[RkyMtHigh]

I have been trying to learn all I can by searching and lurking since I bought my new X, 5-speed manual in July of 2003. I knew it would cost a little more to build up the X rather than buy a Rubicon but figured I could build it to my liking. I have only put armor on it to date trying to decide what direction to go with the final product, so this is a blank canvas. This will have to be my daily driver since my other car is completely impractical (1973 Z28). I would like it to be capable of running 4+ trails in Moab. With that being my goal, 33-inch tires are as big as I will ever, ever go.

Here is the build up plan that I have formulated to date:

Stage 1-Ultimate TJ Wrangler suspension kit from DPG Off-road, Kilby Gas tank Skid and tires & wheels

This will allow me to fit 33” tires while maintaining a low COG and better than
stock on and off road ride. $3000 installed myself


Stage 2- 4.56’s gears and ARB’s front and rear

This would include up grading the d35c to a d44 with 33 spline superior shafts in the rear with a disc brake conversion and 30 spline superior shafts in the d30 up front. $4500 parts & $1800 labor


Stage 3-Teralow 4:1 & 2low, CV & SYE, Nth degree Belly-up Skid, and RE adjustable Front LCA and rear UCA

This is the final piece to provide great crawl ratio, clearance, and proper pinion
angles for the drive shafts. $3000 installed myself

Grand Total: $12300


I am interested in input from others on any and all aspects of my plan, what is overkill, what is not effort. I tried as best as possible to get realistic prices for things because taking the lowest number that someone has been able to do things will really not give me a true cost for my build up. I think that we all want the most for the least but in my experience building the Z you are better off using the higher estimate because in the end that is what it costs. Of course money is an issue, it always is, but I believe in doing things right the first time even if it costs more initially. Anyways, I appreciate any suggestions and I am not an expert so if I am totally stupid on something here I accept the appropriate flaming.

[BamaSahara]

In my experience once you start you will want to go bigger than 33's. Just keep that in mind for now.

[blacksheep1]

by saying the "ultimate" kit im assuming you are talking about the one with the ome and jks stuff. the main thing i would look into doing different would be to check on getting an antirock, tera s/t, or oro sway lock. the jks discos contribute about $100.00 or more to that price. for about $279.00 you can get an antirock and never have to disco and have some useful stability off road. for about $379.00 (i think) you can get the s/t bar which discos with a turn of a knob and gives you stock sway bar performance on road. for about $579.00 ouch!!! you can get the oro sway lock and have a dual action sway bar that gives you the antirock performance off road and stock performance on road all without disconnecting. the oro current designs require an air source but you already mentioned arb's.
antirock:
http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/Product.aspx?id=2605
tera s/t:
http://www.ok4wd.com/product.asp?id=424
oro sway loc:
http://www.offroadonly.com/products/suspension/swayloc/
the prices i listed are ballpark from memory but that $100.00 plus for the jks discos is a significant amount to later replace if they end up not being what you want. also upon putting the link for oro i noticed they do infact have a manual version of their bar available.

[RkyMtHigh]

I did say ever, ever but not never so if my jeep would someday lose its dd status then going >33" would be a possibility.
I figured that having the rear sway bars connected was enough stability off road and I do not mind doing the disco. I never considered that point before and now you have got me thinking, so thanks Scott.

[CJEli]

I think your plans sound excellent. Wheel it with the discoes for a while and see how you like it. If it has too much roll in off camber stuff for you, sell the discoes and get an Anti-Rock.

Make sure you order the HD springs with your lift.

-Eli

[littleman66]

sounds like lots of fun!!!

[ColoradoTJ]

Very nice setup. You may consider a new rear bumper with a tire carrier for those 33's, also look at some rocker guards if you dont have any already. You will be able to wheel anything here in Colorado with that setup.

[RkyMtHigh]

My goal is to leave no trail here in Colorado until I have seen the top or at least made an honest effort. I did not list the misc. but the future would include the rear tire carrier, probably the Jeeperman. I do have some nerf bars for now that my kids still need to get into the Heep but when I have damaged them enough I will be getting some rocker skids, probably A-Z's. Here is my car domain site, the jeep is in the background for now.

www.cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=389150

[Paradiddle]

Are you 100% sure you can't run the trails you want to on 31" tires with the proper gearing and lockers and a belly up?

I second the Anti Rock or Sway Loc recommendation - forget the Tera ST as it's the same as discos off road. You'll want the stability the AR affords in all the off camber stuff at Moab.

Jeff

[RkyMtHigh]

I have 30" tires now with open differentials and I have been hung up enough that I feel it is time to move up. I could certainly save some money if I just put 31" tires, a belly up with gears and lockers on smaller axles but I do not think that will get me up to Como Lake here in Colorado. I have been to Moab on the easy stuff but I have not run the more difficult trails. I did not think I could run 4+ trails in Moab with 31" tires and lockers. If that is the case then maybe I am going overboard on this build up. Whats the skinny?

[offrdwarrior]

Anybody got a link for the antirock or sway loc

[Paradiddle]

Originally Posted by RkyMtHigh

I have 30" tires now with open differentials and I have been hung up enough that I feel it is time to move up. I could certainly save some money if I just put 31" tires, a belly up with gears and lockers on smaller axles but I do not think that will get me up to Como Lake here in Colorado. I have been to Moab on the easy stuff but I have not run the more difficult trails. I did not think I could run 4+ trails in Moab with 31" tires and lockers. If that is the case then maybe I am going overboard on this build up. Whats the skinny?

No skinny - just the money to jump from 31s to 35 (or 33s) is substantial and a locked Jeep with high clearance skid plates and good tires will follow a 33" tired Jeep 95% of the time - you'd be surprised what lockers will do.

I would never run 33s - they cost the same to run as 35s and 35s are the minimum for the extreme trails.

Just my .02.

[RkyMtHigh]

I know more than a few people who really are more interested in the agressive look of a lifted jeep, which is certainly cool but I am first and foremost interested in performance. If I can get through the trails that I am interested in with 31" tires all the better. I what to run difficult but not extreme trails. It is easy to get caught up in the bigger is better. Paradiddle, thanks a ton for your input your $.02 it is worth more than that.
Before I jump out of the gate with this build up I am going to Moab next month with my stocker.

[Paradiddle]

Originally Posted by offrdwarrior

Anybody got a link for the antirock or sway loc

Antirock - www.currieenterprises.com
Swayloc - www.offroadonly.com

I used to run the Antirock - works great. I now run the Swayloc - works just as good as the AR offroad and is near stock stiffness on road.

Jeff

[mookarma]

Originally Posted by Paradiddle

I would never run 33s - they cost the same to run as 35s and 35s are the minimum for the extreme trails.

Just my .02.

where do u shop!?!? ill send u the money it cost me to run 33's and u send me the parts i need to run 35's