RE: JPOR: XJ Questions

[James E Howe <James.E.Howe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks for your insights Mike....
How do you have yours lifted? block in or springs? I assume springs. Do 
you know if the suspension changed in 98, I though I saw a different 
type of lift around that year.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike.Borum [mailto:Mike.Borum@quantum.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2000 3:43 PM
To: jeepoffroad
Subject: RE: JPOR: XJ Questions


I've owned a '96 XJ for about six months now.  The main things I was 
looking
for:
1)  4.0 Six HO - This change was to the intake and heads, bumping up 
the hp
to 190 from the original 175hp,
2)  Up Country package - this includes skiplates for the front, t-case, 
and
gas tank as well as towhooks, and a limited slip rear diff.
3) Tow package - This also includes a trans cooler.

I've added 5 inches of lift, an ARB locker in front, 32x11.50 M/Ts, rock
sliders, and a catback exhaust.  Parts are easy to find, although the
alternator I had to replace was $150 with the core.  There are lots of
aftermarket accessories for XJs.  Some drawbacks:
1)  Unibody - If I roll it, it is probably trashed.  Bdy work is 
expensive.
The sheetmetal is very thin, and the rockers dent if they get within an 
inch
of a rock!  Also, you can't do a body lift.
2)  Dana 35 c-clip rear axle.  The Dana 44 was offered in some models 
of the
MJ Comanche pickup.
3)  The absolute largest tire diameter you can put on an XJ is 33's 
without
major fender hacking.  The largest aftermarket lift kit is the Rock 
Ready 6
inch.
4)  The spare tire is on the inside.  If you increase the tire size, you
have to find another place for the spare.  Either a tire 
carrier/bumper, or
a roof rack. Caution on that: a friend of mine had a Conn-Ferr rack that
mounted to the gutters.  With just his spare on top, it had broken the
gutters and punched holes through the roof.

But, overall it is a very capable 4x4, it has a perfect wheelbase (101 
in.),
it articulates very well because of long rear leaf springs and front 
coils
(especially if you disconnect the sway bar), and the motor is strong.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Mike Borum