Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: xjlee on February 18, 2008, 10:14:02 PM

Title: Grand Cherokee
Post by: xjlee on February 18, 2008, 10:14:02 PM
Hi all, thinking about my next move as far as a jeep goes and im kinda tempted towards a Grand purely because you dont see any modded ones over here, its different and it has coils all round! Are they as capable as my trusty xj and as easy to work on? Dont wanna go OTT with it but a decent lift and tyres are a must, cant spend huge moolar so any words of advice, pointer, links etc would be gratefully recieved  8-)
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Post by: Bishops Finger on February 18, 2008, 11:52:16 PM
There are a few...very few modded ones in the UK... :wink:

Prices are making them exceedingly affordable these days but the mods eg lifts protection if sourced from the US are not that silly price wise compared to an XJ

Biggest issue I believe if you seriously mod it is the rear diff which isn't strong enough for some serious off roading..

Apart from Quadratec and 4WD hardwear have a dabble on some of the US manufactureres site such as Rustys off road and Kevins off road

Ditto check out some US forums notably Jeep Horizons but above all NAGCA

This is a picture of a somewhat modded one...(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/1247_standard_1.jpg)
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Post by: xjlee on February 19, 2008, 08:12:51 PM
Nice one mate, have heard about issues with the diff.
Been lookin on Jeeps Unlimited forum, got some crazy stuff on there but also some really nicely sorted ones. Im not looking to do rock crawling or anything but want it to be as reliable as my two current XJ's, which have been faultless for 12months of ownership 8-)
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Post by: daggie on February 19, 2008, 09:45:55 PM
try http://www.mallcrawlin.com/ (http://www.mallcrawlin.com/)     8-)
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Post by: popoff on February 19, 2008, 09:46:32 PM
I have just got a V8 Overland and (when I can afford it) a lift and tyres are all I think I want, just a 2" lift and some bigger tyres, are 31" ok ?
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Post by: wazza on February 19, 2008, 10:30:23 PM
which grand are you going for???

ive just purchased this one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... Y.m238.lVI (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&item=330210444877&_trksid=p3984.cTODAY.m238.lVI)

ive already got a (free) 2inch bb to go an a set of (free) 31's  :-D
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Post by: Bishops Finger on February 19, 2008, 10:36:14 PM
mallcrawlin.com...

Daggie you are the man....off for a lie down now..
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Post by: Owen on February 19, 2008, 11:55:34 PM
I have had a kitted XJ and a kitted ZJ, loved both of them. And although the XJ, was very capable I have to say the the ZJ felt far more sure-footed, and could go places the XJ couldnt! Big let down with the ZJ is the shity 35 diffs. I blew 2 ZJ diffs in as many months at Ribbo. :roll:
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Post by: Manda on February 20, 2008, 11:06:24 AM
Quote from: "popoff"
I have just got a V8 Overland and (when I can afford it) a lift and tyres are all I think I want, just a 2" lift and some bigger tyres, are 31" ok ?


31s are ok.  8-)
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Post by: wazza on February 20, 2008, 06:01:38 PM
the xj's have a dana 35 too.

31 are a girls tyres an to make my first set of free tyres even more girly, they're all terrains  :lol:
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Post by: Owen on February 20, 2008, 07:30:02 PM
Yea but the 35 in the Cherry doasnt have to push as much weight along as the 35 in the Grand, believe me I know form bitter experience! :-D
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Post by: popoff on February 20, 2008, 09:04:25 PM
Quote from: "Manda"
Quote from: "popoff"
I have just got a V8 Overland and (when I can afford it) a lift and tyres are all I think I want, just a 2" lift and some bigger tyres, are 31" ok ?

31s are ok.  :!:
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Post by: tartanzj on February 22, 2008, 05:21:07 PM
I started with a 2" BB and 31" BFG AT's on my ZJ (big girl or what  :-) . Added spacers to get my turning circle back and disconnects. Well worth doing too and I only had the occasional rub on the wheel arch when the tyre was stuffed up on full lock.

Lift now up to 4.5". Kids can't get in it now  :-D  :-D
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Post by: Bishops Finger on February 22, 2008, 08:49:21 PM
Tis good to see more folk modding Grands... 8-)
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Post by: greggmo on February 22, 2008, 11:56:07 PM
wassa is only sayin 31's are girly cos of the tyres he bought wont even fit into the back of his van. 31's are just fine for playin and bear in mind that just driving over anything in your path does get a bit boring if ya aint careful.
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Post by: Mike WJUK on March 06, 2008, 04:09:58 AM
Have a look in the Grand Cherokee section of  http://http://www.jeepforum.com for loads of useful info on what you can and can't do with Grands.
http://http://www.ironrockoffroad.com are well worth a look for lift kits etc. with an excellent service and reputation.

Also this post might offer a little info for you (if its WJ/WG you're interested in) http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5517&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

The WJ/WG V8's come with a 44a rear axle which is stronger than the 35 supposedly and i think some of the ZJ's come with a 44 ( maybe the V8's again)
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Post by: Mike Pavelin on March 06, 2008, 07:40:54 AM
All UK spec WGs have the 44a. Unfortunately it is none too tough as the pumpkin is made of aluminium. Aftermarket parts for these are also scarce.
The ZG/ZJ with V8 had the 44 but these are rare in the UK.
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Post by: 46stm on March 11, 2008, 12:43:40 PM
Do you mean one like mine? More capable than you think, over £7k of mods by Surrey Off Road and a few small mods by Mike Pavelin.(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/52_1000_Rivers_day_1_and_2_062_1.jpg)
(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/52_1000_Rivers_day_1_and_2_066_1.jpg)
(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/52_1000_Rivers_day_1_and_2_098_1.jpg)
(http://http://birtydastardsjeepclub.com/forum/userpix/52_IMG_0246_1.jpg)
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Post by: Bishops Finger on March 11, 2008, 01:52:43 PM
Cool....