Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: kdev on June 27, 2013, 04:17:24 PM

Title: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: kdev on June 27, 2013, 04:17:24 PM
Hi there,
So ive decided to do some off roading and green laning with my old grand cherokee zj, nothing too serious! It has BFG all terrains, but all else is standard.
Just wondering what else i should consider, ie skid plates, and where i might find some equip other than usa importing.
Thanks for any suggestions
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Nosebolt on June 27, 2013, 04:30:16 PM
first thing would be front and rear recovery points
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Cockney Boy on June 27, 2013, 04:32:56 PM
You might want to consider a small lift, perhaps 2" but the cheapest mod you can do if you want to go froading is to air down your tyres. Mod your truck depending on the type of froading you want to do, if you want to go through 3 foot of water then you need to extend your breather pipes on your axles and perhaps fit a snorkel. If you want to go over a few rockes then your into lifting and under body protection.

The world is your oyster, and just rememebr Jeep stands for "Just Empty Every Pocket"
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: big g on June 27, 2013, 04:39:47 PM
They ain't bad out the box with AT's.

that's all I got on mine for laning it copes just fine.

Pucks are cheap to lift or fit the front springs to rear and get some lifted ones for the front.Think that's the right way round for swapping,sure you get 2-3" lift doing that.

Sure someone  clever will confirm later.

Welcome BTW.
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: bigjeepzj on June 27, 2013, 10:15:35 PM
 :iagree:
as above
+ get some under body protection fitted
If you got skills you and make then your self
I and testify that the sky is not the you and spend a lot more i know.
so stick with a 2" to 3" lift and an bit of arch trimming if you have a buget

check out
http://mallcrawlin.com/forum/content.php (http://mallcrawlin.com/forum/content.php)

if you want inspiration

But zj are good trucks for laning and you stay warm and dry.
and that long wheel base helps getting up hills and slopes without rolling over






 


 
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Mike2909 on July 24, 2013, 10:02:21 PM
I hope you do not mind me hijacking this thread as it does relate to what you are asking.
I started going offroad with my ZJ (standard with Cooper STT tyres) about 2 months ago. I am lucky in that I live 20 mins from the Scottish Off Road Centre so I can practically go there daily. I have been stuck twice in deep mud just getting to know the ZJ and over estimating what I could drive through. When and how do you fit breather pipes to your axles? Does the gearbox also need protecting from the water and from what depth of water? I have been through water that came up to the top of the door sills a couple of times but no extensive wading as such.


 
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: daggie on July 24, 2013, 10:38:42 PM
 :003:
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Mike2909 on July 27, 2013, 10:31:57 PM
That looks good.What lift is on it?
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: dtooth on July 27, 2013, 10:51:36 PM
Just finished my second  zj bumper build this one has a winch plate attachment (https://birtydastards.com/frm/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi166.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fu106%2Fdt00th%2FIMAG0104_zps3a24dd52.jpg&hash=dab79146ecec312692244781f20966a816cc85ca) (http://s166.photobucket.com/user/dt00th/media/IMAG0104_zps3a24dd52.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: The Smiths on July 28, 2013, 12:11:47 AM
Nice looking bumper :icon_super: :icon_super: :icon_super:
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: daggie on July 28, 2013, 09:09:39 AM
That looks good.What lift is on it?

From what I remember  :icon_biggrin:
The rear had cherokee front springs lifting it about 3.5" I extended the rear anti-roll bar with threaded bar, a bodge that worked and is still working today  :003:

The front had standard springs with a 3" budget spacer, R/Express control arms, JKS disconnects extended brake hoses from llama 4x4,
home made limiting straps made from old seat belts  :003:
home fabbed winch bumper (its for sale  :icon_winkle: )
+4" rancho shocks allround
Cooper SST muds 31x10.50 tyres
242 transfer case from a cherokee

I had her for six years and its still going strong with its new owner  :003:
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Mike2909 on July 28, 2013, 09:33:15 AM
Send me a photo of the front bumper when you have the time please. I am starting with a 2" budget boost I ordered last week and am going to take it from there.
I have owned the ZJ for 4 years but bought a WG last year.I was offered peanuts for the ZJ so decided to keep her and use her offroad.
I only live 15 miles from Glentarkie so can go up almost daily and it is challenging enough there to learn on and find out what the ZJ is capable of. She is still road going standard except for the Cooper SSTs .
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: bigjeepzj on July 28, 2013, 09:38:59 AM
ZJ rock
but you can spend thousands on them   :icon_redface:
daggie nice bumper
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Mike2909 on July 28, 2013, 12:24:32 PM
ZJ rock
but you can spend thousands on them   :icon_redface:
daggie nice bumper

In fuel alone  :icon_eek:  :icon_biggrin:
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: daggie on July 28, 2013, 12:41:32 PM
mine was diesel  :icon_jook:
I'll look out some picks :icon_winkle:
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: bigjeepzj on July 28, 2013, 01:58:56 PM
you now got a 4l manual
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Mike2909 on August 04, 2013, 03:52:51 PM
mine was diesel  :icon_jook:
I'll look out some picks :icon_winkle:

Found any pics yet of the bumper??
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: daggie on August 04, 2013, 06:46:36 PM
sorry I for got about this  :icon_redface:
its got a steering guard too, its not a shiny as that now though
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: j33pky on August 04, 2013, 07:12:01 PM
XJ,s are good and look ace.. Had a ride around with a guy at Jeepey jamboree the other weekend who said he knew some off you... Seemed a nice fella
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: JamesH on August 04, 2013, 08:13:43 PM
It's a ZJ and a 'special' friend. He really should have done the double finger smiley à la Pirate.
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: j33pky on August 04, 2013, 08:30:45 PM
Yes zj. Sorry it is next to x on my keyboard... :greggmo:
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: j33pky on August 04, 2013, 08:32:46 PM
Funny that he said some of you were special friend too!!
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Bubba on August 04, 2013, 08:56:24 PM
Special in every sense
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: isle of man on August 04, 2013, 09:05:28 PM
XJ,s are good and look ace.. Had a ride around with a guy at Jeepey jamboree the other weekend who said he knew some off you... Seemed a nice fella

He looks sheepish!!!!
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Mike2909 on August 04, 2013, 09:20:30 PM
XJ,s are good and look ace.. Had a ride around with a guy at Jeepey jamboree the other weekend who said he knew some off you... Seemed a nice fella

He looks sheepish!!!!
Is he Welsh?
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: JamesH on August 04, 2013, 09:42:59 PM
Almost, I'm sure he owns some wellies  :IOM:
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Bubba on August 04, 2013, 09:53:51 PM
 :017: no one knows fluent in gibberish
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Jeepjedi on August 07, 2013, 07:24:46 PM
There is some history on here with that one
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Mike2909 on August 09, 2013, 09:38:22 PM
There is some history on here with that one
Ah history my favourite subject.
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Mike2909 on August 19, 2013, 08:15:49 AM
Does anyone know why it would take between 10 -20 minutes of waiting (possibly cooling) before I can go from High to Lo range in my ZJ? It takes me about 20-25 minutes to drive from home to the Scottish off road site at Glentarkie. When I get there, have signed in I have to wait anything from 10 -20 mins before it will go into Lo range. When I start the ZJ at home it will go from hi to lo with no hesitation, if I drive only 5 -10 mins to the tracks at the back of my house it will change immediately from hi to lo.
When I come off site after driving for up to 2 hours it takes only 5 minutes to go from Lo to high. I would have thought that the off road driving would put more strain on the gearbox and that it would take longer to cool down but it seems to be the road driving that makes it worse or longer waiting.
The ZJ is a 4.0 with auto box.
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: bigjeepzj on August 19, 2013, 09:04:37 AM
when do you last do a fluid change on the TC
Title: Re: Grand cherokee zj offroading
Post by: Mike2909 on August 19, 2013, 10:04:47 AM
when do you last do a fluid change on the TC

Approx 18 months ago less than 5k miles covered though. I have exact date and mileage on my PC at home. I checked the level 2 weeks ago and that was good and the fluid looked and smelled good.