New guy, need mod advice.

[Jon]

Just picked up a 97 Limited, 3.4, 4x4 completely stock 330K mi. Good shape.

I only travel 16mi a day in the Runner and maybe the occasional 200mi trip to mid GA to visit friends and family. I'll be running in mud and sand, no rock. I'd like to go play during the weekends too.

Right now I'm just taking care of the normal tune up stuff, air filter, oil change, trans fluid/filter change, plugs/wires, fuel filter, brakes and a good greasing. I have simple plans; 10,000K HID's, tires, 3" lift, snorkel, beefy front bumper w/winch...for now.
Here are some pics .









I don't know what kind of grimy nastyness that was but it was all over everything. Nothing a little Purple Power couldn't fix. Even got the seats looking like new, besides the giant tear.



The tire's I'm looking at are the Cooper STT's 285/75R16. Will they fit with no lift? Suspension still rides nice and stiff, no body roll.


I have no idea about the lift except it will be a 3". I want cheap and functional at the same time. Spacers? Coilovers? All suggestions welcome. I like this forum. Thanks for the help.

I like the ARB Bull BAr but will NOT spend $1500 on a piece of steel when I can fab one myself for $300. But that's the style I like.


What's a popular snorkel?

I know it's a lot but I'm sure you remember just starting your build.

 

[Elton H]

really dont get 10k hid

 

[Jon]

I love HID's. I have 6k's in my 66 Ford Galaxie and they kick a$$. I'm not set on the 10K's, a few of my friends have em and I like the look better. 6K is the best frequency for the human eye, that's a fact.

 

[brian2sun]

ARBs are ~$700 new, not $1500. Look at 4wheelparts.com. I got mine used for cheap so you could check your local CL and classifieds. You won't fit 285s w/o a lot of pounding/cutting on your fenders or a lift. Check out the Suspension FAQ sticky at the top of the 3rd gen page to answer your lift questions. Those STTs are nice tires too.

 

[xskydivingdudex]

snorkel is also an ARB product... its around $350 - 400 to get but ya there are a few other companies that make them but i think the ARB looks best and is on most of the rigs on here with snorkels.

 

[Jon]

4wheelparts is a good site, thanks. It's been raining here for the past week and I had some free time, so off I went in search of some mud to play in. I settled for a nearby dirt road just to play a little. Never needed to put it in 4whl, not even lock the diff. That's with wore out 265/70 Cooper HT's. Can't wait to get the range pass tomorrow.

 

[Jon]

Wow, the lift sticky is great, I got schooled. So I'm pretty much set on the Toytec Ultimate Lift. Anyone else running it, got pics?