I'm at about 107 and 9 inches of lift...Debating on somewhere between 110-115 . I'm looking for opinions from those who run or have run similar set up on 40-44's and who actually used it ...So that eliminates Chinakee...I'm thinking 110 would be good But 112-114 gives the extra wheelbase for 44's if i should decide to do such a thing in the future ...I will not be losing any of the 9 inches of lift I like not getting hung up in the middle ,and will be adding front/rear suck down winches to pull it down a few inches when needed . Basicly I'd like opionions on how it climbs and stability vs the shorter 105-107 wheelbase range and if there is a draw back that makes it not worth it ...Just fishing for knowledge b4 I start chopping the body away in the next month or so .

 

www.Pirate4x4.com

 

Ideal WB is 115. 99% of the Ultra4 buggies are built to about 110-115. More the 115 creates a wierd problem in that you hinder your clmibing ability and tend to require a much bigger tire then 44 ( avg 50-54) to be a capable rig. My buggy ie being built to 110( ish) and will be on 37's ( staying that size to compete in pro mod class for now) The cherokee is not a very good rig to stretch to more the 105ish if your running 107 then thats about the max you want to go. I would not go bigger but rather build a better rig that can handle it.

A 105" WB will climb good and will help to keep your tires pinched as you should not high center to easy. 115+ will make you high center super easy if tires are not big enough ( IE 50+)

I would stay 107 where your at as that is about the max an XJ should be built for. XJ on 44's...... Yikes.... Cant be much of an xj at that point.... Stock body will turn to tin foil....

 

114 WB on 40's


114 WB on 44's


Wheelbase unknown on 44tsl

These videos only really tell me a 60/70 or 60/14 bolt combo will hold 44's fairly easy , But as for steep climbs ...not so much since there is steep but no real super steep ledges/waterfalls here to judge ...On pirate you got guys who went from scratch straight to what they got which either what I have or what these guys have , so no real comparison to be had ...LOL...pretty much just going to go ahead and do my winches possibly remove the spacer up front to level it with the rear possibly add some ORI struts and tweat the wheelbase as needed after every roll over until I have it where it needs to be ...I'm most likely over thinking it .

 

That first video is a decent climb. Seemed to struggle a litt but it made it.
ORI Struts are great as they are probably the first air shock that can survive a long time with out fading or excesive heat wear.

That last video..... Yeah that guy is dumb. That rig will crumple with a solid flip. There is no triangulation for the cage and the only thing in the middle looked liked the stock B pillar. Not to mention the idiot does not know how to drive it. Oh and the fact he is not wearing a seat belt. Cage aint gonna do you any good if you fall out and it rolls on top of you.

The second rig is kinda eh.. Seems really stock on the top and my only question is this. Why build a rig that big that will get crushed in a roll and is not built to be on its side.

Look I am not saying you CANNOT build an XJ to a 115+ WB... Im just saying that if your going to go that big.... why do it to an XJ There are so much better options to build than that.....

As far as axles... a 60/14 bolt combo will hold 44" but that is about where you would want to stop. You can go bigger but the Dana 60 ( if built right) should hold a 44" without to many issues. Not saying your not gonna break something but it should hold fine. Another really good option is to find an older Eaton Axle. It is the same as a 14 bolt but has a drop out 3rd and axles ahfts are thicker. I put on under my YJ and will never look back. Only thing stronger is stepping up to a Rockwell... which depending on your build could be about the same cost as a 60 front 14 rear combo...

But seriously. You have a big rig that can probably wheel anything you want... Why change it.... Why not build something different?

Out of all those rigs the first one is only one that I would give respect to... But for the money and effort your going to spend to tube it out.... Why do that to an XJ so many better options... Even th engine bay is small so putting anything other then the 4.0 would be a major PITA...

 

a 6.0 fits in that engine bay pretty easy , But a tube chasis has many advantages over a rig built off of any factory platform , and since I now own a trailer and Diesel tow rig I have thought about running my XJ for another year or so to get my money out of it then sell it and use that cash to start something made of DOM ...lol

 

Daily driver \/




The Buggy as it sat in May

Way diff now....



Two pretty fun rigs....

 

The buggy just a little different now lol

 

What....You Mean this!

 

I think it needs a little more off the top...

 

oh yeah the windshield is coming off...

 

Toying with the idea of selling the XJ in the next year and using that cash to help purchase something like this to sit on my trailer...

 

The look of that rig looks like an RC car. LOL
The amount of money you say you threq at your XJ would def have got you in the direction of something like that.

I know aguy selling one...

The only prob is he want 115K...... but it includes the spare parts.... Even spare Atlas LS9 and Spider 9's

 

44s ,94 inch wheel track, 115 wheelbase , 10 inches cut out of the middle doors gutted and reinstalled as removable skins to keep it looking xj ...

 

Decided to try out narrow tires ...


The new Rubber takes Cleveland rock under rigs own power...crappy victory at the top pic shot to close