Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: tim_aka_tim on March 27, 2006, 05:45:10 PM

Title: Advice for 1st XJ mod
Post by: tim_aka_tim on March 27, 2006, 05:45:10 PM
I'm looking for advice on a sensible 1st mod to my XJ. I'm not looking for Coventry's answer to Bigfoot, just something more purposeful off-road than stock. Perhaps a good place to start would be the tyres, as these are ATs, and pretty worn at that.

So does anybody have any advice as regards replacing the tyres? Should I just put some 235/75x15s on, or lift the suspension a little and put something meatier on. Or would my cash be better spent on some other mod?
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Post by: ponyracer1 on March 27, 2006, 05:51:05 PM
A cheap budget lift and some meaty 30's or 31's, then some recovery points for when you get stuck!!
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Post by: Mike Pavelin on March 27, 2006, 06:15:05 PM
...And swaybar disconnects
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Post by: chrisjones on March 27, 2006, 06:43:49 PM
Tyres.  235/75/15s would be fine to begin with. and then swaybar disconnects.

Check your rear springs ain't shot, cos XJ's are known for sagging backsides!!

If they are, consider some TD springs cos these are 1" taller than the stock petrol ones. :wink:
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Post by: isle of man on March 27, 2006, 07:16:28 PM
gearbox breather....


peter henry
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Post by: Manda on March 27, 2006, 08:59:34 PM
IMHO muds are a good starting point. But then again so are disconnects, oh and a budget lift.

Muds first though.  :lol:
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Post by: Anonymous on March 27, 2006, 09:10:05 PM
From experience from what I did/never did/should have done.....

Any spotlights relocate above the front bumper...

235 x 75m R15 M/T's  BFG :lol:
Front recovery point please post coz there are certain ones
Good rear recovery point

Transfer case skid plate
Disconnects for the front
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Post by: Anonymous on March 27, 2006, 09:11:20 PM
a set of muds is your first job, 235/75s will be the biggest without a lift & you will be surprised how much you are capable of with the XJ in stock form....

what year is your XJ?? if its an early one like mine, you might already have some underbody guards......if its not, they should be on your shopping list too!!
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Post by: trent on March 27, 2006, 09:25:14 PM
It seems i have a load of tyres hanging around that i need to part with :shock:


If your interested i have a set of 4 x bfg muds 235/75/15 that are in excellent condition with loads of tread!
120quid!
But you'll have to collect or arrange shipping though!
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Post by: tim_aka_tim on March 27, 2006, 09:34:49 PM
Quote
what year is your XJ?? if its an early one like mine, you might already have some underbody guards......if its not, they should be on your shopping list too!!


It's '95 on an M. It's definitely got a hefty piece of plate under the radiator.

Looks like some 235/75x15 M/Ts are the way to go, along with some decent recovery points.

Thanks for spending my money everyone!  :wink:
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Post by: Anonymous on March 27, 2006, 09:43:03 PM
the front recovery point that you have is fine, just put a shackle on it & bend the girlie plastic valence out of the way!! & if you got a towbar, thats yer rear recovery point!! if you aint got a towbar, i know a man who has........ :shock:
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Post by: tim_aka_tim on March 27, 2006, 09:55:12 PM
Yep got a towbar. As for the tyres, I've already PM'd trent  :wink:
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Post by: MK1 on March 27, 2006, 10:00:38 PM
Spending money on Mods......... It don't stop yet!!!
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Post by: JamesH on March 28, 2006, 08:58:33 AM
Recovery points (front and rear)
Skid plates - definitely transfer case & rock rails a good idea.
Disconnects
Tow strap and couple of shackles

Mud terrains will get you further but you learn more driving on AT's for a bit. (Although I'd snap that deal up quick).

Sorry to be boring but I think learning to drive well is more helpful than heavy modifications when getting started.
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Post by: Dingo on March 28, 2006, 09:29:44 PM
I'd like to remind Stew that his first mod should have been a snorkel! :D
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Post by: Anonymous on March 28, 2006, 09:51:47 PM
Quote from: "Dingo"
I'd like to remind Stew that his first mod should have been a snorkel! :D


How is the Navarra youngster..........
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Post by: Dingo on March 28, 2006, 09:54:56 PM
Navara is fine, but I'm missing my orvis. :(
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Post by: Anonymous on March 28, 2006, 10:01:27 PM
Modded the Navara at all 8) ?
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Post by: Dingo on March 30, 2006, 01:31:19 AM
lowered it by putting 12 bales of hay on it, sheep were well chuffed. :D , Na, I'm saving all my money for the CJ7.
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Post by: trent on March 30, 2006, 06:07:15 PM
Dingo,
You have a navara?
I have been looking at them lately along with the the l200 and ford ranger.
What sort of mpg do you get? I have been told by one person he gets aroung 30mpg average and someone else that said they get around 20-25 depending on how they drive it.
Problem is, if i got one it would be my Daily and would need to be good on diesel.
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Post by: Mike Pavelin on March 30, 2006, 08:02:48 PM
If it's the latest Navara, they drive superbly.
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Post by: greggmo on March 30, 2006, 10:17:37 PM
trent mate we got a ranger at work its shit. 8)
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Post by: Dingo on March 31, 2006, 04:44:26 AM
I didn't go for the new navara, cause the dealers were arogant bastards, that and I found a six month old d22/23 with only 1500 miles on it for a bargain. Suits me because it's for work and looks like it'll be a bit more hard wearing than the d40 new shape. MPG about 30 running local, I was getting about 24 out of the cherokee diesel doing the same work.
 It's got loads of torque and pulls pretty well, but I'd test drive the new navarra, you will not belive the power.
 Is it just me or does anyone else think the new l200 looks shite.
 Oh rangers are rubbish we've got some at work, but there's a new one coming out soon.
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Post by: trent on March 31, 2006, 03:39:17 PM
I agree the new L200 looks good in the pictures but in real life i don't like it at all, and prefer the look of the old style.
The only reason i looked at the ranger was because, it's a ford and fitted with a transit engine(i think) so thought parts would be cheaper!

I was'nt looking at buying new, just a decent used one.
30mpg, is not bad.

I am just getting fed up with having to borrow a mates van every now and then to pick things up etc, and thought i could kill two birds with a twin cab pick up.




Oh, and sorry Tim for the thread hijack :oops:
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Post by: Mike Pavelin on March 31, 2006, 04:06:17 PM
Hey, Dingo.

Funny you should mention Datsun dealers.......The only reason I'm not driving a shiny new Navara now is 'cos my local dealer was a useless lazy wanker who clearlydidn't want the business. Shame, as it drove better than L200, Ranger, Isuzu whatever and even the Jeep I bought instead.

Got a letter from said dealership a while ago 'we see from our records you havent bought yet, if there's anything we can do....etc...."

I wrote back explaining why the didn't get the business and inviting them to comment but received no reply, so they obviously don't care anyway.
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Post by: chrisjones on March 31, 2006, 04:09:28 PM
Limi alway used to have Nissans.....................the last three cars have been Ford for exactly the same reason.

Maybe Datsun train there salesmen to be complete t**ts! :?
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Post by: tim_aka_tim on April 03, 2006, 08:25:22 PM
Can I have my thread back please  :wink:
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Post by: trent on April 03, 2006, 08:38:01 PM
I think diesel leaf springs are the way to go in the rear, with the added bonus of giving you an inch or so of lift.
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Post by: chrisjones on April 03, 2006, 08:45:20 PM
:imwitstupid:
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Post by: chicken_legz on April 03, 2006, 08:49:29 PM
3inch  lift and 31" tyres

please look left
 :lol:
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
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Post by: tim_aka_tim on April 03, 2006, 09:04:54 PM
Yeah, I've been looking at your TD, legz, and it makes me just want to do a full lift, but that costs serious dollars, and some TD springs and front spacers are less than 200 smackeroonies.

Also, as the birtys who were at Saturday's meet know, I haven't actually been off road yet, and maybe doing a 3" lift on my new toy would be a bit premature!
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Post by: Anonymous on April 03, 2006, 09:10:31 PM
Yup get used to it before you get carried away..... :lol:
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Post by: chicken_legz on April 04, 2006, 08:11:21 AM
totally agree.....if i hadnt got it tho i would haved ended up with a new kitchen or bathroom that i dont really need  :cry:
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Post by: stevos on April 07, 2006, 12:45:00 PM
:lol: premature is good . get the big lift, it will look the doggs nutts.

get a winch if you go out with bat fastard
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Post by: Bat Fastard on April 07, 2006, 05:39:27 PM
What do you mean by that Stevo?   :partyman:

Two winches are better than one though surely  :wink:
Anyway it is on my wish list along with bucket load of other stuff.
Will it ever end?
Just Empty Every Pocket.
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Post by: stevos on April 08, 2006, 09:52:35 AM
just messin batty. you were last 1 stuck

you did get me back on 4r whhels after it was rolled though. forever in debt.. :roll:
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Post by: tim_aka_tim on April 10, 2006, 04:45:27 PM
Well I've ordered some TD springs, bushes and u-bolts from Lighthouse and some 1" spacers for the front from Explorer today. Now I just need to source a recovery shackle and the XJ will be ready to play  :D
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Post by: Anonymous on April 10, 2006, 05:21:51 PM
top tip.......get underneath NOW & soak everything you are gonna have to remove in WD40!!! rear springs are an arse to change!!
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Post by: greggmo on April 10, 2006, 09:00:50 PM
rear springs are an arse to change...phoooeeeee i recon little v4 could change em. 8)
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Post by: Anonymous on April 10, 2006, 09:03:00 PM
hey lardy, you should know what its like when yer nuts are all rusted up!!! :lol:
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Post by: greggmo on April 10, 2006, 09:15:23 PM
out of use maybe...rusted up? good god no. :lol:  the only sod with rear end is the main eye bolts.
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Post by: tim_aka_tim on April 11, 2006, 07:27:31 AM
Cunning plan, I'll get some WD today. Cheers.
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Post by: Anonymous on April 11, 2006, 10:17:29 AM
Use GT 85 instead :wink:
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Post by: tim_aka_tim on April 20, 2006, 07:28:13 AM
Well I've finally got my springs, u-bolts, spacers etc after over a week of waiting for lighthouse....... They took my order last Tuesday, in the knowledge that the springs were in Wednesday's shipment. They said they'd ship them to me on Thursday as springs were normally at the bottom of a very large box. I rang them this Tuesday to enquire where my order was - the scrap of paper that they wrote it on was lost, and so I had to re-order everything! However, they have redeemed themselves, as the courier delivered them within 18 hours of my new order - very impressive.

Tried spraying the old bolts, but they are covered in paint! Seems that they're the original bolts, and that these springs have done over 138,000 miles - no wonder the arse end is saggy.