[SnowLeopard]

As much as I love the idea of a newer Jeep, I cannot justify spending more money on something when I'm not raking it in. If you're young and poor, don't want more. LOL Just take it slow and do what you can with the Jeep you have, taking your time to do nice little mods to keep yourself content. Spending $8-10K on something that's still old and going to have inevitable problems is going to be a big hole in your wallet as you go on in life. Debt is a monstrosity that I believe evil masterminded. It sounds good being able to buy things when you haven't got the money, but I've come to the conclusion that spending money you don't have when you're not making much more than enough to survive on is going to hurt you in the long-run. Look at Haley. Awesome WJ, and then she sold it. So she upgraded, couldn't afford it, and had to downgrade to an XJ. Sure, she's making the most of it, and it's pretty cool, but she had a V8 ZJ. She's lucky she came out of it debt-free as it is. You usually end up owing after a ring around the rosie of car ownership.

I'm just trying to offer some advice from my own experience. Best of luck. And I like the Hyundai cars all right. I think the east is making better and better stuff while ours has gone down in quality over the years. GM, Ford, and Chrysler are working on restoring our faith, but as much as we love our Jeeps, we all know they're lacking in quality control. Modern Jeeps are even worse, but awesome still.

[PaLftr]

True wisdom SnowLeap...I would run your ZJ for a while, it's a good vehicle.

You're making minimum wage and who knows how long your job will last [lots of layoffs over here]...Would you really want to be stuck paying off an $8000 WJ then?

And WJs are the next ZJ...And ZJ's are going for $1000 everywhere...It's only so long until the same is true for the dubs.


Just my 2 cents and food for thought....Not bashing.

[Planetcat]

Originally Posted by zjzach

by the way planetcat do you have any pictures of your rig around here, i tried to look thru some of your posts but didn't come across any. im curious how your receiver for your multi-mount winch on the front looks.

The blend door problem is I believe where in Limiteds and Overlands, the dual zone heater/AC breaks and basically no heater until fixed. I have a laredo, so luckily I haven't experienced it, but seems like it's almost certain it will happen.

Here's a pic of the front Warn receiver hitch. I have to admit, it went on easy and looks great (IMO). Haven't used it yet though, but it is stout! If I could have a vehicle made entirely by Warn and ARB, it would be awesome.

[zjzach]

Originally Posted by MoonyJohn

Id rather put a good lift kit and other stuff into a rig that has some worth to it. WJ's are so nice, but they are women jeeps when they are stock, especialy when sittin' on 17" chrome.

Im really in a similar boat to John, we both have perfectly capable ZJs, there's just a lot of benefits to upgrading to the WJ and spending jeep money on something your going to be happier with because its overall nicer.

Originally Posted by squashman702

That's a ****load of money for something with 140k on it.

Originally Posted by Madmike4790

I agree. My jeep looks exactly the same as that one minus the running boards and with GPS. I got it in 2008 in southern new hampshire for $6500. And it had 91,xxx miles. Granted I got it when gas prices were at their highest but my would be to keep looking.

Originally Posted by PaLftr

WJs are rearing their heads everywhere for $3-5k
Wouldn't spend $8k on one.

Well I need to just buy a plane ticket out to the east coast and drive one back, because out here in the northwest, WA, OR, ID and even CA, so the whole west coast in general grand cherokees hold their value a lot more, overall any vehicle is more expensive out here.

Originally Posted by PaLftr

True wisdom SnowLeap...I would run your ZJ for a while, it's a good vehicle.

You're making minimum wage and who knows how long your job will last [lots of layoffs over here]...Would you really want to be stuck paying off an $8000 WJ then?

And WJs are the next ZJ...And ZJ's are going for $1000 everywhere...It's only so long until the same is true for the dubs.

Just my 2 cents and food for thought....Not bashing.

I hear ya man, didn't take it as bashing, snowleopard is always right, he's like the voice of my good conscience, saying not to burden myself with more debt, wait till im a little more steady with work, etc.

Also I only make minimum wage if i dont sell cars, and the dealership i work at doesn't keep minimum wage/not producing sales guys around too long. I've only been in the business 2 months tho, and so far ive got a good foot in the door, just cant expect to kick *** and make 10k/mo right out of the gate but the potentials there eventually.

WJs are coming down in price, slower out here, but they are, I'll find my diamond in the ruff eventually as John did.

[zjzach]

Planetcat-that hitch looks good, got any shots with the winch on there? im sure it would take a little work but to get that hitch up 4-6 inches and in the middle of the bumper would be real nice. that way if your ever stuck deep in something nasty and the winch isnt already on the front you dont have to dig down to get it on. just to have a higher recovery point in general. and when the winch is on you keep a better approach angle. just my quick 2cents but maybe for you its perfect. once i get a WJ ill for sure look more into it.

[Planetcat]

Originally Posted by zjzach

Planetcat-that hitch looks good, got any shots with the winch on there? im sure it would take a little work but to get that hitch up 4-6 inches and in the middle of the bumper would be real nice. that way if your ever stuck deep in something nasty and the winch isnt already on the front you dont have to dig down to get it on. just to have a higher recovery point in general. and when the winch is on you keep a better approach angle. just my quick 2cents but maybe for you its perfect. once i get a WJ ill for sure look more into it.

Zach, I hear you on the approach angle. I struggled with the hitch vs winch bumper concept for weeks. I really want an iceland off road winch bumper, but didn't want to spend the extra coin, plus I hear they are royally screwed up on delivering. And to be honest, I am getting sick of working on the jeep and didn't have it in me for a proper winch/bumper install. I'm sure I'll break down eventually, but the current setup will be better than nothing, especially since I can now winch off the back if I have to. I would like the winch to be more than 2 ft. off the ground though and it takes up a lot of cargo room. I'll put it on the front and rear hitches this weekend and post some pics for you, so you can see how it rides.

[zjzach]

Ok no more back and forth ZJ-WJ bs

Keeping the ZJ, taking that money that would have been used for a WJ down payment plus payments etc and just gonna get my ZJ to where I want it.

Just did another amsoil change, and remember how much I love working on my jeep. Mocked up the bumpers my buddy used to have on his bronco, obviously need some loving and fabricating but its a cool feeling knowing that I have them and Ill we gotta do is figure out the frame mounts(made a new thread for those replies) I got lots of options for tires aka Discount Tire employee friends, now I just gotta figure out what lift route I want to take.

Since my 30x9.5 BFG ATs are getting pretty warn, Im leaning towards 31's or 32's and a bb. However, we've all seen it play out that that leads to the f<r 3'' lift, and that leads to 4.5-5.5'' long arms. Money is pretty tight, and new tires are definately the next thing on the list.

[zjzach]

I already know the direction the first reply is going...IRO group buy lol

[MoonyJohn]

Let me do the honors haha

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f43/i...up-buy-994258/

You should order the 5.5" kit

[PaLftr]

If money is tight then I would get the tires you want [31s or 32s] and buy a BB from the classifieds, trim up your front fenders and you'll be good to go until you decide you have the money for the lift you want.

Better yet, you could get the BB on there and start piecing together lift components every paycheck.

[SnowLeopard]

Hankooks FTW. As for the ZJ, it will be tough and get you where you want for a lot less, and for the money you save you can build it into a beast. The only drawbacks of mine are the 4.0, D35, and legroom. The latter is my worst complaint. I still love it though. I've put so much time and money into that Jeep. I know you love yours. Give it more love. You know you want to.

I think a 3.5" lift and 31's would be a great and affordable upgrade. 5.5 is going to take a lot, I'd think. But that's just me. I know everyone wants to go bigger and bigger, but at some point practicality for a DD vs off-road capability must be considered. With 5.5" of lift couldn't you fit 33's without too much trouble? Time to regear. LOL

[PaLftr]

Yeah...To me at least, when your lift kit costs more than the entire ZJ that's a little dumb.

The way you wheeled it stock zach, with 31s or 2s and 3.5" lift, it will probably take you wherever you want.

[zjzach]

this photobucket upload is taking longer then normal, anyway i went out and snapped a few pics of the bumpers my buddy used to have on his bronco that im currently debating weather or not i want to reuse on my ZJ.

weve basically figured out our plan for getting the rear bumper pieced together, just still trying to figure out the best route to go for the front. and yes this means the WJ itch is gone and im def keeping my ZJ and the real mod plans are getting set into motion.

as im writing this photobucket is taking 2 days with the upload so ill get some pics up when i can.

so just rambling now but i really just want to get a 3.5'' lift under it, probably IRO or a kolak hybrid, and then im constantly debating on what tire height.
obvious price increases at each stage
31's shut up and be done
32's maybe need to trim a little, possible regear?
33's trim/hack fenders and regear

lift and rock sliders are towards the top of the list, tires im sure before bumpers and pry actually before sliders, bumpers whenever/can work on those at all stages.

[zjzach]

pics as promised


heres the front bumper and grille guard the way it was on my friends bronco



and heres the best shot of the rear looking thru old photos that i could find.



shots of both bumpers waiting for a new home




and a few with the jeep for perspective




input, feedback, suggestions, complaints. actually if i use that front ill incorporate a 2'' hitch as well. thanks

[xgerstandtx]

Hmmmm.... not diggin the straight bumpers. They are gonna be pretty tough to make work. If you haven't already gotten them keep looking around. The rear bumper needs to have some side protection/cover cause it will look mighty goofy with just the straight rear.

Not bustin your balls just being honest.