1995ZJ's Crawler

Fastback ZJ - FOR SALE / Part Out

So, with the upcoming projects I have for this, I feel that it's finally worthy of having a build thread. Some of you know me, some don't, anyways my name is Tyler and I'm kind of a big deal

So here is what I started out with, a completely stock 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Orvis edition.

Here is a list of it current mods:

Rock Krawler 6.5" rear springs up front
UpCountry front springs in rear
Crawler Ready 2" Coil Spring Spacers all around
Ballistic Fab coil spring perches add another 2.5"
Total lift right now is about 6.5"
39" Krawler Reds
Trail-Gear Creeper Locks (17x9 wheels)
Trail-Gear full hydraulic steering

D60 front w/ 35-spline outers
Detroit
5.38 Yukon gears
Warn Premium Locking hubs

Ford 9" rear w/ Moser 35-spline alloy shafts
Moser Spool
Yukon Nodular Case
5.33 Yukon gears
NP231 T-Case
Six States CV Driveshafts



Video of Suicide Hill
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152194580107846&l=4272323364561136607

 

[Gravy]

are you sure the ujoint let go first? or was it the yoke?

 

[1995zj]

Not sure. Could've definitely been the yoke. Still leads me to the same question though...

 

[Gravy]

Well if it was the yoke you may just need to get some high strength forged yokes, unless that's what you were already running.

I'm kinda wondering the same thing. I busted a stock spicer front yoke and joint. Then started carrying a spare yoke assembled with joint in it. Then I busted a slip shaft, so I upgraded the slip shaft size and got forged yokes. I'm running 1310 to 1350 conversion joints at the axles and 1310 at the CV's.

I think I'll eventually upgrade to 1350's all around. f250 and f350 front shafts are 1350 all around and easy to come by.

the easier and cheaper solution would be to trade me tires

 

[1995zj]

Yeah, it was my slip shaft yoke that was taken out....the 9" yoke is actually still good. I'll probably pick up a 1350 yoke and slip yoke then see how that holds up.

 

[I Lean]

1350 as long as you don't need the higher-angle-ability of 1410.

 

[1995zj]

I had a absolute blast out in Delta for the Old School Rock Crawl! Thanks to Craig Stumph and Millard County for putting this thing on! Here are a few teaser pics for now...

 

[311WJ]

bump lol tyler i'm stoked to see this thing again next weekend

 

[1995zj]

Haha um.........well since I sold my 39's and the new tires won't be here for a few weeks, I'm only sitting on the 31" rollers. I don't know how well it would do on them lol.

 

[311WJ]

Dude... Bring the LC then ha ha

 

[311WJ]

update? lol

 

[1995zj]

Ha not too much of an update. I did take it out last weekend at The Snakes for some wheelin'....quite muddy.

My buddy's YJ

 

[Coco]

I have always loved this ZJ

 

[Lifelong Jeeper]

So what size tires did you end up getting?

 

[311WJ]

They are 39" sticky Krawlers...

I should really stop answering other people's questions lol..

 

[J10/TJ/JK]

If you notice, there is a bend in the top part of the fender. I did this because the stock fenders have a slight bend to them, so it was either put a slight bend there (which may even help protect the engine more in the event of a roll) or have the end by the windshield 2" higher lol.

Here is what I am trying to avoid and why I am building these. This is a buddy of mine that I was with that flopped backwards over Labor Day Weekend in Moab between Rusty Nail and Gold Bar Rim.

It just got me thinking that I need to do something to prevent all that damage, as I was on that same obstacle moments before and the same could've happened to me. I ended up towing him off, and if that ever happened to me I'd like to still have a rig that runs after flipping it back on all fours.

It's more aerodynamic for highway driving.

 

[1995zj]

Well, got some new plans brewing. I couldn't handle the amount of time it would take me to do a full buggy build from the ground up....so I'm just going to put more work into the ZJ. ORI's, and a lot of changes to what I've done will be in the works this winter. Planning on building everything to Ultra4 rules so that I can compete in the American Rock Sports Challenge and KOH in the future. I've pretty much read through the entire rule book 5-6 times and highlighted any changes that I will need to address. My biggest focus will be trying to shave weight off the ZJ, but that is most likely going to be my biggest challenge as well.

I'll post up some progress pictures as I go. Right now I'm in the process of just getting the house/garage ready for the ZJ. Everything is still sitting at my parents house (ZJ included).

 

[Lifelong Jeeper]

Interest piqued. How do you plan on dropping weight and how much do you have to drop?

 

[Gravy]

Yes how will you change the GVWR?

 

[1995zj]

Not 100% sure yet ha. The most weight savings will probably come from taking the rear hatch off (since it's useless anyways), putting in a smaller fuel cell, and then most likely tubing out from the firewall forward. I'll be dove-nosing the front and getting rid of those fenders up there too. I can think of a few hundred pounds off the top of my head...but we'll see when I really start looking it over.

 

[1995zj]

Yes how will you change the GVWR?

I see what you did there

I'm gonna go weigh in when I take the Jeep to my place so I know what my starting place is. I'm guessing around 5800#.