Author Topic: Decisions Decisions (Read 2395 times)

Rubicon Josh · « **on:** November 07, 2007, 08:58:27 AM »

Well I picked up my new project over the weekend and am now faced with a difficult decision. What do I do? I own an '03 Rubicon that is pretty much stock. It has 2" coil spacers, sitting on 33" BFG Mud Terrains and is still a daily driver. I love this jeep and we have been through lots in the last couple of years together. I have planned on going with the AEV high line kit, a 3.5" short arm lift, 35"-37" tires, 4.88 gears and some stronger axle shafts. I think that these mods are a good compromise for offroad performance and reasonable daily driving characteristics.

Now the dilema. I picked up a '93 ZJ Grand Cherokee Lt on sunday. This Jeep cost me a grand total of $95.00 (the cost to rent a trailer to get it back to Brooks). This jeep is in pretty good shape. It has some very minor fender damage on the frond driver side, it starts, however it leaks from every fluid holding component it has. The 5.2 liter has 300,000 km on it and there could be some internal damage to the front diff. My thoughts are that because this Jeep was free, I should spend some money making this my "I don't give a crap" wheeln' buggy. I still want it to be street legal because it is too heavy for the Rubicon to be pulling around everywhere, and besides I'm not a fan of trailer princesses.

With that said, I'm looking for opinions. I'm wondering what Jeep I should work on first? What should I do to the Jeeps? And does any one have any pictures of a Grand Cherokee that was done right?

My thoughts for the Cherokee are to pull the engine, definately do a seal job and see if there is any problem areas on it. While the engine is out it would be foolish not to see about getting some more power from it. I'm thinking an exo-skeleton would look pretty cool. Dana 60 in the rear and a 44 up front should do the trick (locked of course). 5.13 or lower gears would also be a must to run the 40" tires I would like to see on it. To fit the 40's underneath I think a long arm system with coilovers would do the trick.

Well let me know what you think guys. I've got all winter to work on the jeeps and a huge warm shop to do it in now.

calltrex · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2007, 09:01:17 AM »

you should have 5.13s just to run 35s or 37s nevermind 40s

Rubicon Josh · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2007, 09:10:54 AM »

Yah I was thinkin 5.38's but the drive from Brooks to Mclean is killer. lol. Not too shure how I'll be able to afford the fuel just to come wheelin.

4PLAYZJ · « **Reply #3 on:** November 07, 2007, 09:15:31 AM »

Just a warning all parts for the ZJ's are big $$$ unless you are going to biuld a custom lift. In order to fit 40's you will be looking at 10"+ of lift and alot of fender trimming. I have 9" of lift on my 93 ZJ and my 35" tires rub at times. Dont let me discourage you, them perform awsome off road but can be expensive to build and parts are limited. No-one even makes fender flares for the ZJ so for mine I am retrofitting some XJ ones.

If you do want 40s buy a claytons lift, use front xj 8.5-9" lift coils and ACOS spacers. Then buy some front 6"lift springs and put them in the rear with some ACOS. With this combo and alot of trimming you should be able to run 40s. Also I would go with the claytons kit because it is cheap and everyone I have talked to says it is tough, plus it sets up the rear triangulated to eliminate the rear trac bar.

Check out Mallcrawlin .com It is a website dedicated to the ZJ and modifying it.

Just my opinion a ZJ with 40s would not be street legel because you would have to run full width axles, so it would be stable and the tires will stick out a mile. The ZJ WMS to WMS is only 60".

BlackYJ · « **Reply #4 on:** November 07, 2007, 10:14:58 AM »

With 40s, probably should be looking at a D60 front as well.

NS-jeeper · « **Reply #5 on:** November 07, 2007, 11:19:27 AM »

He could always fab up some ugly fender flares out of sheet metal or trailer tire covers and just have them clip on for road use.

cLAY · « **Reply #6 on:** November 07, 2007, 02:32:34 PM »

There are aftermarket fiberglass fenders, BAHA style that will allow for more room in the front.

You'll almost need to tube the rear I think. You may want to consider building a buggy from scratch if you want to run 40s. The unibody doesn't handle big tires and diffs very well.

Rubicon Josh · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2007, 04:15:29 PM »

Thanks for the input so far guys. This is all very useful information as this truck is so different than my Rubicon.

calltrex · « **Reply #8 on:** November 07, 2007, 05:43:41 PM »

Stick with the ruby...

hps4evr · « **Reply #9 on:** November 07, 2007, 07:50:57 PM »

i say stick with the ruby as well. way better off road. do the poison spider fenders then its ok to hit a tree or two. the superior chromo shaft kits for the ruby's are super nice and bolt right in easy-peasy.
do some minor maintenance on the grand and drive it to work. no better feeling then driving in calgary traffic with a vehicle you dont care about.

Bnine · « **Reply #10 on:** November 12, 2007, 04:11:28 PM »

Stick with the wrangler unless you need space.

Especially for an extreme build. Its just easier to build, maintain, and repair.