[Cdutt1stJeep]

Welp it’s time to make a decision what to do with my new 25 year old Cherokee xj.
first and foremost it will remain a daily driver. So any mods will be made with durability dependability and function as top priority. Next budget I’m going to try to keep it under 4K lift,lockers,tires are the major expenses I’m not including brakes and fuel pump as I consider those maintenance not upgrades. Ultimately I’ll be Equipping it with extended camping off grid living equip I.e. solar roof tent water storage refridgeration and gear storage. This latter part will eat funds faster than mechanical upgrades. So 3” lift 31x10.50s tires and I haven’t decided what type of lockers leaning toward an e- lockers. So by the end of summer 2022 ii should have it built.

 

[warriorsuspensions]

I have some of the same plans down the road. However they will not include solar. You can go expensive or cheap I guess, but you can spend a lot of money on solar, a management system etc. 2K is not out of the question on that. It seems like the overlanding community is trying to keep up with the most expensive rock crawlers. What I did was go to dual AGM batteries, a huge 250 amp alternator and a couple of switches. The AGM batteries are great because they maintain constant voltage as they discharge until almost completely discharged and charge very quickly. A couple of switches on some golf cart solenoids work well for a battery management system. Idling about 20 minutes will almost fully charge one of them. No bling there, but function is where it is at for me, not to mention a great system for winching

 

[Cdutt1stJeep]

I have some of the same plans down the road. However they will not include solar. You can go expensive or cheap I guess, but you can spend a lot of money on solar, a management system etc. 2K is not out of the question on that. It seems like the overlanding community is trying to keep up with the most expensive rock crawlers. What I did was go to dual AGM batteries, a huge 250 amp alternator and a couple of switches. The AGM batteries are great because they maintain constant voltage as they discharge until almost completely discharged and charge very quickly. A couple of switches on some golf cart solenoids work well for a battery management system. Idling about 20 minutes will almost fully charge one of them. No bling there, but function is where it is at for me, not to mention a great system for winching

We are on the same page great idea on AGM BATTS and a burley alternator I wasn’t going for full blown run the RV solar just a simple couple of small panels to keep batts fresh and keep gizmos charge. I’m a function first myself and yes a 10-12k winch is a must in fact it goes in before lockers.

 

[warriorsuspensions]

I did the same thing on the winch. So, which rear axle do you have?

 

[Cdutt1stJeep]

I did the same thing on the winch. So, which rear axle do you have?

Corp.8.25 thank Christ 29 spline

 

[warriorsuspensions]

When you get around to it, I am taking my locker out of the front D30. Nothing wrong with it, just upgrading axle

 

[Cdutt1stJeep]

What type of locker? it’s on the parts list I want one that’s on/off for the front

 

[Cdutt1stJeep]

I thought about lunchbox style until I saw a video of one turning and it banged pretty hard enough to make the tire twitch

 

[warriorsuspensions]

It's a LOKKA lunchbox locker. It is never done that, but it does click when turning hard
Here is a vid up at High Lakes. You can hear the lockers engaging and disengaging. All you hear is an occasional "tink"

 

[Cdutt1stJeep]

Cool video I didn’t hear anything other than the straight 6 I love them when they’re uncorked they sound like an old farmall tractor lol

 

[XJSuperman]

That jeep in the vid has a V6 actually...he's a member here. @4.3L XJ

Sounds like you have a solid plan in mind. If you are worried about the clanging/banging of a lunchbox locker (they don't all make a ton of noise), your smoother option is the Eaton TruTrac. I love mine.

 

[JandDGreens]

Honestly I don't think you need any lockers. Especially if you put a winch in your build. I have been doing a lot of overlanding trips all over Colorado. If you want to keep your rig a daily driver and be equipped to go explore your money is best spent on a modest lift and decent tires. Work out your overlanding gear and go-go-go.
If I could start over, I would take your rig, small lift (2") and 31" Ko2s. Go ahead and gear it with 4.10's. And save your money for your wants list that you know you need after experiencing a season or two of great times. You will find open diffs will get you most everywhere.

Don't get me wrong because I was snake bit and have dumped a ton of money into my rig. Over the past 5 years I can't tell you how much money has been thrown into my rig. It's never going to stop! Until I get rid of my Xj. But if I could have used more of that money for other things rather than modifying my vehicle.

If you go to my build page you'll see some of the most incredible scenery that your stock Xj would easily tackle. Just saying.
White Shadow in the build section skip to page 16 for pictures of several trips

 

[XJSuperman]

While I admit JandDGreens has a point, having at least one locker can get you into, and out of, many places where open diffs will either get you hung up or broken. I started with a front locker and was thrilled at how it would pull me up an obstacle. Of course much of this depends on where you are located and planning on wheeling. Terrain will make a difference. Gravel roads, muddy forest roads, or slippery wooded hilly trails, maybe slickrock of the west?

 

[Cdutt1stJeep]

Hey thanks for the advice I used to live in Colorado Nederland to be precise I had a 66 bronco that would get me anywhere almost and a few places I had no business trying but I was young and stupid had a 1st gen 4Runner same thing both were open diff. With 33s on the Ford and 31s on the toy I’ll check your build page

 

[Cdutt1stJeep]

While I admit JandDGreens has a point, having at least one locker can get you into, and out of, many places where open diffs will either get you hung up or broken. I started with a front locker and was thrilled at how it would pull me up an obstacle. Of course much of this depends on where you are located and planning on wheeling. Terrain will make a difference. Gravel roads, muddy forest roads, or slippery wooded hilly trails, maybe slickrock of the west?

Here in nw Ohio it’s board flat so the two things are snow bombing and mudd I’ve been looking over the inter webs and want to do the Kentucky adventure trail and the continental divide another trip will be the old Lincoln highway from ny to San Francisco which is regular paved roads until Wyoming I won’t be doing mad bogs or rock bouncing as it’s a DD and I’m not trying to break it

 

[XJSuperman]

I know Ohio, I grew up in NE OH. You should head east to Southington for a weekend sometime. Or south to Wellsville. Either will be a great experience for you and your jeep.

 

[Cdutt1stJeep]

I know Ohio, I grew up in NE OH. You should head east to Southington for a weekend sometime. Or south to Wellsville. Either will be a great experience for you and your jeep.

i haven’t been east much I’ll for sure check it out most my time is spent in Lawrence county where Ohio ky and Wva meet ton of kin there