Hi Everyone! Need Advice-I'm a rookie!

[Aaron]

I just signed up and wanted to say hi. I bought a 94 Jeep, 6 cyl, last November. I've loved it so far. I've already have managed to get stuck in the mud a few times, and I want to start building my jeep up, but I can't decide where to start. Right now its completely stock. I can't decide on what size tires, I think I want 33's, but part of me wants to go for the 35's-I'm not sure if it's necessary though. I've heard that 33's can get you through most stuff. Then there's the lift kits, what lockers to get, and wondering if I need to worry about my stock axels. I'm just not sure where to begin, and I want to make sure I have an overall plan before I go out and just start buying things. Part of me thinks I should start off with buying a winch! I use the jeep alot for a commuter vehicle, and i've read doing all those mods creates a sucky street driving situation. But I love offroading! An advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Aaron

[campingdad]

Aaron,
Just hang cool for a little while here and on JU. What I mean is just sit back and read the posts and do some research on your own including the board archives. What you have just asked in your post could be answered in nothing less than a dissertation:D.

That is the best advice I can give anyway.

Welcome to the board! And a big jeep wave from NH.

By the way, here is another shameless plug for a meeting I am planning that could be a great start for you if your are truly new to the jeep scene.
Plenty of clubs, plenty of food,a nd plenty of fun.....

April 28th North East 4 Wheelers Meet&Greet (http://www.top.monad.net/~vandsbeard/april_mtg.html)

[Chris S]

Small lifts and slight increases in tire size won't hurt your performace too much, but the amount of changes needed to go to 33s or 35s will change the way you rig drives.

The stock axles are marginal with 33s, and inadequate for 35s.

Everything depends on budget, but IMHO the "correct" way to fit 33s is to do a Spring Over lift and swap to Scout or Early Bronco (or custom) axles, add 7" wide fender flares and get 8" steel rock crawler wheels with 4" back-spacing. For 35s add a body lift. Too do all that that you will also need a SYE conversion for your T-case and new drive shafts.

Honestly though, that is overkill for most people. 90% of the time it is the tread pattern that gets you through, not the tire size. Unless you are getting into some crazy terrain or super deep mud a 1" or 2" lift, 31" tires, skid plates and a winch will take you most places. Add a locker you can go almost anywhere guys on 33s go.

What kind of terrain do you play on? Do you feel you need flex, clearance, floatation, or a balance between all 3?

[DaJudge]

Welcome aboard!

How much offroading experience do you have? How often are you going out?
What are the conditions usually--,mud, or rocks and hills, or sand, or combo?
That should drive the answers to your questions. If you are relatively inexperienced
I recommend you drive it stock for a while, see how it goes, and then begin
planning your mods based on that.

My TJ is a daily driver and I have the same handling (and gas mileage) concerns.
I've kept it basically stock except for some armour and 31x10.50 rubber.
That's proven adequate for what I'm willing to risk on the trails.

Obviously, your results may vary.

[BrewJeep]

Welcome, Aaron!

Ah, the Zen of off-roading....

IMHO, probably the best advice I could give would be to build up your YJ to make it best for YOUR uses and for the trails YOU enjoy the most. Building a rockcrawler is a ton of fun, if that's what you like to do, but it can be serious overkill if you prefer moderate trails, logging and mining roads, two-tracks during hunting season, etc., and depend on your outfit as a daily driver (I know some guys do it with a rockcrawler).

Where to start? A couple of basics would probably be tires and possibly lift. For moderate trail duty, a good set of 31s (BFG ATKO or MT, etc.) and a 2.5" lift may be just what you need, yet still keep your outfit quite streetable (and affordable). Good safety equipment is a must -- CB radio, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, tow strap; as well as a Hi Lift jack (with a good solid mount). Skidplates and rocker protection are pretty high on the list (I actually need to take my own advice here), then maybe a rear locker of some sort and gearing and maybe a winch.

Again, be sure to build your outfit for how you really drive and what trails you hit. That way you'll be most satified with the end product.

Welcome and keep in touch!! There's a whole ton of knowledge to be picked up from everyone here. Lots of good ideas!!!

--Paul

[The Man with the Plan]

Welcome aboard! Be prepared for the onslaught of the addiction though. Once you start modifying a Jeep, it is very difficult to stop!

First off, everything listed above is great info! Don't rush into it. IMO, the first thing you should do is figure out what type of wheeling you prefer to do, and how much on-road handling you are willing to sacrifice for off-road performance (and budget). Stock Jeeps can go a long way off the beaten path. Start taking it out AS-IS! One of the first mods I recommend is protection! Ie., skidplates. No matter how much lift you get, you'll always need skid plates. Plus, they'll save you a lot of money! I found this out the hard way. Learn from my mistake.

More specifically though, if you plan on going to 33" or taller tires, your rear axle is gonna have to go. Many people claim they have had no problems with the Dana 35c (your rear axle), but 10 times more people have grenaded theirs. However, if you follow the advice above, you will find there are many sources for donor axles that are easy swaps into a YJ.

[Rick 601]

solid advice above. Other than some of the options I chose at purchase (new tj) I don't regret any slow, thought out thoroughly researched mod I've done. Remember that the opinions expressed are opinions and the "facts"expressed are, well, sometimes debatable. I have tried to get good stuff rather than more stuff.

It's a process not a destination- or rather the destination is wherever you are.
Somebody shut me up.
welcome