zte87

My 96 pushes 35's just fine and it's a 4.0! It's all in the gearing my friend!

ArmyVet717

Yeah, that things a beat that's for sure. Like I said, I only want 3.5-4" of lift, nothing massive. Just a nice DD that can do mild to moderate trail rides. Since it is stock , I am thinking of an easier way to get something that is already set up. Right now, I don't have the money to do all I would like. I know someone out there probably does...

ArmyVet717

Guess I will see how this 93 does today... See if it is worth pursuing or not...

ArmyVet717

zte87 I am sure you have some low gearing on that rig... LOL

Could not make it to see that 93 Sport today... Too much crap to do and just ran out of time... Plus, I can't really pursue it unless I sell mine first... I will just have to wait and see if I get any bites on it... If not, then obviously I was meant to keep her and make her a trail rig! LOL

ArmyVet717

VERY far from stock 93krawler!!! LOL

I want an arb front winch bumper/brushguard. As for the rear, I really like KOR's rear bumper w/ the spare tire carrier... After looking at some of pics of lifted Cherokees and Grands on craigslist (I beleive from Chaz), I might have to go 6" lift... A 3.5-4" may not be enough after all!! LOL
I still only want to run 33's at the most, but... 6" may just be the way to go...

93krawleroffroad

Yeah, it's custom for sure. Sounds good to me. I like my bumpers, front needs to be modified to accept a Warn though. Rear has a built in hitch.
6" lift seems about right, I only have the 8 so I can run 35s sometime. Chaz runs a 6" on his actually, seems to work good with 33s so far.

93krawleroffroad

Anybody know which fuse is for the vic? Now it's beeping at me every 5 minutes with the washer sensor error.

ArmyVet717

Lmao... Sorry, still trying to figure my beast out!!! Just replaced all of mine in hopes of shutting it up!! Lol

ArmyVet717

So I got a message from a poster (different forum) in regards to lifts for ZJ's. To tell you the truth, he has me really confused. He is talking $4500 just for the lift!! Here is what he said:

"If you intend to do any significant wheelin with the ZJ I would steer clear of the Rough Country lift as well. If you want to lift a ZJ properly ( properly defined as rock solid safe with excellent handling for when the wife is driving it) I have a very simple formula. There are only two real choices IMO. Its either a 2 inch budget boost kit or $4500.
A 2 inch "puck kit" will clear 31 inch tires without altering the suspension geometry enough to even notice. Just the spacers alone is around $130. A complete 2 inch kit will include the spring and bump stock spacers as well as new shocks, costing no more than $500. Rubicon Express probably made the best 2 inch kit but they just closed up.
$4500 is a generalization of what you face to properly lift a ZJ into the 4-5 inch zone. You essentially open a can of worms. I don't believe building an all adjustable short arm suspension is a good idea for most people. If you know you want to run a 33 to 35 inch tire on a ZJ you can reliably beat on you need to go straight to long arms first.
There is the short version of my ZJ lift theory. Hope it helps. Read up about all the aspects regarding our Jeeps before you spend any money. Do it right the first time."

So, if that is the case, my ZJ is gone... I not only won't spend $4500 on a lift, but I can't spend that. The budget I gave myself was "realistic" from prices I found online for different lift manufacturers... From what he said, I am THOROUGHLY confused!!! AND, if that is the case, I would rather sell it to someone who can spend that kind of money. I mean, $4500 can get me a rig that is somewhat "trail ready".

93krawleroffroad

That seems top high, especially when it's not an 8" lift. Long arms are expensive but not that bad. Steering should be changed out but steering kit for 6" is about $235 and not that hard to install yourself. I think he is just bias against ZJs. Chaz drives his ZJ with the 6" Rough Country, with his 15 month old daughter, pretty sure it's safe ha ha.

ArmyVet717

Yeah, I have been looking at Rough County, IRO, and Tough Country... And one thing stands out, they are all about the same price. The more I look, the more I am leaning towards a 3.5" to 4.5" lift. I can clear 31" to 32" tires, and it will still be a good DD...

I might just do a "poor mans" lift for now. 2" coil spacers, add better shocks and new steering stabilizer. At least then I can start hitting the trails and start saving for my lift...

93krawleroffroad

Budget boost seems like a good idea. 31s aren't that expensive and you can save up for everything but still wheel.

ArmyVet717

Found spacers on craigslist lastnight. Emailed to find out how much he wants for them. Chaz said he get them for around $60. So if I need to, I get them from him. Also saw some nice 30's and 31's on stock rims from around $250. I figure if the tires still have good tread, that is not a bad price. Plus I like the stock 5 star rims. I think they are off an older wrangler. But they are 5x4.5 offset.

93krawleroffroad

$60 isn't bad, $80-100 seems to be what I see online. But some come with shocks too. $250 isn't bad, should be at least 70% tread though. Wheels options are great for Grands; Ranger, regular Cherokee, some Wrangler and Ford Bronco. Just need to be 5 on 4.5.

ArmyVet717

I should have jumped on those tires and rims when I had the chance. They looked like Wrangler rims, but were 5x4.5 with nice A/T's, and I think they were closer to 90% tread left. Just have to keep my eyes open, craigslist always has good deals...