

All comments are made by our readers. Dirt Road Magazine is not responsible for the accuracy of these statements.
Last updated: 1JAN00
"I have a 1983 Jeep J*10*, with a 360 T-18 4Speed.
Hey Grant, First off where are the FSJ's? But now on to the point of this comment:
Your tire sizing for FSJ's is wrong. According to your chart a stock FSJ can only
use 30-inch tires. This might be true, if all FSJ's were narrow-track Grand
Wagoneers, alas however they are not.
Wide-track Cherokees and all J-trucks can handle 31x10.50's without a
problem what so ever. My J-truck has stock saggin' springs and I *EASILY*
have room for 32's without any rubbing. With a 3-inch lift I would be in
the 35-inch range. You might want to update your chart."

"I have a Jeep Cherokee, with a 4.0/manual. Just a
comment about the rear end in Jeeps. You said that the Jeeps only used two
rear ends, but really they used three; the 8.25, the D30, and the D44. The
D44 was used in the '87 Cherokees with a towing package. Just to clarify."
You're right, the Dana 44 was available in early Cherokees with the tow
package option. Unfortunately the Dana 44 is no longer available in the XJ.
It seems there weren't too many of the early Cherokee's sold with the Dana
44 rear end. From what I've noticed, the Chrysler 8.25 is predominantly used
in 2WD Cherokees and the Dana 35 (the Dana 30 is the front axle) is used in
the rear of most 4WD Cherokees.

"I have a 97 Jeep TJ, with a 4.0 and 5spd. I would
like to somewhat disagree with your comments on spacer lifts as well as
offer some useful information. My TJ, with a 2" spacer lift, JKS disco's, and
TK sliders, ramped a 903 with Pro Comp ES 3000 shocks. My buddies' TJ has a
2" spacer lift, front sway bar discos, DT 3000 shocks, and he ramped a 968.
I've got new shocks on order with Rusty after seeing that mine fell short in
the travel department! Based on this firsthand knowledge and other personal
testimonials, I can confidently say that a spacer lift with LONGER TRAVEL
SHOCKS definately increases wheel travel. We both run 15x8 AR 767s with 4"
of backspacing, and while he runs 31x10.50s, I run LT 325/60/15s which is a
31x13.50. We're both running stock control arms as well. Anyone that tells
you that the stock arms aren't flexable is full of it. As for driveshaft
vibrations, that is largely dependant on your transmission and rear axle
combo. Here are some info on driveshaft lengths.
5 spd w/D44 11.0"
Auto w/D44 12.5"
5 spd w/D35 13.5"
Auto w/D35 15.0"
Both of us have the 5-spd D35 combo, and neither of us have any vibrations.
I realize too that there are always exceptions, but from everything I've
seen, it's quite rare. Don't take my comment as criticism, I'm merely
stating everything I have seen, heard, read, and experienced firsthand. You
have a very difficult job of trying to answer every possibly question about
every make and model of Jeep. It's impossible to know it all, but you come
very close and do a good job answering these questions. Thank you for
letting me add my $.02. P.S. It has been quite the exception to hear of
anyone with the D35 rearend to experiance driveshaft vibrations. They are
however almost guaranteed with the D44 though. Allen"

"I have a 1981 CJ7, with a 1995 LT1/4L60E. Under
body/Frame, someone put a kevlar body/hood/fender kit at $5000. I just
purchased a CJ7 kevlar body/hood/fenders for $2200. I had them add red to
the gel coat for $390 and shipping was $180. When it arrived, I just set it
on the frame a started mounting it, done!For older CJ engine swaps, the
304, 360, 401 suggestion is great. Definitely the easiest way to go. But,
if Chevy V8s are what they want, this can be done using the Jeep Iron Duke
bell housing and a 10.5", 153 tooth flywheel. The flywheel can be found on
'85 or newer GM 4.3 V-6 or small block V-8s. This was also used on '86
Camaros and Firebirds with a high-output 305 and a manual transmission,
'87-'92 Camaros and Firebirds with a multipoint fuel-injected 305 and a
manual transmission, and '86-'88 Corvettes with a manual
transmission. The stock clutch linkage can be used, and the bellhousing
goes for around $125, drilled and tapped for your transmission if needed.
The Iron Duke solution is rarely mentioned, but a cost affect way of putting
a Chevy V8 into a Jeep."
Thanks for the update on the body info. You're absolutely right, using the
Iron Duke bellhousing is a very easy way to swap in a small block chevy or
4.3 V6 into a late model CJ. Not only have I done this swap myself, but I've
recommended it in the "Ask Grant" section numerous times. The only
hesitation I have in using this bellhousing is that it only fits the SR4,
T4, and T5 trannies unless (as you mentioned) you have it machined for
another type of tranny. Mating a V8 to any of these late CJ transmissions is
asking for a tranny failure. A 4.3 V6 however, would probably work just
fine.

"I installed the Turbo City air tube and K&N filter
this weekend and...WOW! My 4-cylinder '97 TJ is idling more smoothly, tackling
hills without downshifting as soon, and responding to the throttle like never
before. (Not to mention there's now tons of room under the hood for an air
compressor, auxiliary battery, etc.) I'm stunned that this simple (and cheap)
upgrade produced such results."
We're glad to hear that you are as satisfied as we have been with Turbo
City's products. Comments like yours make it that much easier to recommend
their products to others.

"I have a 1997 wrangler TJ, with a 4.0/man.. I
have recently added a Warn M8274 winch to the front of my TJ. Now I know
why everyone said "DON'T". When I did it dropped the front by about 2".
Well with previous experience in parts sales at a local Jeep dealer I went
there for help. "Can't help you" is what I got everywhere! So I took out on
my own. To my surprise, the front coil springs on XJ Cherokee have the same
dimensions! Only heavier duty. Chrysler #'s 52088104 & 52088105 will solve
the problems people may run into when putting on a winch or snow
plow...etc. They will suport about 300lbs more on the nose of the TJ's. I
thought I would pass this along because most suspension lift companys won't
sell you just the front springs, and besides these springs are FACTORY OEM
parts, and cheaper than aftermarket. A pair runs about $90.00. They
shouldn't void any warranty either since they are OEM parts. Just thought
it might help. Bill"
Thanks for the info, we'll put it up for all to see.
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