The Zippy Johnson Build (ZJ)
11-11-2013, 03:44 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
The Zippy Johnson Build (ZJ)
[ In the process of moving this build over from jeepforum ] 
So after reading through tons of ZJ builds the past couple of days I decided today that i should make a build thread for my 1997 Grand Cherokee Laredo . . .
Picked up this 1997 ZJ over this past March to replace my previous jeep (2000 Xj Limited) . . It had exactly 160k on the odometer when i picked it up for $1000 . . Needed a few minor things but ran and drove great and was real clean inside and out aside from missing the front bumper cover (PO got into a fender bender)
So to get things moving I started by swapping over basic parts from my blown up XJ to get the ZJ road worthy (Needed a ujoint and new brakes)
Old rotors and pads were pretty much shot and the calipers had seen better days
Swapped over drilled and slotted rotors from my xj along with newer caliper and pads
Then after about of week of owning the ZJ i decided it was time to lift it! Brought both Jeeps to my buddies garage and started swapping over my 3" Rough Country Coils, Spacers, and Shocks!
Then about 3 hours later the ZJ looked like this!
And just for fun some pics of my previous XJ in all its glory before i killed it lol
So after reading through tons of ZJ builds the past couple of days I decided today that i should make a build thread for my 1997 Grand Cherokee Laredo . . .
Picked up this 1997 ZJ over this past March to replace my previous jeep (2000 Xj Limited) . . It had exactly 160k on the odometer when i picked it up for $1000 . . Needed a few minor things but ran and drove great and was real clean inside and out aside from missing the front bumper cover (PO got into a fender bender)
So to get things moving I started by swapping over basic parts from my blown up XJ to get the ZJ road worthy (Needed a ujoint and new brakes)
Old rotors and pads were pretty much shot and the calipers had seen better days
Swapped over drilled and slotted rotors from my xj along with newer caliper and pads
Then after about of week of owning the ZJ i decided it was time to lift it! Brought both Jeeps to my buddies garage and started swapping over my 3" Rough Country Coils, Spacers, and Shocks!
Then about 3 hours later the ZJ looked like this!
And just for fun some pics of my previous XJ in all its glory before i killed it lol
Last edited by onew1ckedxj; 11-11-2013 at 04:02 PM.
11-11-2013, 03:45 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Didnt like the look of the beat up and rusty front bumper so i decided to paint it flat black
Of course after i started painting the bumper i decided to do the grill as well since it was pretty chipped up and chrome just wont get ya home! So after about 3 coats of Krylon Flat Black the grill looked like this!
Then while waiting for the paint to dry i decided to clean up the cloudy headlights!
Everything back together! and put on my surco rack with full size spare and hi-lift!
Of course after i started painting the bumper i decided to do the grill as well since it was pretty chipped up and chrome just wont get ya home! So after about 3 coats of Krylon Flat Black the grill looked like this!
Then while waiting for the paint to dry i decided to clean up the cloudy headlights!
Everything back together! and put on my surco rack with full size spare and hi-lift!
11-11-2013, 03:47 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
The jeep looked like that for about 4 months until i decided i couldnt stand the look of the grey plastics so out came the paint again!
And also around that time i decided to take the doors off!
And heres a couple pics of how the jeep looks today
And also around that time i decided to take the doors off!
And heres a couple pics of how the jeep looks today
11-11-2013, 03:47 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
About 2 weeks ago my fuel pump decided to quit on me so i ended up replacing it with an Airtex pump from advacnced auto . .
After i installed the pump the jeep ran better than ever! or so i thought . . Went out camping with a few friends this past weekend and wouldnt you know it the new fuel pump i just replaced decided to crap out as well . . Luckily there was an advanced auto not to far away from where we were camping so i gave them a call told them the new pump i had just purchased had failed and they agreed to replace it! had my friend drive me there with his wrangler swapped the pump for a new one came back and installed it! was a little uncomfortable tho replacing the fuel pump in the woods considering it decided to rain like crazy when we got back
After i installed the pump the jeep ran better than ever! or so i thought . . Went out camping with a few friends this past weekend and wouldnt you know it the new fuel pump i just replaced decided to crap out as well . . Luckily there was an advanced auto not to far away from where we were camping so i gave them a call told them the new pump i had just purchased had failed and they agreed to replace it! had my friend drive me there with his wrangler swapped the pump for a new one came back and installed it! was a little uncomfortable tho replacing the fuel pump in the woods considering it decided to rain like crazy when we got back
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11-11-2013, 03:48 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Most recent updates and pics of the heep!
Removed the side cladding . .
Added some cheapo harbor freight lights . .
New hub and brake pads . .
Had her out in the woods a lot . .
Picked up some 33s in the MTZ flavor . .
And how she sits now . .
Now next up on the list is a locker for the Dana 30 and new shocks all around . . also going to do the TJ gas bezel mod and paint some things lime green eventually and fix some body damage
let me know what ya guys think!
Removed the side cladding . .
Added some cheapo harbor freight lights . .
New hub and brake pads . .
Had her out in the woods a lot . .
Picked up some 33s in the MTZ flavor . .
And how she sits now . .
Now next up on the list is a locker for the Dana 30 and new shocks all around . . also going to do the TJ gas bezel mod and paint some things lime green eventually and fix some body damage
let me know what ya guys think!
Last edited by onew1ckedxj; 11-11-2013 at 04:06 PM.
11-11-2013, 03:58 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Just threw this thread together over to here from Jeepforum . . I need to clean it up a little bit so it makes sense lol . . But future plans are as follows:
-Locker for the LP30
-Skids
-Boatside rockers
-1 Ton steering
-Another 1.5" of lift
-Longer shocks
-8.8 Swap in the rear and swap hp30 into the front
-Skids
-Locker for the LP30
-Skids
-Boatside rockers
-1 Ton steering
-Another 1.5" of lift
-Longer shocks
-8.8 Swap in the rear and swap hp30 into the front
-Skids
12-22-2013, 01:16 PM
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Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Looking for a hp30 . . and trying to figure out a crazy misfire issue . . jeep runs fine the first and second start up, after that itll run rough at idle for a few minutes and sometimes stall out completley . . after she gets moving it smooths out and she runs fine . . replaced the spark plugs, distributor cap, coil, recently put in a new battery with all new cables, tps, iac, and map sensor, cleaned the throttle body . . all i can remember off the top of my head, any input would be greatly appreciated! 
01-01-2014, 06:00 PM
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Year: 95
Model: Grand Cherokee
Good looking ZJ!
I've got a '95 that I'm looking at lifting soon and was wondering how well the factory mounts are holding up with your Rough Country lift? I'd like to run 33/12.50's so I'm figuring on that same amount of lift but I don't know if the factory mounts are up to the abuse.
Do you know anything about the Rubicon Express kits?
Thanks for sharing your build!
Ron
I've got a '95 that I'm looking at lifting soon and was wondering how well the factory mounts are holding up with your Rough Country lift? I'd like to run 33/12.50's so I'm figuring on that same amount of lift but I don't know if the factory mounts are up to the abuse.
Do you know anything about the Rubicon Express kits?
Thanks for sharing your build!
Ron
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