(Sorry! But...) I bought a Jeep! (Just about)

[CreepersJeepers]

JJ - a pre fab loom would indeed be of interest! Please keep me posted.

Anthony, thanks for the reply. I will contact Perkins when I need a mech - appreciate the recommendation.

Also I won't be doing any real mods til I have driven the girl for a while. It's actually my first four bee so I figure I should get a little experience wrt wheelin before customising the rig too much!

Just bouncing some thoughts around and a rough order of what I think as a very inexperienced amateur!

Any lifts you recommend from experience as decent? What do u dislike about the budget lifts?

Right now I feel like a sponge - soaking up all the info and opinions I can (trying to categorise one from the other though!)

Finally - along with the HP hose new shoes are urgently needed all round - I plan to have that done as soon as I pick her up...

I'm looking at 235/75 R15 in an AT initially and am considering Kumho Kl78 and Hankook Dynapro ATM - considering price and feedback here and around the web...

For a DD mostly on sealed roads but working on slippery construction sites thru winter and wanting to do weekend wheeling (beginner level for now) should I consider anything else? (Falken wild peak maybe?)

Hoping to get XJ drivers take on it and experience before talking to the tyre shops...

[SJCXJeep]

Welcome aboard... This forum has been a valuable source for me since I purchased my XJ... I love my jeep... Yep they keep you on your toes...I'm currently going over mine replacing many little items that either did not work correctly or parts that just ..well we're way past there life. I'm about 95% there though you will always be staying on top of things... As you said its a great forum to learn about this great iconic jeep... I love working on her, I just go for it , ya learn a lot doing it yourself...
Enjoy the ride.

Cheers
Steve

[Madrax573]

I've just put in the Old Man Emu suspension from ARB into my 98 XJ and it has transformed the ride to something completely new, firmer but ride the bumps and dips of the Adelaide hills fine (I'm in Aberfoyle Park) Well worth it in my opinion. I got the kit from Mount Barker 4x4 (Greg there is a jeep fan ). I'd also echo AG's advice on using the cash for an auto-locker to get decent suspension first. You'll find the stock XJ is actually a very capable machine off road and will surprise a lot of people who own the bigger fourbys (Patrols, crusiers etc) on where it can go etc.

I still have the Bridgestone AT's on that I bought it with but I'm looking at either 235's or 30in tyres. Possibly Cooper ST's as I want something a bit more aggressive than a normal AT but don't want to go a full muddy tyre.

If you are new to four wheel driving I'd suggest you go have a look at Saunders Gorge Sanctuary in the hills as it has a nice track you can drive around with a couple of interesting sections to test yourself out on without going to hard at first.

AG - I'll also add Perkins to my contact list just in case I need a mech cheers.