Hello from Colorado

[WormsJeep]

I have had a few trail rigs and now am looking for another one. I have always not wanted a Jeep and now I am looking for a 96 or newer xj. I want to be able to go out on the trails with my family again. The trails I want to go on I will need at a minimum of 33" tires. I have read a few articles in here and I like the feel here. Can't wait to get my Jeep and get a build thread started.

[4.3LXJ]

Welcome Jeremy. The XJ is a very capable "station wagon" that has good Jeep guts. Let us know what you need to know

[WormsJeep]

Thank you sir. I have a buddy that has a beautiful xj on 35's. I am still debating if I want to go up to 35 or just get to a 33. I know that with 35s I can go a lot more places and 33s I am limited. Not to much I know this is know cause I did have a 78 blazer on 33s and went every where. I guess I will see once I get my rig.

[denverd1]

welcome. Debating on 35s next as well. 33s have served me well but more clearance would be better. Got a friend that wheeled his pretty hard with 35s and lockers on stock axles. Just gotta be careful with the pedal.

Gears are the main thing IMO when you step up to 35s. 33s you can get away with stock gears on flat land with light loads. You thought about gears yet? Auto XJs are 3.55, 4.10 for standard I think

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[4.3LXJ]

4.0L gears are 3.07 for standard and 3.55 for auto. The 2.5L has 4.10s

[bluedragon436]

Something you can do if you don't want to spend a whole lot on gearing, and you are really wanting a manual... You could find yourself a manual XJ, and then find a set of 3.55 geared axles out from under an auto XJ... and have a pretty decent on the cheap setup for 33's... Have helped a few folks local to me, swap in stock auto XJ axles, and they run pretty good with 33's.. and aren't nearly as expensive as a set of gears and having them installed by a shop... But either way I've been running my auto XJ on 3.55's w/ 33's for about two years... and have had no issues... am finally about to get the gears done though, as I've just been saving up parts little by little.. darn that budget building thing....lol

[denverd1]

4.0L gears are 3.07 for standard and 3.55 for auto. The 2.5L has 4.10s
thank you

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[WormsJeep]

Wow a lot of replies. Love it. I will (once I get one) post up my Jeep and what my plans are. Thank you all for the replies.

[bluedragon436]

Wow a lot of replies. Love it. I will (once I get one) post up my Jeep and what my plans are. Thank you all for the replies.

Look forward to seeing what you find... and even more so to see your plans for the build up

[prerunner1982]

Welcome, where in CO are you?

[WormsJeep]

Welcome, where in CO are you?

I live in the Springs. Love the trails around here. My Favorite trail is Chinamens Gulch then Eagle Rock, Saran Wrap is the next ones

[prerunner1982]

Nice. My parents lived in Durango for a number of years, really enjoyed the trails around Telluride. Can't wait to make a trip back up that way.

[XJ Wheeler]

I live in the Springs. Love the trails around here. My Favorite trail is Chinamens Gulch then Eagle Rock, Saran Wrap is the next ones
Sweet! I use to live in Cripple. Love the springs and woodland. I will get back there one day, to stay!

Welcome to the site and feel free to post pics of the area. I miss seeing it. Good luck with finding a nice xj!

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[WormsJeep]

Not sure if you all are gonna be happy about this but I purchased a 93 Explorer. It will have an XJ front axle but I had one before and was very happy with how it was out on the trail stock. It does have a 4.0 like you all do but I know I will be happy with my rig. If that disqualifies me from being here I totally understand. This is a great group and love all the info you all provide. I do hope I can stay with you all and let me put up my build if not that is totally understoodable :-)

[4.3LXJ]

Nah, you are fine

[WormsJeep]

Nah, you are fine

Thank you sir. If it is ok I will post how the build goes along.

[4.3LXJ]

Sure, post away

[denverd1]

well lets see some pics of this thing already

is the 4.0 inline like ours? good motor from what i've seen. v6 I see

[XJ Wheeler]

As dissapointed as I am I think I can pick myself up and go on with life. [emoji14] Straight axle swapped explorers are cool! I've seen pics of some and it's the way they should have made them. I think the 4.0 v6 is a decent motor from what I've heard but also seen a few builds that had a 302 thrown in... just giving you ideas!

I've got a 90 bronco 2, and they're pretty similar. Although it's got the wonderful 2.9l v6 complete with cracked heads. Fixed now though! :D Although I haven't seen it nor cranked it in years... [emoji17]

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