Yeah, I'm not planning an all-out SAS or anything like that for the time being, but a 3-4" susp. lift along with a small body lift should be good to run some 33"s (with some trimming thrown in for good measure). I've had good luck with welded rears in the past, and being on a budget, the price is right. I'll spring for new Warn hubs, and a winch, build some rocker guards and a front bumper and I'll hit the trails.
I moved to Apache Junction, which is eastern Phoenix.
I like the look of the 2 door a lot, and am looking forward to testing it's trail worthiness very soon.

I have been tossing around , lsd, or rear axle swap. Is welding the rears fine on a daily driver? I would do it in a second if it was a trail only rig, but this is my DD.

I am not so much worried about the different way it will react, more so worried about the tires squeeling every turn I make, that is a good way to get the police after you, especially in ashland here. Do the tires squeel alot or is that kind of a myth.

thanks

I've welded the rear on a full-sized Bronco, and on a d44 in a TJ. I noticed the 'squeel' more on the Bronco than I did the Jeep. But it's not like it sounds like you're burning rubber or peeling out every time you round a corner either. It sounds like driving with bald tires more than anything else. You will notice it more than anyone else does, it's really not an attention getter.

It's kind of funny how some of you are so down on Fords and love your Kia. Kia built the Feasta and Aspire for Ford and Ford helped Kia design the Sportage to fill in for the BroncoII after the Explorer replaced it. If you Park you Sportage next to an early Expedition or Explorer around the same year you will see they have almost the same profile. When the Kia first came to the US Ford owned part Kia and also part of Mazda. That why the early Kia's had so many Mazda parts. Look what happend when Ford droped Kia, they ruined the Sportage. I have owned several Ford with very good luck, a few GMs with not so much luck and a Jeep that I wish I still had to this day. My baby is a 1961 F100 4x4 with about 320,000 miles on it. I have been colectiog parts to start restoring it and hope to have it done when the truck is 50. I also have a 05 F150 with 40,000 miles and no troubles at all. I know everyone has a prefance, I'm not trying to convince you how good Fords are, Just letting you in on a little Kia history.
Dennis

The Ford Fiesta was a rebadged Kia Pride, I've owned a couple of Fords 46' 1 Ton, 96' Ranger 98' F-150. And they are all good vehicles, but just not as much fun as the Sporty, mainly because they cost way more than the Sporty and I would have never done the things I've done in my Kia in them. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />

I have a 76 Ford F150. Not the best year, but I still love it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It's our work truck. My Grandpa purchased it new from the dealership and didn't drive it much, it only has about 75k miles on it, but he didn't take care of the engine and the valves and rings were shot. At this point in his life he had pretty severe Alzheimers. Anyway the engine was pretty well ruined so I took the easy route and dropped a rebuilt engine in it last year. And I mean, me personally, I did the install by myself with no help other than from the good 'ol manual. I just wanted to clarify that becuase some of my friends say something like "I put an Accura engine in my Honda!" but what they really mean is they paid a shop to do it...lol...

Ummm.... microsoft moment? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, I work for one of the three small shops down here in Sierra Vista. I'm about 90 miles south of Tucson. But first, I must find my intermitent stall. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />