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What did you do to your ZJ today?

4M views 55K replies 2K participants last post by  98ZJ 
#1 ·
This thread is to serve as an inspiration to others modifying their ZJ's. Pretty simple, just post what you did to your ZJ today!


Today I shamefully took my Jeep to get the oil changed because it was to hot to change it myself.
 
#5,521 ·
Hi. first post i see all of the mods and add ons everyone gets i have a more basic question. This is my first jeep zj 96 4.0 I6 it has 251,000 miles on it for that i dont want to mess with jackin it up or some big swampers had that on my ram.

Where is the best place to start returning a vehicle to the day it drove off the lot?
Just looking to get the most life out of her.......thanks guys
 
#5,523 ·
phbrown said:
replace a hub bearing, and the front driver side axle shaft. Was scared at one point because the axle nut came off really easy. Like really easy glad I fixed that.
Good you got it fixed, but a loose cv nut poses no danger.

Sent from my iPhone using JeepForum
 
#5,525 ·
Hi. first post i see all of the mods and add ons everyone gets i have a more basic question. This is my first jeep zj 96 4.0 I6 it has 251,000 miles on it for that i dont want to mess with jackin it up or some big swampers had that on my ram.

Where is the best place to start returning a vehicle to the day it drove off the lot?
Just looking to get the most life out of her.......thanks guys
It all depends on what you want it for. Offroad or DD. if DD, start fixing all the little things like locks, windows, clean it, paint job, engine overhaul, etc, etc....TOO MUCH$$$$

If Offroad, why fix it. if it runs, keep it running.
 
#5,529 ·
dont get all antsy in your pantsies
if you want to DD it to save money then just make your money count in the way it runs

just keep in mind how long it will take you to recoop any money you spend on efficiency
 
#5,531 ·
havent really gotten under it yet drove it home 31 miles than for another 20 approx. no visible leaks just new to jeeps seein if there was a pecking order people follow
start with the norm, change oil, check all fluids for wear or burnt smell (including differentials), check plugs, battery terminals,....etc. then evaluate by importance
 
#5,532 ·
Hi. first post i see all of the mods and add ons everyone gets i have a more basic question. This is my first jeep zj 96 4.0 I6 it has 251,000 miles on it for that i dont want to mess with jackin it up or some big swampers had that on my ram.

Where is the best place to start returning a vehicle to the day it drove off the lot?
Just looking to get the most life out of her.......thanks guys
If you plan on keeping her for the long haul, then here's my list of things that I would strongly recommend. Take care of it and it will take care of you.

-Spark plugs, plug wires, distributor rotor and cap. Use OE replacements and nothing else. NAPA makes good components. Champion copper plugs only!
-Engine Oil+filter change - Conventional 10w30 valvoline and a purolator one (not the generic purolator) filter.
-diff fluid change - standard OE replacement oil
-Trans fluid + filter change. (do NOT flush. changing the fluid is enough) - ATF +4 and a nice filter. It will take a bit of extra fluid to clear the old fluid out of the torque converter.
-Power steering fluid change. Same deal as the trans, run all of the old fluid out of it and fill with the new.
-Brake fluid is often overlooked. Replace with new DOT 3 and bleed thoroughly.
-Oxygen sensors and maybe even the catalytic converter.

Check the brakes, all suspension bushings, and tie rod ends in the steering. The steering gear is probably out of adjustment so that's a good place to start.

If it needs tires, then replace them. Michelin MTX M/S2's are expensive but are a fantastic tire. My sister's ZJ has done 90k miles on them and they still have plenty of life left. Best road tire in my opinion, hands down.

If it needs other major work, have somebody you know well and trust to do it. People get screwed with shop work far too often. If you can do the work yourself, research well and do it. Sooner or later, you'll be able to do everything on your own.
 
#5,533 ·
more tire carrier junk
heating the sleeve to get the bearing races in

more swingout, but i need a fill piece

this will do

part of the latch, had to space it upwards with this peice of tube(i think i'm getting better with my welds...)

gonna use the 2x2 notched and slid over the 2x3 for the center support. then the side supports will be more 2x3

btw no the swingout arm isnt crazy off angle, just the angle that its swung out during the picture.
might finish it up today, just have to go pick up more gun tips as i lost one and the other two have wire stuck in them.
 
#5,535 ·
If it needs other major work, have somebody you know well and trust to do it. People get screwed with shop work far too often. If you can do the work yourself, research well and do it. Sooner or later, you'll be able to do everything on your own.
AGREED 100%. Most of the time, any business that has the name Jeep, Brakes, or specialist in their name is going to rip you a new one every time you go back. Once you start taking the ZJ apart, you'll find it's not hard to work on at all - plus you can justify buying the tools you'll need with the labor savings you'll incur.
 
#5,537 ·
after digging a hole next to a pile of dirt, i decided to put my ZJ in it. The "wheeling" situation in south texas is GRIMM......no hills, no nothing.....

here are some preety pathetic pics.







here the tire was about 4 inches off the ground...
 
#5,538 ·
Hi. first post i see all of the mods and add ons everyone gets i have a more basic question. This is my first jeep zj 96 4.0 I6 it has 251,000 miles on it for that i dont want to mess with jackin it up or some big swampers had that on my ram.

Where is the best place to start returning a vehicle to the day it drove off the lot?
Just looking to get the most life out of her.......thanks guys
Well the very first thing I woud do is plugs & wires cap and rotor, then oil and filter change and air filter, then a new battery and wipers, if it's been sitting for any time at all change ALL the hoses upper, lower radiator hoses, both heater hoses, breather hose check serpentine belt for cracks, check power steering hoses, change thermostat, flush cooking system, check brake pads and brake fluid, make sure all idiot lights in dash work and make sure all exterior lights work. have an alignment donesince winter is coming up fast make sure tires are in good shape no cracks plenty of tread and proper air. replace wipers.
now on my jeep it had been sitting for about a year or more, so I did all that and a bit more, I had to replace the radiator, headliner, half the fuses the mirrors, upper console,rims and tiresradio (was missing) major cleanup inside and out, all tires, jack and tools, all the front light shells and bulbs,fix headlight header panel, headlight adjusters, battery hold down, front and rear brakes, steering gear box,power steering resivore and hoses,, added a class III hitch. fixed lift gate latch. replaced door key and fob, repalced liftgate door panel, replaced front windshield trim. here are pics before and after pics
 

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#5,540 ·
I changed those old bumpers for the hatch with some new Dorman bumpers. It doesn't rattle anymore. :) I've been meaning to order them from Rock Auto every time I order something from them but I somehow always managed to forget. Well, a few days ago I ordered some new brake pads and remembered! It's a good thing too because the old ones were literally rotting off.
 
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