Looking for my next upgrade or mod... [Archive]

View Full Version : Looking for my next upgrade or mod...

jadams68

12-26-2004, 09:39 AM

I'm looking for a reason to spend money on my CJ and wrench on it. I've simply run out of ideas. Even if they're small or just nice to haves, let me hear some suggestions from you guys.

My current specs are:

5.5" of lift.
35" BFG Muds
New Superwinch hubs
1 piece shafts front and rear with upgraded 297x ujoints
ARB locker front and rear
On board air
Full cage
Swing out tire carrier
XD9000i Winch
Fuel injected 258
Power brakes upgraded...

So basically I have all the major things covered...

magoo117

12-26-2004, 07:37 PM

The best way I have found what to buy is to keep beatin' on it until stuff breaks and then upgrade what broke.

jadams68

12-27-2004, 09:49 AM

I totally agree... That's exactly what got me to this point...
I'm heading to Rausch Creek on Jan 8th, so maybe something will shake loose. :lol:

sentinal02

12-28-2004, 03:14 AM

I totally agree... That's exactly what got me to this point...
I'm heading to Rausch Creek on Jan 8th, so maybe something will shake loose. :lol:

since you didn't mention it, how about herculining it? might be too cold though right now.

what about adding some tie down loops in the back for securing tool boxes and stuff? after hitting some bumps hard on my last run i just picked up a few 1200 lbs loops from TSC and am going to add them in the back to keep my tool box where i put it. simple, but effective.

CB?
electric fan?
on board welder? seen a few writeups on making your own.
need more body armor anywhere?
MML and belly up skid plate?
off road or rock/under carriage lights?

some ideas anyway

jadams68

12-28-2004, 08:48 AM

I actually did Herculine mine...
Check it out: http://www.bustedjeep.com/projects/herc/herc.asp

Good suggestion tho... Herc is a must for anyone out there who's still on the fence about doing it.

ROCKREADYXJ

12-28-2004, 12:52 PM

So basically I have all the major things covered...

Why not upgrade those weak axles D30 and a AMC 20 don't stand up to 35 inch BFG's to well that would be a major concern of mine if you were my customer. How about slowing it down maybe a 4:1 in the dana300 or an Atlas those are all things that would deffinitly help and will still keep it streetable if you still drive it on the road. How about skid plates ? maybe a larger gas tank stronger bumpers maybe some 4340 shafts with full circle clips. You could do a coilover conversion. I could go on if you need more Ideas. I am always willing to help out ask if you need some more I have done alot of CJ-7 CJ-5 work Before so I would say dont over look the small stuff it can turn into large stuff down the road.

jadams68

12-28-2004, 01:41 PM

Front and Rear shafts are 1 piece superior upgrades...they are 30 spline with upgraded 297x ujoints.
I use Warn bumpers so I would think they are strong enough...
My gas tank is already a stock 20 gal...

I have thought about the Tera 4:1 kit in the Dana 300... That's good advice... More than likely that's going to be the next move...

So basically I have all the major things covered...

Why not upgrade those weak axles D30 and a AMC 20 don't stand up to 35 inch BFG's to well that would be a major concern of mine if you were my customer. How about slowing it down maybe a 4:1 in the dana300 or an Atlas those are all things that would deffinitly help and will still keep it streetable if you still drive it on the road. How about skid plates ? maybe a larger gas tank stronger bumpers maybe some 4340 shafts with full circle clips. You could do a coilover conversion. I could go on if you need more Ideas. I am always willing to help out ask if you need some more I have done alot of CJ-7 CJ-5 work Before so I would say dont over look the small stuff it can turn into large stuff down the road.

ROCKREADYXJ

12-28-2004, 02:24 PM

Even if you have superior shaft you are still running a dana 30 up front very weak ring and pinion. As for the rear I am goinr to assume that you have a AMC 20 because you said you put in one piece shafts. But the AMC 20 is still plauged with pleanty of other problems to suggest an up grade when running 35inch tires. And by up gradeing to a Dana 44 you can still use those shafts but will be gaining a much stronger ring and pinion. The pinion on the D30 is very very weak. Even a low pinion 44 is stronger than the 30.

Nothing wrong with WARN bumpers I would recomend them to any one they are very strong and better priced than some other bumpers on the market. Your post did not mentioned you had them though so thats why I suggested them. If you need to get a 4:1 give me a call and I can get you a good deal on one and the 32 spline out put shaft

jadams68

12-28-2004, 03:15 PM

I agree totall...
Basically I've just started running Black rated trails. My rig is an on-going build as I learn and gain more experience type of project.

Some people go hog-wild and throw Ford 9" and 60s under their rig, which is awesome for their application.

I'm not doing anything that's going to break a ring and pinion that easily.

If my experience and level of skill dictates, then a custom 60 solution or custom 9" may be the trick.

All in good time... :D

ROCKREADYXJ

12-28-2004, 03:32 PM

I understand doing it in stages and in due time. I am offering suggestions to bring you to the next level with out spending big dollars.

By upgrading to a 44 you can reuse alot of parts off your D30. like brakes, shafts, hubs, spindles, knuckles and rotors

jadams68

12-28-2004, 06:16 PM

Yeah I really appreciate that. I'm going to trash it at Rausch Creek on Jan. 8th...maybe something will "pursuade" me to go that route...

ROCKREADYXJ

12-30-2004, 12:43 PM

magoo117

12-30-2004, 10:16 PM

Pic of Pick Your Poison entering the right side.http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/magoo117/Paragon10-16010.jpg

magoo117

12-30-2004, 10:16 PM

another onehttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/magoo117/Paragon10-16013.jpg

ROCKREADYXJ

12-30-2004, 10:59 PM

Mitch is that Jen on the strap in the second picture?? Good thing she was on that strap.

magoo117

12-30-2004, 11:05 PM

yeah,it looks like her tuggin'.Who is this guy givin' me drivin' tips?http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/magoo117/Paragon10-16008.jpg

ROCKREADYXJ

12-30-2004, 11:26 PM

I think I was saying "go three big rocks make a left onto an even larger rock. Do you need the lady to get in and show you how its done?"

ROCKREADYXJ

12-31-2004, 08:35 AM

Hey, Mitch I found this one today from day one of that last event this course we got a 8 on. Mitch you see Pete he know #1 team baby.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/ROCKREADYXJ/209374809qlHgOk_ph.jpg

magoo117

12-31-2004, 10:21 AM

flexed up pretty good there...

ROCKREADYXJ

12-31-2004, 12:52 PM

she drove right out of there I was actually quite impressed.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/ROCKREADYXJ/209374938RmJxtK_ph.jpg

rsegriggy

01-03-2005, 11:31 PM

Yeah I really appreciate that. I'm going to trash it at Rausch Creek on Jan. 8th...maybe something will "pursuade" me to go that route...

On your way home stop in at paragon and run Rattler then pick your poison but start on the right not the left. That should "pursuade" you.
Just trying to help

have fun!!

I ran Pick Your Poison and Rattler in my CJ and I'm spring under with 2.5" BDS springs and 33" BFG MT's. 8)

PYP:
http://home.earthlink.net/~torkpics/paragon10-17-04/9.jpg

But then again, my body work isn't as pretty as Jadams. :lol:

and I don't try the "hardest" lines. With my set-up, I'm happy to get to the end of the trail.

ROCKREADYXJ

01-03-2005, 11:36 PM

nice!! I did pick your poison w/ my 33 as well about 5 years ago. but like you I just wanted to get through.

rsegriggy

01-03-2005, 11:50 PM

I also ran a bunch of the trails along the coal road. But, it's all in the line and how little gas you give it. I've only broken one u-joint, and that was on level ground with the wheels straight.

James: How about diff protection and/or steering linkage upgrades?
I pretzeled two tie rods in a row before I did a flip and got hte big daddy off road tie rods.

jadams68

01-04-2005, 10:31 AM

Not a bad idea.
I did add a FourXDoctor skid on my rear diff because I just smash the hell out of it.

My steering isn't the worst I've seen in the CJ community, but it does have about an inch of play left to right before you move :o

magoo117

01-04-2005, 07:56 PM

hmmm,maybe thats why my XJ looks like crap,I always try the lines that arent doable(<is that a word?).

ROCKREADYXJ

01-04-2005, 08:12 PM

roooaads thats a funny word

rsegriggy

01-05-2005, 11:05 AM