Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: vlad2201 on February 08, 2013, 11:41:11 PM

Title: Newbie with a question.
Post by: vlad2201 on February 08, 2013, 11:41:11 PM
Hello all, had a '97 ZJ for about 3 years now, though I replaced it as my DD about 6 months ago, so now is the time to recommission it and make it a bit more offroad friendly. Need to do brake pads and repair the drivers seat base for the MOT, then it could do with a rear axle rebuild and changing the T/Case at some point.

Questions: Is there anyone in the UK producing lift kits and steel bumpers in the UK. I realise you can get everything imaginable from the states but every time I order from the US the shipping is ridiculous and I get absolutely raped for duty. I suspect the fact I get hit for duty if I'm so much as a penny over the £18 threshold may have something to do with having a very bitter ex working for HMRC!  :banghead:

Surely there has to be someone producing stuff in the UK or mainland europe?

Does anyone know of a breaker for US spec Jeeps as I want to switch to a 242 T/case to give me 2wd to save fuel on the road and locked 4x4 off the road.
Title: Re: Newbie with a question.
Post by: Jeepjedi on February 08, 2013, 11:54:10 PM
Llama 4x4, speak to Dave, be prepared for a real long conversation, he loves a chat but is a top top bloke

Tel.01952.825732
Mob. 07969.458958

david@llama4x4.co.uk

http://www.llama4x4.co.uk/ (http://www.llama4x4.co.uk/)
Title: Re: Newbie with a question.
Post by: Bulldog67 on February 09, 2013, 09:30:07 AM
Birty Mike also also has a cottage industry goin on:

http://www.birtydastards.com/frm/index.php?topic=22344.msg262249#msg262249 (http://www.birtydastards.com/frm/index.php?topic=22344.msg262249#msg262249)

You can contact him via PM
Title: Re: Newbie with a question.
Post by: bigjeepzj on February 09, 2013, 11:42:15 AM
you can convert a 242 to fit your zj

http://kevinsoffroad.com/techarticles/Solitude%20242%20swap/249-242_swap.html (http://kevinsoffroad.com/techarticles/Solitude%20242%20swap/249-242_swap.html)

Title: Re: Newbie with a question.
Post by: vlad2201 on February 10, 2013, 01:02:35 AM
Thanks for the replies. I'd already looked at the Llama site but as it is US produced kit it tends toward the prohibitive side cost wise. I was rather hoping for there to be a european manufacturer. Such is life I suppose.

As for the t/case does anyone know what Jeeps came with a 242 case in the UK? All my research has been on US sites so I don't know if anything came here with it fitted.
Title: Re: Newbie with a question.
Post by: daggie on February 10, 2013, 07:22:11 AM
4.0l cherokees have the np242, just the same as the US,
get one from the same year and you'll be fine ie 97  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Newbie with a question.
Post by: Mike Pavelin on February 10, 2013, 09:06:42 AM
2WD aint gonna save you more than a couple of mpg as you're still dragging the front axle round, unless you intend fitting freewheeling front hubs. It'll also increase the load on already weak rear axle, increase tyre wear and make wet roundabouts rather interesting.
Title: Re: Newbie with a question.
Post by: vlad2201 on February 10, 2013, 12:46:17 PM
Daggie, that's exactly the info I was looking for thanks  :icon_super:

As for the fuel, well a couple of mpg would be a godsend if the wife goes back to using it to visit her family as it's over a 500 mile trip each time. That'd be a win in my book. After having quite a few high power rwd cars between us the tail happy handling shouldn't cause any serious issues. The axle is a worry but I strongly suspect mine needs something doing anyway. The other consideration being that from what I've read the 249 case has a life of roughly 150k and finding one with significantly less is to my mind an issue as unless you get to see the vehicle yourself you only have the sellers word that is is a fully functioning low mileage item. Been there and been burned before!

Thanks again for the advice, it's great to find people in the UK who know their stuff and are willing to share :003:
Title: Re: Newbie with a question.
Post by: Mike Pavelin on February 10, 2013, 01:49:39 PM
The main problem with 249s is siezed viscous couplings.
Title: Re: Newbie with a question.
Post by: bigjeepzj on February 10, 2013, 02:12:44 PM
 :iagree: 242 would be the best way to go