Got a lil loot to play with

[footman]

Ok so I'm looking for a little advise as to where i shoud invest a lil loot.  I've got ~$600-700 to play with $100 of that is a GC from 4WD.com.  Here is what I'm thinking SYE and CV (should I get the new or rebuit CV)  I'd like to get a belly up skid (is this something I can make or should I just spend the cash)(do I really need ajustable upper rear control arms right now or can that wait).  I'd also like to get a gas tank skid as my factory skid looks like a rock hit it, oh wait, I hit the rock.  Or... can you guys think of anohter way I should put it into the jeep?  I guess I'm looking for an order of importance of items to get.

[Axle]

If you go with a tummy tucker skid plate, you will definitly need an sye and cv shaft.  I would go with the Carolina combo for $350.  You can't beat that, anywhere.  As for the skid plate, I don't know.  I would also recommend adjustable control arms for the upper and lower.  The uppers are important because they will allow you to adjust your pinion angle in the rear, and your castor angle in the front.  The lowers will keep your axles centered and leave them at stock wheelbase.  I would not recommend putting in the belly up, even with the sye and cv shaft, without being able to adjust your pinion angle.  A belly up can give you from 1" to 3" of clearance, and that equals out to some extreme driveshaft angles.  Also, if you keep the belly up, but go with a bigger lift in the future, you will probably need a super short shaft sye to compensate for the increased angle.  If you buy a bigger lift in the future, I would use the belly skid that comes with the kit to keep your driveshaft angle more managable.

I know from personal experience that harsh driveline angles, if left unchecked, will lead to very premature driveshaft failure.

[BayouGold]

sye & air!

[kirksjeep]

I second the SYE and CV drive shaft.  With what you have left over I recommend some Fuzzy Dice.

[Axle]

And a Hula Dancer for your dash!!! 

[HOT-ROD]

how about some sweet LED'S?

[rocket]

like mine?

[footman]

So I'm thinking that maybe I should invest in a welder for the jeep so I can fab up bumpers and stuff.  Scott, you seem to be the welding man on this forum, what should I get thats in this price range.

[Seabee_BUC]

Well, I went to Home Depot and got the Lincoln 3200HD. Its a HD specific item so you won't even find it in Lincoln's catalog! (My Mother in Law works for Praxair and couldn't find it either). Anyway, its set up for both types of welding with the guages for using gas or you can use the flux core wire without. Both produce outstanding results. You can also weld aluminum with it. Its rated to weld up to 1/4" but I think I've pushed it a bit by welding the brackets on to Axle's 8.8 because the pumpkin has to be thicker than 1/4 inch and I welded his tubes to the pumpkin because its a weak point in the 8.8. Nonethless, for the $450 I spent on it, I will never need to buy another welder. In my opinion, spend it on drivetrain strength...don't be left stranded somewhere...If you need something welded we may be able to work something out...let me know.