XJ Cherokee or TJ Wrangler siutable for production class?

[narnturbogq]

Wondering if a wrangler or cherokee would strong enough in the driveline to be relaible in production class.

Everyone is running gq patrols, but i was thinking that either of the above vehicles would be more nimble in the tighter sections of the coarses, and they are much lighter than a patrol, meaning they would be faster on the winch sections.

There is scope in the rules to modify the axles in the standard housings. What are the options, regarding aftermarket axles, etc.

How strong are the gearboxes, when running 35s.

Give us your opinions.

[AussieCJ7]

Check out Jeepspeed It is production class one design racing in the US for XJ's they can only use use bolt on mass available parts.

There is a few TJ's running very successful winch challenge and hardcore events around the country and you can get any part you want for them. V8's almost any axle combo 2 3 and 4 speed transfer cases lots of combination of long and short arm lifts, wheel base extensions and more body armour options than you can poke a stick out

It all depends how many $$ you want to spend. Jeeps are designed and sold in the US to be a basic off road platform that you customise with the after market to suit your needs

For the newer JK you can even buy 4.5" lift kits from Jeep in the US sold under the MOPAR banner. A factory lift kit with recommended tyre size of 37"

[jimmyb]

Used to compete in a XJ with longarms and 35's quite happily.

[digsy]

Get a TJ and you'll dust the production class rules!

I really wanted to do this but my Jeep is too modified for his rules at the moment.

I would run a 6HP Highmount, 2 inch lift with beefed up control arms, F&R Air Lockers, 4.11 diff gears with cromo axles (however the factory axles are pretty strong to start off with) and decent front universals.
Slip yoke eliminator kit with belly up transfer mount.
You'd easily lift the gaurds or bump stop it to take a set of 33s of your choice.

How could any of them keep up to the 4.0L on any High speed stuff... as well as being nimble through the tight stuff.
Because of the way he's pitching this event I don't think there would be anything crazy enough that the wheel base would be an issue...

Honestly if you don't have a car to compete in and you are definately doing Production Winch I would say you are simply mad if you don't build a TJ ( I would do a wrangler over a XJ because panels are more protected and they have the strong rear diff)

Anyway just my thoughts...

[xjdavid]

I am inclined to think the longer wheelbase of the XJ would make it better.

[digsy]

Yeah I thought about an XJ too, but most of that winch challange stuff they make it near vertical so you are on the end of a winch cable anyway for the really hard stuff.

I would think the fact it already had a D44 in the rear, coils all round and very nimble would all work in the TJs favour. Also the ease of Roll cage install, the fact that if/when you roll it things like the windscreen bolt on all make it a very easy car to compete... and keep competing in.

Anyway keep us up to date!

Thanks
D.C

[narnturbogq]

After much deliberation, im now seriously thinking of building a tj wrangler, to compete in the engel series.

What are the options with chromo axles, for the front diff? And what are the costs?

How will the standard axles in the rear diff go when running 35's?

How do the 4.0lt engines cope with water? As some of these events can be pretty messy.

An other suggestions with regards to making the truck as reliable as possible, would be greatly appreciated, because we all know, you cant win events if the cars broken.

[flexytj]

too many options to list for upgrades on a tj have a look on 4wd hardware , quadratec ,s website they are american companies or talk to dave from wooders garage or contact jeep konnection/pro comp

challenge or production class ?

[Wooders]

IMHO a TJ for winch stuff you really want to stretch the wheelbase.
Actually I even know of a ready built TJ with long arms, stretched wheelbase, modified winch, cage, car trailer etc, fully engineered and the current asking price includes entry into OBC2010

[narnturbogq]

im going to be competing in production class, so my mods must follow these rules.

[flexytj]

they dont need a stretch , there is plenty of swb junk patrols running the engel series that dont have an issue .

[Wooders]

they dont need a stretch , there is plenty of swb junk patrols running the engel series that dont have an issue .

Wait till you try one with a stretch

[flexytj]

they dont need a stretch , there is plenty of swb junk patrols running the engel series that dont have an issue .

Wait till you try one with a stretch

then it would no longer be a production class truck like the op is questioning about .


everything is pretty cheap for jeeps in comparison to nissans etc

chromo axle sets are between 800-1000 set , ring and pinions set can be had for about 300 bucks a set . you can do a guards lift at home for tyre clearance then you will only need minimal lift and keep a lcog , an sye and dc shaft will cost between 800-1000 bucks .