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Cheap ZJ mods thread.

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jeep mods zj
141K views 142 replies 62 participants last post by  Mr. Puddles 
#1 ·
OK, here's an idea I liked a lot from VWVortex, a CHEAP MODS THREAD!!! (original inspiration here: http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4553036-The-Official-Cheap-Little-Mods-Thread )

Here's how this works:

Copy/paste this sample post and fill it in

=================================================
::::::: Mod Name:
::::::: Why Worth It:
::::::: Cost:
::::::: Where to buy:
::::::: Time required:
::::::: Difficulty:
::::::: DIY:
::::::: Picture(s):
=================================================

Here's an example :D

=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: Glow Gauges
::::::: Why Worth It: Looks AWESOME
::::::: Cost: $45
::::::: Where to buy: FleaBay
::::::: Time required:~1 hour
::::::: Difficulty(1-10): 1.5
::::::: DIY: http://www.nagca.com/grandtech/el-glogaugeinstall.htm
::::::: Picture(s):

Off:



On green:



On Blue:


=================================================
 
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3
#28 ·
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: tune up
::::::: Why Worth It: ur jeeps 13 - 18 years old. it needs it.
::::::: Cost: $cap, rotor, plugs, wires, oil change, injector flush, radiator flush, air filter, fuel filter.... start with that... price...... ummmm
::::::: Where to buy: any place with the word 'auto' in the title
::::::: Time required: 3-4 hours
::::::: Difficulty: Moderate
 
#29 ·
now; actual mod?



=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: 231 or 242 swap
::::::: Why Worth It: ummmmm ya. 249s suck
::::::: Cost: $150 - 300$ for good used transfer case, 20$ new fluid
::::::: Where to buy: wrecker, ebay, craigslist etc
::::::: Time required:5 hours
::::::: Difficulty: might as well pay a shop to do it difficult

this is an easy swap if you hve half a brain and time/garage.............. time/garage is key. if you have a daily driver it makes it easier if you've not done it. i did mine in 2 hours. pull old np 249. rip case apart. take input out. rip 231 apart. put input from 249 in. reinstall transfer case. then do 2wd burnout
 
#30 ·
::::::: Mod Name: 5.2L Power steering bracket.
::::::: Why Worth It: factory ones are crap, stop belt whining and belt being spat out of "track".
::::::: Cost: 0-$10, if you have some of the materials.
::::::: Where to buy: spare steel, and autozone
::::::: Time required:<1hr.
::::::: Difficulty: 4, if you have a welder and a brain.

I made my own power steering bracket for my 5.2 since I had already broke 2 of the factory ones.

link here: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/jeep-zj-5-2l-broken-power-steering-bracket-1312610/
 
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#31 ·
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: ujoint axleshafts
::::::: Why Worth It: ujoints are easier to fix on the trail, CVs generally suck
::::::: Cost: $25 at junkyard
::::::: Where to buy: junkyard
::::::: Time required: 1-2 hours
::::::: Difficulty: Moderate

good time to do new hubs as well.
 
#32 ·
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: swap CV drive shaft for ujoint driveshaft
::::::: Why Worth It: if you wheel you will break that CV shaft
::::::: Cost: not cheap. need a yoke from a D30 and a shaft that is long enough for your application. you should rebuild the DS too. probably 300$
::::::: Where to buy: jy
::::::: Time required: 3 hours
::::::: Difficulty: Moderate

do your pinion seal at thes ame time
 
#33 ·
bump, to get the thread moving again.
 
#36 ·
::::::: Mod Name:More Power
::::::: Why Worth It:Running spotlights? Winch? Invertor? You'll want this.
::::::: Cost: $35
::::::: Where to buy: Craigslist
::::::: Time required: 1-2 hours
::::::: Difficulty: easy/moderate

With this mod you're going to upgrade your I6's 90 amp alternator to an 136 amp one. You're going to find this 136 amp alternator on many Dodge Durangos, and V8 Grand Cherokees (google for exact dates). These alternators will either drop straight in, or require you to switch out the back plate and plug on the new alternator, this requires 5 minutes work, and a bit of dremel work.
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/update-hi-amp-alternator-swap-918908/
 
#38 ·
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: Rattle can rims
::::::: Why Worth It: Looks better than stock or solid color
::::::: Cost: $3 (1 can and tape)
::::::: Where to buy:Walmart
::::::: Time required: 30 minutes
::::::: Difficulty:1 out of 10
::::::: DIY: Tape on a design you like, than paint over it, simple!
::::::: Picture(s):
=================================================
 

Attachments

#39 ·
Football47 said:
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: Rattle can rims
::::::: Why Worth It: Looks better than stock or solid color
::::::: Cost: $3 (1 can and tape)
::::::: Where to buy:Walmart
::::::: Time required: 30 minutes
::::::: Difficulty:1 out of 10
::::::: DIY: Tape on a design you like, than paint over it, simple!
::::::: Picture(s):
=================================================
That looks badass lol

Sent from my iPhone using JeepForum and has probably been edited.
 
#49 ·
jeepinbassist said:
Yeah I got the 194s in red and they are too dim in the shifter, so I might see if I can do something to make is shine through a little better. And I haven't had time to put them in the dash yet.
I won't be too disappointed if they don't work because I got 9 LEDs for 8 bucks and about 2 dollars for shipping.
Which 194s? The regular domes? Get some inverted wedge 194's for the shifter, they throw light sideways so you get more light around the bulb, not just on top of it.

Car Vehicle Gear shift Motor vehicle Steering part
 
#50 ·
::::::: Mod Name:VIC removal and repacement
::::::: Why Worth It: get rid of annoying beeping/incorrect error messages
::::::: Cost: <$10
::::::: Where to buy: junkyard
::::::: Time required:~15 minutes
::::::: Difficulty: 2/10
::::::: DIY: Go to JY and find 2wd ZJ. In the place of a VIC, there is a cubby box. to remove it, you need a phillips screwdriver. there are 2 screws upbove the radio, 2 screws above the cubby/VIC hole, and 2 behind the ashtray (for 93-95 ZJ, im not sure if newer ones are different). pull the dash panel out. 3 screws hold the cubby box in, 2 on top and 1 on the bottom left. pull the cubby box out and buy it. remove your VIC following the instructions above, and install the cubby box in its place. reassemble.
::::::: Picture(s):



 
#54 ·
Can't believe no one posted this one yet! Just finished it today.

=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: TJ Gas Bezel Mod
::::::: Why Worth It: Looks clean, gas door won't get ripped off wheeling
::::::: Cost: ~$15
::::::: Where to buy: JY, Quadratec, 4WD, wherever would sell a TJ gas bezel
::::::: Time required: 1-3hrs
::::::: Difficulty: Out of 10: 2-3 (the bolts for the door can be a PITA to get to)
::::::: DIY: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/tj-gas-filler-bezel-zj-1129094/
::::::: Picture(s):

=================================================
 
#61 ·
I agree that it looks good.
Ripping off your gas door while wheelin? What the hell are you doing that rips doors off? and if you are, this mod will now ensure your fender will get ripped off.

Then account for mud, thats not something I want to deal with when fueling.
 
#55 ·
I'm cheap,lol. I just always look for decent deals without suffering quality too much. I have specific things I'm looking for and if I run across a deal I get it. I know alot of people equate EBay with junk and a great deal of it is. Buuuut, if you look at it as much as I do {especially mopar stuff } the odds fall in your favor. Joe Jeep has a part in his garage he never installed, dealers close, or they just want to liquidate stuff. All are EBay fodder.
 
#58 ·
Football47 said:
Pictures? and a bump :cheers2:
Let's see I just might have some pics on my iPad....

There they are...the white tube thing is inside the air box outlet going toward the engine. It's in there tight, I think there were some tabs I broke, and the plastic is brittle so it's easy to break. Have fun!
 
#59 ·
=================================================
::::::: Mod Name: Custom Mounted Fogs
::::::: Why Worth It: Looks good, adds light
::::::: Cost:$10-$100+ depending on brand
::::::: Where to buy: Anywhere with car stuff
::::::: Time required:1-3 hours
::::::: Difficulty: Easy
::::::: DIY: Dremel tool, razor blade
::::::: Picture(s):
 

Attachments

#68 ·
::::::: Mod Name: Home Depot snorkel
::::::: Why Worth It: brings your air filter over the roof for deep water fording, draws in cooler air for better power
::::::: Cost:~65.00
::::::: Where to buy: home depot/lowes
::::::: Time required:2-4 hours
::::::: Difficulty: 7 out of 10
::::::: DIY: sawzall, hole saw, drill, ABS pipe, hose clamps, home heating oil tank vent cap, abs cement, 5/8s heater hose
::::::: Picture(s):









 
#70 ·
::::::: Mod Name: Home Depot snorkel
::::::: Why Worth It: brings your air filter over the roof for deep water fording, draws in cooler air for better power
::::::: Cost:~65.00
::::::: Where to buy: home depot/lowes
::::::: Time required:2-4 hours
::::::: Difficulty: 7 out of 10
::::::: DIY: sawzall, hole saw, drill, ABS pipe, hose clamps, home heating oil tank vent cap, abs cement, 5/8s heater hose
::::::: Picture(s):
Question: Are you not running a air filter?!?!
 
#69 ·
:::::: Mod Name: my "MOVE" im mean front end
::::::: Why Worth It: looks cool, lets people know your driving a bad *** jeep
::::::: Cost: 5.00
::::::: Where to buy: home depot/lowes
::::::: Time required:~1 hour
::::::: Difficulty: 1.5-2 out of 10
::::::: DIY:any color paint and a roll of tape

 
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