The Evolution of a Jeep Grand Cherokee

[SSF556]

Be careful with those spacers on the Ole Grand Cherokee! :Wow1: I had a 98 ZJ with the budget boost (essentially spacers) that I really liked but it developed the "Death Wobble" This occurred usually between 45-55 MPH. If i was traveling that speed and hit just the tiniest of bumps, it would set off a terrible front end shake and was almost uncontrollable. The only way to get it to stop was to slow to a near stop. Not a good idea in busy traffic. I was running 31 10.50 mud tires on the stock rims. Make sure the tires are balanced well and the front end is tight before adding 33s. Supposedly the reason was the spacers messed up the alignment. Plenty of info from Dr. Google on the "Grand Cherokee Death Wobble". Some recent dodge trucks have had the same issue as well.
Just a little friendly FYI.

One advantage of IFS.....


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[magaw]

I like the rims on it. I have been looking for a set for my Orvis and that may have just swayed me. Especially since a lot of people in my local Jeep club ditch them. Can probably get them cheap

I really like them, all I did was prep them , prime the and used four coats of a high quality wheel paint in satin black. I have had zero issues with chipping or flaking except where I have scraped them on rocks. Sometimes you just cant avoid that. I think it was duplicolor or krylon. I scuffed them really well and then cleaned them with some isopropyl alcohol. I think satin black really changed the look of the rim. To be honest I was having second thoughts about them, until I painted them. Thanks for taking a look. I have a set of 20" rims that I've been kicking around the idea of running 35s on. With two more inches of lift and a different rear axel, I think it would be worth experimenting with, to try to gain back some roadability and still give me about the same amount of sidewall as running a 31" tire on a 16" rim, which is plenty for overland type travel

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I really like them, all I did was prep them , prime the and used four coats of a high quality wheel paint in satin black. I have had zero issues with chipping or flaking except where I have scraped them on rocks. Sometimes you just cant avoid that. I think it was duplicolor or krylon. I scuffed them really well and then cleaned them with some isopropyl alcohol. I think satin black really changed the look of the rim. To be honest I was having second thoughts about them, until I painted them. Thanks for taking a look. I have a set of 20" rims that I've been kicking around the idea of running 35s on. With two more inches of lift and a different rear axel, I think it would be worth experimenting with, to try to gain back some roadability and still give me about the same amount of sidewall as running a 31" tire on a 16" rim, which is plenty for overland type travel

I hope you aren't under the impression that more lift and 35's will "gain back some road-ability", because that is just very wishful thinking. Not to mention the fact that to jump up to 35's doing it the right way will run you $4k-5.5k plus any labor for front and rear axles, gears, long arms, at least one locker, better brakes, and tires. If there is some crazy idea in your head that you can just run some cheap springs or more spacers with your current setup to save money, be prepared for many issues including cracking and tearing the stock control arm mounts, death wobble, bump steer, excessive tire wear, and the list goes on. While I don't mind driving my tan ZJ that is on 35's and long arms, it sits in the driveway 90% of the time and we drive the black ZJ on 33's or one of our 2 other cars.

 

[magaw]

I hope you aren't under the impression that more lift and 35's will "gain back some road-ability", because that is just very wishful thinking. Not to mention the fact that to jump up to 35's doing it the right way will run you $4k-5.5k plus any labor for front and rear axles, gears, long arms, at least one locker, better brakes, and tires. If there is some crazy idea in your head that you can just run some cheap springs or more spacers with your current setup to save money, be prepared for many issues including cracking and tearing the stock control arm mounts, death wobble, bump steer, excessive tire wear, and the list goes on. While I don't mind driving my tan ZJ that is on 35's and long arms, it sits in the driveway 90% of the time and we drive the black ZJ on 33's or one of our 2 other cars.

Are you running 35s on 20" rims? It is a fact that less side wall directly correlates to less slop at highway speed, period. Big brakes are a nice luxury but hardly a necessity with a 35 inch tire. As far as crazy ideas go. The only crazy ideas going on in someones head are the ones stating that it would cost 4-5k for me to run a two inch taller tire than i have currently been running for the past 8 months. The quote below explains my knowledge of death wobble stock control arms and steering/hub related issues and coil spring spacers. I have stated on more than one occasion earlier in this thread that long arms are going to be a future upgrade. I am perfectly capable of doing grade school math. Some of your statements/fears/hopes/concerns or whatever are simply bad information. The unit-bearings in a D30 are perfectly capable of running a 35" tire, so excessive tire wear is out. Also, earlier mentioned was a rear axel swap. Tire wear does not increase with tire diameter or rim size. Bump steer is a real concern but nothing that cant be addressed. There is nothing anywhere that states the need to have a rear locker to run 35s, However, I have installed and uninstalled many lockers for plenty of people. If I need any more "road-ability" than my jeep offers, I just drive this

Thanks for the concern. I am all too familiar with the threat of death wobble, but thankfully not on my own jeep. I helped a buddy diagnose it on his tj about ten years ago. Back then we didn't know what to call it, but we knew it wasn't good. Being conscious of that fact, is another reason i chose to go with the small 1 3/4" spacers instead of the 2 3/4". I've noticed that once you get into the 3 and 4 inch lift range, while still running factory control arms, it opens the door to several issues. Between radically changing your caster angle , having big heavy tires, worn front end parts, and a bad tie-rod drag link design to begin with, it kind of sets things up to have a perfect storm. So far I have had zero issues. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.



Haha. I'm looking into getting one of the IRO long arm kits, as soon as I get my groceries out of layaway

I started this thread to document my build, I am not into spreading bad information. In the future I would appreciate that you not post unless you have something positive or know what you are talking about and have previously read the entire post. If you are looking for someone to try to arrogantly belittle, you need to post on a different thread. Thanks

 

[BlackClassic]

Like what you have so far. Iceland made a nice product, they upgrade the look plus retain a factory like style. Its subtle niceness! Color matched bumpers and flares add a nice touch as well.

 

[thexjthatcould]

Looks nice but I can't stand Yakima roof racks lol if you had a full rack on that jeep it would be awesome! Love the wheels I wouldn't mind a pair on my xj

 

[BlackClassic]

Question whats your preference for having your rack and tire so far forward on your roof? Do you feel it has more balance? Just curious I myself have my rack mounted toward the rear of my rig (my racks a bit bigger) and I prefer my tire toward the middle of the rack and closer to the center of the roof. I have mine that way as there is more support on that part of my rack.

 

[magaw]

Question whats your preference for having your rack and tire so far forward on your roof? Do you feel it has more balance? Just curious I myself have my rack mounted toward the rear of my rig (my racks a bit bigger) and I prefer my tire toward the middle of the rack and closer to the center of the roof. I have mine that way as there is more support on that part of my rack.

I moved it forward to put a hard sided Cargo carrier on there and just never moved it back. I do kind of like the look of it more forward, though. Having the weight more centered between the axels is always a perk too.

Thexjthatcould, haha, there are a bunch of racks out there that I like more, but it has gotten the job bone so far. I have dreams of building a very low profile completely flat and much larger rack. Sort of like the Kevin's off road modular roof rack. I'm posting from my phone, otherwise I would post a link. A ladder would be cool too....hopes, dreams, time? Thanks for taking a look

 

[magaw]

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!

Family farm + Jeep - Christmas tree = Making unforgettable memories

And the hunt began



My step son Bushwhacking the way in



We scored a nice 12 footer





After a little sweating and some pulling of the winch cable, we had a tree and a memory that will last a lifetime



Merry Christmas

 

[ruffshod67]

you should post a pick of the tree in the house its very nice and Merry Christmas

 

[magaw]

you should post a pick of the tree in the house its very nice and Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!



This is the sketchy interior decorating crew that we hired



and some noteworthy adventure gear, that Santa left under the tree







complete with bottle opener





Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas

 

[marshal]

everytime i see one of those hats the phrase goes through my head "****TER WAS FULL"

 

[magaw]

Hahaha,...."I pity the person that lights a match within ten yards of it"

 

[magaw]

Sleigh Shuttle...