project 'Creeper'
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee(ZJ)
Engine: 5.9
So I already posted an introduction thread, but ill mae a project thread here to keep track of my progress.
Jeep:
1998 Chili Pepper Red
4.0 w/auto trans
NP231 transfer case
Dana 35 w/factory lsd rear
Purchased:
Zone Offroad 4.5 inch lift with spring packs
Zone Offroad steering stabilizer
15x8 Cragar soft 8's
32x11.50 BFG Mud Terrains
1.5 inch Rough Country Wheel spacers
So far not much has been done. I replaced ball joints and did other routine type things last week, and started the lift process last night. I've got a couple pics now, and will post more when I get home.
Day I brought her home.


And my one spot of rust. Tailgate, next to the trim.
Next day was ball joints day. the driver side upper gave me a ***** of a time and ended up comming out in 3 pieces. Stem stayed in the hub assembaly, ball joint housing stayed in the steering knuckle, and the spring inside the ball joint managed to force itself through the top of the housing. Needlesss to say, this thing needed balljoints BAD.
Started the process last night of removing this:

And replacing it with the goodies in here.

Stay tuned for more pics and updates!!
Jeep:
1998 Chili Pepper Red
4.0 w/auto trans
NP231 transfer case
Dana 35 w/factory lsd rear
Purchased:
Zone Offroad 4.5 inch lift with spring packs
Zone Offroad steering stabilizer
15x8 Cragar soft 8's
32x11.50 BFG Mud Terrains
1.5 inch Rough Country Wheel spacers
So far not much has been done. I replaced ball joints and did other routine type things last week, and started the lift process last night. I've got a couple pics now, and will post more when I get home.
Day I brought her home.


And my one spot of rust. Tailgate, next to the trim.
Next day was ball joints day. the driver side upper gave me a ***** of a time and ended up comming out in 3 pieces. Stem stayed in the hub assembaly, ball joint housing stayed in the steering knuckle, and the spring inside the ball joint managed to force itself through the top of the housing. Needlesss to say, this thing needed balljoints BAD.
Started the process last night of removing this:

And replacing it with the goodies in here.

Stay tuned for more pics and updates!!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee(ZJ)
Engine: 5.9
Off topic for this build, but this was my last project. My 1991 mazda miata autox car. Little things done to it but it was a blast to take to the track.
Stance Coilovers
TOMi cams
Custom stainless exhaust
Strut tower and otther chassis bracing everywhere.
Cobalt short throw shifter
Nitto NT01 tires all the way around
Custom brushed XXR 513 wheels
Autokonexion flares
EBC red pads on brembo blanks
Lsd 3.73 gears.
Probably more I just can't remember
Before...


After...



Stance Coilovers
TOMi cams
Custom stainless exhaust
Strut tower and otther chassis bracing everywhere.
Cobalt short throw shifter
Nitto NT01 tires all the way around
Custom brushed XXR 513 wheels
Autokonexion flares
EBC red pads on brembo blanks
Lsd 3.73 gears.
Probably more I just can't remember
Before...


After...



Were those other Miata pictures your as well? Looks nice with those well guards, very sporty. I enjoy seeing Jeeps with lifts, hope to see your completed project and good luck, these projects can be a pain sometimes.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee(ZJ)
Engine: 5.9
Yeah, all the pics of the miata are the same car. Second set had more work put in obviously. The tires didn't fit without the flares. I ran an 8.5 inch wide tire on that car
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee(ZJ)
Engine: 5.9
Made some decent progress on the install last night. Managed to get he front end taken apart and started on gettin everything back together. Also got another box in today. Picked up some wheel spacers from rough country.
Old and new springs

New springs finally seated after fighting the SOB for a good long time

Old and new controll arms

And my progress for toniight.

Probably pick up workin again Saturday morning and finish gettin everything set on the driver side and get my rear all put together
Old and new springs

New springs finally seated after fighting the SOB for a good long time

Old and new controll arms

And my progress for toniight.

Probably pick up workin again Saturday morning and finish gettin everything set on the driver side and get my rear all put together
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee(ZJ)
Engine: 5.9
Spacers were abut 130 so not too bad.
Anyway. Took the day off yesterday to go to my girlfriends college formal. Picked up today and hit the wrenches hard. Got a lot accomplished up front. And started on the rear. Also got my new exhaust in. I'm running a magnaflow high flow cat hooked up to a flowmaster super 40 muffler. I opted against the full tailpipe and used a simple turndown from my local autozone. Pics of that set up should be up tomorrow.
Only a couple pics from today.
Front gap is 23.5 inches from hub to fender. New tires will be in on Monday.

As she sits right now.

Oh and I got bored and walked through the hardware store. Decided to make my own quick discos.. not sure whether or not I'm gonna run them though lol
Anyway. Took the day off yesterday to go to my girlfriends college formal. Picked up today and hit the wrenches hard. Got a lot accomplished up front. And started on the rear. Also got my new exhaust in. I'm running a magnaflow high flow cat hooked up to a flowmaster super 40 muffler. I opted against the full tailpipe and used a simple turndown from my local autozone. Pics of that set up should be up tomorrow.
Only a couple pics from today.
Front gap is 23.5 inches from hub to fender. New tires will be in on Monday.

As she sits right now.

Oh and I got bored and walked through the hardware store. Decided to make my own quick discos.. not sure whether or not I'm gonna run them though lol
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee(ZJ)
Engine: 5.9
so after a day of fighting with leaf spring bolts, I've decided to call it quits and let these things soak in PB for a couple days... good news is my tires and wheels are scheduled to be here tomorrow! Unfortunately can't mount them though...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee(ZJ)
Engine: 5.9
Can't mount em cause its not alignend yet. Id prefer to not drive on the new tires to take it to get aligned. These stock ones are worn out pretty good so I may as well juust use them to drive it the 5 miles over to the shop
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 673
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
what leaf spring bolts are you having trouble with? the U bolts or the ones at the ends?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Chicago area
Year: 1998
Model: Grand Cherokee(ZJ)
Engine: 5.9
I'm talking about the end bolts. More specificaly the ones holding the shackle to the frame and the leaf to the frame in front.
This one

And the top one here
This one

And the top one here


