2000 XLT stock mod's for offroading

[1999_sport]

i did the tt and made my own shackles, got 2 inches out of that, bought some tires and rims off kijiji for 300 that were off a jeep, thats all i would do if your werent serious about it, save the rest to buy a good locker later if you get more serious

 

[ericautopart]

I'm standing by my opinion. A locker is a waste for someone who still getting a feel for the hobby. If he never wheels again AT tires will always be there to help and the MT's will only cost more money in fuel and replacement sooner. Hell, I sell the damn things and I'm trying to convince him not to get one.

 

[YountExplr]

Its funny because the original poster has not responded to any of this. I would like to see what he wants to do and go from there. I agree that for someone just getting into the wheeling world lockers are a big jump. I also personally think that people should start without lockers so that they can learn more and make better decisions than one who starts out locked and thinks he can do anything.

 

[trj360]

thinks he can do anything.

The attitude is the problem, not the locker. I agree that the type of wheeling greatly influences whether or not a locker is needed, but open diffs suck, plain and simple.

 

[eXcali]

I was looking into increasing the off-roadness of my explorer, then I started number crunching $$ figures. My totals came up over $2k. At that point I decided I would rather invest $500 into a 78/79 bronco with 35in tires, solid front axle, and with 5-6 inches of lift enuff room to squeeze some 38's on maybe 40's with some trimming.
This way I save $$ in the end and don't have to abuse my daily transportation. Plus I still get the fun tinker-time beefing up the 400 big block. Heck, I could throw in a cummins turbo diesel from local J/Y and still be under the explorer budget.

 

[ericautopart]

The attitude is the problem, not the locker. I agree that the type of wheeling greatly influences whether or not a locker is needed, but open diffs suck, plain and simple.

I've wheeled with open diffs PLENTY and never had problems. I've gotten stuck, yes but it's nothing a PML (Poor man's locker) couldn't fix. Also a strap and a hi lift. I don't think a rookie is going out and doing anything where he's need a locker. It's a stupid argument to have in the first place. Plain and simple you won't get lockers installed for 1200. And WTF is the point of locking a diff w/ some HT tires on there..

 

[YountExplr]

still wanting to hear from the OP... Arguing is useless without input from him.

 

[trj360]

I've wheeled with open diffs PLENTY and never had problems. I've gotten stuck, yes but it's nothing a PML (Poor man's locker) couldn't fix. Also a strap and a hi lift. I don't think a rookie is going out and doing anything where he's need a locker. It's a stupid argument to have in the first place. Plain and simple you won't get lockers installed for 1200. And WTF is the point of locking a diff w/ some HT tires on there..

I never recommended locking it with HT tires.

Lockers are good.
Mud terrains are good.
Both are perfectly reasonable for a weekend wheeler.

TT, shackles, 31" mud terrains, and a front or rear aussie locker would be a great investment well within his budget, and 33s with a body lift would be right at the border.

I'm sure there is someone in a local 4x4 club who would help install an aussie for a case of beer.

 

[chance942]

I wanna see how long a 78-79 could hold up with a healthy 5.9 Cummins in it.

That powerplant is a BEAST!!

 

[chance942]

Its funny because the original poster has not responded to any of this. I would like to see what he wants to do and go from there. I agree that for someone just getting into the wheeling world lockers are a big jump. I also personally think that people should start without lockers so that they can learn more and make better decisions than one who starts out locked and thinks he can do anything.

Well said. Crawl(no pun) before you walk. Heck he could get scared and decide it isn't for him on the first trip.