Doogie's Build Thread - Page 3

Mike97ZJ · 11-22-2009, 07:48 PM

True. I agree with you, I don't think the red/black would look too hot.

It makes me glad that my ZJ is black, so there wouldn't be a contrast if I ever chose to go that route.

97DCZJ · 11-22-2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doogie

You like them? How they ride? I had the SJ Hydros on my TJ with a BB which it rode stiffer than stock but I couldn’t ever really decide how much of that was due to the shocks and how much of it was due to the lift.

I don't really notice a major difference. They aren't that stiff, they def broke in since I first installed them. They ride pretty well. I've never gotten body wobble, or death wobble which those def helped play a part in i'm sure.

**doogie** · 11-29-2009, 01:02 PM

Got a little work done this weekend but also had a setback. First the work....When I bought this thing the guy told me he got his lawn tractor stuck and used the ZJ to pull it out. In true genious form he had hooked it to the rear bumper and completely ripped the thing off. He said "it just never fit right after that". So I had enough of the floppy rear bumper and took it off for further instpection. Turns out not only did he rip the plastic bumper off he ripped the actual metal bumper clean off it's mounts. So on the right side it tore the bolt through the mount. And on the left it tore the bolt through the bumper. He had welded a peice of 2" banding material to the unibody to get it to sit straight and it was only bolted in using 2 bolts. So I used a BFH and beat it back mostly into position and welded in some patches so I could bolt it back up using the factory mounts. Sorry for the cell pics, I forgot the regular camera at home (I usually work on stuff at my parents since I don't have a garage at my house). While I had it off I also shot it with some Krylon Fusion. I live in a small town and anything besides a Lowes and Advance Auto are 30 mintues away so between the 2 I could only find gloss black. I'm not sure I'm digging it to be honest, it's just to glossy. Oh and the setback....my radiator puked enough fluid out to spray on my passenger side axle u-joints throwing coolant all over the passenger side under carriage and wheel. Its weird though because when I remove the cap the level is still at the top. I'm going to have to remove some stuff to get a good look at it but it might be time for a new radiator.

Passenger side bracket torn hole

Drivers side bumper ripped off hole

The fix, didn't take any pics after I welded it

The bumper getting shot with the Fusion

The finished product

JFox21 · 11-29-2009, 01:24 PM

Nice work! The ZJ is looking really good. I would paint the front bumper and rockers to match the rear bumper.

**doogie** · 11-29-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdwarriors

Nice work! The ZJ is looking really good. I would paint the front bumper and rockers to match the rear bumper.

Thanks. It's on this weeks to do list, honeslty though I think the rockers are comming off. Sliders will be making their way on there before to much longer and I think they will look better with that last little bit of cladding gone.

JFox21 · 11-29-2009, 01:32 PM

Sounds good to me.

**Katesdad** · 11-29-2009, 05:57 PM

Looks like you have been very busy with the fixes and mods.

**doogie** · 11-29-2009, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katesdad

Looks like you have been very busy with the fixes and mods.

It's my wallet that's been getting the real workout. I know it's nothing compared to what some guys spend but I'm only a couple hundred shy of spending as much in upgrades and repairs as I spent in the original purchase price.

And I'm nowhere near done, it's going under the knife this week for manifold install, rear main seal fix, talishaft seal fix and a radiator leak diagnostic. Sometime very very soon it's going to have to have an exhaust system, it has issues from the header to the tailpipe. Also need a new battery, mid winter will need new tires then early spring I'll have to get the A/C fixed. All part of owning a Jeep.

97DCZJ · 11-29-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wdwarriors

Nice work! The ZJ is looking really good. I would paint the front bumper and rockers to match the rear bumper.

x2

n i must say...it's another mooneyjohn...

**doogie** · 11-30-2009, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96DCZJ

x2
n i must say...it's another mooneyjohn...

Don't worry it's on the to do list. I just didn't have time to get to it Saturday and was busy Sunday. And I'm not offended I actually was going to do the same IRO setup as you and Mooney but I didn't like the idea of 3.55's and 32's so I'll stick with my BB for a year or so until I swap axles and regear.

97DCZJ · 11-30-2009, 08:47 AM

mooney has 3.55's im pretty sure. unless he got the towing package for an I6?
we have 2 diff motors and if he didn't get the towing package, I'm running 3.73's n he has 3.55's

AEagle326 · 11-30-2009, 09:22 AM

IIRC he swapped in a D44a and a D30 with 3.73 from a 5.2 ZJ

**doogie** · 11-30-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96DCZJ

mooney has 3.55's im pretty sure. unless he got the towing package for an I6?
we have 2 diff motors and if he didn't get the towing package, I'm running 3.73's n he has 3.55's

I ran 31's on my old 2-door with 3.07's and hated it. When I took it to Colorado at the altitudes I was 2nd gear getting to the top of some of those mountains, on the interstate. I was carrying 700 or 800lbs of gear but.....I swore to myself right then I would never go to big tires without gearing. I ran 32's on my TJ with 3.73's and it was decent. I'm not knocking anyone at all for doing it, I'd probably do it if I didn't tow. But the 2,500lb boat I tow in the summer, on top of the fact that I live in the mountains and the large tires I want just aren't worth me killing my tranny and patience. I'll do that same swap D30/D44a sometime in the future.

**MoonyJohn** · 11-30-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AEagle326

IIRC he swapped in a D44a and a D30 with 3.73 from a 5.2 ZJ

Correct.

Quote:

Originally Posted by doogie

I ran 31's on my old 2-door with 3.07's and hated it. When I took it to Colorado at the altitudes I was 2nd gear getting to the top of some of those mountains, on the interstate. I was carrying 700 or 800lbs of gear but.....I swore to myself right then I would never go to big tires without gearing. I ran 32's on my TJ with 3.73's and it was decent. I'm not knocking anyone at all for doing it, I'd probably do it if I didn't tow. But the 2,500lb boat I tow in the summer, on top of the fact that I live in the mountains and the large tires I want just aren't worth me killing my tranny and patience. I'll do that same swap D30/D44a sometime in the future.

The swap was super easy. A lot better than it was with 3.55's.. I can haul a full car of people and some gear going up hills and be fine. I used to be a fat dog going up the hill, just by myself!

**doogie** · 11-30-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoonyJohn

Correct.

The swap was super easy. A lot better than it was with 3.55's.. I can haul a full car of people and some gear going up hills and be fine. I used to be a fat dog going up the hill, just by myself!

That's definately the route I'll eventually go. What did the 2 used axles cost you?