Project: Luxury liner ZJ

[AYIAPhoto]

Last week I picked up a new project for the winter. I'm the proud owner of a new(to me) '98 Grand Cherokee limited V8. This has to be the nicest vehicle I have ever owned(hence the name). Amenity wise, this truck blows my old E.B. Explorer, and even my Northstar Eldorado out of the water. I was originally looking at second gen 4Runners so I wouldn't have to worry about a pretty truck getting damaged in the woods. This truck however was in the same price range, offered solid axles, has a V8(I really missed that) and my G.F. doesn't mind riding in it.

On to the project...I don't want to cut up the interior and am too sore/beat up to sleep on the ground anymore, so the 5'11" of space in the rear with the seats folded will be utilized as a sleeping platform. Keeping the area clear for fast set-up means minimal gear in the truck. As soon as I finalize the plans a trailer is in order along with a light weight roof rack.

I have no plans for extreme trails so tires will stay in the 31-32" range, most likely 265/75/16's. I'm scouring the internet for a set of adjustable lower arms to use with O.M.E. heavy duty springs and a 1.5" BB. The rest of the clearance will come from new bumpers, rolling the fender lips and a lot of work with a BIG HONKIN HAMMER.

This is going to be a slow moving project until the weather warms up, but I thought I'd start a build thread now as the little things begin. a few pics of the truck stock to get things rolling...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayiaphoto/5350125216/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayiaphoto/5350125226/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayiaphoto/5350125220/in/photostream/

 

[stoneydude]

That looks exactly like my old one, Gold package and all! Congrats:sombrero: I miss mine and am looking for a new one.

 

[madZJ]

You should be happy with the OME HD springs I found the ride to be better then stock. You will need new trackbars with that much lift. I've got the ACOS from JKS for the front and rear but I'm waiting for trackbars and control arm to install everything at once, probably get them from JKS as well. Good choice with the ZJ by the way I'm on my third one.

 

[FishPOET]

Grats on the ZJ. Does it have a 5.2 or 5.9?

Good luck with the build. The ZJ's are a fine platform for an Expo type vehicle.

 

[AYIAPhoto]

You should be happy with the OME HD springs I found the ride to be better then stock.

The reviews I've seen of them said pretty much the same thing, also that the handling is improved somewhat. That plus Addco or Hotchkis sway bars should improve the on road enjoyment, particularly towing a light trailer.

You will need new trackbars with that much lift.

Thanks for that, almost forgot about trackbars.

Does it have a 5.2 or 5.9?

Only the meager 5.2, 225hp 300lbf. I've towed more weight than I plan to with less power(mustang on a car trailer behind a 4.0 explorer) so the 5.9 isn't really needed. It would have been nice though if it didn't add several thousand to the purchase price. After this weeks snow storm the 5.2 proved to deliver plenty of fun drifting with all 4 tires spinning in the snow behind my job:smiley_drive:

 

[OverlandZJ]

Only a 5.2L.. lol. After driving my XJ's for 15 years the wife's 5.2 feels like a big block. :smiley_drive:

You have the V8, which means the taller springs to compensate for the V8 weight. Do some research into the F>R swap, fronts go to rear for ~3.5" lift and buy appropriate front replacements.

Or, someone is always wanting V8 coils for just that. Dont toss them in scrap pile.

 

[AYIAPhoto]

Only a 5.2L.. lol. After driving my XJ's for 15 years the wife's 5.2 feels like a big block.

No doubt about that. I still remember how slow my YJ was with the 4.2 in it.

Do some research into the F>R swap, fronts go to rear for ~3.5" lift and buy appropriate front replacements.
Or, someone is always wanting V8 coils for just that. Don't toss them in scrap pile.

I originally planned to do the F>R swap, but decided to keep the truck as low as possible while still fitting the tires I want. It will be used mostly on road so keeping it out of the stratosphere will help with mileage. The Iceland Off-road cut out flairs are too large ascetically, but the Bushwacker ones might work. It's hard to find anyone running them however so determining how they'll fit with a 32" tire and minimal lift is proving difficult. The stock springs will end up going free to a good home once the new suspension is in place.

 

[cyclic]

With the Iceland flares, you can fit 33x12.5 with 2 inches of lift and 35x12.5 with a 4 inch lift. I'm guessing you could do a budget boost lift and Bush flares to get to your 32's with ease.

 

[K2ZJ]

You should be happy with the OME HD springs I found the ride to be better then stock. You will need new trackbars with that much lift. I've got the ACOS from JKS for the front and rear but I'm waiting for trackbars and control arm to install everything at once, probably get them from JKS as well. Good choice with the ZJ by the way I'm on my third one.

Nice ZJ!

Check out Kevin's track bar conversion. Kevin is a true ZJ guy and a good guy overall. I am also looking for another one.

 

[OverlandZJ]

How much lift you expecting from OME HD springs and 1.5" coil spacer?

I'm thinking 5"? You could easily clear 33x10.5's with that height.. that was my plan on a ZJ.

I'll 2nd Kevins, looks like some nice products. As well as Clayton and Rubicon Express.

 

[AYIAPhoto]

How much lift you expecting from OME HD springs and 1.5" coil spacer?

The O.M.E. springs provide 1" of lift. So total would be 2.5" though I am leaning towards the JKS ACOS spaces for the front in the event I need to compensate for the weight of a winch.

I'm thinking 5"? You could easily clear 33x10.5's with that height..

Definitely too high for my needs and fuel mileage concerns. Not to mention hauling around a step stool so my 4'11" GF can get in it.

 

[madZJ]

Nice ZJ!

Check out Kevin's track bar conversion. Kevin is a true ZJ guy and a good guy overall. I am also looking for another one.

I bought my ACOS from Kevin as well as the 3" exhaust to go with my Doug Thorley headers. Kolak has proven to be a good source for parts as well.

 

[AYIAPhoto]

So, a few decisions have been made concerning the direction of the build and final specs.

Suspension: Rubicon Express "super ride" adjustable lower arms, O.M.E. HD springs, JKS ACOS spacers in front and 1.5" BB in rear(possibly changed to ACOS later). JKS disconnects and adjustable track bars.

Tires: 235/85/16-The narrower tire(and about 6lbs lighter than a 265/75) should help reduce MPG loss as well as make it easier to fit them into the wheel wells. Adding that I don't plan to change rims anytime soon, they will fit better on the factory rims.

Rims: I'm keeping the factory "limited" rims. I was considering switching to 15" canyon style rims and running 31x10.5's but like the 265/75/16's they averaged about 6lbs more. I am however picking up 4 near mint condition replacements at a local wrecker for a great price. The new rims will be stripped and painted gloss black. This will leave me with extra rims for my future trailer project and 2 spares(1 in truck and 1 on the trailer).

"Un-pimp my ride": All those gold badges GONE!

Front bumper: The factory bumper cover will be removed and replaced with a tube bumper similar to the one from Kevins minus the stinger, built off an Iceland Off-road winch bracket.

Rear bumper: Picking up a factory hitch from the same wrecker mentioned earlier. I'll be using the mounts as a template to build a rear tube bumper again similar to Kevins. I haven't decided if I'll add a tire carrier.

Roof rack: I'm still working on design, but it will most likely be built out of aluminum square tube. Instead of mounting it on the original cross bars, it will mount as low as possible on the factory mounts and only measure 4" high. The floor will be expanded metal. The rack will be used mostly for storing gear out of the way while in camp.

Sleeping: I'm looking for a 3-4" thick memory foam mattress that I will cut to fit the rear area of the jeep, then split into 3 sections with a cover allowing it to "accordion" fold for stowage.
To allow for ventilation, I'll make a screen cover for the moon roof and am looking for a tent to mount off of the rear similar to this.

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Sounds like you're on the right track!

 

[Azlugz]

Sweet, welcomg to the ZJ family.

The build on mine might give you a few ideas, I did a few things that you have looked at and I run the 235/85R16 on my 5.9 limited

The slow build: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36123

The skinny tires on stock rimsare nice because the tuck up into the fender so you don't have to chop it all out. I did have to do a little trimming on the front edge of the rear wheel openings but that could have been handled with adjustable control arms too.

Front view of the skinny tires:

Side on stupid poser spot:

Early testing stuff shot:

So far I really like my pizza cutters. They are great on the highway, they did cut my mileage but not neaar as bad as the 12.50's did to my LJ and they are great off road. Going to the 235/85 gave me the extra 1" (1/2" GC) and in this range with a longer vehicle, all you can get helps. Over all I have been really happy with this choice.


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