Back in the saddle of a ZJ

[stoneydude]

Just bought it today! 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 5.2L 4x4.:bike_rider:
It's is now a 2 owner DFW car. 225,000 miles fully decked out with leather, sunroof, heated seats, and a new Sony head unit with AUX input. I'm pretty excited about it:victory:.
My last one was a 1998 limited 4x4 also but about a month after buying it I lost my job and sold it in 2008. Future plans are as follows:

New tires, 245/75/16 Treadwrights. Can't decide between the Guard Dog or Crawler.

OME 2" heavy duty springs

Rancho 5000 shocks

New spring iso's

Fix upper control arm bushings

Later on I'll get some disco's and either an Aussie or Spartan locker but I won't have money left after all this but for now I'm just going to enjoy not having to walk or take the DART everywhere!:wings:

 

[stoneydude]

Here's the factory build sheet:

Sales Code Description
*CL Leather Trimmed Bucket Seats
-AZ Agate
ADLP Skid Plate Group
AFFP Luxury Group
AHX Trailer Tow Group IV
APAS Monotone Paint
ARDP Radio Cass/CD/Amp,11 Infinity Spkr
ARPP Limited Decor Group
AWM International Suspension Group
A31P 5.2L Eng(ELF)/4Spd A/T 44RE(DGW)
BAZP 136 Amp Alternator
BCES 600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BRGS Anti-Lock 4-Wheel-Disc Brakes
CACS Low Back Bucket Seats
CFNS Rear 60/40 Folding Seat
CGWS Next Generation Front Air Bags**
CKDS Floor Carpet
CKNS Cargo Compartment Carpet
CKRS Cargo Net
CKTS Cargo Tie Down Loops
CLES Front & Rear Floor Mats
CSAS Spare Tire Cover
CSCS Cargo Compartment Cover
CSRS Passenger Assist Handles
CUDP Mini Overhead Console
CUFS Full Length Floor Console
CXHP Steering Column Locking Slip Collar
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGWS 4-Spd. Automatic 4RE Transmission
DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHRP Single Speed On Demand Transfer Case
DJJS Dana 30/186MM Front Axle
DMEP 3.73 Rear Axle Ratio
DRKP Dana 44/226MM Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
ELF 5.2L V8 MPI Engine
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEGP Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GEPS Flipper Liftgate Glass
GFAS Rear Window Defroster
GNCS Sun Visors w/Illum Vanity Mirrors
GNKP Rear View Auto Dim Mirror
GR3P Left Power Fold-Away Mirror
GS3P Right Power Fold-Away Mirror
GT3P Power Mirrors, Fold-Away
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GWAP Power Sunroof
GXMS Remote Keyless Entry
HABP Air Conditioning w/Auto Temp Control
HGAS Hood Insulation
HGDS Deluxe Insulation Group
JAYS Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JHBS Rear Window Wiper/Washer
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JKAS Locking Glove Box
JPAS Power Windows
JPBS Power Locks
JPMP Heated Front Seats
KEDP STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KRSS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KSSP STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KTSS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KUSP STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KWSS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
K4HS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
LACS Illuminated Entry
LAGS Warning Chime
LAZP Vehicle Information Center
LBBS Courtesy Lamps
LBCS Glove Box Lamp
LBDS Ash Tray Lamp
LCBP Door Courtesy Lamps
LDAS Underhood Lamp
LDBS Cargo Compartment Lamp
LETP Traveler/Mini Trip Computer
LEWP Radio/Driver Seat/Mirrors Memory
LMGP Automatic Headlamps
LNJP Fog Lamps
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
LSAP Security Alarm
MDAP Front License Plate Bracket
MFTP Body Color Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MWGS Roof Rack
NAA Federal Emissions
NF5S 23 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHMS Speed Control
NMCP Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
PAW Deep Slate Pearl Coat
QAWS Dark Slate Pearl Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RAZP AM/FM Cassette Compact Disc Radio
RCGP 6 Speakers
RDDS Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCLP Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
SDUP Heavy Duty Suspension w/Gas Shocks
SUAS Tilt Steering Column
TBBP Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TRDP P225/70R16 All Season Tires
TZAS Goodyear Brand Tires
WDRP 16X7.0 Lux Alum Silver Wheels
WKBP Matching Spare Wheel
WLZC All Aluminum Wheels
XEAP Tow Hooks
XEEP Fuel Tank Skid Plate Shield
XEFP Transfer Case Skid Plate Shield
XEUP Front Suspension Skid Plate
XGDP Universal Garage Door Opener
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications

I'd assume it came with the upcountry suspension package because it says
AWM International Suspension Group and SDUP Heavy Duty Suspension w/Gas Shocks.
Let me know if I'm wrong.

 

[stoneydude]

And for you Jeep porn addicts

 

[madZJ]

Nice looking ZJ, I think you'll be happy with the OME HD springs I found that they ride better than stock. And better still with a bit of a load on them.

 

[stoneydude]

Thanks a lot. The OME's might go on the back burner and I'll settle for a BB. Treadwright is out of stock on the 245/75/16 and I desperately need new tires so I'll have to pony up some more cash for new tires like Falken Rocky Road ATS or Duratracs.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Ummm, good luck I guess. 225k is a lot of miles. I went and drove a 5.9 today and it was a friggin rocket, but decided not to buy it.

 

[adventure man]

I run the Falken Rocky Road ATS in the 245/75/16 on my zj and I love them. They are a great tire and good in all conditions especially off road. If you run this tire size with the BB you will have some rubbing, I ran this set up for 2 years.

 

[stoneydude]

Well buying a Jeep with 225k I know I will have things showing their age. Take today for example, on my way home my idler pulley grenaded on me. Fortunately I heard it go and immediately pulled into a parking lot right in front of a repair place. My dad picked me up and we went to the closest O'Riley's and got a new pulley for $31. It was late already but the mechanic let me borrow some tools and I got it changed out in a few minutes! Felt good wrenching on my own Jeep again. I'm going to load some tools in there just in case.

 

[intothewild]

Looks good for the mileage. Enjoy it.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I would pick up a set of stock 15's off the local classifieds or salvage yards and run a 30x9.50 tire under it. I did this back in 99 when mine was stock and it worked well, also saved money buying a standard size verses metric size tire.

 

[stoneydude]

I just found out that 3 out of 4 control arm bushings on the front axle end are busted. Should I still get a BB with new shocks and find some new stock arms or would going up to a 4" RCx lift make more sense since it has new arms? Is 4" too much? Does anyone know of a f>r kit that includes new lower arms and decent shocks?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I just found out that 3 out of 4 control arm bushings on the front axle end are busted. Should I still get a BB with new shocks and find some new stock arms or would going up to a 4" RCx lift make more sense since it has new arms? Is 4" too much? Does anyone know of a f>r kit that includes new lower arms and decent shocks?

I wouldn't waste your money on anything made by RC. How many times do you want to redo your lift and what's your budget? One option is to simply replace your bushings at $12-15 each. Stock arms are very easy to come by as well in the local classifieds or ebay if you can't or don't want to replace the bushings.

 

[stoneydude]

What's wrong with RC besides the shocks? I see several guys on NAGCA running that same kit. Doesn't IRO use the same springs for their F>R kit?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

RC is priced cheaply for a reason. But if it fits the budget and you don't mind rebuilding the flex joints every 5k miles or so then go for it. I could be wrong, but I thought IRO developed their own coil springs, I have used many of their parts over the last 4-5 years and have been doing the ZJ thing for over 12 years.

 

[OverlandZJ]

If you decide to stick with stock control arms you can save some money at Rockauto. Arms with the bushings installed were cheap compared to my local AZ for the same brand item.

I had a few bad bushings as well, but not quite ready to install my Longarms so i bought them.