well if u dont know anything bout muddin, take 2 people, some tow hooks, and extras and let all hell brake loose, jus dont brake and give it hell, theres nuttin better to learn but experience..............

 

go to novajeepers.com and do some trail rides with us

 

um how often do u guys do the trail rides and can a stock jeep make it through the trails? Id have to plan in advance becasue NOVA is a good drive form Hampton

 

What's your budget? What do you plan on doing? Just going on the beach occasionally, playing in the mud, or doing actual rock crawling? For just playing on the beach a small 2" suspension budget boost can put 32s and be fine. From there your gonna be spending some dough. This is also where the 4 cylinder starts to be a pain. Trust me, I know. You can go with 4" suspension that will let you fit 33s comfortably and you can still stick with your 4.11 gears if you want to. 33s are also the limit on your rear axle (dana35) especilly if you got a LSD or locker. From there you can do a body lift(which I hate) or get a 6" suspension or go all out and do 8". You can then fit up to round 36 depending on additional body lift and trimming. Now you need a new rear axle and the front(dana30) I wouldn't trust past 35s. Also need a slip yoke eliminator for the tcase and regear the axles. Not to mention all the little things to get a little more power outta the motor and all the stuff you wanna add along the way like lights.

You won't need much for any trails in Virginia. The closest place I consider "trails" is either Rausch Creek up in PA, or Uhwarrie down in NC. Then again, I'm mostly into rocks. Like I said, it all depends on your budget and what you want to do.

 

shoes is right, your first mods will depend on what you want to do with your jeep, if your just talkin about playin in the mud a bit and goin out on the beach then your bl/sl combo sounds good, but i would go with 33's. have fun and good luck. Oh and make friends with people who have bigger rigs than yours, lol.

 

If your even remotely worried or concerned about gas milage, don't get 33's on the 4cyl. I had a 98 w/ the 4 banger and 3" lift and 33's and i got prolly 12 mpg. At least not w/out gears.

 

Exactly. I'm currently runnin 33s on 4.11s and my best is 19mpg in the city. Its even worse on the highway, not to mention I can't use 5th gear unless I'm going 65 or faster. Don't ask me how I drove to PA, wheeled it, and drove back.

 

Im not planning to go hardcore rock crawling or anything, but at the same time i dont want to make a "mall crusier" either. Im guessing through that with a smal BL like a 2" and a 2" or 3" SL plus say 32s or 33s i will be able to handle most stuff in Virginia or at least things that i will run into. I know buying a 4cyl isnt the ideal thing to do but a 97 TJ with only 69,000 miles on it when i bought it for 4000$ was just too good to pass up. How much is regearing really going to help the power output or the actual feel of having power? And what should i regear to? Right now it feels extreamly underpowered but i assume thats just because of the crappy 2.5l under the hood

 

youd rather them be too small than too big. It really sucks buying some nice new big tire just to find out they rub or wont tuck