XJ Build

[missouri]

So I'm in the thought process of building the 2000 XJ, I wan t to run the LTB Swampers so I need to incrrease the lift form the not quite RE4.5 to closer to 7'. I woud rather not cut away my wells entirely so I plan on compensating with heighth. At the moment I would like opinions on droped LCA brackets as opposed to long arm. I know long arm is a better solution but is it completly neccessary. At this point I want to get the XJ up and tires mounted find the long and short of shocks do some ramp art to see how much fender I need to loose and get my replacement rearends ready to mount.
What's it going to take.
This is a DD for now and I know the gearing will suck with running 355s and 34 inch tires but what else?

missouri

[newman]

I figured Swap would have been all over this by now :D with LCA drop brackets you are going to loose some clearance, you could measure swaps clearance on his longarms vs the drop brackets, it would give you some idea on how far they hang down. I don't have any experiance with them and have not really read much on them, I would have to question how well are they going to hold up and how much clearance you are willing to give up to achive what you are wanting to do. I would also think with that amount of lift even with the drop brackets you would have some handling issues as well to address but I could be wrong.

[Swap]

Actually, Missouri pick my brain on the phone b 4 posting..... I'm not a fan of the drop-down bracket like R.E. has. I feel, even with that much lift with the "DDB" from R.E. there will be some handling issues. You will have to trim the wheel wells with any lift to keep the "COG" center of gravity in your favor.!

[Hickory94]

Thats why I love my TJ!:) :)

[Swap]

But Hickory, the wheel base make up for it alittle compared to a TJ at that height! :D

[SeanR]

I don't know what you have gone with, but my drop brackets are the BEST!
I drove mine back and forth to work for a week after the Moab trip, and it rides like a dream!
It preforms very very nicly!
I can drive up onto a rock a few inches taller tah my hood and still keep the otet three tires firmly planted on the ground.

I'd show it to you this weekend, but someone won't let me bring it to T4T!
She says 110 miles in a chopped XJ on 35s and 35*, is out of the question, make sure you give her the business!

[missouri]

Thanks for the replys, I have TJ syndrome and I know the previous TJ rode like crap with a 4.5 on it where as the XJs ride is respectable. I don't want the XJ to ride or drive like that of the TJ. Nothing against them just the shorter wheel base is a killer. The fenders are not an issue, as you all know my TJ was referred to as Princess, I have the same plans for the XJ.
I like the stock look and have always since the first XJ I owned in 1990, so I plan on trimming the fenders but not to the point that it looks like a dedicated trail rig. This is my DD so I like it clean and unbent.

I have some YJ fender flairs that shouold give me plenty of room and still look good, maybe better if not then I will go Bushwacker cutouts and set them up as removeable, which is what I gather they do on the trail anyway.

I don't doubt that the drop down brackets will have the same driving manners as a long arm set-up afterall the purpose is to set the arms back to their stock geo location and the tire heigth should compensate for the lowering of the arms. But my delima is that if I do go short arm and buy adj uppers, I have lowers already, and find I don't like it then I will end up flushing more money down the drain. I want everybodies OP so that I can make a (as close as I can get) educated decision.

Keep them coming G&Gs

missouri

[Swap]

lets see! i quess the long arm would be better for the fact that it would act like a slider on rocks then hooking up on the bracket? but both ways brings the geo. back in for better road matters!

[missouri]

Silver's new bumper has been sealed in POR and detailed

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p43/missouri01/IMG_0130.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p43/missouri01/IMG_0135.jpg


missouri

[Swap]

Boy "O" Boy, first off, ORANGE!!!! :eek: But it was no fun putting it on! you will need an extra set of hands. Did mine last night at Hillbillies' garage. LOL! wait...:D

[Swap]

and the instructions blows wind! extra hardware and no mention in the instruction except in the parts list.... :(

[missouri]

Pullled Silvers rear bumper off tonight,PITA, looking at reworking my TJ bumper with tire carrier to fit and protect the rear of the Jeep and get the
#$@m spare tire out of the back of the Jeep.

ACOS are in the house. Rear shock Bar pin elims are in.
I have some disk brake conversion parts from a donor ZJ d44. Working on possible changeover.

I picked up some silicone gaskets called Lube Lockers for the d44 and d30 diffs at Kevins (http://Kevinsjeepparts.com), real nice guy,I hope they will eliminate the mess of peeling off RTV and putting new on and a diff change will be faster. Even thought the d44 has a drain I still like to take a peak inside the diff and check on gear wear. So over the course of time I'll let you know it was money well spent or a waste.

missouri

[SeanR]

ZJ d44.
Are you sure those will bolt right up to your XJ 44?
I am not Cooter. I don't even play him on TV, but I think there is a difference, at least I hope there is, I could have gone that route, but I was told they won't work.