New ZJ build

[arjeepin]

I just bought a '95 ZJ. Any thought's on where to start. The motor and tranny are strong. It's got a 231 also. I'm looking at a BDS 6.5" long arm kit and 33". The main thing I'm worried about is the unibody.

[grandjeepster01]

ZJ is a pretty good platform. Good to see somebody else is wheeling a grand though. I got a WJ and am usually the only one out there. If your going with a 6.5" lift you should be able to run a bigger tire. I don't know if you've heard of them but you can check out Iron Rock Offroad, they specialize in Grand Cherokees. I got a 4 inch and can run 32's with little rubbing. You definately need to upgrade that Dana 30/35 combo to atleast 44's with gears and lockers. When it comes to the unibody the best thing I can recommend is if you install a long arm kit beef up where they mount up. If you have any more questions let me know.

-Brian

[arjeepin]

This will be my fourth build. My third unibody. The last unibody I did was a '97 ZJ. It had 3". I ripped the lower control arm mounts away from the body. That's why I'm thinking long arm this time. I'm going to beef up the area around the cross member. I did a '88 XJ like it but with only a 4.5". It worked really well. It was a Rusty's lift. I have thought of running JK 44's front and back. The only problem would be the fact that they are a little too wide. They work great on a TJ. Who knows.

[jclaudii]

The writeup that Peterson's had on the JK rubi axles under the ZJ looked like they belonged there. The only problem is they price has went up almost double for the front and just a little for the half. You can no longer get a front d44 with locker for 1500.

Anyway, I was looking at the Iron Rock Offroad, here is a picture link
http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merchant2/ZJlongarm2.jpg
And I think if you basically tied the front and rear together to make one large center section/transmission guard/skid it would probably give you the beef you need to not rip it out. Heck just extending the C-channel from the front to the back arm brackets and bolting it to the frame may provide enough of a sub-frame for great support.

[rovernut]

This will be my fourth build. My third unibody.

Are you a slow learner, or just a glutton for punishment?:evil:

[Tweeder]

Are you a slow learner, or just a glutton for punishment?:evil:

says the guy who wheels a ROVER? :grin: