edg

I have a 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee with Select Trac. Just bought a 2012 JGC so I'm think of turning my 1999 into my 4 wheel rig. It will replace my 76 Land Cruiser. Anyone have opinions on how capable this rig will be for 4 wheeling? I don't expect it to be as tough as my Cruiser but I hope and can do the job and not break down in the back country!!! Also, any input on lift kit and winch would be appreciated too. Thank you.

PurpleToxin505

They're the last solid axle GC, they're pretty capable and have a good amount of power if it has the 4.7. It really depends what type of wheeling your planning on before I recommend anything. I think you'll be surprised what itll do once you lift it and disco the sway bars.

edg

Thanks for the info PurpleToxin505. The wheeling I do is pretty much up at the High Lakes near Philbrook Reservoir above Paradise. There's one spot called stairway that has a rock ledge that's pretty rough. Even in Land Cruiser requires piling up rocks to get over the ledge. Other than that I'd say it's not overly rough. There's rocks etc but nothing really major. The '99 has the straight 6 in it.


I look at your pictures with the swaybar. For my wheeling I don't think I would need that much drop. I think regular would do the job.

dave1123

You can just about forget the winch. The WJ doesn't have any metal to bolt it to. The bumpers are just plastic fascias with foam behind them. The "frame" on the ZJ's are much stronger.

As far as it's capability, the suspension is the same as the ZJ except for a 3-point control arm set-up in the rear and has the same traits as a 6 cylinder ZJ. The vehicle weighs 4000 lbs (3970), much heavier than the ZJ as well. If you're going to lift it and use bigger tires, you may need to re-gear it.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from wheeling it, just trying to warn you you're going to spend money to do it.

Bustedback

The WJ is a very capable off-roader with very few modifications. The right tires, lift, and maybe a locker will make it almost unstoppable.

edg

Hey guys. Thanks for the info you've provided so far. I've been doing some research and it seems there are not to many lift kits for the WJ if you want to get above 3". Iron Rock looks promising. Rocky-road.com has Old Man Emu 3 1/2 that looked promising too until I went to the OME web site. They don't even show anything for the WJ. Any body know who sells the lifts 3" and above for the WJ? Thanks.

Bustedback

Rough Country has a four inch long arm kit for 1500 bucks. I just installed the RC ZJ kit on my rig and I'm very happy with it.

PurpleToxin505

Heres some links

Winch bumers: http://www.protofab4x4.com/products.php?ID=06

Some lifts over 3'': https://www.claytonoffroad.com/templ...%20Lift%20Kits

http://www.ironrockoffroad.com/Merch...egory_Code=PFW

http://www.rustysoffroad.com/rustys-...ravel-kit.html

**** gets pricey going that high

edg

Thanks for the info PurpleToxin505 and Bustedback. Can either of you tell me the major differences between a regular type lift and the long arm? By that I mean Iron Rock and Rocky Road have 3 1/2 to 4 for $650 - $750. Then you get to the long arms that are $1200 and up. My guess is the long arm gives you way more tire drop for rock climbing?


And Bustedback, Rough Country scares me some because they say if you have CV joints which mine does, then you might have to get a new driveshaft, driveshaft yoke, and replace your transfer yoke. ZoneOffRoad says you might need different wheels and tires. That's all because of vibration and shimmy.


Any info on vibration and shimmy?


Even though the Jeep would be nice because it could carry more people with AC and most likely be a more comfortable ride, I think I'm looking at $3k plus for lift kit, bumper, winch, and tires?

PurpleToxin505

Long arms are needed after you pass about 3-4'', at this height not only will every bump you hit will be transferred to the frame because the steep angle of the short arms, so it;ll give you a way better ride. Also at the higher lift marks, the short arms will begin to pull the axles toward the mounting points. Now you can get new longer short arms to fix this, but won't compare to what long arms will do for you. from the pure offroad stand point, yes they also allow for more axle droop. At or above certain heights your gonna have to do all the driveline issue the Rough Country states regardless of lift company. And to touch on the shimmy and vibrations, this is really gonna depend on how close to spec you can get the alignment, steering upgrades can help both these issue.

Jeeps are the offroad machines of this planet it also just happens to mean
Just
Empty
Every
Pocket

My advice to you would to turn away from the lift "kits", do some homework on all the parts you'll have to swap to get to your desired height and build a kit from many suppliers so you can tailor your jeep to your needs/

dave1123

WOW, purple! That Protofab #907 winch bumper looks great. I guess the guys I've talked to don't know **** about the WJ. I'm worried about simple recovery points on mine and have installed a trailer hitch for the rear. I've seen tow hook kits for the front and they didn't look very strong.

PurpleToxin505

IDK which the #907 is, but the WJ bumpers look good. A simple google search of "WJ winch bumper" Brought up that link and many more. Any one that tells you, you can't properly tie in to the frame of a WJ has probably only have the facia off, under is a steel bumper that bolts on and off.

Bustedback

I have not had any shimmy or weird noises from my lift. It actually rides better than stock and the rear driveline vibration that I had before the lift is gone. You can swap the ujoint shaft and yokes in from a junkyard doner.

edg

Thanks for the input PrupleToxin505 and BustedBack. Guess I have some thinking to do now. Fixing the jeep up for off road will be time and money but I'd have a comfortable ride with room along with AC and some other features. On the other hand, my Land Cruiser is already 4 wheel ready with a winch and the 283 chevy purrs like a kitten.

dave1123

OOOHHH!!! Just remember where a 283 goes, so does a 350! YES!