Making a little progress on the zj

[intothewild]

Finally had some free time yesterday so I installed the 2" bb, with the isolators left in it netted about 2.5". Got four new shocks installed and I replaced a control arm bushing that was destroyed. Got some quick discos today, and still have a new steering stabilizer to install. So next time I have some free time I will get that done.

Here's how she sits right now.. Still looks fairly stock, even with the 31s. But this isn't a rock crawler, so for now I'm content with the size and can focus on strengthening the weak links next.

 

[4lowdean]

Looks so 'clean' and 'unmolested' compared to mine.

One thing you may want to look into is the heavy-duty cross member from Rusty's Off Road. It will replace that rather flimsy stock cross member. With the longer wheel-base on the ZJ you may bottom out going over small 'hills.' It also lowers the transmission about a 1/2" while giving you another 1/2" of ground clearance. That little bit of drop helps with the rear dive-line angle when you're at the 2.5"-3" lift mark.

As for other "weak links", the front steering on the ZJs is rather flimsy. On my 4.0 I swapped to the tie-rod and drag-link off a V8 ZJ and that helped a little but even that started to bend. There are a few after-market ones out there that are worth doing once and being done with it. I run the Rusty's tie-rod on mine. I wish I could/would have sprung for their entire steering set up.

I am not *trying* to pimp Rusty's Off Road, but truth-be-told they are one of the few companies out there that still make anything worth-while for the ZJ. :smiley_drive:

 

[K2ZJ]

There are times I wish I stayed with a bb and 31s. I love the look and how drivable it is. Looks good, don't have little mans syndrome over it.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I would rather drive my 96 on 33's than my 97 on 35's, I may even be swapping some stock axles back under my 96 with some 31's in the near future.