First Real Wheeling Trip. Time To Discuss Upgrades And Protection.

[BootsNTrucks]

So I just got back from a wheel trip at Big Bear with a Rubicon Unlimited on '35s and a XJ with a 3.5" lift. This was the trucks first trip involving anything even remotely technical or anything with obstacles. All previous experience has been dirt roads and little things. Several things have been brought to my attention.

 

1) I need a lift kit. Badly.

3.5" seemed to be good for the XJ. Seems like a good place to start since I can stay with the 31s that are on the truck. Seems that the vast majority of the kits include the "Add-A-Leaf". Problem is my leafs are toast (Pretty much flat). I was thinking would the add a leaf would better if I had the spring refurbished first? According to my research it seems that my stock track bar, brake lines and control arms will still work, I think. Thoughts?

 

2) I need a skid pan to protect the tranny/transfer case, cross member and cross member brace/support. Will an XJ pan/plate work since it is before the bed? I figure the one thing that will pretty much kill the truck mid trail is ripping the crossmember out on a rock.

 

3) I need a better CB antenna. The $15 magnetic one ain't cutting it no more. What are y'all running? Its going to be attached to my 1970s antique Cobra 23 channel.

 

4) Rock Sliders are are needed. As far as I can tell nobody sells a set, I'm gunna have to make them. Pictures of how you guys did it? Also advice.

 

5) Body Armor is probably a good idea. I understand she is gunna get beat but no sense in hammering something if it can be avoided. This is kinda part of the sliders but am thinking mainly for the rear quarter panels behind the rear wheels. Trucks a long bed so she has a tendency to drag her big @$$.

 

6) I need to add a way to pull on the truck from the front without bending the crap outta the unibody. How'd y'all do it?

 

Oh by the way truck is no longer a daily driver so that is no longer an issue. Having said that I would still like the truck to drive reasonably. Thanks guys!

[Incommando]

#1 AAl's tend to break worn out leaf springs. You need a new leaf pack or do a bastard pack set using S10 or Dakotas leafs ( plenty of options on search.) I would go 4.5" as the MJ has a longer rear overhang than an XJ. The little extra height will aid your departure angle. I hated my Rough Country lift. Try Zone.

 

#2 XJ skid plate does work. Otherwise..aftermarket. Might look into some gas tank protection, too. XJ tanks skids do not work

 

#3. I like Firestick

 

#4. Search as there are a lot of options. If you make bolt-through-frame-rail ones make sure you put a large reinforcement plate on inside of rail where the bolts go through

 

#5 Not much out there unless you do it yourself. You can build tube off of an aftermarket bumper or a receiver hitch to wrap around the corner. Cutting the rear of the bed can help, too.

 

#6 I like these: http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-XTHM&Category_Code=PFX

 

A front bumper that re-enforces the front frame especially around the steering box is a nice way to add recovery points.

 

 

 

[BootsNTrucks]

Not familiar with the term "AAI" or "bastard pack". What do they mean? Also it looks like the leaf pack is all there. The previous owner had it for 2 years or so. He had a pack rat tool box in it that was completely full of tools. Said it was in the truck since he bought it. That is my guess why the springs are so worn.

 

How much drivability will I lose with the 4.5 verus the 3/3.5? The XJ drove up to Big Bear from SD (150 miles) following my 7.3l F-250 (towing my MJ) at 65mph no problem. Also it seems that most people on here feel that anything over 3ish need to get new control arms, track bar, steering, brake lines, etc. right?

 

Truck has a gas tank skid pan. Judging by the amont of marks in it the thing is worth it's weight in gold. But it seems most tranny/engine/tranfercase skid pans only work with the factory "short arm" kits. Wouldn't i need it to work with the long arm kits as well if I went 3.5 or 4.5?

 

What size firestick?

[Incommando]

There is no need for long arms for 4.5" or even higher lifts. You can get plenty of flex out of short arms:

You do not need control arm drop brackets either. The above truck has aftermarket fixed lower's with stock mounting locations. The uppers are also in their stock locations but are adjustable to make up for the 5.5" of lift changing the pinion angle. For reference the Wrangler has a fairly expensive Terraflex lift and the MJ equalled it on the RTI ramp without breaking a sweat.

 

AAL = add a leaf. Bastard pack is mixing leafs from another set to get the height that you want while maintaining your main leaf so that it fits your truck correctly.

 

No additional drivabilty issues with the 4.5". The concern you seem to have about driving 65 has more to do with a large increase in tire height adversely effecting your final drive ratio and not that the additional height effects speed, etc... to any appreciable degree.

 

If you order a kit it will have what you need. Here is an example of a nice kit but that has AAL's :  https://zoneoffroad.com/display?ma=6&yr=1990&mo=140&ca=78

 

This is the kit that I put on my previous MJ: http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep-suspension-lift-kit-626-20.html

Although I used 32x11.5x15's you get the idea. The only drivability issue was that the springs rode rough. That is a common compliant with Rough Country lifts. Steering, etc.. was unaffected.

 

People report more success with the full-length AAL's verus the short AAL's that some kits have. The short AAL's put more stress on the factory leafs in places they were not designed to have. Zone uses full length verses Rough Country's short AAL's. If you did want to do an AAL with worn springs I personally would go with a full length version. 

 

Here is a more complete 4.5" lift with a new spring pack instead of AAL's:

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/jeep-suspension/jeep-suspension-lift-kits/mj-comanche-86-93-jeep-suspension-lift-kits/rustys-mj-comanche-4-5-spring-pack-kit.html 

 

CB nuts all have opinions. I use a 4' firestick. Others prefer a whip style. Mounting of the antenna is important. The back corner of the bed is a good option for 360* broadcast strength. Too close to the cab has the metal blocking some of the signal. This kit is an example of a nice off-road set-up. It could probably be duplicated for less money if you spent some time searching. The ad does have some useful info as well.

http://www.rightchannelradios.com/cobra-75-jeep-off-road-kit.html 

I use a Cobra Ultra III Wally World special CB. The range is not the greatest on the open road but it works well for trial riding.

[mvusse]

1 - Hell Creek for the rear springs, Rusty's or Rubicon Express for the coil springs rest can come from anywhere.

 

2 - as noted above, XJ front and transfer case skids work on the MJ.

 

3 - Firestick, Wilson, K40. HAVE IT TUNED!!!

 

4 - ?

 

5 - ?

 

6 - Custom 4x4 XJ tow hook brackets with hooks. http://www.custom4x4fabrication.com/recovery.html