How many people are wheelin ZJ's and why - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

onewhitezj · 10-09-2005, 07:27 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.

MC · 10-09-2005, 07:39 AM

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

Cue · 10-09-2005, 08:03 AM

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, 12:16 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, 03:47 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, 04:06 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, 04:15 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.

Same day BTW.... shit happens.

AW

IronBull · 10-09-2005, 04:21 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, 04:25 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, 05:23 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, 05:24 PM

b.t.w. nice rig April

badzj999 · 10-09-2005, 05:42 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....

the subframe...

AprilzWarrior · 10-09-2005, 05:49 PM

Is that a RK truss ? Dang that things just bulky. Looks like a fun project.

AW

MUDDTRACKS · 10-10-2005, 12:51 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

to how it is now

Peak ZJ · 10-10-2005, 01:35 PM

I built my ZJ because at the time there were only a few of us that had them on the trail...

ZJim · 10-10-2005, 04:01 PM

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

Troy · 10-10-2005, 05:30 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.

Peak ZJ · 10-10-2005, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troy

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

IV WHLN · 10-10-2005, 10:25 PM

Any one want to buy a wheel-able ZJ here you go /forum/vehicles-trailers-sale/398460-built-zj-8500-a.html

Brandon · 10-11-2005, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MC

Check out the bad ass grand cherokee thread for more info on that

where?

blackdiamondbound · 10-11-2005, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon

where?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...grand+cherokee

Peak ZJ · 10-12-2005, 06:13 AM

Anyone else running full hydro on their zj?

quebec4x4 · 10-12-2005, 07:07 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, 08:51 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.

Troy · 10-12-2005, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peak ZJ

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.

10-09-2005, 07:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
onewhitezj Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Member # 45304 Location: In the pine and snow Posts: 506	How many people are wheelin ZJ's and why 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. __________________ Professional thread killer since 2005 I get paid to watch paint dry.

10-09-2005, 07:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
MC Pirate4x4 Addict! Join Date: Aug 2003 Member # 21997 Location: Insane CNC machine mfg Posts: 5,276	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 __________________ Industrial Quality CNC machines at a Hobby Price! USA Quality is job #1 We build CNC plasma tables, click me .................................................. ......... American Motors Engine HERE!! 1-651-257-7917

10-09-2005, 08:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cue Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Mar 2004 Member # 28682 Location: Napa, Ca. Posts: 2,503	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. __________________ www.4x4oil.com Your #1 Source for Amsoil Lubricants Lube it or Loose it! facebook CHECK OUT THE AMSOIL COST +$5 SALE HERE

10-09-2005, 12:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
UglyZJ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Member # 45364 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 158	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 __________________ 8 lug ZJ Last edited by UglyZJ; 10-09-2005 at 12:17 PM.

10-09-2005, 03:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Puma297 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Member # 35803 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 166	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. __________________ www.mallcrawlin.com

10-09-2005, 04:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
GrandZJ Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Member # 13785 Location: Plano TX Posts: 265	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.

10-09-2005, 04:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
AprilzWarrior Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Member # 21033 Location: Livermore, CA Posts: 721	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. Same day BTW.... shit happens. AW

10-09-2005, 04:21 PM	#8 (permalink)
IronBull Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Member # 44887 Location: South Central NC Posts: 86	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?). __________________ [SIZE="2"][I]I hate to shatter your ego, but this isn't the first time I've had a gun pointed at me.[/I][/SIZE]

10-09-2005, 05:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
onewhitezj Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Member # 45304 Location: In the pine and snow Posts: 506	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. __________________ Professional thread killer since 2005 I get paid to watch paint dry.

10-09-2005, 05:24 PM	#11 (permalink)
onewhitezj Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Member # 45304 Location: In the pine and snow Posts: 506	b.t.w. nice rig April __________________ Professional thread killer since 2005 I get paid to watch paint dry.

10-09-2005, 05:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
badzj999 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 37362 Location: Clifton, Va Posts: 593	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.... the subframe...

10-09-2005, 05:49 PM	#13 (permalink)
AprilzWarrior Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Member # 21033 Location: Livermore, CA Posts: 721	Is that a RK truss ? Dang that things just bulky. Looks like a fun project. AW

10-10-2005, 12:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
MUDDTRACKS Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Member # 47927 Location: Gainesville Florida Posts: 60	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 to how it is now

10-10-2005, 01:35 PM	#15 (permalink)
Peak ZJ Rock God Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3135 Location: Right Here Posts: 1,203	I built my ZJ because at the time there were only a few of us that had them on the trail... __________________ Peak Empire Racing

10-10-2005, 04:01 PM	#16 (permalink)
ZJim Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Member # 24099 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 1,359	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

10-10-2005, 05:30 PM	#17 (permalink)
Troy Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Member # 962 Location: Richmond, VA USA Posts: 57	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. Last edited by Troy; 10-10-2005 at 05:30 PM.

10-10-2005, 10:25 PM	#19 (permalink)
IV WHLN Granite Guru Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 19005 Location: Roseville, Ca. Posts: 969	Any one want to buy a wheel-able ZJ here you go /forum/vehicles-trailers-sale/398460-built-zj-8500-a.html

10-12-2005, 06:13 AM	#22 (permalink)
Peak ZJ Rock God Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3135 Location: Right Here Posts: 1,203	Anyone else running full hydro on their zj? __________________ Peak Empire Racing

10-12-2005, 07:07 AM	#23 (permalink)
quebec4x4 ouin c ca Join Date: May 2004 Member # 31393 Location: Quebec Posts: 128	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 __________________ Ram 2500 2wd NV5600, Edge with attitude, banks brake----WJ stock----LJ 37 MTR/K D44/4.88/ARB Atlas IV 8274

10-12-2005, 08:51 AM	#24 (permalink)
Yota Tony Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Member # 39045 Location: The Rock Posts: 1,092	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. __________________ Anthony

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