What is NEEDED for a decent overland set up?

[NorthernTouch]

Hey folks as i've been lurking the forums for the last little bit I started to wonder how much is actually necessary for a decent overland set up. The vehicle in question for me is a mid 90's XJ (I don't yet own one) which i've picked for low cost, parts availability, out of the box performance and the reliability that only comes from using a modernized and glorified 1940's tractor engine. So how much ground clearance do you need, do you need heavier bumpers, do you need to beef up the driveline etc? I'm a mechanic by trade so i'm not afraid of the work, I just don't know where to start since I've never been more than 100 feet offroad in a vehicle I cared to be able to drive back so I defer to those with greater experience.

 

[mcneil]

You could drive that truck out of the showroom and over nearly any trail in US/Canada. Just make sure it's in good mechanical condition.

Winch if you can afford it, since of all the things you can dump money on, it's the only thing that actually gets you UNstuck.
Go through the axles, driveshafts, and steering, rebuild as necessary. If the rear is in particularly sorry shape and needs a complete overhaul, consider doing other upgrades (locker, higher spline count shafts, etc) while you're in there.

Anything that adds weight reduces reliability, so only add armor and bumpers if you care for the sheet metal.

Add the best tires you can, and you're good to go.

 

[reece146]

A reliable truck that can deal with the added weight of all the equipment you will be adding is all you really need.

 

[NorthernTouch]

My plan in my head before asking the question was some light skid plates (mostly stock from grand cherokee), frame reinforcements at the P/S box, a winch
and some decent tires. Maybe I'll just clean it up and see how she goes and depending on my regular equipment load replace parts that fail with heavier duty components.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

The skid plates from the Grand Cherokee ZJ do not directly interchange with the XJ. And the purpose of upgrading parts is so that you do not have a failure, especially if you are in the middle of nowhere without cell reception.

 

[NorthernTouch]

Yes I should have specified that when I say fail I mean fall outside spec, not catastrophic failure. So when I get play in the front end I use a heavier duty replacement rather than white box junk. I was under the impression that the ZJ plates could be lightly modified to fit an XJ looks like i need to do some more reading.

 

[bob91yj]

You're on the right track. Take it out and use what you have, find out what the vehicle won't do that you want it to do and build it accordingly. Reliability is the most important thing IMO.

I know far too many people that have built monster trucks because that's what they were told they NEEDED to get the job done. Keep in mind it usually takes three more modifications to make the first one work right. NEED a winch... going to require a bumper, which is going to require frame stiffeners for the uniframe, which will require stiffer front springs to support the weight, which will require longer shocks to meet the new ride height. It's a never ending vicious cycle that often results in an over weight pig that is miserable to drive on the road...all to get you ten miles down a dirt road to your favorite campground...oh, and your buddy is going to meet you there in his mini van.

 

[Explorer 1]

Stock XJ with good driving skills should be enough......

On many of the trips I lead into the Southwest we have vehicles ranging from bone stock with street tires to highly modified rock crawlers. I always amused at how well the stock XJ's do, with a capable driver. On several occasions after, what would be considered a rather difficult climb or obstacle, the guys with the rock crawlers stand by and watch with amazement the stock vehicles doing just fine.

Sometimes we spend thousnds of dollars on unnecessary equipment upgrades when it would be better spent on attending a off road driving skills class or spending some time with a qualified friend learning some "balance and traction" skills.

I agree a stock XJ will take you on 75% of all off road trails and still provide you with a reasonable, dependable daily driver.


Stock 1995 XJ on Heartbreak Ridge (Difficult rating)

My 2 cents,

Thanks,
Fred
Explorer 1

 

[CoastalDefender]

It's a never ending vicious cycle that often results in an over weight pig that is miserable to drive on the road...all to get you ten miles down a dirt road to your favorite campground...oh, and your buddy is going to meet you there in his mini van.

If that isn't keeping it real, I don't know what is.

 

[Initium]

Dont overbuild. I did that almost with my mercedes GD.

Next overlanding trip, only change will be uppgraded suspension ( for better load capabillity ) and new, larger shocks. Tyres shall be MT , i assume BFG MT is best choice, i used to run GY MT/R, but they are not available anymore i belive; at least not in Europe...

Decent amount of tools, and som recovery equipment, should be about it...

 

[xjman88]

My new zj has a 2 in lift w decent shocks and im running a 31in at tire. Also have sliders and factory skid plates and a winch bumper. Ive taken that jeep on the same trails i took my built xj w 33s/35s on. I also have swaybar disconnects. We r very happy w it and it helps ive been wheelin for 25 yrs so experience and common sense helps.

 

[marcall]

My new zj has a 2 in lift w decent shocks and im running a 31in at tire. Also have sliders and factory skid plates and a winch bumper. Ive taken that jeep on the same trails i took my built xj w 33s/35s on. I also have swaybar disconnects. We r very happy w it and it helps ive been wheelin for 25 yrs so experience and common sense helps.

+1 I have 22 years wheeling under my belt. I see all these trucks on the road which are way overbuilt nowadays. Since the early part of the decade the whole "extreme rock crawler" trend has been sprouting. To me those are one trick ponies really with a big amount of compromise. IMO the best set up is a 2-4 inch lift with 3 being ideal. Stock they will do fine but you will bottom frequently (at least in my WJ I did compared to my previous '83 Chevy Truck and a '92 Nissan both of which were completely stock and on 31's). My current 04 WJ currently has a 2 inch lift and 245/75R16's (equivalent to 31's) and it made a huge difference in off road performance yet still retains all the factory handling and ride quality. But yeah years behind a stock or basically stock vehicle will teach you the right lines to take, etc and that's far more valuable than just building an "extreme" truck.

my ideas for a basic set up would be...

full skids (I have the stock ones gas and TC plus the addition of an Oil pan skid)
Differential skids or beefier covers would be good
a set of low clearance rock sliders (something like from IRO or JCR)
tow hooks
a Hi-Lift jack, recovery strap, shovel , axe
a Personal GPS locater like a Spot
spare belt and hoses (or at least good 'ol duct tape:sombrero
some tools
and to keep it in sound mechanical condition
also perhaps one of those Jump box battery jumpers and maybe an onboard air compressor like from ARB

 

[mudbutt]

Rock sliders should be #1 on the list.

I would upgrade the cooling system. XJ's are notorious for running hot. If you're so inclined, a tranny cooler wouldn't hurt either.

Diff covers.
Steering box plate and/or brace.
Sway bar disconnects if you think you'll be flexing it out. Without them you'll be breaking the mounts off the axle.
Transfer case skid if you think you will need it.
Gas tank skid.
Ditch the wimpy factory hold down loops in the rear cargo area for something better that bolt through w/ backup plates underneath.
Headlight wiring harness upgrade and halogen headlights.(best bang for the buck upgrade I did on mine)

Luxury items:
On board air.
lockers.
roof rack.

 

[deadbeat son]

What is NEEDED for a decent overland setup?

A well maintained, dependable vehicle with a set of tires appropriate for the conditions you intend to encounter. Spend the rest of the budget on exploration and travel.

 

[xjman88]

Ive also got to add i have onboard air, a decent storage/cargo area w stove, fold out table and a 6 gallon water container as well as gps, cb, a scanner w weather channels and other misc onboard electronics including 2 power inverters. Ive got a safari roof rack for extra storage. Its a well thought out rig thats worked great thus far for us.