soooo confused

[Mars81]

94yj
2.5i4

I just got my jeep last week and i'm so confused as to where to go with it. When i was modding my talon i knew what i was doing...intake, exhaust, turbo, etc. But all the stuff available for jeeps and different ways to go is confusing me. So first Q. is there a site with a Jeep Dictionary? I could probably find a lot of answers with that. But anyways here we go...

I'm not looking to make some crazy, ultimate rock crawler. Just something to have some fun with off-road but will still be a daily driver. Max tire size will probably be 31 x 10.5 or 33 x 10.5/12.5 depending on funds.

So with that said i'm guessing from what i read that i'll need at least a 3.5" lift. But now how to achieve that is the problem. Do i go with just a suspension lift? Or combine a suspension and body lift. I really don't wanna over kill the lift and have it look silly on 31's. So would a 3.5" with a 1" bl clear 33's if i needed it to? And is that the best way to go? Now about revolver shackles, i've read mixed reviews on them. Are they good for a daily driver? And what the heck is a milatary wrap? And what is the deal with sway bar disconnects?

As for gearing...what is the highest i can go without losing all highway capabilties? And i'm assuming lockers are locking diffs, what is the best way to go with those?

I'm also open to any other sugestions as to mods i should do.

Any help would be great, like i said i'm new to this, i've always driven sports cars until now. I was more into doing 0-100 in 12.5 then going 100 yards off the highway.

Thanx in advance everyone

[Janster]

You've gotta decide where you want to go with it..... and generally, PICK a tire size and build around it.

Join an offroad club and take the Jeep wheeling in its stock formation (disconnect the tracbars & sway bar first). YOu'll almost immediately get a feel for what you need... (more ground clearance). YOu'll also get a feel for the hobby -whether you like it or not. It's considered a disease.....and it'll either bite you in the ass BIG TIME or it won't.

I can tell you one thing....when I started this offroad thing - I started with a truck that I spent WAY too much money on. I still have the truck - bought a Jeep for trail use. Bought another Jeep (V8) and bought a trailer. See where I'm going with this?? All this occured in a 4 year time period.

Wheel your rig a few times in its stock formation..... THEN do more research research research. But if you're gonna do anything - do it RIGHT the first time and do it ONCE. IF you think 33's will be FUN......GO 4 IT and don't look back.

[TRUTH]

PLEASE wheel your jeep in stock form. Maybe just add some more aggressive titres to start with and just wheel it. Finding a club is a great idea. get with some guys that have some experience and tag along on a trail run.

If you mod slow over time you'll only do it once and save a lot of time and money. Doing all the mods at once will not prepare you as a driver for what the vehicle will be capable of. Big, aggressive tires, and lockers can put you in some sticky situations while on the trail that are potentially dangerous. Wheeling stock, or close to it will give you the driver experience you'll need when you're ready for the big stuff. I always tell people starting off with 33's and lockers is a bad idea. Wheel it stock! You'll be a better driver in the long run.

If you're talking a double duty "weekend warrior" type YJ this is what I would do.
1 inch body lift
1 inch motor mount lift (for driveline angles)
TJ flares (More tire clearance)
2.5 RE extreme duty suspension (Or possibly skyjacker)
Lock rite rear
and a set of 32's

I wouldn't worry too much about breaking the stock dana 35 with a 4 banger and 32's, I also wouldn't upgrade anything until it does actually fail.

[KMcL]

First of all, welcome to the Jeeping addiction. I bought my first Jeep about six months ago and have recently been at the same place you are now. Even though I've owned several 4x4's in the past, nothing is quite like owning a Jeep.

On to your questions. The first thing I would suggest is to read the first two responses you received again. The advice there is right on the money. I too was in a hurry to start modding out the Jeep and ended up stepping on my own feet several times in the process. If I would have listened to the advice you have already received a little better I could have avoided some of these issues. WHEEL IT STOCK for a while. You will quickly learn what mods will help you get where you want to go.

One thing I strongly advise is to invest in armor. This is something you will always want on the Jeep and it will save you from breaking things that you could easily have prevented with some skid plates, rockers, etc.

Joining a local jeep club is a great way to gain a lot of knowledge and provides opportunities to get out and wheel with other Jeeps that are set up differently. This will help you see what works in your area. If there isn't a club in your area, post on here or other boards in the trail rides section and find others nearby to wheel with. NEVER wheel alone. You will get stuck at some point, and you'll need help getting out.

Above all else, enjoy the Jeep. There's nothing like it.

[Special Ed]

check the wrangler FAQ for alot of knowledge

[Mars81]

thanx for the advice everyone. And this Wrangler FAQ where is it? The DSM online FAQ was great (www.vfaq.com)

[TRUTH]

There is a newbie section here that may help http://www.gljt.org/modules.php?name...ticles&secid=2
When you get to that page, just click where it says "things to learn about 4 wheelin"

We also have a jeep dictionary here (yes I know some things may not be there, but It's pretty thorough)
http://www.gljt.org/modules.php?name=Encyclopedia

Welcome to the sickness we call jeepin.

[vt gp dude]

Well, since no one has said it yet...JEEP = Just Empty Every Pocket

Once the bug catches you...you're in for a ride (pun intended)! Excellent advice so far from everyone, let me see if i can think of anything else. :neil:

Make sure your jeep has appropriate recovery equipment. You need, at a minimum, a 20' or 30' tow strap WITHOUT hooks, a D-ring, tow hooks on front and at least a hitch or a bumper with D-ring mounts on the rear.

Back when I first started Jeeping, I had a CJ7 I put a 2.5" suspension lift and 31's on. That lasted for about a month, then I wanted 33's . So like everyone else has said, do it right the first time.

Read, read, read. and HAVE FUN!

Andy

[Mars81]

I would just like to say thank you to everyone and i will be taking the advice of wheeling with some local people with my stock jeep for a while first. Also, the site you sent truth as a wealth of information on it, thank you very much.

[TRUTH]

-=- originally posted by Mars81 -=-
Also, the site you sent truth as a wealth of information on it, thank you very much.

No problem! That site is www.gljt.org, belongs to my club Great Lakes JeepThing. Too bad you're not in my area we love taking newbies out for trail rides.

Hope you hook up with a good club, and enjoy that jeep!