RIP, '97 4.0, no joke blew the motor on the first wheelin trip after I put the lift on back in May '11
rode my bike to work for a year, was saving for repairs and then found this one.
'93 5.2 156k and the guy had over a grand in receipts for work done in the last year, and was still having issues with it and just wanted it gone, so I took it off his hands for a grand.
less miles then I had on my 4.0 and the 5.2 starts first crank every time, plus the receipts for stuff I would have needed to do anyway, not including an engine swap.
'93 5.2 156k and the guy had over a grand in receipts for work done in the last year, and was still having issues with it and just wanted it gone, so I took it off his hands for a grand.
move the lift over and add the lower control arms
replace the cv joints with u joints
flex tests to look at the brake lines
take more pics
go wheelin
stuff done
242 swap
lift stuff
RE 3.5'' coils
RE mono tube shocks
JKS quicker discos
JKS front and rear trac bars
Rancho HD SS
need to get
front recovery, thinking custom 2'' receiver with multi mount winch
rock rails, either JCR stage 3s or something home brew
cb
selectable lockers and regearing, maybe a super 30 up front or full axle swaps, dunno yet, we'll see what happens down the road
http://www.flatland4x4.com/product3.html
front bumper mount cad plans, still looking for someone who just sells them, but at least finding this is a solid lead for getting whatever bumper plans I come up with rolling.
been a spell since I've had a chance to work on either jeep, hoping to get over and trade a little work for the guy who owns the shop/yard both rigs are at. trying to match our schedules to get anything done has been tough, but hopefully I'll have some positive progress to post soon.
been awhile. got my dana 30 spicer rebuild kit for the front end from kolak. still need to install it, but once thats all in the new ZJ should be streetworthy. hopefully drive it for a week or so, give that and the transfer case swap a good shake down, then move the 3.5'' lift over off the silver one and have everything operational again.
If a picture's worth a thousand words, then this will save a lot of time if you've ever heard me tell Jeep stories. top to bottom; '89 Cherokee/2'' lift/30'' tires/sold with 270k miles, '97 Grand Cherokee/stock/same 30'' tires, 3rd pic/3.5''lift/31'' tires/RIP/blown motor/parting out, 4th pic/'93 Grand Cherokee/stock, bottom pic/transfer case swap/rebuilt front end/same wheels and tires/awaiting 3.5'' lift and other goodies. Thank you to everyone who's helped me a long the way. There's been a lot of ups and downs, good and bad times, hold my beer and watch this, and ah s*** were f*****(usually those two followed one other) but I wouldn't trade the memories for anything, and I cant wait to finish this green Jeep and get out there and make some more. If you're still reading this, like my photography site, and fill out a Bowl Mania entry. Happy Holidays everyone :tea::cheers2::highfive::thumbsup:
A lot has happened over the years, hasn't it? It's good to see you still have a Jeep and are keeping the spirit alive. How's the '93 ZJ doing? Is there anything you miss about the '97 in comparison?
Hey SnowLeopard, speaking of the devil haha its big cat week on national geographic. Anyway, the spirit is still alive, I just got the front end, ring and pinion, rebuilt and it hasn't been driven much since the transfercase swap so all my daily driving right now is a shake down for those two. Still trying to figure out where and when the lifts getting moved over. Going to paint the cladding and bumper covers and trim the front, hopefully in the spring Ill make a front bumper with a hitch, I really like that tube design. So far nothing to report about one way or the other '97 vs '93 wise. The 5.2 seems to move the 31''s easier, but once the lifts on I want to get 32''s or 33''s. Rockrails, skidplates, winch once the bumpers done, lockers, and lights are the expensive short list for right now. Waiting to hear on a new job with an aerospace company making twice what I do at Starbucks so that'll be huge. Probably starting in January. Here's a cell phone pic I took today after giving the Jeep a bath. Hows the 4runner and everything in Texas?
The devil, eh? I didn't realize Nat Geo was doing that. I'll have to check it out. :thumbsup:
I can imagine the 5.2 would move it easier, and it seems to be equally reliable, from what I've seen from owners on JF. So having the extra pep has to be worth it. You've got fabbing skills to make that bumper? Will you regear if you go to 33's? It doesn't have the stock skids? Wish I still had my Jeep. I'd sell 'em to you. I still have the front skid(fairly worthless though) and KOR steering brace. A JF member showed interest but never followed through. I didn't get much off the Jeep as insurance was refusing to let me pull stuff. I figured they'd never notice something like a steering brace or skid plate. I should've pulled the other skids at least, but I was a bit shaken at the moment, and it had just snowed right after the accident. So that didn't help. I tossed a tarp down under the Jeep in the lock wrecking yard where it was towed to and pulled what I did from beneath. lol I also swapped the stock airbox back in, but I don't think the aftermarket intake would fit the 5.2.
Your Jeep is looking nice. I like the green. Hunter is a good color on a Jeep. Or should I say colour? You're close enough to Canada that you might be particular like that. So far the 4Runner is doing fine, but I miss my Jeep, there's no denying it. I just didn't have the time to be messing with another one these days. I can drive the 4runner with minimal upkeep. That's what I need right now. I wish I had time for a hobby vehicle, but that's not in the cards. Someday it will be though.
I have fabbing ideas, but haven't welded anything big, and not since high school shop, but I found a local off road club with a few guys that have welders, tube benders, etc and have been kicking ideas around with them. While I'd love an ARB or KOR bumper and JCR stage 3 rock rails, getting custom rails and a bumper done for half the price of just one of those is worth it.
I've been just keeping my eye out on local craigslist for skids, its not worth shipping. Once its not a rainy or overcast day, I want to paint my cladding and bumpers and Ill get better pics up. I am really liking the green/black look. I got the header panels swapped for the sole purpose of keeping the 5.9 grille, and I'm glad I did, Ill post a pic tomorrow.
dunno if anyone saw the thread linked above in my last post, but I haven't had the best replies over there. pertaining to front bumper mounting brackets, but anyway keeping with the evergreen theme I took and put together this edit tonight, and thought of a few other questions about my build...
I'll upload a few more tomorrow of the grille, and hood painting idea I have. I love the forrest green of the whole body, but my hood has seen better days. I already painted the 5.9 grille black and was thinking of putting a little black down on the hood (10 year anniversary Rubicon style, just in the partially raised middle section)
That and after noticing a few loose door panels, I removed all 4 of those to discover no door speakers and that they were only being held on by one screw each. My question there is, will the panels and factory speakers from my '97 plug/play/fit into the '93?
Lastly for now, after doing the 249 to 242 swap, my speedo isn't working? I switched the plug ins behind the VIC (black to red or red to black can't remember) like it said in the sticky write up thread on transfer case swaps. Im not sure if that or the different style odometers plays a factor or not, digital in the '97, roll style in the '93?
i have a 94 4.0 twin to yours.its my frist jeep working the bugs out of it trying to make a dd / weekend toy out of it. but i like the tube bumpers on them to.
dunno if anyone saw the thread linked above in my last post, but I haven't had the best replies over there. pertaining to front bumper mounting brackets, but anyway keeping with the evergreen theme I took and put together this edit tonight, and thought of a few other questions about my build...
I'll upload a few more tomorrow of the grille, and hood painting idea I have. I love the forrest green of the whole body, but my hood has seen better days. I already painted the 5.9 grille black and was thinking of putting a little black down on the hood (10 year anniversary Rubicon style, just in the partially raised middle section)
That and after noticing a few loose door panels, I removed all 4 of those to discover no door speakers and that they were only being held on by one screw each. My question there is, will the panels and factory speakers from my '97 plug/play/fit into the '93?
Lastly for now, after doing the 249 to 242 swap, my speedo isn't working? I switched the plug ins behind the VIC (black to red or red to black can't remember) like it said in the sticky write up thread on transfer case swaps. Im not sure if that or the different style odometers plays a factor or not, digital in the '97, roll style in the '93?
Thanks man, can you explain more about the harnesses and what type of modification that takes. I wont have the jeeps side by side to work on swapping stuff til the weekend. I'm sure once I get started it will become clear, but you're talking about the wiring harnesses for the windows and locks right? (dumb question, what other harnesses are there) sometimes I still feel like a newb. but is it that the plug ins are different and it'll need cutting wires and re-splicing, if thats doable or what's necessary. I'm learning as I go, and this second ZJ has turned into a way bigger project then I anticipated
Build progress...got everything aftermarket off my silver ZJ from my buddies yard yesterday, and started installing stuff today.
3.5''RE coils, RE adj lower control arms in, still to go for the front: JKS adj trackbar, quicker discos, and Rancho HD SS
also got the rear coils and rear trackbar conversion done, still need to install RE monotube shocks and sway bar end links.
Its essentially the RE 3.5'' superflex kit, with some JKS upgrades.
should have everything on and more pictures in the next few days.
other then painting the cladding and rear bumper, everything suspension and exterior wise is set up for right now. still have a lot of interior work to do. some pics from today.
See how your control arms sit crooked in the pic of your jeep straight on? Is that normal and does that effect the ride or anything because my RE rear lowers do that too. Or is it just because of the flex joint?
They were straight when I put them on, then after a day of driving got like that. I don't notice any difference in the ride. Do you? I think they're supposed to do that.
You'll need to straighten out that control arm. It just got loose from driving around. Speaking of those getting loose, go back and do a second tightening n all the arms and the track bar bolts. Nice looking ZJ!
Thanks guys. :thumbsup:
I just checked the Rubicon Express page and didn't find torque specs for the control arms in the installation instructions, I'm going to tighten and shake down everything in the next few days anyway. Maybe I'll call Kolak or RE and ask them.
My short list of plans right now are; lockers, not sure yet between selectable, automatic or limited slip, still need to research more since this the next biggest investment. Then rock rails, custom front bumper, winch, lights, skids.
most of our mountain trails open back up in June, those that followed my last build know I wheeled that silver ZJ hard, it doesn't have a straight rocker panel, door, or quarter panel left on it. I'd like to have that protection stuff on, and wheel more responsibly with this one. but chicks dig body damage, and hopefully I'll have a dd car soon so who knows what will happen and how hard I'll wheel this Jeep.
You'll need to straighten out that control arm. It just got loose from driving around. Speaking of those getting loose, go back and do a second tightening n all the arms and the track bar bolts. Nice looking ZJ!
my buddies yellow and black TJs where we do most of the work on our rigs.
poser shot
also learned today that after doing the header panel swap to accommodate the 5.9 grill, the '93 bumper cover wont go back on, just zip tied my front license plate on for now, hopefully the fuzz wont hassle me over not having a front bumper.
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