what should i do to get my jeep ready to go muddin

[Coop JEEP]

i have a 1988 wrangler with 31s its mostly stock and i was wondering what i should start to do first to get it ready to go mudding and what not

[WILL]

You'll find it is pretty capable as it is. Since you are new to this, mostly there are just some things to pay attention to. If you don't know how deep mud or water is, check or let someone else go first. Once you get into water over the floor, the possibility of expensive repairs rises considerably especially if you have an automatic transmission. (you don't say what your jeep has)

Your jeep must already have a lift to fit 31's as 30's are about as big as a YJ can run with a little rubbing. If you don't have a lift, your 31's are going to start reshaping your fenders.

An inexpensive locker like a lock right or aussie locker in the rear will make a big difference in where you can go. I'd go that route before bigger tires and a lift. And before anyone starts in on how weak a dana 35 is, yes they are weak. The 88 doesn't use C-clips though so if an axle breaks, the wheel will still stay in place unless it breaks right behind the flange.

A fire extinguisher and first aid kit are good to have too.

[Coop JEEP]

yeah the 31s barely fit and rub on sharp turns ive taken it out some just doin doughnuts and going through shallow water and what not it does fine, ive been looking at body lifts or should i just go with a suspension lift?

[Coop JEEP]

and yeah unfortuntly its an automatic with a 6 cylinder

[LEVE]

Off the top of my head:

• Relocate the vent on the transmission.
• A snorkle wouldn't hurt.
• Extend the axle vent lines.
• Install a DIY axle shift Posi-lock.
• Install a good 8000# winch
• Install a full roll cage
• Buy a hi-lift
• Unhook the belt to the mechanical fan when you're water crossing
• Do your research on a lift... There is no cheap lift. This is a path you may not want to go down when you realize the costs
• Body lifts destroy the tub.... stay away from them.

[Dirt Dog]

Originally Posted by Coop JEEP

i have a 1988 wrangler with 31s its mostly stock and i was wondering what i should start to do first to get it ready to go mudding and what not

1 take a buddy
2 have a strap
3 insert key
4 go easy at first
5 have fun

Thats all there is to it. You can get ANYTHING stuck no matter how big or bad. But if off road is new to you then you will have a pleasant surprise on how many places your "stocker" will take you. Use your head and avoid deep mud holes and you will have a great time!

[LEVE]

1 take a buddy

I hope this means... don't wheel alone... so a buddy in the passenger seat don't count. Always wheel with another vehicle.... you'll never be sorry you did.

[bandhmo2]

Things I would buy:

Pull strap - don't shop on price alone, the cheap ones seem to break after a pull or two, which is not only dangerus but puts you out the cost of a new strap. So get a good one of a medium to high pull rating. +-$50

Shackle - get one of more then the load rating of your strap. Even if you have nice round areas of your Jeep you can hook the strap over the rig pulling you or that you are pulling may not so this is a good investment they last for ever if not over loaded. +-$15

High lift jack - again get a good one. There are high lift brand knock offs but they are not much cheaper then the name brand ones which are very reasonably priced. Also have a pair of pliers or leatherman type tool with you as the pins in the jack tend to start to stick in the mud and you do not want to get you fingers in there to pull on them. +-$60

Shovel - get a pointed one with a full size spade. While a long handle is nice for general digging in open areas, I like a mid length or short T handle type both for storage and T handle helps keep the shovel from rotating when digging in close roots, frames and tires. My current shovel made was years ago by me and my dad as a prop/joke for the 4th of July parade. It is an old spade from a broken handled shovel welded directly to a steel T handle. Everyone laughs when I get it out but they do not laugh long after they see how well it works for digging a rig out.

Things Inspect on the Jeep: I am not going into detail on most of these ask fallow up questions as needed.

Check all Steering linkage for damaged / Worn Parts.
Check all U-joints for the same.
Give the springs a once over looking for broken leafs and missing clips.
Check the frame for cracks and loose bolts especially around the steering box.
Check the level and condition fluid in both axles, transmission, transfercase and engine.

Things to add/ change on the Jeep:

Find and extend as needed the breather lines for both axles, transmission and transfer case. This is a good thing to do no mater how deep of water/mud you plan to cross as you will go deeper and deeper as you gain confidence. Water in any of these will not stop you but it will lead to contaminated fluid which if not replace will cause accelerated wear, leading to expensive repairs. The first priority here should be the rear axle as it often has the lowest stock breather, fallowed by the front axle transfer case and transmission.
There are many other things to change but for now this gives you a good start with out spending a lot of cash. Not much gained but a cheap way to prevent expensive problems down the line.

Things to learn:
Find good attachment points for pulling to both front and rear of the Jeep. Do this now before you get stuck. If not at least a bumper level, learn to find them by feel and attach a strap or strap and shackle when standing next to the Jeep. If you have tow hooks front and rear great but leaning where attachment points are is way easier in your driveway then in 2 feet of mud over the bumper. I remember in one case me and another guy spent about an hour figuring out how to attach to a stuck Cherokee belonging to some other rather helpless guys. In the end we had to take the hook off a chain, go get a small branch off a tree and make a snake stick to fish a chain through a hole in the frame and reattach the hook. All this under about 8" of muddy water working by feel. So what was a 5 minute pull out was over an hour feeling around in the mud. Don't be the helpless guy, many folks will not wait for you or wander into the mud to get you hooked up. Figure out where you will attach before you get stuck.

I suppose there is a lot more that could be said (not to mention a million things I have forgotten) but at some point it becomes a book not a post. As others have said all ways have buddy. Preferably in another rig, but with you in any case. Wheeling is kind of an education of hard knocks. The best way to learn is to go and do and watch what others do. Help others who are stuck often you will learn something in the process and make a few friends. Better yet watch them get stuck so you know what not to do.

[Dirt Dog]

I guess I wasn't clear enough Larry.

Take a second vehicle/buddy to wheel with.