Help Me Adventure-ize my XJ

[shogun]

So I thought about it if I sell my Cherokee and combine the proceeds with the 1600 I was going to use to upgrade it in the first place I might be better served going out and buying a 4x4 Jeep from the get go. And I'm having a hard time picking a hole in that plan.

The problem needs to be framed properly. A "4x4 Jeep" leaves alot of holes. There is no doubt that 4wd is good around here, not so much that you cant go anywhere without it, but it opens up areas and options that are not smart with 2wd.

But what kind of jeep? Folks have alot invested in that issue and it may be difficult to get reasonable advice. IMO, the classic "wrangler/cj" jeep is too small for anything but daytrips, maybe with a passenger. Look around at all the roof/tire/bumper racks as folks try desperately to make room for enough gear to make it through a weekend. That starts to put you into trailer territory. The XJ is about the bare minimum to pack enough gear for more than 2-3 days. When they stopped production jeep was out of the market until they did the stretch wrangler (kinda) and finally the 4 door puts them back in that size market. Its still small but workable.

If the criteria is Jeep you have two options, XJ or whatever they call the 4 door model. Now look at the costs through that filter.

transfer case- $100, D30- $150, install maybe $200?

 

[bobDog]

What you don't have massive zombie problems where you camp? :yikes:

Never underestimate the value of a good axe.

I agree I have carried a medium size ax (axe ) for years and years and it always of great use. wouldnt think of going out w/o one even for an overnight. :coffeedrink:

 

[bobDog]

I guess you could call me a city slicker, but I was actually making fun of the thread about carrying an axe. Not the actual act of carrying an axe on a vehicle.

Oh well, back to your regularly scheduled program.

About your keys....I think I saw em next to the ax. :sombrero:

 

[Harmgrissom]

Shogun - if only the cost was that simple - unless I've been completely misled the entire parts swap to convert to 4x4 is:

axle (dana 30 or 44)
transmission
ECM(Engine Control Module) also out of the same year jeep
transfer case (New Process Gear 231[np231]) out of any year 6cyl. jeep betweem 94-99)
front and rear diffs (matching gears),
both driveshafts,
transfer case
shifter,
cross member

Now I've sourced the parts and getting them used is about 600 bucks. However installation would increase greatly - about 1000 dollars.

I understand your point that a 4x4 Jeep is too vague indeed and I would try and make a 2nd vehicle either another Cherokee/XJ or instead move (back) to the Grand Cherokee as I previously had a 94 Grand.

 

[theksmith]

Shogun - if only the cost was that simple - unless I've been completely misled the entire parts swap to convert to 4x4 is:

axle (dana 30 or 44)
transmission
ECM(Engine Control Module) also out of the same year jeep
transfer case (New Process Gear 231[np231]) out of any year 6cyl. jeep betweem 94-99)
front and rear diffs (matching gears),
both driveshafts,
transfer case
shifter,
cross member

Now I've sourced the parts and getting them used is about 600 bucks. However installation would increase greatly - about 1000 dollars.

I understand your point that a 4x4 Jeep is too vague indeed and I would try and make a 2nd vehicle either another Cherokee/XJ or instead move (back) to the Grand Cherokee as I previously had a 94 Grand.

why do you need a tranny swap for a 4x4 swap, or did you just want to do that at same time? i don't think you need a ECM for anything, if you are changing from a manual to an auto you just need a TCM i think.

what gears is your current rear? maybe you can find the same in a front and not have to worry about re-gearing the rear.

it's really not a bad project. however i would say that unless you have emotional attachment to the jeep or have already done other mods, then if you see one that looks good and is already 4x4, just buy it already that way.

 

[shogun]

Shogun - if only the cost was that simple - unless I've been completely misled the entire parts swap to convert to 4x4 is:

axle (dana 30 or 44)
transmission
ECM(Engine Control Module) also out of the same year jeep
transfer case (New Process Gear 231[np231]) out of any year 6cyl. jeep betweem 94-99)
front and rear diffs (matching gears),
both driveshafts,
transfer case
shifter,
cross member

Now I've sourced the parts and getting them used is about 600 bucks. However installation would increase greatly - about 1000 dollars.

I understand your point that a 4x4 Jeep is too vague indeed and I would try and make a 2nd vehicle either another Cherokee/XJ or instead move (back) to the Grand Cherokee as I previously had a 94 Grand.

Perhaps, I havent researched the issue so I dont know what detail parts are necessary. Frankly, my guess is you could find another XJ (4wd) easily enough since they are fully depreciated. Sell the 2wd and buy a 4wd XJ, probably fairly even swap and you still have the projected conversion cost as a buffer.

Not sure why anyone would buy a 2wd XJ to start with, sorta like buying a 2wd Audi; thats not what they are.

 

[shogun]

or instead move (back) to the Grand Cherokee as I previously had a 94 Grand.

Forgot to add, thats probably a step backward (GC). Then you have to get axles, brakes, lose a few hundred pounds and still add racks due to less int volume than XJ (which is already on the minimum end of the scale).

 

[Harmgrissom]

Probably a good point - figure I have a few years before a "bigger" ride is necessary as the baby is still too young to really get out there and enjoy trails with.

That said I'm a little encouraged by the comments I've heard from the Chrysler Dealers Convention about a new Jeep Grand Wagoneer i.e. an off-road capable 7 passenger Jeep in 2013. :wings: My wife's mv should be paid off by then. :smiley_drive:

Regarding my Cherokee I'm thinking that I need to start gameplanning it. Since its 2WD as already mentioned I need recovering points fore & aft. Detour bumpers looks like the best option for th emoney at providing those for me. At the same time I need to get some hard body points for using a Hi-Lift if necessary. Thinking AJ's rock sliders.

In the meantime started sketching out a gear box last night for supplies, need to measure it out tonight. I've got several friends helping me plan out and then build a split level drawer/chest box that can be semi-perm anchored behind the back seat. Still debating between welding it, riveting it or bolting it. The idea is to keep emergency food, water purify, first aid, recovery gear, tools, parts, ammo, binoculars, batteries etc. inside the box. and include storage hooks outside to hold shovel, AXE, and possibly a hi-lift (need to measure) and come-along.

After all of that is said and done then I'm thinking about going forward with that 3" lift and bigger tires from Rusty's.

All of this can be done piecemeal, since I'm doing this on a budget thats important, plus it keeps enough of my budget "usable" so I can actually enjoy the rig as I go along. Taking the older kiddos out this weekend in fact, BLM just re-opened a section of trail after several years that I've hiked before and intend to enjoy!

 

[Eric S.]

Get a 4x4 or convert yours. After getting out a bit you will want one anyway. You should try and work on your Jeep yourself, it isn't hard the experience will come in handy if you have issues out and about.

 

[mudbutt]

..... and possibly a hi-lift (need to measure) and come-along.

Do you need both? A Hi-Lift will work as a come along.

 

[Black Dog]

Hi lifts are kind of inconvenient to use as a winch. They do work, but if you have to pull very far like out of a mud hole or something the come along would be better. And even better than a come along would be an actual ARB or Blackrat hand winch.

 

[Harmgrissom]

honestly I looked at the hand winches and while they look fantastic and would offer weight savings - I'm not sure what benefit they offer over a come-along. Additionally for the price if I'm going to spend 3 bills - I'd rather just buy an electric winch.

 

[Harmgrissom]

Get a 4x4 or convert yours. After getting out a bit you will want one anyway. You should try and work on your Jeep yourself, it isn't hard the experience will come in handy if you have issues out and about.

See I had a couple issues that spurred my decision.

First was the fact that this is a daily driver - so not being able to drive it while I was figuring out how to convert it as a cost saving and skill building would be rather difficult i.e. I wouldn't be able to get to work.

Second was the expense itself. Ouch. And then all I have a 4x4. awesome. but its not equipped for anything else.

Third - I live in Arizona. Most of my wheeling is in Arizona. And honestly I used to bang around in a 2WD trucks all the time. With a come-along and hi-lift and careful driving I've been able to get places guys in tricked out Wranglers weren't making it. :smilies27

And if I go this route first and decide later that 4x4 is mandatory I can always add it in later. After I've been out enjoying the outdoors. Enjoying the ride and seeing exactly what its capabilities are as is. Safety and the ability to recover myself is a priority - hence the recovery points and rock rails and equipment to drag myself out.

But waiting to see if 4x4 is necessary isn't the same as saying NEVER.

 

[Black Dog]

honestly I looked at the hand winches and while they look fantastic and would offer weight savings - I'm not sure what benefit they offer over a come-along. Additionally for the price if I'm going to spend 3 bills - I'd rather just buy an electric winch.

The biggest difference is with a dedicated hand winch it just pulls the cable through and doesn't spool it up like a come along does. The advantage to that is you can use a longer or shorter cable if needed. Come alongs work perfectly well though so if that is what you can afford then go for it.

 

[Harmgrissom]

ah see that certainly makes sense. Well certainly something to consider. Although is there a reason one wouldn't spend then the extra $$$ on an electric winch?

Although that said - I guess a hand winch - much like a come-along - offers one the ability to winch either the front or rear of the vehicle as opposed to a dedicated front mounted bumper winch.