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What do I need to offroad a ZJ?

dungbeetle

dungbeetle

Registered User
Location
Provo
I keep thinking I'd like to go down to Moab and drive some of those neat trails they have. I even bought a 94 Grand Cherokee to do it with a couple of years ago. It's a 6 cylinder Laredo with an NP231 transfer case. I'd like to have something better than stock, but it doesn't have to be completely radical. I'm just a beginner and don't plan at this point to get too aggressive. But, I suppose like in all things.... sooner or later I'll get more into it if it's fun.

I was going to try and build this myself, but at the moment, I'm spending all my time building a car for road racing so what I am looking for are recommendations as to what could be done to the jeep, and how much it should cost me to get somebody to do it for me.
 
Badger

Badger

I am the Brute squad
Location
South Salt Lake
sure i can at 200% interest .still interested ?

no really start doing some research .lift kits can range from 500 to 2500 depending on how high you want to go and how extreme you are looking for.then add on the expense of somebody else doing the install and its only going to be more expensive .
 
dungbeetle

dungbeetle

Registered User
Location
Provo
Badger said:
sure i can at 200% interest .still interested ?

no really start doing some research .lift kits can range from 500 to 2500 depending on how high you want to go and how extreme you are looking for.then add on the expense of somebody else doing the install and its only going to be more expensive .
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For now, what can I get for 1500 bucks, and how much will it cost to get installed?

I don't see myself being real extreme. I saw a video of somebody doing something called "potato salad" hill (I think that was it). I'm pretty sure I won't be ready for that for a long time. I just want to be able to do most of the easier trails. I think some of them have rivers to cross that a stock jeep probably couldn't handle.

What else do i need besides a lift kit? Roll bar inside?
 
lewis

lewis

Fight Till You Die
Location
Hairyman
I have seen a zj do most of the medium difficult trails running 33 inch tires with a 4 inch lift or so with lockers. Rock sliders are a real good thing to have on those so if you happen to hit your rocker panel you'll still be able to open the doors. Hope that helps.
 
ChestonScout

ChestonScout

opinions are like Jeeps..
Location
Clinton, Ut
Get a 4" lift, throw some 33" tires on it and if you still have some money, put a locker in one of your axles then go have a blast.

Ive got a set of BFG MT tires that are 33x10.50x15 that have been on my xj. They have about 3/8s tread left and are worn just a little uneven. Still very usable and great for a stock jeep wheel. I havent posted them for sale yet so your getting first dibs. Id like to get $175 out of them. PM me if you are interested and I will send some pics.

Call 4wheelparts at 801-954-8826 and they can give you a price on the lift installed.

Good luck!
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
You don't need to have a lifted rig to wheel in Moab. I have had a stock Toyota on a handful of trails down there, if you stick to the easier trails you'll have just as much fun IMO. Take a buddy with another vehicle or 2, put together a plan of trails you want to run & have fun exploring the area around Moab! You'd probably be surprised what you can do with a stock Jeep. You'll also learn where you need to spend that money when you do decide to modify the Jeep, by wheeling it first.
 
K

kowe69

wannabe
Location
West Valley, Utah
Greg said:
You don't need to have a lifted rig to wheel in Moab. I have had a stock Toyota on a handful of trails down there, if you stick to the easier trails you'll have just as much fun IMO. Take a buddy with another vehicle or 2, put together a plan of trails you want to run & have fun exploring the area around Moab! You'd probably be surprised what you can do with a stock Jeep. You'll also learn where you need to spend that money when you do decide to modify the Jeep, by wheeling it first.
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I agree with Greg. Go on a few trails. Get some experience and soon you will figure out what needs to be upgraded first. Some of the first things will likely be lift, larger tires and at least one locker. Even with these few mods, you will find that your rig is both very capable on the trail and streetable at the same time.
 
Cherokeester

Cherokeester

Registered User
Location
Wellsville Utah
Yep, drive what ya got first. There are lots of easy to moderate trails that your Grand will do just fine. Then you can decide how radical you want to get on your mods.
 
mbryson

mbryson

.......a few dollars more
Supporting Member
Location
Bountiful, land of rocks
Greg said:
You don't need to have a lifted rig to wheel in Moab. I have had a stock Toyota on a handful of trails down there, if you stick to the easier trails you'll have just as much fun IMO. Take a buddy with another vehicle or 2, put together a plan of trails you want to run & have fun exploring the area around Moab! You'd probably be surprised what you can do with a stock Jeep. You'll also learn where you need to spend that money when you do decide to modify the Jeep, by wheeling it first.
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We've run a lot of trails in Moab with our stock ZJ. Poison Spider is quite fun with a stock Jeep.
 
ChestonScout

ChestonScout

opinions are like Jeeps..
Location
Clinton, Ut
I do agree with the fact that you CAN wheel in a stock vehicle. He has all ready stated that he wants something over stock. I think everyone can agree that you want to start with a lift and bigger tires, then body protection and lockers.
 
SLC97SR5

SLC97SR5

IDIesel
Location
Davis County
I think the biggest performance gain will come from a rear locker and sliders, you can continue to build around these two items as they will not become obsolete as you begin upgrading other aspects of the truck.

You will really be amazed by the performance increase w/a locker and sliders are extremely inexpensive peace of mind.

Big tires and lift look cool however a stock ZJ is fairly capable and very Moab friendly. If you've got 16's I'd find some 245/75/16 Rubi MTR's or some 31x10.50's for 15's.
 
SLC97SR5

SLC97SR5

IDIesel
Location
Davis County
why would you want to toss money away on a Dana 35?
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I wouldn't, that's why I'm a Toyota lover:D, however aren't you doing the same thing with larger tires?--cost of big rubber, possible wheel upgrade, additional strain on axle and perhaps a gear install to accomodate tires.

I got the impression that he's looking for the lowest cost with the biggest gain...I really don't think you can beat a locker assuming you can keep it all together. For a beginner that doesn't sound 100% committed to the hobby I feel this adds value and functionality.

You are absolutely right in suggesting an upgrade to a D44 but how serious is this guy?
 
dungbeetle

dungbeetle

Registered User
Location
Provo
How much money would I be wasting if I put lockers in a Dana 35?

What axle would be the easiest upgrade? And, what kind of vehicle does it come out of?

Richard
 
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