1) how hard is it to swap in a chevy 350 and TH350 trans into a XJ, and what transfer case would work best. (daily driver/weekend warrior)
2) easiest way to fit 35x12.5x15 tires without bodylift
3) dana 44, or 60 axles: which would bolt up easiest, and still preform(what brand, years)
4)since it is unibody(correct?) how would one go about installing a roll cage?(support roof,sides, and give good bracing)
5)spool,locker,limited slip? gears?
6)most power out of the 4.0L?
7)muffler that gives the 4.0L deepest sound, no ricer buzz

thanks yal.

eric

I think you're gonna have a real hard time finding a body lift for an XJ, chief. As for fitting 35's, look in some magazines, I know there is a 6 inch lift for Cherokees, and the rest can be had by a Sawzall.
And the axles, I don't think you will find any 44's or 60's that will bolt in. I could be wrong, but I think your truck is looking at some cut and weld surgery for that transplant.

With a 5.5 inch lift you can fit 35's. You could do it with a 4.5 and sawzall also. My '89 has a rear Dana 44 stock, so that would be a bolt in. I don't think any others are bolt in. A roll bar would help a lot in safety and stiffness. Search for Ashman, who has a sick cherokee with an exo cage. I have the Rustys Offroad exhaust that sounds good. Can't hear it over the MTR's tho.

easiest way to fit 35's?

cut away excess metal; look around and find some examples of those of us who have done it.

running 35's would, in my opinion be just fine on D44 axles, find a stock xj rear or swap in a chebby drive train, do whatever you can for the least money (research and look for deals).

4.88 or deeper gears, with a detroit rear and arb/ox front.

custom cage: build your own, or have someone do it for you, tie the "frame" into your sliders, cage, and make sure that your front and rear tow points are stong enough to pull the rig

most power outta the 4.0? build a 5.0 stroker if you have the money, or a 4.6 for about a grand (research this on naxja.com, look for dr.dyno)

flowmaster 40 series and high flow cat

good luck.

Dont waste your money. Sell it and go buy a vehicle with a frame.

Seriously, look around the board and you'll see a lot of people get rid of their XJ once they start to wheel seriously, the unibody just doesn't hold up.

Originally posted by VT_Toy
Dont waste your money. Sell it and go buy a vehicle with a frame.

Seriously, look around the board and you'll see a lot of people get rid of their XJ once they start to wheel seriously, the unibody just doesn't hold up.


I know you're not supposed to flame on this board, but that's a stupid post right there. VT_Toy obviously knows nothing about XJ's, and is content to pad whenever and wherever.

Look around on the board and you'll see a lot of people building and wheeling the crap out of their XJ's. The uniframe isn't ideal, but to say they aren't seriously wheeled is B.S.


And, uranium... Here's a good thread in Jeep Talk about putting a cage in an XJ. It has photos & everything. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=238372

Search just a little more & you will find what you need.

Originally posted by Urban Wheeler

And the axles, I don't think you will find any 44's or 60's that will bolt in.

Some XJ's came from the factory w/ a rear 44. If you're only runnig 35's that would be plenty strong. Also check out Dana 44's from a Waggy. I've got a set of those, and they're a very good width for going into an XJ. I got both axles for $270.

thanks yal, now i feel more knowledged about the xj(although still lots to learn) since this is dailydriver, the sawzall will be used only to fit the cut out fenders. (momma wont let me park a cut up vehicle in front of the house, meh.. barley gettin away with a muddy one lol)
so if i went with the RE 5.5" lift, shoudl i just save up for a lil longer and get the LA kit, and just work on performance and armor til then?
thanks

eric

It's all good. I know that I'm sill learning. I really don't know if the LA kit is better. I have the 4.5 inch. You can make some really nice cuts with the sawzll and it will look fine. Its kind of funny, my parents don't care, just as long as I don't get it on their cars. :D

Originally posted by Kilby



I know you're not supposed to flame on this board, but that's a stupid post right there. VT_Toy obviously knows nothing about XJ's, and is content to pad whenever and wherever.

Look around on the board and you'll see a lot of people building and wheeling the crap out of their XJ's. The uniframe isn't ideal, but to say they aren't seriously wheeled is B.S.




Hummm http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=235866&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Originally posted by Old Scout


Hummm http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=235866&perpage=25&pagenumber=1
Hummmmmmmm I'm having a hard time figureing out what your trying to point out there except that in general what the original poster wanted to do was in simple words stupid. I don't have a extra frame under mind and i know of many XJs that are wheeled hard with 35s and bigger that hold up quite fine yes a full cage realy helps alot and I should have on since i've come to close to showing the sun the underside of mine. As some one in the thread you had posted said lets teach him the right way to build it instead of giving him a bunch of shit.

So, Mr. Scout...
WTH are you trying to point out with that link?

Cuz I still see a LOT of XJ's (on pbb and elsewhere) that get wheeled hard w/ the stock puniframe. They just need some "beefing up".

I have an 88 XJ with a 6" lift and I am running 32" swampers. Take a look at this and you tell me what you think you need to do to get 35's under it. Yes it is cut, cut enough to acomodate the cut-out flares from schrubwacker.

http://www.thedragonsden.net/jeep/170803/P1010091.JPG

http://www.thedragonsden.net/jeep/170803/P1010095.JPG

http://www.thedragonsden.net/jeep/170803/P1010096.JPG

If you think 35"s are going to fit easily with a 6" lift think again. I do wheel my XJ and wheel it hard. I would recomend some mods to stiffen the unibody and possibly even tube it out to give it a frame. The way mine is now I have a good time with it and will continue to beat the crap out of it until it breaks. When it does break it will give me an excuse to do an upgrade to the weak components.

If anyone told you that you can do a body lift on an XJ just go smack em in the mouth. Then crawl under yours and look at the UNIbody.....

With the motor swap I cant help ya. You will have to go with some others advice on the board.

yea, i said without a body lift, since i am new to the XJ group, i didnt know lol.
but thanks guys, so a cage woud help the"frame" out, and make it safer right? also, about the long arm kit, whats the difference, and is it really needed for a daily driver/ weekend warrior who sticks to trails(muddy ones, no rocks lol) and gullies?
down here in Tex(my part) its alll flat meh....

well if your going to go to 6" witch is prretty much the min to fit 35s along with cuting you realy need either drop brackets or long arms. yes some have managed with out either but alot of us have no such luck and the fact long arms ride realy nice.
A good cage realy helps out an XJ and makes it that much safer and ther are other things you can do to help keep itfrom mabe haiving problems but if your not flexing the snoot out of it with 37s and dana 60s and beating it to hell on the hammers then your more than safe.

SoundManCO what lift are you running that dosent look like 6" if those are 32s.

Originally posted by REDXJ4FUN
SoundManCO what lift are you running that dosent look like 6" if those are 32s.

It is a mix of different parts. OME springs and shackles in the back. BDS springs and spacers in the front. There are some terraflex and jks parts in there too. In those pics it is loaded down with a bunch of gear. It is 6" of lift and 32" swamper tsl's.