Jeep Cherokee Forum - New to ZJs.

Jeep Cherokee Forum (https://www.cherokeeforum.com/)

- - New to ZJs. (https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f5/new-zjs-219786/)

Hey everyone. I'm new to ZJs and Jeeps. I just picked up a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited 5.2 L with quadatrac. I'm wanting to build a daily driver and something I can beat on the trails on the week. I'm also wanting to get into rockcrawling

Already fine
30x9.50r15 grabbers at2
24" led bar (need to make mounts)

Plans
4-4.5 inch lift
Swaybar disconnect
Remove rear swaybar
Custom made bumpers
Exhaust
Long arm kit
T-case swap
Ford 8.8 rear end
Lockers
33x12.50r15s
Black steel wheels
Tint tail lights
Cobra cb with firestick antenna
50" led bar on roof
Roof rack
Tint Windows
On board air
Custom Rock sliders

I know a lot of part sites so if you need help finding something let me know.

Thanks. I'm having problems finding affordable lift kit. All the 4" lifts I've seen are $1000 plus

Thanks. I think I'm gonna go with Ironrock offroad

When you do the lift, do it right the first time so you dont have to go back and do it again! I would also suggest the IRO. But have read good things about the OME

You do a have a tall list things to do on your wish list. Just take one at a time and knock them off one by one. The transfer case swap, you can save some cash by searching your local pick a parts for one from another jeep. I found me a 242 from another GC that worked for me and bolted right in.

But before you start the things that will have your credit cards melting, go through the engine and make sure you take care of any mechanicals that may need attention. Water pump, plugs/wires cap rotor, hoses, break system, thermostat, etc etc. Unless you know when this stuff was last serviced, I would take the time and just do it, plus it adds peace of mind.

I was able to pick up a IRO 4.5 premium kit with adjustable control arms, bilstein 5100 shocks and new mopar spring isolators for 1576 shipped.

Shop around figure whatca want and what you will be doing with it. Just remember, it is a Jeep, they never end. Even after you get rid of it, you some how find yourself in another. :)

Sounds like a nice Jeep you have there! PICTURES!

I'm gonna be doing the lift hopefully by the beginning of next summer so I will have time to lol around and save.

The first thing I did was put new radiator and heater hoses, plugs/wires, cap/rotor, pads/rotors, thermostat, a rear brake Jose, oil change, air filter, fuel filter and battery.

Also what t case do I need to look for? We have a 1996 XJ with 2hi, 4hi, n, and 4lo at the junkyard I work at. Would I be able to use it? I can look tomorrow and see what the model number it is. We only have 2 ZJs and they both are quadatrac.

Thanks Auger. I will have pics up as soon has photobucket uploads. My internet is being slow

Just click on the image link on the top of the reply message board and upload from your computer. Screw photobucket.

Somewhere I have a link to a really good write-up on transfer cases. I'll post it after I find it. There are input spline differences between what you can use or what has to be changed. That's an NP/NV231 in that XJ you speak of. Most XJs came with the NP/NV231 and the ZJs with either the NP/NV242 Selectrac or the full-time NP/NV249 Quadratrac.

The NP/NV part is New Process or New Venture. The company changed the name when the employees bought out Chrysler. The plant was here in Syracuse, but was sold to Magna Powertrain eventually and is now closed. I wonder how many new t/cases are still available.

Yuper! That's the one. Now I'll have to copy that where I can find it next time. Thanks man. I actually remembered everything but the number sequence at the end.

LOL, A jeep without mud is like a runway model....Unobtainable! Looks like you've got those stupid wheel lug nuts with the sheet metal covers. Do yourself a favor and get some Gorilla Nuts. Solid one-piece nut that won't come apart on you.

Looks good!

I hate these lug nuts. They are pain getting off. Do you have a link for the Gorilla nuts