I have already been spending way to much time reading through forum posts here. One thing I read from @Chris is "I love it when people bring up old posts. My opinion on lifts has changed over the years"........
That got me to thinking I should find out the current opinion of members here. I want some help with my build plan.
I am wanting to do some adventures with the jeep. Use it for hunting, fishing, and some trails. Trails that I think I want to do are ones that are not likely to cause damage to the vehicle or body. Not saying no challenges, just if I don't screw up i should be fine. It currently has a smittybuilt exo rack on it that I am pretty sure will stay. It will carry a canoe or kayaks easy enough. The lakes I go fishing at are often a ways on dirt roads and forest roads. Hunting is on forest roads that are usually not maintained and require a decent 4x4 vehicle. Due to hunting in late fall I may need to tow a small trailer, just for gear, food, etc. Thinking M416 / M100 size at most.
The jeep as it sits is on 32x11.5x15's on 15x8 wheels with a 4" backspace. 3.73 gears. It appears to be all original - no lift with the worn out 32's. Which also means lots of parts are nearing the end of their life cycle!! Budget is obviously a concern as looking at the "to do list" and "want to do list"....makes a guy wish to win the lottery...
I plan on adding a winch to the front, probably a rear bumper that has an integral hitch. Maybe one that I can put a gas can and a water can on along with the spare? Maybe LSD's in the factory diffs? These mods and the trailer are in the future.
Right now it needs some parts replaced, leaks fixed, and so on. Thinking my first order of business is to put some lube lockers on the leaking diff covers and change the fluids. Put a gasket on the leaking oil pan and replace the leaking rear main seal. Check the trans case for fluid level and condition and probably replace it anyway. Soft top is crispy and needs replaced. Ball joints, bushings etc are starting to look shoddy too.....
The suspension seems shot. Original springs and shocks. I think I need to replace these to improve the ride and make it safer / actually drivable. The rear jounce bumpers are only remnants in the cups. I know once this starts you can create a chain reaction - mostly of money leaving the wallet!! I think I want to try and make the jeep capable yet not make such drastic changes I have to change everything.
@Irun and @StG58 have done the H&R sport springs with the rancho or blistein shocks and 31's. A leveling puck and bump stops if needed. Seems like @bobthetj03 added a 1" body lift in a suggestion somewhere. Then wheel the piss out of it. Is this a viable option still? Seems like a low lift makes things easier. If you do the BL too does that mean a motor mount lift too? Or just relocate the fan shroud? Will it handle the extra weight of canoes, winch, gear? Obviously it won't be weighed down all the time. Or just do the 2.5" lift discussed in the "recipe for an affordable but quality 2.5" lift" and make all the changes that go along with it. I am also reading the "Let's talk optimal build for 31" tires thread".....
Any thoughts are welcomed...thanks
SC
That got me to thinking I should find out the current opinion of members here. I want some help with my build plan.
I am wanting to do some adventures with the jeep. Use it for hunting, fishing, and some trails. Trails that I think I want to do are ones that are not likely to cause damage to the vehicle or body. Not saying no challenges, just if I don't screw up i should be fine. It currently has a smittybuilt exo rack on it that I am pretty sure will stay. It will carry a canoe or kayaks easy enough. The lakes I go fishing at are often a ways on dirt roads and forest roads. Hunting is on forest roads that are usually not maintained and require a decent 4x4 vehicle. Due to hunting in late fall I may need to tow a small trailer, just for gear, food, etc. Thinking M416 / M100 size at most.
The jeep as it sits is on 32x11.5x15's on 15x8 wheels with a 4" backspace. 3.73 gears. It appears to be all original - no lift with the worn out 32's. Which also means lots of parts are nearing the end of their life cycle!! Budget is obviously a concern as looking at the "to do list" and "want to do list"....makes a guy wish to win the lottery...
I plan on adding a winch to the front, probably a rear bumper that has an integral hitch. Maybe one that I can put a gas can and a water can on along with the spare? Maybe LSD's in the factory diffs? These mods and the trailer are in the future.
Right now it needs some parts replaced, leaks fixed, and so on. Thinking my first order of business is to put some lube lockers on the leaking diff covers and change the fluids. Put a gasket on the leaking oil pan and replace the leaking rear main seal. Check the trans case for fluid level and condition and probably replace it anyway. Soft top is crispy and needs replaced. Ball joints, bushings etc are starting to look shoddy too.....
The suspension seems shot. Original springs and shocks. I think I need to replace these to improve the ride and make it safer / actually drivable. The rear jounce bumpers are only remnants in the cups. I know once this starts you can create a chain reaction - mostly of money leaving the wallet!! I think I want to try and make the jeep capable yet not make such drastic changes I have to change everything.
@Irun and @StG58 have done the H&R sport springs with the rancho or blistein shocks and 31's. A leveling puck and bump stops if needed. Seems like @bobthetj03 added a 1" body lift in a suggestion somewhere. Then wheel the piss out of it. Is this a viable option still? Seems like a low lift makes things easier. If you do the BL too does that mean a motor mount lift too? Or just relocate the fan shroud? Will it handle the extra weight of canoes, winch, gear? Obviously it won't be weighed down all the time. Or just do the 2.5" lift discussed in the "recipe for an affordable but quality 2.5" lift" and make all the changes that go along with it. I am also reading the "Let's talk optimal build for 31" tires thread".....
Any thoughts are welcomed...thanks
SC