o.k. so I spend 1200 bucks on a treadmill for my wife, and now I have a little bit of play with some money if ya know what I mean ... I'm hoping to do some work on the stock kick come first thing Oct.

So I have about 1500. What should I be doing with the money? I have turned into a frequent trail rider, as opposed to my old 'drive a lot of highway' bit. Some of you know that I got fired from my job out of town, but three days later I got a new 'better' job in-town, so highway is not my concern any longer! booya! I WANT TO CLIMB the tough stuff, what do I need for lift and suspension? I've been eyein' up some calmini stuff for a while, but I've always been wondering how big I should go right away...

steveo

Go for the biggest right away! That way you don't have to do it later

So, go for a 'yota axle swap (locked and strengthened, of course ), twin t-cases, and 37's.

But seriously, I'd go for the Calmini 3" lift, homemade body lift, and some nice meats

go like me.  4 inch body lift $200
33x12.5 rubbber and rims $900
fender flares
make sure you buy a little someting nice for the old lady so she wont be angry for you spending all your time in the garage - almost priceless

Skip that four inch body lift.  If you're a frequent trail rider you want to get your frame off the ground as much as you can.  A coil-spacer style lift and, if you can, the homemade body lift explo mentioned is the best way to go.  then get yourself some 235's of course Dunlop Mud Rovers-best tire out there.  Then install a lock box and an emergency light somewhere inside.  You'll be trail riding where you couldn't go before in no time, climbing a bit too but be careful, my plans here did not include a cage

I would go with Calmini 6" combo kit and bigger tires. You may want to address the front diff. too steel from a GV or the Anvil.
But that would be me what ever you do set a goal and work towards it.  So you don't end up wasting time and $$$.
George

I agree with the Calmini 6" combo, but
you have a JLX which has AutoTrans right ?

So get 30 or 31" tires and a set of Man Trans
5.12 gears, I like the MT tires, any of the BFG
or knock off design MT tread should work good

If you plan on lots of rock you might want some
belly protection too


Wild

I think the Calmini 3" combo kit and tires would cost more than 1500$ Eh, I guess it would be close...

My Opinion:

Give it 2" coil spacers, a 3" body lift (custom or not), that works out to.. about 150$

A Lockrite already set up to just drop in with 5.12 gears from TT about $350 with another set of 5.12's for the front also from TT about $150 so $500 bucks..

total is now $650

Get some pacer fender flares $80

Some rubber door trim for body lips to go in your fenderwells so you can't see the space between the body and frame: $20 (or less)

So now $750.. minus about $200 for total shipping

Leaves you with $500 to spend on some good used 31's with rims.. and some rancho 5115 shocks for the back.

Heather

if you are able to build your own 3in body then do it.  mabey the calmini 2in kit with some Ranchos?  that should leave some cash for nice tires and mabey even a locker!  trust me, a locker makes a world of diffence.

stu

coil spacers, camber bolts, strut flip/spacers and maybe a small body lift is the way to go, ive spent about 100$ total on jens tracker doin her lift, and i got the tires for 10$.. just gotta watch for deals and know a few thing's

Congrats on the new job, bro!  

you have a JLX which has AutoTrans right ?

Yeah, I think the 5.12's would be the best. Heather suggested that to me a while back and I think I'll get them. Questions though: How hard is this to do? Remember, I'm not that great at mechanic-type stuff! Now if I can do this myself, where can I find the 5.12s? I looking for afforability and practicallity. I'll spend the money, it's just I want to make it go as far as I can (like everyone on here I suppose!). And while I'm at it, should I do my cam-shaft upgrade at the same time?

2" coil spacers sound good. What size am I running at the moment (stock)??

3x3x3 box tubing should do the job for the body lift. Now how hard is this to do with two people?? I don't have access to a whole lot of expensive tools and such, but between me and my father-in-law (ex-heavy duty mechanic) we should be alright, right? Heather, if you could hook me up with some pics of how to do it and some instruction (oranyone interested in helping out), that would be divine!!

trust me, a locker makes a world of diffence.

Tell me more about Lockrite, as I have no experience with these things. Are they similar to my manual locking front hubs? ARB is a little too expensive right at the moment, so Lockrite lockers will be fine! Are they a lot better when turning bigger tires and running that set of gears?? I'm guessing that's the other reason... (other than traction).

So this is what I'm now thinking about. Largely influenced by Heather, as she's running a monster of a 4-door!

- 2'' coil spacers
- custom 3'' body lift (if I can actually do it!)
- Set of Lockrite lockers
- 5.12 gears (although where to get them cheapest, not sure)
- Some used 30" tires (or 31s if you think I can do it!)
By the way, running those size of tires, do I need to trim the fenders?
-  MAYBE a new camshaft

steveo

Thanks all for the quick replies! I'm sure there'll be more! Anyway, its off to the junkyard to see what I can dig up!

Oh yeah! I have my camera in my car at all times now, so I'll post everything as I do it!

steveo

i don't think a set of lockers would that great if you still drive it in the winter.  one in the rear would be a inprovement though.  hell i don't even have a front locker yet!  and i like heathers idea.  but you should think about some camber bolts.  installing the rear diff takes about 2 hours if i was taking my time(I.E. eating, cleaning rusted bolts then Intiseez(sp) them)  the front it a bit harder because you have more bolts and you have to pull a CV out of the diff. i would find some buddys to help you do all the work with.  its not half as fun alone.

stu

oh yea, remeber to factor in the cost of extra nuts and bolts, fluids, an alinement(sp) and what ever probs you might face.  just keep a little slush fund for stuff like that.

stu

 If it says JLX on it doesn't mean it's an auto. If it was an auto, being a newer than 91 4 door means a 4 speed auto, which also means it already has 5.12s in it. Only the 3 speed autos have 4.62s, what would I know, I've only been doing the gear thing in these for years.