bRIBEGuy's 2000 XJ

[bRIBEGuy]

Well, after a trip to Chanda, the XJ is now rocking a set of sweet Rugged Ridge heavy duty front tow hooks.   

Looks like the Jeep will be ready for the 101 on Saturday.

Turns out the exhaust was also contacting the rear spring, creating not only an allying rattle, but also..........wait for it............my driveline vibrations!  Strangest thing I've ever heard, but resonant vibration is strange stuff.  Anyway, the exhaust is straightened out a bit, the rattle is gone, and 80% of my driveline vibes as well.  Off course, I'm not still 100% free, so I'll likely still look at going the SYE option (in the works).  I'd like the vibes fully gone, and it'd be nice to have the option to lift the jeep a bit further (acos/lift shackles, perhaps?) without worrying.

[bRIBEGuy]

Tow hooks installed:





Got to use them lots at the Off-Road 101....LOL.

[bRIBEGuy]

And some pics of the Jeep getting dirty..........a la off-road 101.

















Modertors note - removed mud pics

[bRIBEGuy]

The XJ got fairly bashed up at the 101, so now I'm in the process of having some repairs done, and considering what the next round of upgrades will be.  My front bumper looks like it might be pooched, so something a little tougher might be in the works.

I'm also considering going up to a full 3-4" of lift, and definitely some meatier treads. 

245/75R16 (30.5" x 9.8") Duratrac's was what I was originally considering, though now I'm wondering if it would be worth going a step up to 265/75R16 (31.7" x 10.5")?  The bigger size would be nice, but I don't want to start having to really hack up the truck too much for clearance. 

Any thoughts?

[Immortal]

31s will get you on 90% of the runs that are posted up (ie "minimum 31", front/rear tow points....")
4" lift and 31s is a very capable XJ.... with little to no  fender trimming. You might rub in some spots, but it will be minimal.
From what I have heard, the Duratracs are a really good tire, especially in the winter. And they do come in 31 x 10.5"....

[bRIBEGuy]

From what I have heard, the Duratracs are a really good tire, especially in the winter. And they do come in 31 x 10.5"....

31 x 10.5 was my first though, but then I need to add new 15" rims to the mix too.  We shall see................

[Immortal]

Welcome to the addiction.

[Zombie]

I would say the 245/75's should be good, if you go to a 32 or a 265/75r16 you might find that the gears are a little off and re gearing would make it better. with about a 31 my xj still ran well and I did ok witht the stock gears(3.55's)

my 2 cents

[bRIBEGuy]

I would say the 245/75's should be good, if you go to a 32 or a 265/75r16 you might find that the gears are a little off and re gearing would make it better. with about a 31 my xj still ran well and I did ok witht the stock gears(3.55's)

my 2 cents

Thanks for the feedback.

The more I read, the more I think I should be sticking to the 30-31" range just to minimize other work/expenses (trimming, re-gear, etc).

Now........to keep the 16" rims and go 245/75, or find some 15" shoes and go with a true 31 x 10.5?  Decisions decisions............

[BlackYJ]

The more I read, the more I think I should be sticking to the 30-31" range just to minimize other work/expenses (trimming, re-gear, etc).

Now........to keep the 16" rims and go 245/75, or find some 15" shoes and go with a true 31 x 10.5?  Decisions decisions............

If you stay with the 16" rims and go with the 245/75s you might want to look at some wheel spacers because they are going to rub when turning.  Or you can get some 15" rim and get the proper backspacing you need for a 10.5" wide tire.  Just some more food for thought

[bRIBEGuy]

If you stay with the 16" rims and go with the 245/75s you might want to look at some wheel spacers because they are going to rub when turning.  Or you can get some 15" rim and get the proper backspacing you need for a 10.5" wide tire.  Just some more food for thought

Ya, I was planning on getting some 1"-1.25" spacers (or different rims...), as everything I read seems to suggest aiming for a 4"-4.5" backspacing on an untrimmed XJ.

So much to learn............

[bRIBEGuy]

Well, the XJ is back from the shop with a few new front end parts to reverse most of the 101 damage.  Got Jason to toss in a set of HID lights well it was in the shop (Chanda) as well, so hopefully the night vision will now improve a bit.

The repairs ate up my "new tire money", but hopefully some new shoes won't be too far off.  I'm hoping to do the tires and the next batch of mods all in one shot, so hopefully I can get this thing going again by the end of August.  Picked up a set of 1.25" lift shackles for the rear end (thanks rws), and a set of JKS ACOS for the front.  Should boost up the lift a bit while keeping the ride quality from the nice OME bits that are currently on. 

JKS front disconnects, and an Or-Fab front winch bumper are next on the "to be ordered" list, and thanks to meeting TL-Iguana and Pookapotamus, I now find myself intrigues with on-board air.....lol.

Good times............

[TL-Iguana]

JKS front disconnects, and an Or-Fab front winch bumper are next on the "to be ordered" list, and thanks to meeting TL-Iguana and Pookapotamus, I now find myself intrigues with on-board air.....lol.
Good times............

Yeah between us we have the 2 most popular setups... Pooks got the ARB and Im running my Sanden AC compressor into that 5 gallon tank

Feel free to stop over any time if ya have questions!

[cLAY]

Thanks for the feedback.


Now........to keep the 16" rims and go 245/75, or find some 15" shoes and go with a true 31 x 10.5?  Decisions decisions............

From what I remember from the last time I looked at the Duratracs the 245s on 16" rims had a heavier load rating than the 31s on 15" rims. Heavier load rating = tougher side walls.

Before I went really big my XJ had 31s and a rear locker with a 4.5" lift. Flexed really well, nicely balanced did 80-90% of what everyone else did and still could do 130km/h comfortably. Oh yeah it 4.10s. My point is for a DD/wheeler 31s with a 4" lift is a really nice combo.

[bRIBEGuy]

From what I remember from the last time I looked at the Duratracs the 245s on 16" rims had a heavier load rating than the 31s on 15" rims. Heavier load rating = tougher side walls.

The 31's have a 109Q rating.  There are actually two versions of the 245's, one with a 108Q rating (what I would choose), and one with a heavier 120Q rating.

Before I went really big my XJ had 31s and a rear locker with a 4.5" lift. Flexed really well, nicely balanced did 80-90% of what everyone else did and still could do 130km/h comfortably. Oh yeah it 4.10s. My point is for a DD/wheeler 31s with a 4" lift is a really nice combo.

4.10s would be sweet, but I think I'll be stuck with 3.55's for a while.  Heck, at this rate I'll be stuck with stock wheels for a while......LOL.  Still waiting for some backordered stuff to come in through Northridge 4x4 (my new frontbumper), and then it'll be a fair bit of work (acos, lift shackles, shock spacers, sye, rear drive shaft), and then trying to scrape up cash for the new shoes.