I recently got my xj, even more recently got my lift and tires on... It's currently got 4.5 inch rustys short arm with 33's. I don't know what's more important from here, I'm trying to build a reliable do it all trail rig. I don't care about cosmetics as much as I care about having a reliable wheeling rig. I've got the maintenance out of the way and will be handling the small oil leaks once it gets warmer out.

So this is where I'm stuck; where is my money more importantly spent... cause I work within a budget like most people.
Getting rid of my d35?
Recovery points?
Sye?
Get rid of stock upper control arms?
Any other sugestions?

I'm currently doing the small things like getting rid of the idiot light cluster, bar pin eliminators, steering box brace. Any other cheap parts you suggest I tackle soon?

Future plans will be long arms, winch, regear, cosmetics, more armor, and etc.

 

Start cheap and work your way through it. Recovery points is most likely going to be the cheapest thing to do right now, but I think doing the SYE would be the best to start with because it will help with reliablity. I can see the rock and hard spot you're in, it's those kinds of things that keep my mind spinning when I'm trying to go to sleep.

 

recovery points, a must have. if you want to go for cheap, but leave room for upgrade later, try a class 3 rear tow hitch, and c4x4 tow hooks for the front
http://www.jeepinoutfitters.com/scri...p?idproduct=40
http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.as...=0&partID=4081

 

I have the money for bumpers, I would hate to spend money on those hooks and brackets to just take them off a few months down the road. I see the immediate need for recovery points.

I've also been led to believe the d35 needs to go immediatly... True or false?

 

I would say run the 35 until you get around to regearing. Be on the lookout for an axle upgrade get it beefed up and slap it in whenever you want.

SYE, I would say yes on that 1st.

Now, if you are planning on a hardcore wheeling (basically just bashing the crap out of it) and have the money I would swap that 35 out.

I wheeled mine hard on 31's w/d35, granted it was my DD so I did not beat da **** out of it, and I wheel it the same with 33's even as a weekend rig.

ARMOR..... Skid Plates, etc...

 

Haha... So I'll just throw money into it till I'm broke.

I found a xj d30 & d44 regeared to 4.88 for sale... Front has a Aussie and rear has a Detroit electrac that currently doesn't work. Is 900 a good price for them? And how much work is it to get the d44 rear end in?

 

Your XJ have ABS to go along with the D35?

 

Nope no ABS, or it doesn't work.