My 1998 5.9L ZJ Build
09-10-2013, 10:25 AM
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Year: 1998 Limited 5.9L
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.9L
My 1998 Grand Cherokee ZJ 5.9L Build!
Originally I bought this with the plans to keep it stock. Here's when I bought it, outside of Gettysburg, PA 12/3/12:
At "Ringing Rocks" in Upper Black Eddy, PA:
Sank it in the NJ Pine Barrens in Wharton State Park 2/19/13:
Trans sucked in water. Removed it, put in a new trans & t-case WITH a vent tube 3/24/13:
My buddy Facebooked me asking if I wanted to install a lift on my ZJ. This is his MJ btw:
We verified 1" lift would be fine, so that was the plan. I went over to his garage and we started work on the lift 9/8/13:
Stock front springs, "new" springs:
Front finished:
Fab work:
Rear finished:
Lift kit finished (New tires on the way this week, need new shocks and rear adjustable track bar as well). What was supposed to be a 1" lift and only an hour or two of work, ended up as a 4.5" lift and 10 hours of work:
I'll post photos once I get the tires installed.
At "Ringing Rocks" in Upper Black Eddy, PA:
Sank it in the NJ Pine Barrens in Wharton State Park 2/19/13:
Trans sucked in water. Removed it, put in a new trans & t-case WITH a vent tube 3/24/13:
My buddy Facebooked me asking if I wanted to install a lift on my ZJ. This is his MJ btw:
We verified 1" lift would be fine, so that was the plan. I went over to his garage and we started work on the lift 9/8/13:
Stock front springs, "new" springs:
Front finished:
Fab work:
Rear finished:
Lift kit finished (New tires on the way this week, need new shocks and rear adjustable track bar as well). What was supposed to be a 1" lift and only an hour or two of work, ended up as a 4.5" lift and 10 hours of work:
I'll post photos once I get the tires installed.
Last edited by PAFirefighter11; 09-11-2013 at 09:58 AM.
09-10-2013, 11:30 AM
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Year: 1998 Limited 5.9L
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.9L
We did some test fitting. I can fit 35's with minor trimming, but I don't want to go that big. I'll be running some 32" BFG Rugged Terrain tires for a bit. Once it becomes mainly a trail vehicle I'll run some 33" mud tires, most likely Mickey Thompson MTZ's.
09-10-2013, 12:35 PM
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Year: 1998 Limited 5.9L
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.9L
09-10-2013, 08:50 PM
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Year: 1998 Limited 5.9L
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.9L
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09-11-2013, 09:46 AM
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Year: 1998 Limited 5.9L
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.9L
It's always a tough call in the Pines. The problem is if you go too fast you could hit a hole that sinks your Jeep up and over the top of the hood. Or put enough water into the fan blades to break them (I've seen it happen a few times). But, if you go slow what happened above could happen. But, you may also be able to back out of trouble if it starts getting too deep. It's just a special situation there. I tell myself all the time that I won't wheel there again. And time and time again I go back. It's just fun wheeling in the middle of nowhere with random streams and cranberry bogs throughout. I think that's what keeps drawing me back.
I prefer rocks though. At least with rocks when you break you break. It's not usually something that slowly eats away like mud in your alternator or starter
I prefer rocks though. At least with rocks when you break you break. It's not usually something that slowly eats away like mud in your alternator or starter
09-17-2013, 10:11 AM
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Year: 1998 Limited 5.9L
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.9L
I built 'em myself. Here's the thread: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f59/bi...photos-158197/
10-15-2013, 01:25 PM
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Year: 1998 Limited 5.9L
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.9L
Couple shots in a torrential rain storm last week. My Mickey Thompson MTZ's will be here Friday of this week or early next week!
10-19-2013, 08:14 PM
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Year: 1998 Limited 5.9L
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.9L
Thanks guys!
Latest updates: 4.5"/4.75" lift, 32x10.10x16" Mickey Thompson MTZ's, Tomken Rocker Guards, FourXDoctor Diff Guard:
Latest updates: 4.5"/4.75" lift, 32x10.10x16" Mickey Thompson MTZ's, Tomken Rocker Guards, FourXDoctor Diff Guard: