Ive been searching high and low for a decent XJ for a few months. Nothing in decent condition for the money. Stuff thats "cheap" is complete junk and stuff thats decent is 3x what its worth. So I started researching WJ's. Had a 2001 for quite a few years so I am familiar. Had an 02 TJ that was basically stock and a completely build 14 JK Rubi on 37's, hydro steering, etc...
Found 3 WJ's locally that would work for me. Looking for a 4.0 laredo so nothing crazy. Definitely staying away from the 4.7.
Plans would include:
-JK D44 rear, trussed(clayton bracket kit), locked, chromo shafts, 4.56 gears, etc... Found a used housing locally for 100 bucks.
-D30 front built as well as possible: RCV's, truss/sleeves/C gussets, synergy ball joints, locked, 4.56 gears. I know nobody makes a truss for the WJ D30, but I believe I can make an Artec XJ truss work, maybe, still researching that. It should "sorta" fit according to my buddy.
-Upgraded track bar, tie rod, and drag link(unsure on brand still researching)
-Clayton 6" long arm kit w/Bilsteins.
-231 swap from JB with their HD build setup in it and an SYE
-Adams drive shafts
-probably 33's
-armor of some type. Havent found much that I like so far though.
Im trying to plan things out even before I buy the Jeep as it is going to be specifically bought to build and then wheel. Wont be daily driven.
Any thoughts on my plan above? Things to add, subtract, etc...
With all that work you're going to do to the WJ dana 30, why not just get a matching JK axle for the front. Either a JK 30 or 44 would an upgrade over the WJ 30. A non-rubicon JK rear 44 axle is not necessarily stronger than a WJ 44 (which you'd get with a V8 model) assuming they are both trussed. And why shy away from the 4.7L? One the best upgrades the WJ has over the XJ is the availability of a V8.
A rear axle set up I investigated was a either a ford 9" or Dana 60 center section with mopar housing ends so you can run either WJ or JK brakes. Then use 35 spline axles with tone rings.
I havent ruled out a JK D30 or D44 for the front, but ends up getting expensive since the housings are not as easy to find as they once were.
I have no desire for the 4.7l. Trying to go cheap and reliable and the 4.0 is a tank. I also dont want to get into the limited and deal with the issues climate control issues. Trying to stay away from as much electrical stuff as possible.
The rear D44 in the JK is the same basically from non rubi to rubi, the housing that is. I have no desire for a D44A with the aluminum center section, poor availability of lockers and gears, bearing issues, etc... I have a line on a JK D44 thats empty, but comes with brakes and shafts for $100. Another 350-400 or so into the Clayton truss and spring/control arm/shock mounts, 250-300 into gears(I can set myself), and im basically done(e brake and tone ring issues not withstanding, but also not the end of the world on a trail jeep).
Im trying to do this build relatively cheaply compared to my last money pit.
I am in the middle of the exact build you're thinking about doing. I just sold my built XJ, picked up my new to me 02 WJ-Lorado-I6-242
So far I have the following: Stage 1
285-79/17 Cooper SST
Clayton 4.5" lift
Bilstein Shocks
Protofab front bumper
Rock Hard 4x4 rear bumper w/tire carrier
9500 Smittybilt winch
Borla Exhaust
Misc led's
Heated/power leather seats swap
Stage 2 (next year)
Rear JK D44, 4.56 or 4.88 gears ( ECGS)
ARB Locker
Regearing & lock front 30
Sliders
Cheap, well as much as possible. The Clayton lift & Bilstein shocks was almost $3000. Total invested in my XJ was around $16000-$17000.
WJ will be a blast, figure by next year I'll end up around $1400 including the WJ that I paid $5000 for. I did just start a build thread: "Project This is it... last build WJ
"
I stayed away from the 4.7 too, I really wanted a V8, but the I-6 is so god damb dependable and as a ton of torque you can't beat it even with 130,000 miles on them
Buy one, build it & do a friggin build thread, I wish there were more of them on here. Only problem is the aftermarket support is not as good as the TJ/XJ/JK/YJ etc...
Well just bought a 00 wj that's not running for 400 bucks. Needs rockers cut out and 2x6 welded in. Main unibody rails look good, suspension mounts good, etc... My buddy is going to drag it from the dealer Wednesday and we'll start diagnosing. Dealer has no clue. Oil looks clean, can't see crack in head, coolant is full. Head gasket leaking badly in back, which is common. Buddy says could have simply shorted the starter. Front drive shaft missing, thinking rzeppa joint went so they pulled the shaft.
Looking forward to the build. I'm new to off roading and so far my WJ is handling anything I can throw at it.
Even with the stock 247, D35 rear and D30 front.
These are the pics my buddy sent me. I live in Dallas and the Jeep is in St. Louis where my folks live and all my jeep buddies. Got a buddy going to go drag the WJ to his house on his trailer on Wednesday. Then a couple of my buddies are going to do some diagnosis on getting the thing running and if the diagnosis is engine rebuild I will order the parts and get it done when I head up there in a week on vacation. Otherwise maybe some junkyard runs or what not. Who knows. Little nerve wracking buying a vehicle you have never seen before, but I trust my buddy who looked it over.
Rocker panels rusted out. One of my other buddies is going to the steel supplier to get me 2x6 3/16 steel later this week and we will get the rockers cut off and fixed up into rock rails. The main unibody rails looked good which was more concerning to me than the rocker rails. The suspension mounts also looked good.
These are the pics my buddy sent me. I live in Dallas and the Jeep is in St. Louis where my folks live and all my jeep buddies. Got a buddy going to go drag the WJ to his house on his trailer on Wednesday. Then a couple of my buddies are going to do some diagnosis on getting the thing running and if the diagnosis is engine rebuild I will order the parts and get it done when I head up there in a week on vacation. Otherwise maybe some junkyard runs or what not. Who knows. Little nerve wracking buying a vehicle you have never seen before, but I trust my buddy who looked it over.
Rocker panels rusted out. One of my other buddies is going to the steel supplier to get me 2x6 3/16 steel later this week and we will get the rockers cut off and fixed up into rock rails. The main unibody rails looked good which was more concerning to me than the rocker rails. The suspension mounts also looked good.
Engines can be had for much cheaper than a rebuild. Make sure your buddy checks the main harness behind the head. It touches the head bolts and wears the wires down so it shorts everything.
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