COZJ a budget build of a Expedition rig.

[xwazmtb]

So I finally decided to start a build thread for my 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee. A quick history on the vehicle. It is my first car and it has been passed down through my family as "the first car" my mom originally bought it in 1997 used with 8k on it. Kept it stock for 16 years then it was given to my sister when she got her license. She drove it for a few years then I got it last summer.

This is how it sat.

First wheeling trip that I was able to drive on previously I had only gone on dirt roads for camping.

Hated the chrome that was first to go.

First time trying to find full flex.

next was some light 2 kc Apollo pro 6" they are awesome.

Next was new tires 31x9.5r15 bfg all terrains. Know that's I have run those in snow mud slick rock granite sand. They just have soo much grip. Used CB I bought off a friend. Works awesome and super useful.

First real wheeling trip on Illinois and Missouri gulch in 8" of powered. Everyone on the trip thought I wouldn't make it because I had the smallest Jeep. I had no problems with street air pressure and sway bars connected.

 

[xwazmtb]

Got sick of the alloy rig color. So as common as it is I painted them black.

really starting to love my zj.

Posing next to my friends Lj on 35s man I need a lift. My zj it tiny.

First real mod was a transfer case skid plate (eBay for 50$ off an other zj that had the factory plate.) Don't have any pics. But I do of the KoV rock sliders that I got bolted to the frame rails. After taking them to moab and doing some harder trails here in Colorado they work super well. Great quality.

 

[xwazmtb]

Next up was a lift went with a 3.5" trailmaster short arm lift. For this I also got a better track bar in the front as well as a 2" steering drop pitment arm.

Flex test on the rock.

Much better looking
here is it at full flex.

Then I added a rear locker from lockrite auto locker . No pics .

And then for moab!

I went with my friend and his Lj and we ran fins and things and Lockhart basin. If there is any one that wants to do a long trail expedition style with rock crawling dune driving and water crossing. While camping a night on the trail. Go run Lockhart its super fun .

 

[AZMP]

Looks good man your off to a good start. Is it a 4.0 or 5.2?

 

[xwazmtb]

Looks good man your off to a good start. Is it a 4.0 or 5.2?

Yup I still have a bit more to add befoe this thread is caught up. And as for the engine I have a 4.0 with 180k and it runs perfect barely Burns oil starts in a second even on cold days.

 

[ReconZJ]

Looking good! I can also vouch for KOR's rock sliders; in fact I was with Kevin back in 2001 when he tested them on his old ZJ in Moab. Mine have taken a beating since I put them on soon after that trip. Are you coming to GSW in a few weeks?

 

[xwazmtb]

Looking good! I can also vouch for KOR's rock sliders; in fact I was with Kevin back in 2001 when he tested them on his old ZJ in Moab. Mine have taken a beating since I put them on soon after that trip. Are you coming to GSW in a few weeks?

I wish I could but I don't know how timing will work out because I just went to moab in March. But if I can, I will it's not to far of a drive (about 7-8 hours) and I can go camping out there too.

 

[MudderNutter]

Loving your Jeep! I like the direction you are going in.

How do you like that lockrite? Would you have felt comfortable on Lockhart without it?

Cheers!


Kevin

 

[xwazmtb]

Loving your Jeep! I like the direction you are going in.

How do you like that lockrite? Would you have felt comfortable on Lockhart without it?

Cheers!


Kevin

The lockrite is absolutely amazing it works great even just cruising down the road no vibrations . As for lock Hart I don't think I could have done the main canyon section without it.

 

[SDDiver5]

Very smart and practical build so far. Most people usually want a giant lift as the first thing...not many go the rocksliders route which is very important. Nice work!

 

[xwazmtb]

Very smart and practical build so far. Most people usually want a giant lift as the first thing...not many go the rocksliders route which is very important. Nice work!

Thanks! I decided to get armor first and I think the 3.5 is really all my zj will be needing with what I have planned for it.

 

[xjman88]

Im enjoying your build so far. What rear axle are you running? Im running the d35 w the limited slip but want to upgrade to a locker. Im getting ready to put 31s with the upcountry lift.

 

[xwazmtb]

Im enjoying your build so far. What rear axle are you running? Im running the d35 w the limited slip but want to upgrade to a locker. Im getting ready to put 31s with the upcountry lift.

I'm running a d35 with a lockrite autolocker that works awesome on my 29" tires. But I hate to say this but the build is over I am selling the zj soon. But if you ever need any help with tips or info with a zj just send me a message.

 

[xjman88]

Sorry to hear u r selling the zj. Good luck.

 

[xwazmtb]

As far as this build it is over Jeep has been sold for almost a year and after owning a mild travel v8 4Runner for 9-10 months I have come back to the Jeep world. My 2002 Grand Cherokee v8 named CoWj for anyone that is interested.