WL: 1994 Jeep ZJ

[fmstruck]

Well I have had Jeeps before and apparently the Jeep bug is a little like herpes, never quite goes away. Riverside Chev had this setting around and nobody seemed to want it so Hillbilly hooked me up. It's pretty ugly right now, but that will change soon.
The Skinny:
-1994 ZJ Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo
-4.0L inline 6
-AX15 5speed trans, that's right its a manual
-Dana 30 front/35 rear
-NP231 Tcase
-Grandma whitewall 225/75-15
My plans are to lift it 3", lockright the rear and go to 31x10.50 Mud terrains. Engine will stay stock for now. Long range I will do an Eaton E-locker for the front and a 4:1 gearset for the 231.
I want this rig to be very capable and still practical. Now for the before pics.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk117/fmstruck/100_0051.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk117/fmstruck/100_0052.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk117/fmstruck/100_0053.jpg

I will post more later.

[82355]

Swap that body onto the K5 frame.

[c0z]

Nice, MOPAR. How much did that run ya?

[fmstruck]

Swap that body onto the K5 frame.

Uh, Unibody?

[fmstruck]

Nice, MOPAR. How much did that run ya?

Yeah, riiiight

[turbodaytona87]

those tires look tiny, even though I think that's what size mine are

[350-10]

That radio is Sweeeeeet. Did you do the rear-view mirror on the windshield mod yet?

[fmstruck]

That radio is Sweeeeeet. Did you do the rear-view mirror on the windshield mod yet?

Yeah, 1 speaker stereo FTW. I'm used to no rearview, but I suppose I should fix it.

[86Shelby]

Did you do the rear-view mirror on the windshield mod yet?

That's a great way to ask that question.:lol:

[Hillbilly]

fail, get a k5 then you will have something.

[JesterMX6]

i ****ing hate you btw.

[82355]

George, I can understand being saddened by him getting rid of that sweet K5 Blazer for a lame jeep, but that is no reason to hate him.

[82355]

Oh and Jake, you big silly, K5's don't have a unibody.

[JesterMX6]

:lol:

<3 u marty



and wtf....no Martin at the end? what gives?

[JesterMX6]

the grand cherokee is a unibody though.

[82355]

I am aware of that, it was a joke silly. As for the no "Martin" at the end, haven't you noticed a lot of those post from me lately? It's because I don't know how to hit "ENTER" on my cell phone.

[JesterMX6]

i missed the joke :(


and no i havent. it also doesnt have the "mobile post" thingy so i didnt realize u were posting from a telephono.

[82355]

Posted via Mobile Device to make George smile I normally delete that. I find it rather a silly thing to post every time I write a post from the road.

[JesterMX6]

hahaha.

thanks buddy!!!

[regal403]

http://www.rocky-road.com/media/zj_trailblazer.jpg


It's a Jeep thing, and I don't care to understand. :puke1:

[fmstruck]

^Hater.

[JesterMX6]

i vote u dont do anythign to it....and sell it to me for what u bought it for.

[turbodaytona87]

http://www.rocky-road.com/media/zj_trailblazer.jpg


It's a Jeep thing, and I don't care to understand. :puke1:

Don't worry, it is hard for a lot of people to know what to do with excellence...

[JesterMX6]

it'd be "excellence" if it wasn't a limited :roll:

[fmstruck]

i vote u dont do anythign to it....and sell it to me for what u bought it for.

I'm thinking no.

[turbodaytona87]

it'd be "excellence" if it wasn't a limited :roll:

you're right, less horsepower/torque for roughly the same fuel mileage is something worth having

[JesterMX6]

roughly the same milage? i saw somewhere u posted you're lucky to get 10mpg at 85 on the interstate. i didnt have a problem with bad milage this weekend.

[turbodaytona87]

my o2 sensor is out as well(or something is up, it runs pig ass rich), and I've never actually looked at the mileage at 85mph

[JesterMX6]

maybe you shouldn't have made that post then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[turbodaytona87]

I've seen it at 70 and it was sitting around 12/13mpg I believe, it can only go down from there.

Also find that post, I think I said, I would be lucky to get over 10mpg. What do you get at that speed?

[JesterMX6]

well i went to omaha and back doin about 90 this weekend (twice) and ended up getting about 14 - 15

[Hillbilly]

K5>anything jeep

[Hillbilly]

I've seen it at 70 and it was sitting around 12/13mpg I believe, it can only go down from there.

Also find that post, I think I said, I would be lucky to get over 10mpg. What do you get at that speed?

Why do you talk at all? Its better to be considered dumb and stay quite than it is to open your mouth a prove it. What you know about cars mpg and engineering wouldn't fill a thimble. Jake only bought a jeep cause he needs a better place for his daughter to ride. He didn't think a open top blazer was a good idea. I told him if this didn't become the nastiest jeep around he couldn't be my friend anymore. Cause jeeps are for lawyers and doctors.

[turbodaytona87]

I've seen it at 70 and it was sitting around 12/13mpg I believe, it can only go down from there.

Also find that post, I think I said, I would be lucky to get over 10mpg. What do you get at that speed?

Why do you talk at all? Its better to be considered dumb and stay quite than it is to open your mouth a prove it. What you know about cars mpg and engineering wouldn't fill a thimble.

That's right, I forgot you had your engineering degree, don't you have some oil to change?:rolleye:

Care to explain to me how I could possibly get more mpg by going faster?

[turbodaytona87]

Now that I think about it, that might've been when overdrive wasn't working. I'll check it out today and see what I get.

[Hillbilly]

peak torque is = to maximum volumetric effency. If you acheve that at a higher rpm it may get better mpg even with the increased drag of the aerodynamics. This is why even if you have a deeper gear you may get better mpg because the engine is using the fuel more effecently. Has to do with cam timing, intake runner length and exhaust length.

Shouldn't you be porting your own heads? How are you ever going to learn? Books can't teach you everything.

[Hillbilly]

When your over at the shop ask chad who he bull shits with just about everyday.

[fmstruck]

This thread is about a Jeep ZJ and it's transformation into a capable off road machine. K thanx bye.

[turbodaytona87]

When your over at the shop ask chad who he bull shits with just about everyday.

When my what?

Why would I care that you talk to Chad?

[fmstruck]

Looks better already.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk117/fmstruck/100_0054.jpg

[turbodaytona87]

haha yeah that looks a lot better

[Hillbilly]

update?

[fmstruck]

3" lift showed up today, so I got that on. No easy task. I'll have pics tomorrow. Even my wife likes the way it looks.

[82355]

Tomorrow is under an hour and a half away.

Martin

[Hillbilly]

3" lift showed up today, so I got that on. No easy task. I'll have pics tomorrow. Even my wife likes the way it looks.

Is she feeling OK? Whats the jeeps name? I like popcorn.

[82355]

Today is yesterday's tomorrow.

[KyleJ]

Waiting on pics. My brother is doing a similar project with his wife's jeep. She leaves town for a business trip, and when she comes back its going to be lifted and locked. It'll be interesting to pick her up at the airport.

[fmstruck]

3" lift showed up today, so I got that on. No easy task. I'll have pics tomorrow. Even my wife likes the way it looks.

Is she feeling OK? Whats the jeeps name? I like popcorn.

She has yet to name it. She usually has to see what its personality is first. I like pancakes, but I never felt the need to share that with the group before.

Anyway, here are more pics with the 3" lift.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk117/fmstruck/100_0070.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk117/fmstruck/100_0069.jpg
http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk117/fmstruck/100_0068.jpg

[JesterMX6]

looks yummy. i'm right behind ya.

just ordered all new poly control arm bushings. front and rear. lift kit and tires is next.

[Hillbilly]

pancakes ftl

[fmstruck]

looks yummy. i'm right behind ya.

just ordered all new poly control arm bushings. front and rear. lift kit and tires is next.

That isn't going to flex at all with new poly bushings in it. Have fun putting the lift on too. Took me half a day. Either put the bushings in at the same time as the lift or put the lift on first.

[JesterMX6]

i'm doing it all at once.

and i'm not looking for flex. i just like the clearance.

[JesterMX6]

when i lifted the purple one it took around 8 - 10 hours by myself spread out over 2 days. rears took longer than the fronts.

[82355]

I like waffles.

[C.J.]

you should have bought better tires

[c0z]

not looking for flex..? mall cruiser ftw

[JesterMX6]

not looking for flex..? mall cruiser ftw

pretty much. just want more clearance for in town use. if i decide to start offroading it i'll be getting another daily and switching to adjustable control arms anyway.

[fmstruck]

you should have bought better tires

And what would you suggest, since you must know way more about this than me? I have a set of the same thing only 285s on my K20. They work quite well in the rocks and mud and they wear well. They drive decent and aren't too noisy.

[AeroSS_87]

An artist's rendering of the project when done:

http://image.truckinweb.com/f/atlebr/9841262+w320+h240+cr0+re1+ar1/1999-jeep-grand-cherokee-1.jpg

[AeroSS_87]

ok but really, this looks FUN. you ever get this thing to do this, call me. serious.

http://z.about.com/d/4wheeldrive/1/0/p/S/1/GotAir_UT_99JeepCher_1RR.jpg

[BOORAH]

I like cookies.

[fmstruck]

An artist's rendering of the project when done:

http://image.truckinweb.com/f/atlebr/9841262+w320+h240+cr0+re1+ar1/1999-jeep-grand-cherokee-1.jpg

Nice. A good goal I think.

[82355]

you should have bought better tires

And what would you suggest, since you must know way more about this than me? I have a set of the same thing only 285s on my K20. They work quite well in the rocks and mud and they wear well. They drive decent and aren't too noisy.

So you agree then???

Martin

[fmstruck]

you should have bought better tires

And what would you suggest, since you must know way more about this than me? I have a set of the same thing only 285s on my K20. They work quite well in the rocks and mud and they wear well. They drive decent and aren't too noisy.

So you agree then???

Martin

Huh?

[82355]

That C.J. was right. You should have gone with different tires?

Martin

[fmstruck]

No, I like my choice just fine. I just would be interested to know what he thinks are better tires and i would like to know how he arrived at the realization that these aren't good enough from a picture posted on a website.

[82355]

I was giving you ****. The kid traded a mint SS Camaro for a ****ing Honda or something, he obviously doesn't know what he is talking about.

Martin

[fmstruck]

Speaking of tires, did you find some? Can I have one of your old ones for a spare? Clean out your PMs. That is all.

[82355]

Silly PM's.

Martin

[regal403]

Anyway, here are more pics with the 3" lift.

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk117/fmstruck/100_0070.jpg


Hmmm, I guess that doesn't look too bad for a Jeep. I don't get why Jeepin' Broes "pose" their rides with one wheel up on something. Is that a "Jeep Thing"? Because I don't understand.... :(

[fmstruck]

I was seeing how much it flexes. The better if flexes, the more it keeps all four wheels on the ground, the better traction it gets, the more places it will go, yada, yada, yada.

[regal403]

Oh, sweet.. :yawn:


I am unable to determine whether this guy has 100% flex or 0% flex. Can you?
http://z.about.com/d/4wheeldrive/1/0/p/S/1/GotAir_UT_99JeepCher_1RR.jpg


This thing has 100% Flex:
http://www.greghinzmann.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/Ford%20Flex.jpg

[fmstruck]

I'm just guessing here, but I bet they hauled that XJ home.

[regal403]

I bet they just flew it the rest of the way. Probably had little wings that popped out from under the rocker panels and rocket engines that revealed themselves on the wingtips just after this photo was taken, kind of like the car from MASH. zzzoooooom

[JesterMX6]

http://i278.photobucket.com/albums/kk117/fmstruck/100_0070.jpg


now i really miss my clean purple one :(

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/562/1000944mediumbh0.jpg

[alwazjeepin69]

lol ive jumped an old xj once or twice fun ****. but anyway that zj has awd doesnt it? do you like it? im not a big fan. also how does driving the zj with the ax15 compare to driving a yj or tj? same or not? jw. and id take an xj over a zj anyday. also ur lucky it has 4.0 rather than the 318.

[fmstruck]

1.No it's a 231, read a little.
2.Yes, I do like it or I wouldn't have bought it.
3. I don't know, I've never had a yj or a tj.
4.I like XJs as much as the next guy, but doesn't a ZJ essentially have the same susp as a TJ or a Rubicon?
5. What's wrong with a 318?

[turbodaytona87]

1.No it's a 231, read a little.
2.Yes, I do like it or I wouldn't have bought it.
3. I don't know, I've never had a yj or a tj.
4.I like XJs as much as the next guy, but doesn't a ZJ essentially have the same susp as a TJ or a Rubicon?
5. What's wrong with a 318?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Nothing that's what

[Hillbilly]

1.No it's a 231, read a little.
2.Yes, I do like it or I wouldn't have bought it.
3. I don't know, I've never had a yj or a tj.
4.I like XJs as much as the next guy, but doesn't a ZJ essentially have the same susp as a TJ or a Rubicon?
5. What's wrong with a 318?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Nothing that's what

The problem is its dodge motor not a amc like your 4.0

[tanker]

[QUOTE=regal403;401576]
http://z.about.com/d/4wheeldrive/1/0/p/S/1/GotAir_UT_99JeepCher_1RR.jpg
hey i did that
at hillbillys field

[turbodaytona87]

1.No it's a 231, read a little.
2.Yes, I do like it or I wouldn't have bought it.
3. I don't know, I've never had a yj or a tj.
4.I like XJs as much as the next guy, but doesn't a ZJ essentially have the same susp as a TJ or a Rubicon?
5. What's wrong with a 318?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Nothing that's what

The problem is its dodge motor not a amc like your 4.0

so....

[c0z]

what he's trying to say is all your mopar **** is weak

[turbodaytona87]

oh, troof :( except the 5.2 is stronger than the 4.0

[fmstruck]

Did you come to this conclusion from your many years and vast mechanical experience. Give me a break! 318s are good engines, but tougher than a 4.0 Jeep motor? I think not.

[JesterMX6]

he's just a nut swinger because he has a 318. he has no working experience to back it up.

[schovil69]

[QUOTE=regal403;401576]
http://z.about.com/d/4wheeldrive/1/0/p/S/1/GotAir_UT_99JeepCher_1RR.jpg
hey i did that
at hillbillys field

lies

[turbodaytona87]

he's just a nut swinger because he has a 318. he has no working experience to back it up.

Well besides that I have two of them, one with over 170k miles on it and still running good, and the other with 150k miles and still running good. The aftermarket is broader for the 318, it responds better to mods, and has been one of dodge's mainstay engines since the '60s

[turbodaytona87]

Did you come to this conclusion from your many years and vast mechanical experience. Give me a break! 318s are good engines, but tougher than a 4.0 Jeep motor? I think not.

I said stronger, i.e. more power....

Tougher, as in lasts longer, sure I'll give that to the 4.0 but the 318 doesn't exactly crap out at 100k miles

[fmstruck]

With the exception of one or two 318s that my buddy had in his drag cars, I wouldn't give you $5 for one (Sorry Lepa). If I want something that mods are readily available for, I'll start with a smallblock chevy or BBC. This is a Jeep in case you failed to notice. I care way more about the suspension and everything after the engine than it's peak horsepower or how many bolt-ons I can buy for it. It's not going to the dragstrip so I could not care less how much power it makes. The 4.0 is sufficient to pull it down the road and to climb in 4 low.

[AeroSS_87]

Those 4.0's are torquey sons of bitches.

[turbodaytona87]

With the exception of one or two 318s that my buddy had in his drag cars, I wouldn't give you $5 for one (Sorry Lepa). If I want something that mods are readily available for, I'll start with a smallblock chevy or BBC. This is a Jeep in case you failed to notice. I care way more about the suspension and everything after the engine than it's peak horsepower or how many bolt-ons I can buy for it. It's not going to the dragstrip so I could not care less how much power it makes. The 4.0 is sufficient to pull it down the road and to climb in 4 low.

Lepa has a 360 ;) I use mine to tow cars as well so the v8 made sense, plus I like the v8 growl:D

[turbodaytona87]

Those 4.0's are torquey sons of bitches.

The 5.2l has 100ft/lbs more torque at roughly the same rpm

[fmstruck]

Those 4.0's are torquey sons of bitches.

The 5.2l has 100ft/lbs more torque at roughly the same rpm


I DON'T CARE!

[turbodaytona87]

good thing that wasn't directed towards you then

[82355]

he's just a nut swinger because he has a 318. he has no working experience to back it up.

ding ding ding

Martin

[Hillbilly]

he's just a nut swinger because he has a 318. he has no working experience to back it up.

ding ding ding

Martin

Wait wait, lt me get this straight. I am not the only one that thinks he couldn't find his ass with both hands.

Hey turbocordoba78 quit whoring up jakes thread. HE HATES YOU TOO.

On 318s? The old saying is they don't make enough power to blow up. Dougs was bad ass in the challanger though but I doubt you are smart enough to make something run that good.

[turbodaytona87]

he's just a nut swinger because he has a 318. he has no working experience to back it up.

ding ding ding

Martin

Wait wait, lt me get this straight. I am not the only one that thinks he couldn't find his ass with both hands.

Hey turbocordoba78 quit whoring up jakes thread. HE HATES YOU TOO.

On 318s? The old saying is they don't make enough power to blow up. Dougs was bad ass in the challanger though but I doubt you are smart enough to make something run that good.

you're right, probably not

[Lepa]

With the exception of one or two 318s that my buddy had in his drag cars, I wouldn't give you $5 for one (Sorry Lepa). If I want something that mods are readily available for, I'll start with a smallblock chevy or BBC. This is a Jeep in case you failed to notice. I care way more about the suspension and everything after the engine than it's peak horsepower or how many bolt-ons I can buy for it. It's not going to the dragstrip so I could not care less how much power it makes. The 4.0 is sufficient to pull it down the road and to climb in 4 low.

don't say sorry to me, i highly dislike 318's, 340>360>318.

[Lepa]

Those 4.0's are torquey sons of bitches.

The 5.2l has 100ft/lbs more torque at roughly the same rpm

the 5.9 has more torque than the 5.2

[fmstruck]

he's just a nut swinger because he has a 318. he has no working experience to back it up.

ding ding ding

Martin

Wait wait, lt me get this straight. I am not the only one that thinks he couldn't find his ass with both hands.

Hey turbocordoba78 quit whoring up jakes thread. HE HATES YOU TOO.

On 318s? The old saying is they don't make enough power to blow up. Dougs was bad ass in the challanger though but I doubt you are smart enough to make something run that good.

I don't hate him. I don't know him. I highly dislike someone with no experience trying to educate me about mechanical issues. I highly dislike unfounded and catagorical comments like "you shoulda bought better tires" or "the 318 is stronger than the 4.0". Who cares. It so depends on what they're being used for. Since the topic at hand is MY JEEP, which does not have a 318 in it, there is no need for debate on the issue here. If he'd like to debate which is better, I would encourage him to put a poll up somewhere BESIDES MY WORK LOG.

[turbodaytona87]

Done, I'll take it to the new thread now and my comment wasn't directed towards you, it was meant for george

[JesterMX6]

which again, has no bearing. considering i have experience inside and outside of BOTH engines.

[toom1h]

Back on topic.
Page 3 with your 3'' lift looks good, a little raked i think, but maybe it's this shitty apple computer.... But what all did you do? Just spacers and shocks?

In january (probably earlier when i get bored with this lift), I'll be doing about 3-3.5 lift with just two - 2'' spacers.

[turbodaytona87]

The jeep is facing down a hill, its not the computer rendering it with a rake:sillyme:

[toom1h]

The jeep is facing down a hill, its not the computer rendering it with a rake:sillyme:

You aren't allowed to talk to me, you think the 5.2's are better then the 4.0,, and the screen shots on this computer were 3x3, so yes it was the computer.

[turbodaytona87]

so because the pictures were 3x3 the jeep looked like it had a rake?

Kind of childish to not like someone because they prefer a different engine...

[toom1h]

Yes, a smaller picture looks the exact same when stretched out to normal size...


And first off I was joking, but if you think the 5.2 is a better engine then the 4.0 for offroad purposes,,,, you are an idiot.

[turbodaytona87]

Why?

Also what do 4 commas in a row mean? ,,,,

[toom1h]

Okay Martin.

[fmstruck]

Back on topic.
Page 3 with your 3'' lift looks good, a little raked i think, but maybe it's this shitty apple computer.... But what all did you do? Just spacers and shocks?

In january (probably earlier when i get bored with this lift), I'll be doing about 3-3.5 lift with just two - 2'' spacers.

It's a 3" spacer kit from Leveling Solutions. Came with Pro Comp shocks.

[toom1h]

Back on topic.
Page 3 with your 3'' lift looks good, a little raked i think, but maybe it's this shitty apple computer.... But what all did you do? Just spacers and shocks?

In january (probably earlier when i get bored with this lift), I'll be doing about 3-3.5 lift with just two - 2'' spacers.

It's a 3" spacer kit from Leveling Solutions. Came with Pro Comp shocks.

:(
Should have done what I'm doing, better flex (i know you don't care lol), and cheaper. Set of v8 front springs, and 2'' spacers.

[fmstruck]

It will flex to the bumpstops, what more do you want.

[JesterMX6]

infinite flex!!!!!

[toom1h]

Whats a bumpstop?

I think mine are in the neighbors trash can

[JesterMX6]

here's how mine ended up jake.

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7306/dsc00075mediumdd5.jpg

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/5584/dsc00076mediumob8.jpg

yes i'm aware at how shitty the pictures are.

[fmstruck]

Looks good. That wasn't fun, was it? Those are still the stock tires, right?

[BOORAH]

George, your ZJ has CANCER!!!
:lost:

[JesterMX6]

haha. its a cow. duh!

the front was a *****. rear was rather effortless (thnx lepa)

[Lepa]

haha. its a cow. duh!

the front was a *****. rear was rather effortless (thnx lepa)

:sex:

[toom1h]

See I had a little hard time at first, but then I figured out the trick after the first one and it was simple for the rest. (I started with front left and worked myselft to back left and then around).

[JesterMX6]

oh. and yes its the stock tires.

[C.J.]

I was giving you ****. The kid traded a mint SS Camaro for a ****ing Honda or something, he obviously doesn't know what he is talking about.

Martin

ha its true

but i still think those tires belong on a minivan or something else pretty gay

[fmstruck]

Just a note for ZJ owners. They look better with the body cladding on than they do without. I tried. It looked hideous.

[JesterMX6]

i didnt think my purple one looked bad. :shrug:

[fmstruck]

No I didn't either. Maybe it's cause my bumpers are still on or just the color difference. I don't know. I wanted to like it, but I just couldn't.

[JesterMX6]

ooooooh yeah. it doesnt work with the grey bumpers. needs to be color matched, removed, or steel bumpers.

otherwise it does look funny.

[82355]

Pictures???

Martin

[fmstruck]

No, I put it all back on already.