What should I do with my 1981 CJ8 now?

[NorCalSurfer]

Here's the before and after photos:

 

[NorCalSurfer]

Here's what I have done so far:
New Seats
Monstaliner DIY Bed Liner on Exterior (Dark Burnt Orange)
Monstaliner DIY Bed Liner on Interior Tub (Black)
Changed ghetto roll bar back to stock configuration.
New Dash Panel (Brushed Steel)
New Front Bumper
New Custom Steel Welded Rear Bumper with Spare Tire Swing Arm
New (used) Soft Top
New Tailgate
New (used) Full Steel Doors painted to match top and body.
Installed KC Daylighters at top corners of windshield rather than the standard hinge placement.
New Bilstein Shocks
New Steering Stabilizer
All new Stainless Steel hardware (hinges, hood hardware, gas bezel, etc.)
New Tuffy Center Console

What I want to add soon:
Winch
HiLift and Jerry cans on my rear bumper.
Corbeau Baja Suspension Bench (rear seat)
New Seatbelts
4" Lift kit
New Steering Wheel
Disc Brake Conversion (from drum)
Install Stereo in Center Console and Tuffy Speaker/Storage boxes over rear wheel wells.

 

[fishinfool98]

Good looking 8. What size tires are you planning on it wearing?

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk 2

 

[NorCalSurfer]

Good looking 8. What size tires are you planning on it wearing?

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I plan to keep the current wheels and tires on the 8.
It has brand new 35" Goodyear Wrangler MTs on Mickey Thompson Chrome Wheels.

They look great but I'm a little worried about them slamming into the newly painted body.

 

[Petescj]

Ive seen this Scrambler before. You mention that it has stock diffs and Transfer Case so I'll spend some money for you. Re-gear for the 35s and drop a 4 to 1 kit in the Dana 300 .

 

[Kane]

Looks like you have a spring over axle. I would get a traction bar if you did not already do it.

 

[NorCalSurfer]

Ive seen this Scrambler before. You mention that it has stock diffs and transfer case so I'll spend some money for you. Re-gear for the 35s and drop a 4 to 1 kit in the dana 300.

What is the method for determining what gear ratio to use for my size tires?
I still have a lot to learn! Thanks for your advice.

 

[NorCalSurfer]

Looks like you have a spring over axle. I would get a traction bar if you did not already do it.

The springs on this cj look tired.
I wonder if they are stock.
35s wouldn't fit in the wheel well if the springs were stock would they?
I'll look into a traction bar kit as well.
Thanks.

 

[Old Dog]

The springs on this cj look tired.
I wonder if they are stock.
35s wouldn't fit in the wheel well if the springs were stock would they?
I'll look into a traction bar kit as well.
Thanks.

If it is SOA likes it looks in the pic., that will give you app. 5" of lift with the stock springs. Are the front springs 2" wide (cj) or 2 1/2" wide? If they are 2 1/2' they might be yj springs, which are pretty flat, and a lot of people go that way with SOA.
If the PO did it right it might already have a traction (anti-warp) bar.
Here's a link to a good gear calculator Gear Ratio Calculator
I'd pull the diff. covers and see whats in there now.

 

[Gunner Actual]

Best mod = Hand me the keys.

 

[gert]

If you dont have something similar to this on the rear axle you need to add one or you will be prone to breaking rear u joints and driveshafts when you get in to a bind (up against a rock/big log) ask me how I knowSkyjacker YJ5LK - Free Shipping on All Orders @ JEGS
Also if you have the stock AMC20 rear you need 1 peice axle shafts and have it geared with a locker
AMC 20 Axle - Tech Articles - JP Magazine