Time to SFA our KJ...

[Ry' N Jen]

I'm starting to acquire parts for the task!
It's not going to be a budget build, but it
is also not going to be a "Spare no expense"
build!
I want to be able to run 33 to 35 inch tires.

We will see how it goes...

I might just end up buying a Cherokee and build on
that instead!

 

[DJSKJ]

OOh, tough decision. I think I would go with the Cherokee.

DJ

 

[Red_KJ_666]

If you don't have around 7-8K minimum to spend build a XJ and use the Libby to trailer it to the trail. If you got the $$$ then build ahoy there aren't many up here in canuck country, I found 3 with tails of a fourth that no one can confirm including mine. P.S. Finding mine wasn't that hard lol and the one no one has details on is supposedly in northern Alberta.

 

[tjkj2002]

Unless you plan on using the stock XJ axles building a XJ is really no cheaper then doing a SFA on a KJ if your swapping axles out on the XJ.

 

[OneOneNiner]

I bet you could buy a maxed out XJ cheaper than it would cost to SFA your Lib.
That way you'd have two cool rigs. I'd go that route.

 

[tjkj2002]

I bet you could buy a maxed out XJ cheaper than it would cost to SFA your Lib.
That way you'd have two cool rigs. I'd go that route.

That is the one thing not to do,buy a already built rig as you have no idea what they used,who did it,and how well it was maintained.When you get into the more extreme builds you pretty much have to do some TLC 10 times more often then stock or mild builds.

 

[OneOneNiner]

That is the one thing not to do,buy a already built rig as you have no idea what they used,who did it,and how well it was maintained.When you get into the more extreme builds you pretty much have to do some TLC 10 times more often then stock or mild builds.

He wants to roll 33's to 35's. Nothing extreme there, just a bit more than his KJ can handle i/e an XJ with nice axles and decent suspension.
Not that much to hide there if you know what you're looking at.:shrug:

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Yeah, plenty of guy's here with Cherokee's rolling on 33's to 35's with Dana 30's up front and 4:10 gears and they do really well off road...

 

[DJSKJ]

Well, any decision?

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Well, any decision?

Yeah, a steel diff for the front (and I'll stuff the ARB Air locker and 4:10 gears in it) new OME coils' a set of Rancho 9000XL's with "My Ride", and some 32" M/T R's.

And we are looking for a stock 2001 Jeep Cherokee as a second vehicle.
Then Jen and I will build it up with a 4-6 inch lift and go from there!

 

[ridenby]

Would recommend a 2000 Cherokee. High pinon 30 in front,they switched to a low pinon towards the end.

 

[tjkj2002]

Would recommend a 2000 Cherokee. High pinon 30 in front,they switched to a low pinon towards the end.

Actually you want the '96-'99 XJ HP30's only as they used the bigger 297 u-joints,all other XJ HP30's used the smaller and weaker 260 u-joints.

 

[Red_KJ_666]

Actually you want the '96-'99 XJ HP30's only as they used the bigger 297 u-joints,all other XJ HP30's used the smaller and weaker 260 u-joints.

Stock Shafts big 760x or not a really good Idea, Alloy's are where it's at.

 

[tjkj2002]

Stock Shafts big 760x or not a really good Idea, Alloy's are where it's at.

Why polish a **** in the 1st place?

 

[ridenby]

Timmie Cameron is selling a set of 14bolt F/R steers,very nice axles. On a serious note,think about at least Dana 44 class of axle. Even Toy axles are a better choice than D30/8.25

 

[Red_KJ_666]

Why polish a **** in the 1st place?

Why do you need anything more on 35's than alloy shafts and a Heavy truss? Is it really worth the lost ground clearance too run tons? IMO it's not in yours maybe it is, If I was on bigger tires I'd like the added insurance honestly driving style is everything when it comes to longevity of the parts used.

 

[tjkj2002]

Why do you need anything more on 35's than alloy shafts and a Heavy truss? Is it really worth the lost ground clearance too run tons? IMO it's not in yours maybe it is, If I was on bigger tires I'd like the added insurance honestly driving style is everything when it comes to longevity of the parts used.

The KJ is a heavy vehicle,after a SFA swap it's real heavy and the D30 is just to small/weak when trying to turn 35" tires in a 5000+ Jeep.33" tires yeah it will live for awhile.ARBSeth bent a HP30 in his SFA KJ(before he sold it) running 35" tires.Add alloy shafts and good u-joints(CTM's) and now your breaking ring gears.Most D30 axle tubes are 3/16" thick,my HP44 has 1/2" DOM tubes which is needed for my 6000lbs KJ.Leave the D30's for TJ's and XJ's that barely weigh 3500lbs.

 

[CRD Joe]

Have some custom Spider Trax Spider Nines built. If youre going to bother doing this do it right.

http://www.spidertrax.com/Spider9-Housing-65C35Y

 

[tjkj2002]

Have some custom Spider Trax Spider Nines built. If youre going to bother doing this do it right.

http://www.spidertrax.com/Spider9-Housing-65C35Y

Yeah then you have to get Hi9 cenetr sections,D60 outers for the front,RCV axles for the front,and that is a sure fire way to spend $10,000 just on the front axle.

A HP44 is plenty for the front and a D44,9"(LP),or "light" D60 for the rear is more then enough for a KJ as you'd have to go to stupid hieghts to run anything over a 37" tire which would need a HP60 or Hi9 fornt axle and a full float D60 rear.

 

[Ry' N Jen]

I've been offered a Dana 30 front axle for free. No idea what year it's out of yet as I have just been offered it.
As well as a front Dana 44 out of (I think) an old Wagoneer-Grand Wagoneer?
... For cheap, really really cheap from a long time neighbor. Naturally it'll need rebuilding.
Don't ask me as I know absolutely sweet F:favorites68:K all about what
Jeep model they come out of...!