Green Giant (ZJ Build)

[AJeepZJ]

The beginning of some really awesome things were initiated this weekend. The first was officially starting some mods for the ZJ. I'm going to post a few stock pics first for comparison.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/08/DSC03578-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/08/DSC03580-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/DSC03570-1.jpg

Phase 1 - Replace

Tires were placed on, as you can tell. The tire is kissing my bumper right now. Recommended size for 2" BB is a 31x10.5. or about a 265/70/16 tire. We are stuffing 265/75/16's under these wheel weels. This is just shy of a 32" tire. 32" tire is really meant for a 3"+ lift for these things. As a result.. extensive trimming will be needed.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_170907_632-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_193049_448-1.jpg

Decided to do a little preliminary testing here for the tire
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_193049_448-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_180141_188-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_193443_661-1.jpg

Tire is almost a foot off the ground, with room for more stuffing.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_193850_516-1.jpg

[AJeepZJ]

We stopped for a very DELICIOIUS treat prepared by Sal's amazing wife (warm apple pie with whipped cream!) my God. I told Sal, if the Jeep fell on me and I died. I would have died a happy man.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_204802_459-1.jpg

Phase 2 - Customize (lol)

As previously mentioned, the tires were clearly rubbing the bumper up front. This had to be fixed. Sal and I spent about an hour picking the perfect line that would make the cut both effective and attractive. We came up with an excellent compromise that we were both very pleased with. Pics below. The rears required NO trimming.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_210315_948-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_230059_863-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_230127_671-1.jpg

In addressing the cuts, we also significantly improved the approach angle. (to be expected). Pictured below IS a 50 degree approach angle.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_212743_675-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_212751_108-1.jpg

Garbage we removed. Also not pictured is the rear sway bar which we entirely removed. The front and rear bump stops are out. And the front swaybar is disconnected. I will remove it later this week.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110903_174346_219-1.jpg

[AJeepZJ]

Phase 3 - Test the results
We took this baby out, dropped her in 4LO, and looked for some places to test our hard work. Pictured below there is absolutely no rubbing anywhere in this picture. We have excellent stuffing here.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110904_130328_40-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110904_130305_728-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110904_130204_762-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110904_130251_226-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110904_130218_523-1.jpg

Still working on some numbers for how much I actually gained from the BB and tires. But I'm going to trow at a number of around 3.5" combined.


XK, XJ, and ZJ grace Sal's front yard - lol.
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110904_093227_798-1.jpg
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/20110904_093146_124-1.jpg

[superacerc]

I can't wait to see what comes next..... I wish i had a project jeep.....well other than the XK.

[AJeepZJ]

Lastly, there are no words to describe the amazing hospitality I received at Sal's home. His family are an AMAZING group of people. I know he is extremely proud of them and I have no idea how he restrains himself from bragging about them. Thanks Sal, it was just an awesome weekend.

aj

[Sal-XK]

We had fun gave my new floor a work out LOL. I was pretty impressed with the amount of flex that Jeep got and it looks a ton better now to.

[IamJEEP]

Looking good bro! Sal, you are the man for hooking a fellow Jeeper out with garage space. Come to think of it, I believe everyone here would do the same.....I know I would if I had a garage.

She's looking perdy AJ.

[pjmjr508]

great job guys

[AJeepZJ]

I can't wait to see what comes next..... I wish i had a project jeep.....well other than the XK.

I'll probably get some disco's some time next month. And I'll be ordering a 4.5" after that in a couple months.

[Holaday07 4.7]

Looks great! Cool project!

[AJeepZJ]

Update: Apparently I didn't bolt the front shock on the passenger side enough because it started to have some play, so I retightened it to the best of my ability with the tire on. I also completely removed the front sway bar... So it's sounding pretty good. It's looking great. the WK still has a good 1.5" more of ground clearance. But I've already grabbed a lot of attention from folks in the appartment complex. Including another guy who also drives a ZJ on a BB, but his tires are slightly smaller.

So this years mod's list will include a Rage roof rack, lights and switches, as well as front and rear disco's, aftermarket sway bar, tail light guards, and CB Radio and Antenna. I'll save the 4.5" lift for January or February.

[Sal-XK]

AJ has a habit of driving his jeep with loose bolts LMAO

[CmmdrDan]

Did I just read right? Rage roof rack member #4!

[Sal-XK]

Did I just read right? Rage roof rack member #4!

Ya I guess he missed the threads where we talked about the rack. When I told him how much I paid for mine his jaw hit the floor. :)

[CmmdrDan]

Haha of course! Works well for the price!

[AJeepZJ]

AJ has a habit of driving his jeep with loose bolts LMAO

HEY! I forgot, I thought the front was shaking a lot because it needed an allignment. not because the bolts were only hand-tightened


Did I just read right? Rage roof rack member #4!

lol


Ya I guess he missed the threads where we talked about the rack. When I told him how much I paid for mine his jaw hit the floor. :)

For what I paid for one Yakima Roof rack, I could have purchased two Rage racks. And I'm seriously contemplating getting one for the WK as well.


And just an FYI - my WK still takes the cake when it comes to which one I enjoy driving more. I've driven the ZJ just about all week... Hopped in to my WK for the first time in days to get some groceries, Go figure.. the grocery getter? No she's not the Grocery getter, lol. But, she drove as smooth as butter... Makes the ZJ look like an amateur on the road. While the WK still remains a bit more outfitted than the ZJ, for now, they are both quickly falling into their niches well. I drive the WK as a DD, easy trails, sand and gravel, a cross-country venture vehicle and expedition type vehicle. And my ZJ, quickly becoming more rugged, and a heavy-duty machine, limitless power and torque to rock crawl and to aggressive wheeling.

I think the only things I'll be getting for the WK is just a larger cargo rack, and some additional recovery equipment (that both the ZJ and WK will share depending on which one I take). Fire extinguisher, on-board air, additional lighting, a front skid, and front tow points, hi-jack lift, shovel. Maybe a few interior goodies to make it a more comfortable trip.

The ZJ's list is much longer

[Sal-XK]

Turning your Jeep into a expedition vehicle isn't any cheaper then turning into a trail rig because a expedition vehicle need to do all things well. It needs to be a capable trail rig, safe and comfortable highway rig, and a mini RV all rolled into one package. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/forums/44-Jeep

[AJeepZJ]

Thats a nice little site there... I don't think I really want to get that involved with it that much. Going in that direction really blurs the dividing line between these two Jeeps. That site kinda blends the ideas I have for these two Jeeps into one. But, yeah that's definitely extreme. I don't wan to be that involved in something like that. I need enough utility for camping, recovery, and traversing while keeping creature comforts in tact.

ZJ ---> Superb Rock Crawling and extensive attention and detail to trail modifications. Adequate recovery but no real regards to comfort.
WK--->Novice rock crawling. Adequate trail modifications. Excellent recovery and gear, with particular detail to comfort.

[Sal-XK]

That's a pretty cool site lots of good ideas on there

[AJeepZJ]

I've been doing a lot of homework for this ole girl and I think I've found what my first real suspension lift will be to this thing.

I've been taking a look at the ZJ 5.5" Critical Path Long Arm Kit (http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-Z5CPK&Category_Code=ZLK)

or

The ZJ 4.5" Lift Kit (http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=IROR&Product_Code=IR-Z_4LK&Category_Code=ZLK)

I've been debating whether or not which one to get. The first one is obviously more but they've also put together a package that would leave me with very little extra to assemble further down the road. My suspension would be as tall as I'd want it to be. At the same time my 31's would look small under a 5.5" lift. Which means I'll probably end up piecing together the 4.5" lift. I'll have to get 33's with better back spacing.

So... I've been considering THESE (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=XD12268012700B&wheelMake=KMC+XD+Series&wheelModel=Enduro&wheelFinish=Black+Painted&showRear=no&autoMake=Jeep&autoModel=Grand+Cherokee+Limited&autoYear=1996&autoModClar=&filterFinish=All&filterSize=All&filterBrand=All&filterSpecial=false&filterNew=All&filterWeight=All&sort=Brand) Wheels

or

These (http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=runWheelSearch&initialPartNumber=39816865TB&wheelMake=ATX&wheelModel=Mojave&wheelFinish=Black+w%2FTeflon+Coating&showRear=no&autoMake=Jeep&autoModel=Grand+Cherokee+Limited&autoYear=1996&autoModClar=&filterFinish=All&filterSize=All&filterBrand=All&filterSpecial=false&filterNew=All&filterWeight=All&sort=Brand)

Haven't decided what tires yet. :D

[Sal-XK]

Well, I'm thinking go with the long arm kit I know it's expensive but its worth it. Yes your tires will look small and you'll have less money but you can sell the tries and put the money towards new ones or just wheel those tires until you can afford new ones. The important thing is you'll have the suspension to wheel the way you want to and can get tires later versus getting a average suspension so you can have better tires faster.

[Holaday07 4.7]

http://claytonoffroad.com/index.php/cPath/20?osCsid=9f8ba0c1ed524820509c92aa5c39bb67

Heard pretty good stuff about these. Also, you can use the ACOS Spacers to adjust your ride height. Lower now, then crank them up when you get new tires.

[AJeepZJ]

Took a look at this site a few days ago. Could not see where they have adjustable spacers. Just adjustable control arms.

[Holaday07 4.7]

http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=ACOS&Store_Code=JKS01&Category_Code=Coil_Spring

http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/tjxjmjzj-acos-rear-adjustable-coil-over-spacers-jks2550-p-2598.html

I really wanted to build our ZJ before it rolled (doing doughnuts in a muddy feild, doh!) even after we considered cutting off the roof. Anyways, these were cool and would help with a progressize build, or be able to adjust for weight distribution, or certain offroad scenarios.

[AJeepZJ]

http://store.jksmfg.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=ACOS&Store_Code=JKS01&Category_Code=Coil_Spring

http://www.4x4groupbuy.com/store/tjxjmjzj-acos-rear-adjustable-coil-over-spacers-jks2550-p-2598.html

I really wanted to build our ZJ before it rolled (doing doughnuts in a muddy feild, doh!) even after we considered cutting off the roof. Anyways, these were cool and would help with a progressize build, or be able to adjust for weight distribution, or certain offroad scenarios.

OMG, those are amazing - I wonder if there are any draw backs to these.... I'm going to be putting together a wish list for this ZJ... probably this weekend. I'm thinking of repainting it too. But we'll see

[AJeepZJ]

This appeared to be reducing my MPG's so I got rid of it... I'm j/k... about the MPG part anyway. I forgot to post my 'out with the old in with the new' But I replaced the belt a couple weekends ago as well.
old
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/DSC03585-1.jpg

new
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/DSC03586-1.jpg

scrap metal
https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2011/09/DSC03587-1.jpg