2000 XLT stock mod's for offroading

[jax]

I would like to go offroad on weekends and have about $1200 to spend. Can one of you pro's recommend what to do to my stock XLT? I am guessing some nice tires and shocks to start and maybe a little lift if needed?

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

exhaust and sct tune it and intake and lift kit and hmmm some others i cant think of right now.

 

[trj360]

exhaust and sct tune

That is the worst idea and a waste of money. I would say a set of good tires and a locker. Also the 3" body lift and 2" shackle/torsion twist combination. Depending on where you'd get your stuff and at what price, it could all be done with that budget.

 

[UtahX]

Yup, Lift, Tires/Wheels, Shocks. Then Exhaust, Intake.

 

[trj360]

Yup, Lift, Tires/Wheels, Shocks. Then Exhaust, Intake.

I would never even consider exhaust or intake before a locker.

 

[99SportX]

Is the powertrax the cheapest option to lock up the rear end? I know it is an auto locker but the manual lockers seem very pricey.

The stock open or even LS diff really limits off road capability.

 

[blueka]

sorry for the hijack... I'm dumb... what does a locker do?


Si

 

[team]

aussie locker for the front and rear, tires, TT and shackles

 

[99SportX]

Oh wow, the Aussie is by far the cheapest one I have seen so far.

I would suggest TT/shackles, tires, shocks, locker. This is pretty much what I am planning on but I am going to do a body lift as well so I can fit 33" tires.

Check out this link: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=238214

You can look at the options and decide how much lift you can fit in your budget.

 

[trj360]

sorry for the hijack... I'm dumb... what does a locker do?


Si

This applies to all 4wd vehicles, not just jeeps
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=628223

explaining differentials
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm

I have front and rear aussie lockers in my daily driver explorer and in my jeep, and i'm satisfied with both the on and off road performance.

 

[YountExplr]

I think with a budget of $1200 he cant really afford a locker. So the question is what kind of offroading are you looking to do? After 2 inch lift ($150) and new tires ($500-$1000) he has pretty much spent his budget.Saying he gets cheap tires, he might be able to afford a body lift, but to then go to a 33" tire he would most likely have to switch gears or do an axle swap which gets pretty pricey.

 

[trj360]

I think with a budget of $1200 he cant really afford a locker. So the question is what kind of offroading are you looking to do? After 2 inch lift ($150) and new tires ($500-$1000) he has pretty much spent his budget.Saying he gets cheap tires, he might be able to afford a body lift, but to then go to a 33" tire he would most likely have to switch gears or do an axle swap which gets pretty pricey.

Why are you talking about an axle swap with 33s? The 8.8 is good to at least 35s and the front suspension is fine for occasional 4 wheel use. And I think that 3.73s or numerically higher would be tolerable for 33s.

Body lift - 150
Shackles - 60
Buy 3 get one free pro comps - 600
wheels - 150
aussie locker - 250

Of course those are rough estimates but it's right around 1200. I did lift, tires, and wheels for $1050 shipped. Front and rear aussie lockers cost me and additional 500.

 

[Brandon@BTF-fab]

I make upper arms as well to eliminate the weaker balljoints.

 

[YountExplr]

I was talking about swapping out the axles for a set of 4.10 geared axles, as it is usually cheaper than swapping gears. not going up to a larger axle.

 

[YountExplr]

oh btw with the aussie locker do you have to let off the gas when you go around corners?

 

[trj360]

oh btw with the aussie locker do you have to let off the gas when you go around corners?

Not if you don't want to. The tires might squeal a little or you'll hear them scrubbing but that's about it. The lockers are very easy to get used to IMO. They do act a little funny in my Jeep with a manual transmission though because they are constantly locking and unlocking when I shift.

 

[ericautopart]

1200 and we're talking lifts, tires, intakes, etc...?? What the F is an intake gonna do other than help hydrolock an engine w/ a rookie wheeler? If I had 1200 with a BONE STOCK I'd look into some A/T tires (I like Bridgestone Dueler Revos but most will choose BFG A/T), Sliders, a Hi lift, strap, and voila..your probably at 1200. What's a locker going to do w/o tires?

 

[trj360]

Body lift - 150
Shackles - 60
Buy 3 get one free pro comps - 600
wheels - 150
aussie locker - 250

This is right around his budget.

1200 and we're talking lifts, tires, intakes, etc...?? What the F is an intake gonna do other than help hydrolock an engine w/ a rookie wheeler? If I had 1200 with a BONE STOCK I'd look into some A/T tires (I like Bridgestone Dueler Revos but most will choose BFG A/T), Sliders, a Hi lift, strap, and voila..your probably at 1200. What's a locker going to do w/o tires?

All Sam is good for is recommending "dual flows" and now for some reason is telling every person on the forum to get "a intake" and tune.

I assume you are referring to me about the locker and tires, i had tires in my post. Pro Comp mud terrains are roughly 200 each with the 4th being free right now. Why waste money on all terrains? Do it right the first time.

 

[ericautopart]

Because if your light wheeling mud terrains are a waste to me...at's are the best of both world and plenty good. Mud terrains wear fast on the street too ya know
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[trj360]

Because if your light wheeling mud terrains are a waste to me...at's are the best of both world and plenty good. Mud terrains wear fast on the street too ya know
Posted via Mobile Device

Some mud terrains last a while. I've had Pro Comps on my daily driver and they have lasted me about 2 years and still have some (safe) life left until they become spares. No matter what kind of tires you have, they are no good unless they are spinning - which is why I recommended a locker. Especially with all terrains, they have no traction in any kind of mud to begin with. Add to that open differentials and you have a potentially stuck vehicle, at least more so than someone with the same setup but locked.

For what it's worth, the next set of tires on my Ex will be BFG ATs, because I just flat-out never wheel it. That's the only time I can see mud terrains being a waste, and even then, they look better than all terrains so it depends on the person and situation.