120 replies to this topic

[jawbreaker]

Just bought a 98 XJ with 68,000 mi. It will be a good template to start from, I just ordered a lift and winch bumper for the front and started fabricating a roof fack and soon a rear bumper. Now I don't have to beat up my big truck.

[BullsEye]

Nice!

[CoyoteHuntress]

Where are the pics????

[jawbreaker]

I keep forgetting to add the attachments. Here's a couple  1.jpg   19.88K   22 downloads  2.jpg   18.37K   9 downloads

[Frank]

Nice... That dog will hunt... A camo paint job sure would look nice her... Frank

[PredatorMaster]

yep needs some camo

[jawbreaker]

I am going to start with a desert tan paint job first and then will think about camo.

[Frank]

I really like the desert tan and has its own type of camo and looks great.

[wannakillacoyote]

Nice! Mine is a 2000. What size tires ya going with?? What are ya gonna do with the large spare?? Mine gets thrown in the back for long trips, but most likely will end up on a roof rack this winter.

[ShooterJohn]

That should be great!

[jawbreaker]

I'm going with 31"or 32" and will put it on the roof rack. I will post pics of the build, the material for the roof rack will run about 60-70 dollars and will take about 4 to 6 hours of fabrication if I'm just screwing around in the garage. Wanna, if you want to build on let e know, they are cheap and easy to do. As for the camo, I was thinking of getting some of the camo netting and when I need some camo I can drape it over the roof rack. Sometimes it's good to have a vehicle that doesn't look like a hunting vehicle.

[ShooterJohn]

Look at bigger brakes if you are going that big in tires.

[jawbreaker]

31's shouldn't be a problem but I will probably upgrade as soon a I need new pads since I will have it torn apart then but I haven't even looked at the brakes yet so it may need it now. I leave for my elk hunt on friday so I will be ready to work on the jeep hard when I get back.

[ShooterJohn]

Okay but when you start putting on any oversize tire braking becomes a problem. Read this and you'll understand my point better.http://www.4x4abc.co...ath_brakes.htmlBeen there and done this!

[wannakillacoyote]

Yu've got PM Jawbreaker

[wanapasaki]

Hey, think I could get a lift?! lol congrats bro!

[fakawee]

I'm going with 31"or 32" and will put it on the roof rack. I will post pics of the build, the material for the roof rack will run about 60-70 dollars and will take about 4 to 6 hours of fabrication if I'm just screwing around in the garage.Wanna, if you want to build on let e know, they are cheap and easy to do.As for the camo, I was thinking of getting some of the camo netting and when I need some camo I can drape it over the roof rack. Sometimes it's good to have a vehicle that doesn't look like a hunting vehicle.

Ron, my hunting partner uses a military desert camo net that he got from the local GI Joe shop. His F150 is white and it's hard to see the white unless you're standing 50 feet from it. I'll have to take a picture of his camo net job next time we're out. It works great!

[jawbreaker]

here's the rack that I got started on sunday  1.jpg   13.26K   7 downloads  2.jpg   19.84K   7 downloads

[fakawee]

Ron just remember, the heavier the rack the less weight you'll be able to carry in it safely. Plus, if you lift your Jeep and put the larger tires on it, you don't want it to be top heavy while offroading. Oh yeah, here's a photo of mine blending into the local surroundings...  IMG_0437.JPG   48.42K   70 downloadsHa, ha.... The coyotes don't even notice my Jeep or me on top of that platform.

[jawbreaker]

Maybe I shouldcut it down to 4'x4' to drop the weight down a bit. I only need to carry a full size spare a shovel and a hi lift jack. It's only tacked up right now.

[Bronco]

Okay but when you start putting on any oversize tire braking becomes a problem. Read this and you'll understand my point better.http://www.4x4abc.co...ath_brakes.htmlBeen there and done this!

Several years ago I had a fellow worker stick some huge tires and rims on his Lincoln SUV without up grading the brake calibers and disc's. We'll he had his brake system freeze up on his front wheels and the repairs were over $2000.00 without any upgrades. Very costly lesson.

[jawbreaker]

I am going to look into upgrades. The stock tires are 29"s and I'm going to run 31"s. I need to see how much difference 1" from centerine actually makes. I can see it if I was going to rn 33s or something drastic but I don't think 31s will matter( I will make sure that 31s aren't too big for stock brakes)

[ShooterJohn]

What is the wall thickness of the tubing you are using in your rack?

[OrneryOlMofo357]

As far as tire size, Id think that 31's unless really wide wouldnt need upgrading. I had a Mitssubishi 4x4 truck and put 31/10/50's and it went through 2 sets of tires with no mishaps. Id just make sure that the brakes are in good repair.

[jawbreaker]

SJ the wall size is .120 for all of it. I may buy soe .095 for the top portion to help cut down th weight( I can always use the .120 left over on a rack for some one else or another project). I like the bigger size incase I want to have extra room for camping gear so I will weigh it before cutting it down.Onery, I will only be running 31-10.50 r15 and am planning on going through the brakes when I get back ffrom Utah. I will still check with some mechanics to make sure I'm safe.

[wannakillacoyote]

31-10.50 r15 BFG's is what I am running (and have been running them for about 4 years). Everything works fine. I have a 3.5" lift and my tires rub every now and then when I get a little crazy. ;)I have posted a pic of mine on here before. I'll look for it.EDIT:Here it is.

[BC9696]

Sometimes it's good to have a vehicle that doesn't look like a hunting vehicle.

Why do you say this?

[ShooterJohn]

Because you can get hassled by non hunters and even have your vehicle vandalized.

[PredatorMaster]

someone might get shot too in TX.

[ShooterJohn]

They'd get their butt kicked here if I caught someone vandalizing a vehicle. But I've heard and seen it done because in California the antis think it's okay to do something like that. You know they're saving the planet and all one animal at a time.