyota. I know it's a bit sacrilegious around these parts, but I've been drooling over Tacomas for some time (though likely will go with a Triumph XC first!)

Any ideas what 'various interior and expo upgrades' means?

Cheers
Craig

Craig, there is no doubt i enjoyed the Toyota while I had it. Sounds like a good plan you've got there. As far as interior upgrades I'm thinking gps, laptop mount, storage solutions, gear, etc.

 

[marcall]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Jeep! I originally started out with a 83 Chevy 4x4 truck and then had a92 Nissan 4x4 truck for about 13 years and finally my first suv and Jeep which is a 04 WJ with the 4.0.

Not sure if you had a truck or 4 runner but coming from a pick up the Cherokee will be amazingly better storage wise for hauling gear. I always hated having to just toss everything in the back or even with a shell stuff still just got tossed around , dusty, etc. Plus my dog can now ride in the back seat on trips

Anyway Toyota's are awesomely capable trucks with a large aftermarket but so are Jeeps especially the XJ. You now have probably one of if not the most aftermarket supported vehicles out there. and solid axle fronts are vastly superior to IFS even as far as ride quality imho. Having come from a solid axle to an ifs and then back to a solid axle I just love the way it feels so connected and well "solid" up there not to mention added stability and flex off road. Congrats again on your purchase!

 

[XJINTX]

Unless I missed it I did not see where you ride and what type of road / trails. May I suggest you move up on your list the Rock Sliders. It's a PIA when you drop or then need to go over the obstacle worried about your rocker panels and door bottoms.

I'm interested in why you desired a SYE with just 3.5 in of lift?

What axles do you have... be careful with lockers unless they are just for those once in awhile situaitions.

I have 3 different XJ's built for 3 different reasons I have always loved XJ's since I first purchased one new in 1988! WELCOME to the CULT

 

[marcall]

Unless I missed it I did not see where you ride and what type of road / trails. May I suggest you move up on your list the Rock Sliders. It's a PIA when you drop or then need to go over the obstacle worried about your rocker panels and door bottoms.

I'm interested in why you desired a SYE with just 3.5 in of lift?

What axles do you have... be careful with lockers unless they are just for those once in awhile situaitions.

I have 3 different XJ's built for 3 different reasons I have always loved XJ's since I first purchased one new in 1988! WELCOME to the CULT

In all the trucks I've had I really needed sliders on one but I'm not sure that would've even helped as I got in way over my head and bashed the door in along with the rear quarter panel, that was in the Nissan. On my chevy truck I smashed both the bottoms right behind the front wheel wheel but nothing bad. I've been 4 wheeling southern AZ, AZ and New Mexico (thinks rocky trails but not "rock crawling" which I think is a more recent trend and everyone overbuilds now) since 1988. I think sliders (good ones which hug the body) are a great idea and they are on my list but not absolutely necessary. On the Nissan I just banged out the damage as best as possible ...it adds character :wings: But seriously The trails 90 percent of people do especially in backcountry exploring you can get by without sliders....nice to have.

Also in regards to D35 rear ends evrybody will say they are crap and they'll break idling through a McDonalds drive through but again for most of us they are fine as long as you know the limitations...don't go bigger than 31 inch tires, and don't try to power your way through stuff but use finesse and common sense. I'm getting ready to throw an Aussie locker in mine in a couple hours. I've spent the last few weeks scouring the net (youtube, Jeep forums, etc) for D35 threads and I've come to the conclusion that it's not lockers that kill a 35 it's wheel hop and wheel spin coming down to an abrupt stop. Also they generally seem to have either 32 or 35 inch tires. I think the few who claim they just broke one in a parking lot have done damage and stressed the axles on either a previous trip or multiple previous trips.

here's a very telling poll from the TJ forum at Jeep Forum. As you'll see the majority (almost 60 percent) have never broken one and out of those who have broken them the highest percentage (around 7 percent) were open and not locked (limited slip was also high). In theory with a locked rear end you should be able to go slower avoiding wheel spin and gentler on the throttle. Again in all my years of 4 wheeling I have always had c clip axles and 31 inch tires. Grated I had a Chevy 10 bolt (29 spline and slightly larger diameter), a Nissan with a 29 spline and about the same diameter as the C10.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/dana-35-axle-poll-293166/

Not trying to start an argument but I just think there is a lot of hype in regards to their weakness for the average user.

 

[88Xj]

Also in regards to D35 rear ends evrybody will say they are crap and they'll break idling through a McDonalds drive through but again for most of us they are fine as long as you know the limitations...don't go bigger than 31 inch tires, and don't try to power your way through stuff but use finesse and common sense. I'm getting ready to throw an Aussie locker in mine in a couple hours. I've spent the last few weeks scouring the net (youtube, Jeep forums, etc) for D35 threads and I've come to the conclusion that it's not lockers that kill a 35 it's wheel hop and wheel spin coming down to an abrupt stop. Also they generally seem to have either 32 or 35 inch tires. I think the few who claim they just broke one in a parking lot have done damage and stressed the axles on either a previous trip or multiple previous trips.

here's a very telling poll from the TJ forum at Jeep Forum. As you'll see the majority (almost 60 percent) have never broken one and out of those who have broken them the highest percentage (around 7 percent) were open and not locked (limited slip was also high). In theory with a locked rear end you should be able to go slower avoiding wheel spin and gentler on the throttle. Again in all my years of 4 wheeling I have always had c clip axles and 31 inch tires. Grated I had a Chevy 10 bolt (29 spline and slightly larger diameter), a Nissan with a 29 spline and about the same diameter as the C10.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/dana-35-axle-poll-293166/

Not trying to start an argument but I just think there is a lot of hype in regards to their weakness for the average user.

Shafts aren't the D35's issue..its the weak housing. Will it hold 31's yes as long as your careful! But as stated online the thing can go at anything..its not bad no. But you need to be mindful of it! Its not the shafts that are the issue though, its the housing & when it flexs, thats when a shaft will snap or spicer gear/pinion de-teeth themselfs!
So weight will also kill the d35
I wheeled mine for 2 years on 31's..never blew it up. I had a d35 non clip. Now on a 29spline 8.25

 

[Bdiddy11]

Even if he doesn't have vibes, a SYE will help in reducing wear on driveline parts. Just because you can't feel it, doesn't mean it's not being affected. Also, most of the newer XJ's tend to start having driveline issues over 3"+.

 

[MCObray]

First off, congratulation on your purchase. XJs are a great vehicle with vast after-market vehicle support. Must I suggest you keep an eye on your coolant level, as well as check here-and-there under your Oil cap for a milkshakey, sticky green substance. The 2000-2001 Jeep Cherokee, that are equipped with the 0331 head, are notorious for cracking... just something to keep an eye on.

 

[FordGuy1]

Shafts aren't the D35's issue..its the weak housing. Will it hold 31's yes as long as your careful! But as stated online the thing can go at anything..its not bad no. But you need to be mindful of it! Its not the shafts that are the issue though, its the housing & when it flexs, thats when a shaft will snap or spicer gear/pinion de-teeth themselfs!
So weight will also kill the d35
I wheeled mine for 2 years on 31's..never blew it up. I had a d35 non clip. Now on a 29spline 8.25

So true, for the price of a junk yard bolt in 44, you can have a super reliable rig. D35 are not worth the hassle

 

[KeepExploring]

Thank you for the great info and welcoming everyone. As far as trails go, I won't be doing any rock crawling or anything too intense. I do enjoy back country exploring as well as vehicle camping. From what I've read, many owners will say that it's smart to get a sye even with only 3.5" of lift. And the sliders will definitely be on the priority list. Rear axle is the 8.25

 

[jeepdreamer]

Your fine with the 8.25. If you get an itch and feel an upgrade is in order than I'd say shoot for a 98-newer Ford Explorer 8.8. Gives you discs and a lot more HD but hard to warrant the cost. As for finding an XJ dana 44... good luck.
I'm curious as to what your expo aspect is on this as well... I'm tailoring my own 01 XJ towards more adventure traveling than crawling but some basics do carry over. If you are looking for armor and bumpers and such... JCR and Dirtbound off road make some quality stuff at real world prices. Even less expensive stuff can be had from them in "kit form" if you can weld.

 

[marcall]

Shafts aren't the D35's issue..its the weak housing. Will it hold 31's yes as long as your careful! But as stated online the thing can go at anything..its not bad no. But you need to be mindful of it! Its not the shafts that are the issue though, its the housing & when it flexs, thats when a shaft will snap or spicer gear/pinion de-teeth themselfs!
So weight will also kill the d35
I wheeled mine for 2 years on 31's..never blew it up. I had a d35 non clip. Now on a 29spline 8.25

I just found out after my Aussie install mine is non c-clip as well so at least if an axle goes the wheel stays on . Gears still look perfectly fine...fingers crossed now :sombrero:

 

[KeepExploring]

Just a little update for everyone..everything is in except the SYE kit so I am hoping to get started this Saturday. I feel like a kid I'm so anxious!

 

[jscusmcvet]

Just a little update for everyone..everything is in except the SYE kit so I am hoping to get started this Saturday. I feel like a kid I'm so anxious!

Awesome, let's see pics... Cherokees are awesome vehicles