Found a Sweet Grand!!

[Azlugz]

:victory:

I bet that 5.9 made the recovery easy.

Now get to painting!!!!!!

We had the rubicon hooked up to the front as the sand was pretty deep in spots and the water crossing was hard due to how soft the bottom was. I definately needed the help in a those spots for traction but the rest of the way would be no problem.

As for paint, I am working on it but the big pieces I need to take off to paint and have to wait and do that on the weekends!!


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[Amauri]

So whats the plan as far as clearing those tires a little better?

 

[Azlugz]

Don't know.. Still working on that.

Haven't got the funds for a full lift, but need to get it up a little higher and need to move the rear back a little. Not sure what other control arms will fit the rear of this, but I looked at rear adjustables for upper and lower and it would be EXPENSIVE. I need to move the axle back about 1/2" I think. Need to look at other Jeep control arms and see if anything will fit.

I have also considered a set of Air Lift 1000 spring bags for the short term so it sits a little higher in the rear. They are about $90 but even after I lift it right, they would still be useable for leveling with the trailer.

Prolly should have stayed wit the 31" tires instead of the 32"s but I wanted the narrower width and .......well, I am paying for it now!


I am open to suggestions tho. With the LJ, it was our first so everything was off the shelf, this one we are trying not to do that and really can't afford too.!!

 

[Azlugz]

The tires kept rubbing on the front part of the fender well in the rear and I just can not afford to put out over $600 for adjustable control arms to move the axle back. SO, as much as I did not want to cut the body, I decided it was time to trim that part of the fender well. I drew a new line from the where the top edge of the cladding meets the wheel well down to the point of the rock rail. at the bottom edge, this took off close to 3/4" of material and opend it up nicely so the rub problem should be gone!!

Before.....

After cut

Another problem has been that the tire goes too deep into the wheel well. I did not want to get too crazy with that problem as I am looking for a little longer spring. A good friend said a real cheap/easy way to limit the travel, was 3 tennis balls in the coil spring.......yes, I know it is pretty redneck, but for $5 I figured it was a cheap test and if it gets me thru till I get longer springs, its well worth it!!!!! So, I am giving it a try!!

I am currently looking for a set of FRONT coil spring for a 93 to 98 Grand Cherokee with a V8. The 6cyl springs are not strong enough (so I am told). These are supposedly longer than the standard reag springs and will give me a little more lift and compensate for the the extra weight I have on the rig. It sits low in the back right now. If you have a set for sale, shoot me a message.

 

[Amauri]

Well 5.9's come with up country springs that are 1" taller than regular springs. A common lift is the F>R lift where the front springs are moved to the back and a new set of equal lift springs are put in the front. On regular ZJ's it gives about 3.5" of lift so in your case it would be 4.5". The best thing to do in your situation woulb probably be to wait and have the guy who made your bumpers make you some long arms. It will ride better and articulate better. For now just extend the bump stops.

 

[cyclic]

If you don't want anything too big I'd go with a 2" BB lift and eventually some arms from this guy..... http://www.ironman4x4fab.com/ZJ_Inventory.html
They are $250ish plus shipping for rear upper and lowers.
Later add front upper and lowers for about the same, or go to long arms for a bunch more.

Here's mine with the 2" BB lift and 245/75R16 Michelin tires....

Bump stop spacers are included in most lifts, which will help you out some. I pieced mine together with Crawler Ready spacers ($65), IronRocK Offroad bar pin eliminators for front ($30), bump stop spacers and rear coil retainers from scrap at home. If you stay under 3 inches you eliminate the need for a bunch of stuff like mandated control arms, track bars, steering mods, and shocks. In your specific case, I'd go with a 2" BB and add the rear arms when you can. Eventually shocks will be needed, but only when you've worn yours out. I've probably got another year or two left in mine.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Well 5.9's come with up country springs that are 1" taller than regular springs. A common lift is the F>R lift where the front springs are moved to the back and a new set of equal lift springs are put in the front. On regular ZJ's it gives about 3.5" of lift so in your case it would be 4.5".

Questions on this Amauri.. hope you dont mind the hi-jack..

I'v read the 4.0L spring done F>R will give 3.5. V8 springs add another inch, and Upcountry would be yet another inch?

I'm thinking the V8 UC front springs in the rear of my ZJ will match my RE ZJ 4.5" coils with some weight in the rear. But i'm worried it'll be a stiff ride.. read any owner feedback on that combo?

 

[cyclic]

Questions on this Amauri.. hope you dont mind the hi-jack..

I'v read the 4.0L spring done F>R will give 3.5. V8 springs add another inch, and Upcountry would be yet another inch?

I'm thinking the V8 UC front springs in the rear of my ZJ will match my RE ZJ 4.5" coils with some weight in the rear. But i'm worried it'll be a stiff ride.. read any owner feedback on that combo?

The V8 springs will lift a 4.0 aprox 1 inch, if you have the V8 then they do nothing more. To get a V8 up, upcountry springs add aprox 1 inch but they do sag over time. Front rear swaps are common and fairly easy to do, but remember you will need adjustable arms once you get to the 3 to 4 inch lift range. On mine, the 2 inch Budget Boost took it to the limit when I got my alinement, any higher will require adjustable arms to get it.

 

[Azlugz]

Mine already has the BB on it

 

[Azlugz]

Now that the fender is cut, I decided to do a little more paint work. Turned out good, I am happy!!!

 

[cyclic]

With the BB, my recommendations just depend on if your going to spend a lot once or space it out.

1) Big money once: Get a full 4" system with springs, arms, everything. Pull the blocks and install.

2) Over time build: Start with rear arms, then front arms (possibly long arms), next up is a front-rear 3 inch spring with or without spacers. Or any other progression of height you want to get to. Stop when ever your happy. For now though the rear adjustable arms for $250 will get you down the road nicely.

For a bunch more info on ZJ's you need to join http://www.nagca.com/

P.S. Looking good brother.

 

[Azlugz]

...........................
For a bunch more info on ZJ's you need to join http://www.nagca.com/

P.S. Looking good brother.

I am, same build is there too and my Radio question!!! Thanks tho!

 

[Amauri]

Questions on this Amauri.. hope you dont mind the hi-jack..

I'm not to certain, I asked on another forum, I'll let you know what they say.

 

[Amauri]

Looks good :26_7_2:

 

[Azlugz]

I got a set of ZJ front springs from a friend to put on the rear of my ZJ, so tonight My son and I went to it. When we got the old springs out and set them next to the new ones, they were about 4"s shorter and seemed to have less strength (I could compress the old ones more). Had to rent a set of compressors to get them in, but we finally did it and didn't reuse the 2" spacers. So, in these pics, the front is still on stock springs with 2" teraflex spacers and the rear is only using ZJ front V8 springs.....Now I am going to have to get the front up a little more!!

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