clockwise

Sooo im out of a job bored to death... video games dont cut it... soo i need to get a little grease...
No job means low budget.
SOo i was wondering what i could do to my jeep to mod it out a little? any ideas?
Specs:
V8 5.2L
AWD
all stock other then tires
tire size 30


What I want to do with my jeep.
I live in Idaho.
I road trip alot to ski resorts.
So mountains mountains mountains haha.
Not many rocks soo cut that out.
Trails everywhere you look. soo thats one of my main things.
Hills is another big one.
Trails=mud

Dont want over kill by any means.
.

taythegibs

trim your front bumper
paint your grille
paint your wheels
BB pucks

SteveW

Break out the Sawzall and chop the top. lol

Depends on what you want to do with it and what your budget is.

Do something with those wheels.

clockwise

low budget when i start working again i plan on putting 8 inch coilovers and some 33s on it with some steal rims.

taythegibs

unless you are planning on some crazy stuff i cant figure out why you would want 8 inch coilovers.. Especially only running 33's

clockwise

would you say 35s?

clockwise

BTW this is just a toy not my town car... I only got it because it was hella cheap and was sick

SteveW

X2

If you plan on extreme mods in the future, then why bother doing things now that you may just replace later?

Best advice I can give you, is decide what exactly you want to do with it in the long run.

Then make a plan and execute it.

Too many times I see people do a little here, a little there, and then just end up changing it.

In the long run it costs you more money because you end up doing things over and over...

example... people start with a 2" spacer lift.

Then they go with 4" coils.

Then they'll replace the control arms with after-market short arms.

Then they want to go bigger.

So they step it up and go with 6+ inches.

Then they end up going long arm.

You see how it adds up.

If you decide exactly what you want to do with it, then build it your way the first time.

I built my last TJ like that.

Within 2 months time, I took it from stock, to about 8" total lift with 35's, Claytons long arms, 4 link, Ford 8.8 rear, ect ect.

Best advice I can give you is plan, plan, and plan some more.

It will save you money in the long run.

nick_n_ii

What is your end use plan?

Mud? Rock? Trails? Hills?

To better direct you with some idea's we need to know what you plan to use it for.

Cheap mods don't always have to be lift first.

If you plan to go bigger buy and build a replacement set of axles. Maybe a replacement T-case ( and you'll want that if you have a V8 with the all wheel drive).

There is alot that can be said for a budget just need to know your planned use..

clockwise

just added alittle more info

nick_n_ii

OK info helps..

First your going to want to get rid of the NP249 T-case you run now it's a junk box.

Fide a good 242 or 231, both are easy swaps and can be had cheap. ($50-$150) that would be something you can do now while working on the cheap.

Now as for your Coil over idea, that's very pricy talking in the $5000+ to do it right. Your needs would be better suited by a good off the shelf kit.

Also do your reading 33's can be a pain to get fitted to a ZJ and make it look good and clean.

Also ZJ's are top heavy, so lower the better you can get to 33's a few ways. 4" lift and Iceland Offroad would be the way I'd do it. Keeps you lower to the ground and gives that large tire look.

But on the cheap I'd start by getting a different T-case and build from there.

clockwise

I was thinking 3.5 Old man emu lift?

nick_n_ii

IMO there lifts are WAY over priced. And for less you can get more of better quality. I'd be looking for a lift that replaces the Control arms for sure.

Say a Rough Country 4" lift http://www.roughcountry.com/jeep_zj_4.html

Or a Rusty's 3.5" lift http://rustysoffroad.com/mm5/merchan...ode=sus_zj_kit

There better quality than tha Old Man Emu and have the control arms in teh kit also..

clockwise

those lifts are like double the price? how is that?

nick_n_ii

I've never seen a Old Man Emu lift under $850 for the ZJ, now unless they came down in the 2 years I havn't had a ZJ that's another story.

The biggest thing is those are complete kit.

Seeing that your asking first I view that as your not as in the know on lifts (am I right?) I mean no disrespect on that, just that not knowing would make it harder to part together a complete kit from parts you know and or want.