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Winch is the most important upgrade. The first thing to buy is recovery equipment like straps and tree savers and maybe a yank cord. Small shovel flashlight and a few other tools for breakdowns.
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depending on how you use your winch, you could upgrade to synthetic. Not sure on your air situation - but a method to inflate and deflate is helpful.
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Ditch the fender flares and flat fender the front.
Flush mount 4” round LED brake lights are cheap and easy. It’s a good look imo. |
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1st thing......get round headlights so folks know it's really a Jeep.
Better axles. Fuel injection if it has the crappy electric carburetor. AX15 transmission if it doesn't have one. . |
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Quoted: How hard is it to do? I have a welder and shit tons of spray paint so I can make stuff look good. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Spring over leaf perches. How hard is it to do? I have a welder and shit tons of spray paint so I can make stuff look good. Easy. You’re 90% there. Track bar drop bracket or make your own Z bar You could do a dropped pitman arm, but not required I threw the anti sway bar in the trash Make your own trans skid plate drop with some tubing spacers If you want full articulation, you’ll have to do shocks and brake line extensions |
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Quoted: 1st thing......get round headlights so folks know it's really a Jeep. Better axles. Fuel injection if it has the crappy electric carburetor. AX15 transmission if it doesn't have one. . View Quote I’ve got 2 of the 4. Thinking better axles will wait until I break these ones and round headlights are overrated. I’m only planning on hitting logging roads so no real off-roading. |
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Cheap rear axle upgrade from a junkyard Explorer. most are 4.1 with posi.
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Quoted: Do they make angry eye's for YJ's? View Quote I think YJ's are pissed off enough without the angry eyes! You said half doors? Why do doors at all? I've got a pair of full doors that have sat in the garage for 3 years straight now! ![]() |
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Quoted: I’m only planning on hitting logging roads so no real off-roading. View Quote Why not just enjoy it the way it is? Maybe a modest lift, even just a 1” body lift. Otherwise, fix what needs fixing and keep cleaning it up. It has a great classic look. You can keep some soft half doors and a bikini top in the back to use in the event of unexpected rain if running around without tye hardtop and doors. |
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Quoted: Why not just enjoy it the way it is? Maybe a modest lift, even just a 1” body lift. Otherwise, fix what needs fixing and keep cleaning it up. It has a great classic look. You can keep some soft half doors and a bikini top in the back to use in the event of unexpected rain if running around without tye hardtop and doors. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I’m only planning on hitting logging roads so no real off-roading. Why not just enjoy it the way it is? Maybe a modest lift, even just a 1” body lift. Otherwise, fix what needs fixing and keep cleaning it up. It has a great classic look. You can keep some soft half doors and a bikini top in the back to use in the event of unexpected rain if running around without tye hardtop and doors. That’s basically my plan. I don’t really think I need to do axles, an atlas, and convert it to long arm suspension. It currently has a 2” lift, I want a little more tire clearnance and honestly the old shit is just worn out. This is why I’m thinking 4.5” lift, a bit more and new parts. As for the bumpers and sliders it’s just a looks thing. Otherwise I’m just bugging her out and making it look fresh again. |
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I agree with OP, I would do a lift, at least a 3"...get better clearance.
I would probably put a nicer bumper on the front and swap that cable out for synthetic for sure. If you are only hitting logging trails then your probably good after that... |
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Quoted: Cheap rear axle upgrade from a junkyard Explorer. most are 4.1 with posi. View Quote If my memory isn't off, Ford switched to disk brakes on the Explorer rear axle in 1997, which would be a nice bonus for an axle swap. The Ranger came with the 7.5 axle or the 8.8 axle, depending on what engine was installed, but I think the Explorers all got the 8.8 axle, due to the heavier body. Possible gearing on Explorer axles included 3.55, 3.73, 4.10 (all ratios that Jeep used, so you don't have to regear an axle if you can find a junkyard axle with the same ratio), and I think at least one other ratio. Diffs can be locker, limited slip, and if I'm not mistaken, the basic open diff, depending on what option package the Explorer has (Ford made 2WD versions for the soccer moms that didn't have fantasies about leaving the pavement or driving the kids to school in the snow). |
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Quoted: That’s basically my plan. I don’t really think I need to do axles, an atlas, and convert it to long arm suspension. It currently has a 2” lift, I want a little more tire clearnance and honestly the old shit is just worn out. This is why I’m thinking 4.5” lift, a bit more and new parts. As for the bumpers and sliders it’s just a looks thing. Otherwise I’m just bugging her out and making it look fresh again. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: I’m only planning on hitting logging roads so no real off-roading. Why not just enjoy it the way it is? Maybe a modest lift, even just a 1” body lift. Otherwise, fix what needs fixing and keep cleaning it up. It has a great classic look. You can keep some soft half doors and a bikini top in the back to use in the event of unexpected rain if running around without tye hardtop and doors. That’s basically my plan. I don’t really think I need to do axles, an atlas, and convert it to long arm suspension. It currently has a 2” lift, I want a little more tire clearnance and honestly the old shit is just worn out. This is why I’m thinking 4.5” lift, a bit more and new parts. As for the bumpers and sliders it’s just a looks thing. Otherwise I’m just bugging her out and making it look fresh again. I have the 4.5” RE lift on my CJ-8 and my neighbor had one on his YJ. Honestly, I think it’s probably a lot more than you need. I don’t how much lift necessitates a Slip Yoke Conversion on the transfer case in a YJ of if your Jeep has already been converted, but that is something to consider as well. I would be looking at 2-3” lifts and then a small body lift if you need any more. |
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Get some LED Headlights and blind everyone on the road.
I have LED bulbs in my JK. |
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Quoted: If my memory isn't off, Ford switched to disk brakes on the Explorer rear axle in 1997, which would be a nice bonus for an axle swap. The Ranger came with the 7.5 axle or the 8.8 axle, depending on what engine was installed, but I think the Explorers all got the 8.8 axle, due to the heavier body. Possible gearing on Explorer axles included 3.55, 3.73, 4.10 (all ratios that Jeep used, so you don't have to regear an axle if you can find a junkyard axle with the same ratio), and I think at least one other ratio. Diffs can be locker, limited slip, and if I'm not mistaken, the basic open diff, depending on what option package the Explorer has (Ford made 2WD versions for the soccer moms that didn't have fantasies about leaving the pavement or driving the kids to school in the snow). The Explorer used coil springs at the rear, while the Jeep YJ has leaf springs, so the swap would require cutting various brackets off of the axle housing and welding new ones on. The Ranger had leaf springs in the back, but (if my memory isn't off) were 'spring under axle', while the YJ is 'spring over axle', so you would still be cutting brackets off and welding brackets on if a Ranger 8.8 axle was used. View Quote The spring perches are setup spring under though, and the spacing is not right for a YJ IIRC |
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If you're just hitting logging roads then don't do anything to it.
Maybe a locker |
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Quoted: The Exploder 8.8 is leafsprung of that era, they went coils when they went IRS in like 2002 or 2003. The spring perches are setup spring under though, and the spacing is not right for a YJ IIRC View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: If my memory isn't off, Ford switched to disk brakes on the Explorer rear axle in 1997, which would be a nice bonus for an axle swap. The Ranger came with the 7.5 axle or the 8.8 axle, depending on what engine was installed, but I think the Explorers all got the 8.8 axle, due to the heavier body. Possible gearing on Explorer axles included 3.55, 3.73, 4.10 (all ratios that Jeep used, so you don't have to regear an axle if you can find a junkyard axle with the same ratio), and I think at least one other ratio. Diffs can be locker, limited slip, and if I'm not mistaken, the basic open diff, depending on what option package the Explorer has (Ford made 2WD versions for the soccer moms that didn't have fantasies about leaving the pavement or driving the kids to school in the snow). The Explorer used coil springs at the rear, while the Jeep YJ has leaf springs, so the swap would require cutting various brackets off of the axle housing and welding new ones on. The Ranger had leaf springs in the back, but (if my memory isn't off) were 'spring under axle', while the YJ is 'spring over axle', so you would still be cutting brackets off and welding brackets on if a Ranger 8.8 axle was used. The spring perches are setup spring under though, and the spacing is not right for a YJ IIRC 1998 Explorer axle sitting under my miter saw. ![]() I've got the correct brackets to weld on to make it fit my XJ, 4.10 ring and pinion and Detroit Truetrac diff to swap for the 3.73 and limited slip that are in it. Even have new rear springs. Still need new shocks for the rear, a 4.10 ring and pinion for the front axle, along with several other parts for the front suspension. Main problem is finding the time to do the swap, since my original plan of just doing the rear axle swap with the same gears and tires, then regearing both axles and upgrading the suspension when I switch to larger tires, got derailed by not being able to find an Explorer rear axle with 3.55 gears at the local junkyards. ETA: Looking online, I'm seeing mixed information on the 1995 and newer rear axles. |
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Quoted: 1998 Explorer axle sitting under my miter saw. Looks like a coil spring setup, to me. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/64025/98axle_jpg-2931455.JPG I've got the correct brackets to weld on to make it fit my XJ, 4.10 ring and pinion and Detroit Truetrac diff to swap for the 3.73 and limited slip that are in it. Even have new rear springs. Still need new shocks for the rear, a 4.10 ring and pinion for the front axle, along with several other parts for the front suspension. Main problem is finding the time to do the swap, since my original plan of just doing the rear axle swap with the same gears and tires, then regearing both axles and upgrading the suspension when I switch to larger tires, got derailed by not being able to find an Explorer rear axle with 3.55 gears at the local junkyards. ETA: Looking online, I'm seeing mixed information on the 1995 and newer rear axles. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: If my memory isn't off, Ford switched to disk brakes on the Explorer rear axle in 1997, which would be a nice bonus for an axle swap. The Ranger came with the 7.5 axle or the 8.8 axle, depending on what engine was installed, but I think the Explorers all got the 8.8 axle, due to the heavier body. Possible gearing on Explorer axles included 3.55, 3.73, 4.10 (all ratios that Jeep used, so you don't have to regear an axle if you can find a junkyard axle with the same ratio), and I think at least one other ratio. Diffs can be locker, limited slip, and if I'm not mistaken, the basic open diff, depending on what option package the Explorer has (Ford made 2WD versions for the soccer moms that didn't have fantasies about leaving the pavement or driving the kids to school in the snow). The Explorer used coil springs at the rear, while the Jeep YJ has leaf springs, so the swap would require cutting various brackets off of the axle housing and welding new ones on. The Ranger had leaf springs in the back, but (if my memory isn't off) were 'spring under axle', while the YJ is 'spring over axle', so you would still be cutting brackets off and welding brackets on if a Ranger 8.8 axle was used. The spring perches are setup spring under though, and the spacing is not right for a YJ IIRC 1998 Explorer axle sitting under my miter saw. Looks like a coil spring setup, to me. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/64025/98axle_jpg-2931455.JPG I've got the correct brackets to weld on to make it fit my XJ, 4.10 ring and pinion and Detroit Truetrac diff to swap for the 3.73 and limited slip that are in it. Even have new rear springs. Still need new shocks for the rear, a 4.10 ring and pinion for the front axle, along with several other parts for the front suspension. Main problem is finding the time to do the swap, since my original plan of just doing the rear axle swap with the same gears and tires, then regearing both axles and upgrading the suspension when I switch to larger tires, got derailed by not being able to find an Explorer rear axle with 3.55 gears at the local junkyards. ETA: Looking online, I'm seeing mixed information on the 1995 and newer rear axles. Look again, the leaf perches are under the axle tubes. Stock JYs are also spring under. Rangers were spring over the axle. |
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Three inch lift is plenty for your stated use. I don't hear a lot of positive comments about Rubicon Express.
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Bro, you gotta jack it up with huge "ima roll over you and your car in the zombie apocalypse" tires.
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Quoted: Look again, the leaf perches are under the axle tubes. Stock JYs are also spring under. Rangers were spring over the axle. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: If my memory isn't off, Ford switched to disk brakes on the Explorer rear axle in 1997, which would be a nice bonus for an axle swap. The Ranger came with the 7.5 axle or the 8.8 axle, depending on what engine was installed, but I think the Explorers all got the 8.8 axle, due to the heavier body. Possible gearing on Explorer axles included 3.55, 3.73, 4.10 (all ratios that Jeep used, so you don't have to regear an axle if you can find a junkyard axle with the same ratio), and I think at least one other ratio. Diffs can be locker, limited slip, and if I'm not mistaken, the basic open diff, depending on what option package the Explorer has (Ford made 2WD versions for the soccer moms that didn't have fantasies about leaving the pavement or driving the kids to school in the snow). The Explorer used coil springs at the rear, while the Jeep YJ has leaf springs, so the swap would require cutting various brackets off of the axle housing and welding new ones on. The Ranger had leaf springs in the back, but (if my memory isn't off) were 'spring under axle', while the YJ is 'spring over axle', so you would still be cutting brackets off and welding brackets on if a Ranger 8.8 axle was used. The spring perches are setup spring under though, and the spacing is not right for a YJ IIRC 1998 Explorer axle sitting under my miter saw. Looks like a coil spring setup, to me. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/64025/98axle_jpg-2931455.JPG I've got the correct brackets to weld on to make it fit my XJ, 4.10 ring and pinion and Detroit Truetrac diff to swap for the 3.73 and limited slip that are in it. Even have new rear springs. Still need new shocks for the rear, a 4.10 ring and pinion for the front axle, along with several other parts for the front suspension. Main problem is finding the time to do the swap, since my original plan of just doing the rear axle swap with the same gears and tires, then regearing both axles and upgrading the suspension when I switch to larger tires, got derailed by not being able to find an Explorer rear axle with 3.55 gears at the local junkyards. ETA: Looking online, I'm seeing mixed information on the 1995 and newer rear axles. Look again, the leaf perches are under the axle tubes. Stock JYs are also spring under. Rangers were spring over the axle. Yep. My bad. It does have perches underneath for leaf springs. What was throwing me off is that there are brackets on top that look like they are for links (some anti- spring wrap measure that Ford came up with?). |
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Quoted: If you're just hitting logging roads then don't do anything to it. Maybe a locker View Quote Pretty much this. Tune up good skid plate and shocks. Save your money. |
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I hate saying things backwards - but I think you should figure out your tires before you start with a lift. I have an LJ. I went with a larger lift so I could put 33" tires on it. But that complicates matters, as you will probably need a regear as well if you want bigger tires. It looks like you already have fairly large tires on it - do they effect your articulation? Has it been geared for those tires? Have you checked to see if the speedometer gear has been changed to give you an accurate speed reading?
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Some good info already mentioned here but I will add my $.02.
The 8.8" rear end swap is a good idea if you plan on doing a lot of off roading. I'm not sure of the distance between the spring perches of either vehicle, ![]() People mentioned a spring-over conversion fail to mention that you will need to have your driveshafts lengthened and rebalanced and possibly a rear tail shaft conversion for the t-case to eliminate vibrations. If you just plan on driving it and doing light off roading, I would look into doing a front shackle reversal to alleviate some of the shitty ride quality. Also, your front spring and shackle bushings look a little worn out. maybe its an optical illusion but the drivers side looks a little wonky. |
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Look at BDS springs. You can order just the springs and you can buy heavier shackles to go with them elsewhere. I netted 3 inches on their 2.5 in springs. Shouldn't change the steering geometry or need to lower the T case. Stiffer spring but very beefy spring. I think the rear axel on those is a C clip axel so may want to look into that, especially if you put some kind of lunchbox locker in it. Otherwise you can spend the next 20 years tinkering with it in some fashion or another.
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Quoted: Not true, all Rangers are spring over. Explorers are spring under. The 8.8 found in 4.0 Rangers (and Mazdas) are also 28 spline instead of 31 like the Explorer, FWIW. View Quote You are right. I stand corrected. (I went outside and looked at my 2wd Ranger ![]() For some reason I was thinking Toyota. Not sure why. ![]() You are right about the spline count but I'm not sure that matters too much if you aren't dong a bunch of off roading. Anything is better than the Mod 35 with c clips though. *original post edited |
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Quoted: I hate saying things backwards - but I think you should figure out your tires before you start with a lift. I have an LJ. I went with a larger lift so I could put 33" tires on it. But that complicates matters, as you will probably need a regear as well if you want bigger tires. It looks like you already have fairly large tires on it - do they effect your articulation? Has it been geared for those tires? Have you checked to see if the speedometer gear has been changed to give you an accurate speed reading? View Quote They are 32x11.5s minor rubbing at full lock. Has not been regeared and Speedo is off but it has the 4.0 so no problem turning the tires but I will say first is higher then I would like it. |
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Quoted: They are 32x11.5s minor rubbing at full lock. Has not been regeared and Speedo is off but it has the 4.0 so no problem turning the tires but I will say first is higher then I would like it. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I hate saying things backwards - but I think you should figure out your tires before you start with a lift. I have an LJ. I went with a larger lift so I could put 33" tires on it. But that complicates matters, as you will probably need a regear as well if you want bigger tires. It looks like you already have fairly large tires on it - do they effect your articulation? Has it been geared for those tires? Have you checked to see if the speedometer gear has been changed to give you an accurate speed reading? They are 32x11.5s minor rubbing at full lock. Has not been regeared and Speedo is off but it has the 4.0 so no problem turning the tires but I will say first is higher then I would like it. Yeah that's what regearing it is for ![]() |
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Quoted: We all have our days. I can't blame it on the heat though, that weak "hurricane" really knocked down the temp here and I needed something to blame my brain fart on. ![]() View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I'm blaming the heat, since I haven't messed with sealer since last Friday. We all have our days. I can't blame it on the heat though, that weak "hurricane" really knocked down the temp here and I needed something to blame my brain fart on. ![]() Boss just asked for a status update on what I'm working on. I apparently paused too many times while remembering what I got finished, so he's sending me home (with pay for the rest of the day). |
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Quoted: They are 32x11.5s minor rubbing at full lock. Has not been regeared and Speedo is off but it has the 4.0 so no problem turning the tires but I will say first is higher then I would like it. View Quote Quadratec sells different size speedometer drive gears and has a chart to tell you what speedometer gear you need for the tire size and axle gears you have. ETA: https://www.quadratec.com/c/reference/jeep-speedometer-gear-tooth-chart |
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Take it off road and see how it drives. It looks like the tops of your tires are really close to the fenders. So much so that I would be worried about tearing the fenders off when it's articulated / stuffing a tire. The solution for that is to put a lift on it or remove the fenders.
Stuffing a tire with my Jeep: ![]() ![]() Add front and rear recovery points. Your front bumper looks like it has 2 places to put shackles. Is there a rear recovery point? Get an Arb air down tool. Before going off road, air your tires down to 15psi. Get a portable air compressor that connects to your battery. Carry a tire plug kit. Get a tree saver strap and a kinetic recovery rope. Exercise your winch - does it work? Steel cable winches are a bitch. Look into replacing the winch line with synthetic. Join a local facebook Jeep &/or Overland group - find others to go off road with you. Many facebook Jeep groups are about Ducks and Parking Lot meet and greets. Join multiple Jeep groups, eventually you will find one that actually goes off pavement, frequently. Overlanders love hitting the trails. However most Overlanding groups are full of Toyotas. There is no reason to off road alone as those of us that have the off road addiction will gladly join you. If you have never off roaded before, I recommend you buy a book on the subject and read it. I still refer to my older edition of this book 20+ years later: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Wheelers-Bible-3rd-Complete-Adventure/dp/0760368058 |
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