View Full Version : How many people are wheelin ZJ's and why
onewhitezj
10-09-2005, 08:27 AM
How many folks here are wheeling ZJ's, and why did ya choose it?
I got mine because me and the misses had our first son, and the CJ5 just wasnt practical. It was the only vehicle we had at the time. I kinda wanted to go the XJ route, but the misses didnt like em, so I compromised.
I wheel a ZJ
Its a 97 ZJ with a hopped up 318 and quadratrack. We worked with Off road Only and installed a 6" airock, U-turn and swayloc on it. I have traveled all over the US driving to the wheeling places and have gotten 3-4' of air a dozen times with zero breakage. We used the RE long arm kit and it has been working well for almost a year now. The RE joints constantly need repairing if you dont like rattle. I have had CJ's and FSJ's most of my life and have wheeled the shinto out of them and spent alot of time and money building them up and breaking them. A tube chassis just isnt my style..
The ZJ is alright I would consider it (my opinion) one of the tougher unibody vehicles out there but still a light duty wheeler compared to a solid frame 4x4 or a tube chassis. Some have hacked apart their ZJ's and have done a ton of mods to make them more capable. Check out the bad ass grand cherokee thread for more info on that
I have a 96 4.0 ZJ and am in the process of doing an HP30/8.8 with Clayton's LA's. I have plans of doing a stroker sometime next year if all goes well.
I prefer an enclosed vehicle that I can turn the A/C or heater on in.
But being a unibody it is not the ideal off roader.
UglyZJ
10-09-2005, 01:16 PM
I'm building mine with custom longarms and subframe on an hp44/60 combo right now. They are not the ideal rig to build but I chose to do mine because its something different...entirely to many TJ's and XJ's with bolt on lifts and browning stickers around here
Puma297
10-09-2005, 04:47 PM
I build/wheel mine because its what i've got. It'd be nice to have a vehicle that ALREADY came with a real frame and less sheet metal but for most trails it gets the job done.
GrandZJ
10-09-2005, 05:06 PM
I have a 93 4.0 and wheel it because it was FREE. I have kept it because I like the looks I get but it's still very capable even when it was in the stock version.
AprilzWarrior
10-09-2005, 05:15 PM
Ah man... love the ZJs....
I can pack the family in it... drive to the snow (warm) and wheel the crap out of it. and flop it even.
http://fototime.com/2B212AEE8A93BB5/standard.jpg
http://fototime.com/5CDC266ED7D11AE/standard.jpg
Same day BTW.... shit happens.
AW
IronBull
10-09-2005, 05:21 PM
I've got a 95 with a V8. I like mine because its been in the family since it was new and I have a special bond with it. Me and two of my buddies snuck out of my parents house and took her for a joyride when I was 15. We happened upon a police checkpoint that prompted a bat turn. I'm not sure if they even chased but it was one WILD ride. I also like it because it's not your "typical" Jeep and its on the large side of 4x4s. Although the unibody does bite, it is remedyable (spl?).
XJ_ranger
10-09-2005, 05:25 PM
so now there is a fourm section that specificaly handles jeeps that came with coils
and we get a post like this chit-chat?
I drive an XJ because the body and drivetrain was cheaper than a ZJ when i bought mine...
onewhitezj
10-09-2005, 06:23 PM
Mine has grown on me. In fact, I knew so little about them that I didnt even know it was coil sprung in the rear until after I bought it...I was pleasantly surprised. Mine is a 93 w/ the 4.0l. I kinda wish it was the v8, but I like the 231 t case, and with gas prices, I am happy with the 6. Sure its not a tire smoker, but I havent had any issues with power as of yet. I want to purchase anouther family car so I can really start building it.
onewhitezj
10-09-2005, 06:24 PM
b.t.w. nice rig April
badzj999
10-09-2005, 06:42 PM
i wheel the hell out of mine and love it to death. i also do not like the fact of having a unibody because it seems to me like its such a simple thing to mess up. im currently in my second build phase where i have incorporated a subframe made out of 4"x4"x.25" square tubing with full width hp44/60 combo. heres how it looks so far, still needs a few adjustments like track bar to center the front axle and bleed brakes and some welding and itll be ready to drive....
http://images.igloos.ca/d/102025-2/455516865TQMFKh_ph.jpg
the subframe...
http://images.igloos.ca/d/102019-2/455516525DKLDSq_ph.jpg
AprilzWarrior
10-09-2005, 06:49 PM
Is that a RK truss ? Dang that things just bulky. Looks like a fun project.
AW
MUDDTRACKS
10-10-2005, 01:51 PM
well i baught my 98 zj for a dd with hopes of building my 78 bronco up further but i got bit by the jeep bug an never looked back
I dont care for the unibody but the ride the comfort and the wheel base make up for it
what i started with 2 years ago
http://image08.webshots.com/8/1/89/58/135818958GBzHlh_ph.jpg
to how it is now
http://image61.webshots.com/61/0/63/78/457406378oIQkGu_ph.jpg
Peak ZJ
10-10-2005, 02:35 PM
I built my ZJ because at the time there were only a few of us that had them on the trail...
http://www.peakempire.com/images/zj10.JPG
Enh, it's what I have. It also has a V8 and coil springs on all 4 corners.. and leather for when I'm jockin' the bitches at the mall :flipoff2:
It's what I've got and chose to build. Also like PeakZJ, I was an early builder back in the offroad.com email list days.
http://smallnet.homeip.net/gallery/albums/9-21-05_Jeeping/IMG_0469.jpg
Peak ZJ
10-10-2005, 08:15 PM
It's what I've got and chose to build. Also like PeakZJ, I was an early builder back in the offroad.com email list days.
ah yes.... the olden days :D
IV WHLN
10-10-2005, 11:25 PM
Any one want to buy a wheel-able ZJ here you go http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=398460
Brandon
10-11-2005, 10:45 AM
Check out the bad ass grand cherokee thread for more info on that
where?
blackdiamondbound
10-11-2005, 04:09 PM
where?
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=258123&highlight=bad+ass+grand+cherokee
Peak ZJ
10-12-2005, 07:13 AM
Anyone else running full hydro on their zj?
quebec4x4
10-12-2005, 08:07 AM
i run one
i get a good deal on a 94 - 4.0 - ax-15 - np231
and i had a cherokee (6") ready to go to scrap yard, so i keep the compatible part D44x2 and front suspension and put those stock on the ZJ
Yota Tony
10-12-2005, 09:51 AM
I run a ZJ too.
94 4.0L with a stock NP231, 2" spacer lift and 30s.
I orginally had no intention of building it up then I took it on a trail and kept up with my cousin's long armed TJ and decided to keep the thing.
I'm bugged by the unibody myself but what can you do.
I'm on to my second build, the big stuff being front and rear full lenght D60s, custom made Long Arms and 35s.
Anyone else running full hydro on their zj?
I have my PSC p-pump conversion kit, braided stainless lines, cooler and all that sitting in my shed for over a year now to go full hydro. Haven't had time to install it yet.
Peak ZJ
10-13-2005, 07:41 AM
gotcha.. Got mine on and works awesome.. just runs a little hot... Adding a cooler now.
PeakZJ, what are the specs on that rig? I really like it.
MendoXJ
10-13-2005, 05:08 PM
My ZJ defiantly isnt as hardcore as most here but I got myne because it was differnt then what everyone else had, and having plush leather interior is very nice :)
http://www.puderproductions.net/Pictures/Hollister%2012-17-04/ZJJungle15.jpg
http://www.puderproductions.net/Pictures/Hollister%2012-17-04/ZjDitch4.jpg
00pumpkin
10-13-2005, 11:30 PM
PeakZJ, what are the specs on that rig? I really like it.
Build up page here:http://peakempireclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=875
Peak ZJ
10-14-2005, 05:13 AM
PeakZJ, what are the specs on that rig? I really like it.
108.5" Wheelbase ZJ- V8
Dana 60's
Fox 16" Remote Res. Coilovers
2.5 Double Pimp ass PSC Full Hydro
BTF Trusses and stuff Scattered about
4 Link Rear, Wishbone Front
40" Krawlers on Bling TR Beadlocks
Inside and Exo Cage with Baja Seats and Restraints
Roadhouse66
11-01-2005, 06:35 AM
Well we bought the ZJ new in 95 for the wifes daily rig. Then we started having kids, so It seemed right to build it for wheelin as we need the room, compared to my old Ford what we wheeled.
I would like a SWB, but not til the kids are older and don't want to go with me.
vBulletin® v3.7.3, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.