What is a good setup for Utah?

[Badcop]

OR, maybe you should have listened to the spotters who told you to stay way left to circumnavigate the drop-off! KENNETH !!

Would that be from the guy in the background of the video doing the Mr Universe pose?

 

[fattodog]

Would that be from the guy in the background of the video doing the Mr Universe pose?

Actually that was not a pose, it was me trying to get your attention that you were in imminent danger! You probably didn't hear us yelling at your to go to your left because your windows were all rolled up and the kids were probably screaming in your ear! Still, a fun trip though! KENNETH !!

 

[fergusor]

Just make sure yo don't turn uphill coming down the waterfall! Right Brian?!? OOPSIE!

It also helps to if you dont hit your brakes..... Also hit your gas to pull it back down might of saved it.

 

[Pike2350]

I think most have suggest a decent set-up, but in reality, what trails you can do on what set-up is pretty subjective. Myself, I run an IFS Isuzu Rodeo(how many do you see on the trails?) I started running Mineral Basin stock(245/70/16 tires) Made it up, even through the rock garden with no locker, as well as through Metal Masher in Moab(I know, not the hardest, but a good indication)

I have slowly evolved to 33's, 3"SL, 3"BL, Teralow gears.....and some body protection. IMHO you can get through a lot of the trails in stock form as long as you know how to drive. If you suck at driving, then get some lift and maybe a locker to keep from holding up a group. In reality, what trails you get through will be based more on your driving abilities then the truck you have.

 

[RockMonkey]

As the others have said, why do you want to sell your Wrangler (YJ or TJ?) and get an XJ? That's just silly... You said you are looking for the bare minimum to get out on the trails and have fun. Well, any rig with a working t-case, and a membership to the Utah Four Wheel Drive Association are bare minimums. You've already got a rig with a t-case, go here http://u4wda.org/join_us.html to get the membership.

 

[skeptic]

I'm now in Utah, just got in a few hours ago. As this has been asked a number of times I'll get into the yucky details.... I made the decision to get rid of my TJ and get an XJ because of NON wheeling reasons. My wife and I will no longer be living together so I will not have access to a practical vehicle. I would have a soft top Wrangler and a couple classic "nice weather only" weekend cars. As I forsee the need to do things like lock it, take my boys (2 and 6) places in snowy weather, buy things at Home Depot, take long trips, etc. I decided I need something a little more day to day useful than the TJ (which I LOVE and would otherwise keep). I thought about keeping the TJ and buying yet another vehicle for a daily driver, but I don't want 4 cars (yet). Plus, anything that cheap will require some fixing up and the last thing I need is a 4th project car.

Sooo.... I am now the owner of a '99 XJ with almost everything I was looking for. Auto, 4.0, 4 doors, 4wd (242, I don't care if people say it's weaker, I'll take the chance while having full-time 4wd for crappy on street weather), 8.25 rear (should be strong enough for any tires I will run anytime soon), perfect interior, nice exterior, clean CarFax, 95k miles, and completely stock. At $6k it had everything I was looking for (ok, the overhead console would have been nice), so I bought it. It has a few bugs to work out, but I don't think anything major.. I just drove it 2,500+ miles from Miami to Clinton UT, a MUCH nicer ride than my TJ with ratty soft top and leaking header gasket would have been.

BTW, I'm not a kid (37 in a month) nor am I a complete newbie about jeeps. I'm just a complete newbie when it comes to rocks.

I have to deal with buying another house (I'm temporarily staying in what I guess is now my wifes house), then I need to deal with a car that is still in Florida (a custom/show car I'm having restified), then I'll be ready to build up the XJ.

 

[TRNDRVR]

My wife and I will no longer be living together so.....boys (2 and 6)......(I'm temporarily staying in what I guess is now my wifes house)

Nothing personal, but I don't think I'd be worrying about building another rig right now. But that's just me.

 

[Fester]

Welcome........what is the custom?

Oh, and to not Hi jack I used to have plenty of fun in a mild XJ (31's and a rear locker). I'd stick with 31's or so if you are going to be using as a DD.

 

[skeptic]

Welcome........what is the custom?

Uh.. Err... Don't laugh. '77 Celica liftback. New engine, transmission, rear end, power R&P steering conversion, custom wheels, custom paint, modernization of the interior (ie power windows, new seats, new stereo).... Basically, I wanted a new car but there was NOTHING I could find that I wanted. So I decided to take an old car and build it to what as a new car.... The whole thing has gotten a bit out of hand, what started out as supposedly a fun daily driver has ballooned into what appears to be headed for a custom show car.

Oh, and to not Hi jack I used to have plenty of fun in a mild XJ (31's and a rear locker). I'd stick with 31's or so if you are going to be using as a DD.

Do you feel limited on what you do? Worry about underside damage while following other people? Do you ever miss out on a trail run because the trail is just a little too much?

Maybe I should find someone to run shotgun with to get a better idea of what it's like around here?

 

[Fester]

I sold the XJ about 5 years ago. But when I had it I was using it as my DD and for my preference I wouldn't have wanted anything more. It had about 3 or 4 inches of lift using a mix of parts (started out as a pro crap and ended up being mostly rubicon express). I drove it about 30-50 miles/day and over soldiers summit on the weekends. Without re-gearing it I wouldn't have wanted any larger tires, and even then for a DD I think anything larger is too much for an XJ. I guess it just depends on how much you are planning on driving it. I probably took that XJ to Moab a dozen times and had fun each time. It was probably my first real wheeling vehicle so I think I limited myself more than the Jeep did. I think some skid plates would go a long way, and maybe a different set of tires for street and wheeling. Find someone with an XJ with stock gearing and 33's to ride along with on the freeway or over a pass and you'll see what I mean about using one as a DD.

 

[jfonze]

To Keep things moderate. I would go for a 4.5" lift, ither rubicon express or rock krawler, and if you wont the extra preformance a long arm system. then I would go with 32" tires on the stock rims, aslong as there 15x7's. To protect your rockerpanels I would look into some rocker protection (not sure which companys are the best in that department), though for the first little wile you'll probobly fine without rock protection as long as you pay attention to the trail. Tires: if your going to be dayly driving I would go with one of the three BFG MT's, BFG AT's, or my favorete, Goodyear MTR's. Theres also plenty of other good tires out there, those are just the few I have experiance with. Lockers are good, but as long as you have front swaybar disconnects you'll be able to do most of the trails out there no problom.
then after that, maby get some bumpers, a winch, and what ever your heart desires...