First Ten upgrades?

[MikeM]

Alright well first off this is my first post here so hey everyone! I'v been reading for a while but never posted.

Anyway I have a 1993 Jeep XJ and was wondering what my first ten upgrades should be, I already have 33" tires that I like and a small lift but im looking for more. I intend to use the XJ for crawling and trail usage, I don't plan on going larger than 33's for now.

What would you do?

 

[Dirty Harry]

Great question! I would do the following if it was my Cherokee:

1) Rear Dana 44, Ford 8.8, or Chrysler 8.75 (if you have a Dana 35)
2) Lockers
3) Gears (to be installed at the same time as lockers)
4) Sliders
5) Front Bumper
6) Winch
7) On Board Air (I like my Powertank)
8) Rear Bumper that accepts fullsize spare
9) Slip Yoke Eliminator
10) One Piece Front Axle shafts w/ 760X joints (if not already equipped)

That is off the top of my head, I am certain that others will bring up items that I forgot to mention.

 

[Rot Box]

^ well put

I would recommend the same, but I would add these as number one and two and move everything else down in that order:

1. Strong front and rear tow hooks, recovery strap (never a chain), at least two D-ring shackles.

2. Spare parts. Bolts-nuts-washers, a few lug nuts, full size spare, belts, engine related items that might be known to fail (not sure on XJ's) and leave you stranded, a fairly extensive tool kit with Jeep specific tools as well. A complete Dana 35 rear axle... seriously

Oh and welcome to RME!!!

 

[Bart]

If your tires don't rub with your current lift, don't lift it any further. Like the mods that have already been listed.

 

[Houndoc]

Nova Scotia, eh? Welcome.

 

[Jay5.9L]

Most people never do it but I have been told the first mod should be a good winch. No matter how many mods you do you will get stuck so be prepaired.

 

[mesha]

Welcome mike!!
I think the first upgrade is Gas money. Wheel what you have as much as you can to get familiar with what you are driving. As you upgrade parts(I agree with what has been said already) keep driving it. You will learn what is holding you back. When I started I just wheeled and then upgraded the stuff I broke. I am not saying that is the best way but it worked for me. It might leave you stranded a few times though.

 

[Dirty Harry]

2. Spare parts. Bolts-nuts-washers, a few lug nuts, full size spare, belts, engine related items that might be known to fail (not sure on XJ's) and leave you stranded, a fairly extensive tool kit with Jeep specific tools as well. A complete Dana 35 rear axle... seriously

Good point! Here is an article I wrote for Off-Road magazine a few years ago on the stuff that I generally carry on the trail.

http://www.off-roadweb.com/tech/0801or_off_road_parts_checklist/index.html

 

[MikeM]

My tires do rub when I flex so a lift is in need, I want a 6" lift what do you guys think about frame stiffiners?

 

[turbohaulic]

I'd keep the lift as low as possible keeping the center of gravity low. We had an XJ with a 5" that was plenty high and only had to do minor triming that you wouldn't even notice. X2 on the winch, mines save my a$$ more times than I can count. . . and other's

 

[Grim]

Welcome mike!!
I think the first upgrade is Gas money. Wheel what you have as much as you can to get familiar with what you are driving. As you upgrade parts(I agree with what has been said already) keep driving it. You will learn what is holding you back. When I started I just wheeled and then upgraded the stuff I broke. I am not saying that is the best way but it worked for me. It might leave you stranded a few times though.

X2, K.I.S.S.

 

[mbryson]

I'd keep the lift as low as possible keeping the center of gravity low. We had an XJ with a 5" that was plenty high and only had to do minor triming that you wouldn't even notice. X2 on the winch, mines save my a$$ more times than I can count. . . and other's

Tall lifts suck on XJs (well, on anything really)

 

[leorn]

roll cage??? otherwise looks good