**This post will be mainly questions but can see it migrating into the actual build hence putting it in Modifications instead of Jeep Talk.**
So, I'm hoping to start building an XJ in the next few weeks. It's a stock 2001 Sport 4 door that sees less than 10K a year, but needs to be able to get through deep snow from time to time. My goal is wrapped around aggressive 31" tires as they are pretty common and there's a couple of lifts that are centered around that size tire. It has 3.55 gears and the D35 for the rear axle. I'm considering pleading with Aaron to bump them up to 4.10 gears to keep some of the torque of the 4.0 on the road. If you have any direct experience with a lifted XJ please share with me as it can only help me make the decision on brands/options. Also let me know if I'm missing anything obvious since it's been a few years since I've messed with an XJ suspension. Thanks!
Lifts
~RE's 3.5 Super ride. Rated for the 31" tires, generally known for producing closer to 4.25" especially with the full rear leaf pack replacement. Pros and cons? Hope to not do an SYE and rear shaft so am worried about the true height when all's said and done.
~OME's 1.5" lift kit. Somehow it's still advertised as for 31" tires even though it nets significantly less lift height. Pros and cons? How do they expect 31" to fit comfortably when RE deems 3.5" necessary to clear 31" tires?
~Superflift seems to only use an add-a-leaf until you hit 4" - same thing with BDS. Makes me want to discount them altogether since I want full leaf packs.
~RockKrawler kit...think I'm going to pass on them since I wasn't especially happy with their joints last time around. Had to replace quite a few of them and honestly I think there are better options out there.
~Clayton kit seems overkill and they don't piece together a kit for under 4.5"
~Rokmen is out there but my only experience with them is a front bumper I bought about 12 years ago when they were practically a start up company. There control arms seem pretty stout though.
~Savvy has nice light components with their aluminum arms but may be overkill for the type of use this Jeep will see.
Tires
~Goodyear MT/R Kevlar.
~BFG MT KM2. Haven't decided yet but am a fan of both of them.
Extras
~Leaning towards OME shocks as I really like the ride, but am worried that the softer shocks will help bring on death wobble as things loosen up. Next in line after them is Bilstein as I've heard good things about them.
~Bar pin eliminators front and rear. I'm expecting to have to knock out the tops of the rear shocks anyways, and don't want to deal with shocks popping constantly 12 months down the road.
~Front adjustable track bar. Not sure on which brand yet. Leaning towards Currie to keep the unibody mount from being drilled but am open to other options. This won't be a rock crawling Jeep so shouldn't be too much stress being put on it.
~1" wheel spacers. Using stock 15x8 Jeep wheels with 5.5" backspacing so 1" should be plenty to clear everything while not sticking out too far.