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This is indeed the source of the problem. Guys want the style, but aren't willing to back it up with the substance. It is certainly feasible to go big and to have reliability, but you have to go big all the way through the vehicle. This means axles with larger axle shafts and larger brakes...

Gee, you mean the Beemer crowd has moved over to Tesla? This might be a good time to short BMW. :tonguewink: I hate to break it to you, but they have been spreading those charging stations all over the place. Surprised the daylights out of me when I came across them a couple years ago in...

I will reiterate what has already been said: You will have much better aftermarket options for a Comanche than a J-series. If you go to build a J-series you are looking at lots of custom fab work. Now, if time and money are not issues, you need to compare the structure of the two vehicles to...

You are quite welcome. Know that some of us will also understand when the day comes that you are cursing else for helping you slide down this slippery slope. I know I have been called a "bad influence" more than once. Just remember, we have only given you a gentle push. :innocent:

That is not a universal truth. The addition of frame plating on my XJ has reduced stress on the chassis and made no measureable difference in fuel economy. The weight of a passenger is more detrimental to the vehicle than is the frame plating. I haven't yet gotten around to replacing the weak...

Don't worry about converting to U-bolts. The only way that makes sense is if you are re-gearing or replacing the pinion seal. I know some folks think drilling the existing yokes is fine, but I don't agree. The centers are different between straps and U-bolts. The yoke needs to be changed...

We should at least get a dusting. We got an early dusting last month. This was what the dog thought of it: IOW, dang! Not this stuff again.

You are right. Those should be. Didn't come to mind because mine are converted to U-bolts.

No problem. Just have to make sure the OP knows what he is getting into. And you may not know this, but the '97-'01 XJs are commonly referred to as the "late models". Jeep did a cosmetic redesign in '97. And this is what the OP has. And when you are dealing with a couple of decades worth of...

I won't be buying one. Not my kind of thing. The suggestion we are being trolled actually makes sense to me. I can't imagine a $40K version of this actually hitting the market. If it does then I expect Tesla to be losing money on those. However, an electric 4x4 isn't a bad idea...

Not so. Differentials (including the covers), tie rod ends and ball joints are SAE. So too are many of the nuts bolts once you start to get into the engine. Keep in mind the age of the original designs for these components. The axles and engine block go back several decades when everything...

It is the next evolution of the Pontiac Aztec. I swear the world owes Pontiac a huge apology. Everyone made fun of how the Aztec looked, and since then the automakers have been copying it and people have been buying them up. The first time I pointed out an Aztec to The Varmints they said they...

You have an excellent vehicle to learn on. There is generally plenty of room to work on an XJ, and most jobs are pretty straightforward. Be aware that you are going to need both standard and metric sets. The engine block is an old design from when everything was standard thread, but the...

Keep in mind, some folks go to great lengths to work around inspection requirements. I know one guy who can swap his engine in five hours or so. That is to deal with Kalifornia smog requirements. Compared to that it should be a piece of cake to swap on a set of small tires/wheels for long...

The plastic thing is a real issue. My '95 Cummins is a plastic disaster. The drivetrain is great, but the interior is falling apart. I spent several thousand miles last year with zip ties holding the top of the dash to the bottom of the dash. I bought a new dash top, and in the process of...

Perspective is key to contentment. I have spent a good bit of time in colonias in Mexico. One of the more memorable "structures" I saw was a shanty (even that is being generous) made of bread wrappers stapled to scrap wood. By bread wrappers I mean the plastic bags your loaf of Wonder bread...

I don't mind taking on a vehicle that a previous owner couldn't seem to manage properly. I can see. And I save real money that way. Both my '96 XJ and my '95 Cummins were in fairly poor condition when I got them, and clearly showing signs of really lousy maintenance. But I got them cheap and...

Because I value my time I do my own oil changes. This way I don't sit around waiting on someone of questionable skill level, nor do I have to worry about an upleasant surprise down the road. Additionally, I get much better information regarding the condition of my vehicle from the use of my...

Low gear is not the same as low range. My 2wd pickup has low gear. My 4x4s all also have low gears. The magic happens when you combine low gear with low range.