SoCalMonty
Explorer
Hey everyone!
We just picked up an XJ for what I feel was a pretty good price, to replace the last ExPo vehicle we sold a couple years ago ('95 Montero SR, "Monty"). This will be the update thread for the new-to-us Ex-J!
Our new XJ:
'95 4.0L, 5 spd, 220k...starts, runs, drives great...evidence of some minor leaks (oil pan or filter housing, possibly valve cover)...33" KM2's, 4.5" RC long arm setup, crossover steering, frame stiffening plates front to rear (the front most plates are not yet welded in), rear rock bumper w/ recovery points, sliders, Warn M6000 winch with control box hard-wired in under the hood (but the PO sold the bumper separately, so I can't mount the winch). D35 non-C-clip with a broken axle shaft and re-geared to 3.55; D30HP front with stock 3.07's (with a 3.55 set already in a carrier that I need to install). 52" light bar wires and mounts installed, but the light bar was stolen. Stout cargo rack on top. We paid $2000. I am trying to be "all in" and trail ready for $3500 total ($1500 for stuff).
The original plans (so I can look back at it later, and laugh at how I didn't stick to any of this...):
Maint/gaskets/fluids, $250 ish
A-A-L to correct rear sag, $75 ish
Rear axle repair/replace, $300-400
New 33" A/T's, $625
Light bar, $100
Front winch bumper, $200 (sourced locally...still talking with seller...if this falls thru, I may sell the winch and that adds $400 or so to the budget).
Driving style/use:
We are moderate off-roaders, with trips once every 2-3 months. I have owned D35's on 33" XJ's, and I have never broken one; I'm more the "finesse" type (aka, I am NOT afraid of D35's, for the most part!). Trips in the SoCal area were anything in Big Bear and Panamint Valley mostly. The XJ will be street driven, and will need to tow a pop-up trailer. The next trip we have lined up (November, Panamint valley) will involve 2,000 miles of highway driving while towing the pop-up, so I am a fan of well-mannered A/T's for tires.
ACTUAL RUNNING TOTAL/MOD LIST:
*Check box at front indicates INSTALLED
*Vendor listed indicates PURCHASED
[x] 29sp C8.25 axle, $25 (local seller)
[x] 50" curved light bar, $78 (Amazon)
[x] Cargo box, $0
[x] 33x12.5 Cooper AT/3, $550 (Discount Tire Direct)
[x] D30 Aussie locker, $200 (Lokka.com)
[x] RC quick discos, $78 (Amazon)
[x] Monroe steering stabilzer, $23 (Amazon)
[x] OE pittman arm, $29 (Amazon)
[x] RE 4.5" leaf packs, $349 (Amazon)
[x] RE boomerang shackles, $110 (Amazon)
[x] Moog sway bar bushings, $10 (Amazon)
[x] Extended U bolts, $40 (Amazon)
[x] D30HP front axle w/knuckles, $119 (Junkyard)
[x] Smittybilt XRC front bumper
[x] Smittybilt XRC rear bumper and tire carrier ($900 combined, front and rear)
[x] Warn M6000 winch installed ($0, came with vehicle purchase)
[x] 4.56 gears installed ($1500)
We just picked up an XJ for what I feel was a pretty good price, to replace the last ExPo vehicle we sold a couple years ago ('95 Montero SR, "Monty"). This will be the update thread for the new-to-us Ex-J!
Our new XJ:
'95 4.0L, 5 spd, 220k...starts, runs, drives great...evidence of some minor leaks (oil pan or filter housing, possibly valve cover)...33" KM2's, 4.5" RC long arm setup, crossover steering, frame stiffening plates front to rear (the front most plates are not yet welded in), rear rock bumper w/ recovery points, sliders, Warn M6000 winch with control box hard-wired in under the hood (but the PO sold the bumper separately, so I can't mount the winch). D35 non-C-clip with a broken axle shaft and re-geared to 3.55; D30HP front with stock 3.07's (with a 3.55 set already in a carrier that I need to install). 52" light bar wires and mounts installed, but the light bar was stolen. Stout cargo rack on top. We paid $2000. I am trying to be "all in" and trail ready for $3500 total ($1500 for stuff).
The original plans (so I can look back at it later, and laugh at how I didn't stick to any of this...):
Maint/gaskets/fluids, $250 ish
A-A-L to correct rear sag, $75 ish
Rear axle repair/replace, $300-400
New 33" A/T's, $625
Light bar, $100
Front winch bumper, $200 (sourced locally...still talking with seller...if this falls thru, I may sell the winch and that adds $400 or so to the budget).
Driving style/use:
We are moderate off-roaders, with trips once every 2-3 months. I have owned D35's on 33" XJ's, and I have never broken one; I'm more the "finesse" type (aka, I am NOT afraid of D35's, for the most part!). Trips in the SoCal area were anything in Big Bear and Panamint Valley mostly. The XJ will be street driven, and will need to tow a pop-up trailer. The next trip we have lined up (November, Panamint valley) will involve 2,000 miles of highway driving while towing the pop-up, so I am a fan of well-mannered A/T's for tires.
ACTUAL RUNNING TOTAL/MOD LIST:
*Check box at front indicates INSTALLED
*Vendor listed indicates PURCHASED
[x] 29sp C8.25 axle, $25 (local seller)
[x] 50" curved light bar, $78 (Amazon)
[x] Cargo box, $0
[x] 33x12.5 Cooper AT/3, $550 (Discount Tire Direct)
[x] D30 Aussie locker, $200 (Lokka.com)
[x] RC quick discos, $78 (Amazon)
[x] Monroe steering stabilzer, $23 (Amazon)
[x] OE pittman arm, $29 (Amazon)
[x] RE 4.5" leaf packs, $349 (Amazon)
[x] RE boomerang shackles, $110 (Amazon)
[x] Moog sway bar bushings, $10 (Amazon)
[x] Extended U bolts, $40 (Amazon)
[x] D30HP front axle w/knuckles, $119 (Junkyard)
[x] Smittybilt XRC front bumper
[x] Smittybilt XRC rear bumper and tire carrier ($900 combined, front and rear)
[x] Warn M6000 winch installed ($0, came with vehicle purchase)
[x] 4.56 gears installed ($1500)
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