Hi all! I recently aquired a '90 Jeep Cherokee 2 door. Found it on craigslist for a CRAZY good deal and even talked the guy down 500$ from his original asking price. I have an 08' KK that ive built the hell out of and loved every minute of doing so, so ive decided that since i have it for my DD, im going to build this XJ into a monster. The first build list is basically restoring the motor and all components as much as possible. I want to be sure that this thing is in good running/mechanical order before i build it up, take it out in the woods, and break down somewhere

After i get everything under the hood and the undercarriage all serviced and cleaned up, the plan is to go ahead and build it tall and reinforce everything necessary to run a 37"-38" tire. More than likely going with a 8" LA lift and and run 35's at first ,on the stock axles. I need to know a few things in particular and was hoping some of you guys could chime in and help a fellow Jeeper out.

1: If i plan on running a 35x12.5 on the stock D35 and C8.25 axles, does any thing need to be replaced/reinforced on the axles to ensure good operation without breaking/bending anything?

2: My future plans for this thing involve replacing both axles and converting the rear to a spring style suspension instead of leaf. What axle combos would be best suited for a 37"-38" tire but still using the 4.0L? Rockwells would be sick, but c'mon, i would need a V-8 to push the added weight! I considered a pair of D44s, but im open to suggestions

3: last, i guess i would be curious to know what the most universal size for a wheel that would fit a 35, 36, 37, and 38. Im assuming it would be a 15x10, but i personally dont like the look of a huge tire on a darn 15" rim. But once again, im totally open to suggestions!

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08' KK
modded JBA 4"
255/85 (33s) Maxxis MTs on E.A. 137s
K&N intake, Thrush Turbo, NGK irridium plugs
Surco basket w/ full spare, 4 KCs & Hi-Lift
Cobra CB radio w/ 4' Firestik
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90 Renix XJ
Black, 2Door, 4.0, AW4, Np231
d44/d60 swap, detroit rear, spooled front
5.38s with 108" WB on 37" Iroks

You might want to consider the Mopar stroker engine.

http://www.jeep4.0performance.4mg.com/stroker.html

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2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

If you wheel it, 35's on stock axles,particularly the D30,will help you become very good at swapping axle shafts. Axle sets are available that will hold up to 35's. Check out Dirty 30's,RCV's,etc. Gear ratio needs to be looked at also,35's at least 4.10,38's 4.88 or 5.13 would be even better. Reinforcing the frame/uni-body would be high on the list. XJ is a very good base to start from.

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02 Sport,Frankenlifted,JBA arms,31/11.50/15 LTB,Aussie locker,204,000m

You will be amazed at where a 33-35" tire equipped Xj will go w/ about 4.5- 5" of lift. Properly geared and driven, they are mountain goats. Really no reason to go huge unless you are building a mud bogger.

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

X2

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2015 Ram Ecodiesel/Big Horn/4x4/Quad Cab
2016 Arctic Fox 22G/Onboard 2500 LP Cummins Onan Generator/160 Watt Solar Panel

I took the road less traveled. Now I'm LOST.

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98 XJ with lots o mods

X4
Gears Gears Gears. . . Heck I am running a 6.5" lift and fit a set of 34s on her with 4.10 gears and she will go just about anywhere. The only thing is i wish i had the long arm kit. Axle wise the D30 in the front doesn't do too bad but i am running a F8.8 in the rear mainly for the disc brakes and its a little bit stronger. With having stock axles in yours you should be able to run up to a 35 if you regear and get beefy axle shafts. Be prepared to do some cutting of the fender wells. . .
I wouldn't mind a D60 in the front and a GM 14 bolt in the rear with 5.88 gears LOL

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2004 KJ Columbia Edition.
89 XJ Budget Beast <------FOR SALE!!!!!! $2,500
02 Ram 5.9L 360

the Big axles are nice and beefy but unless you are running tall tires, they become anchors that hang up on the trail. There are so many D30/8.25 or D30/D44 equipped XJ's wheeling hard on 33-35's, that have survived a lot of abuse, that it is hardly worth the costly upgrade to the bigger axle combos. Gearing, lockers, armor and Finesse go a loooong way to making the XJ work and survive.

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

X4! I did axle alley, sledgehammer, outer limits, smasher canyon and many other of the nasty trails in the southwest on 4..5" lift and 33x9.5" BigO XT's Oh and stock 3:54 gearing...LOL