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View Full Version : Project: I Will Probably Lose Interest and Sell!



JB
03-07-2009, 05:42 PM
I saw this pristine 93 ZJ on the side of 249 on my way home from work today. It is fulltime 4x4 and has a 5.2 with a new transmission. The exterior white paint must have been from a early 90s Chevy because it is all pealing off, especially on the pass. side. The roof is a nice shade of brown/orange.

It actually runs very well. The front drivers CV is popping pretty bad, the rear hatch doesnt open, the rear taillight is cracked a little, the rear bumper is a little bent, and teh fog lights are busted. But it has a screamin' V8, Infinity Gold stereo, and cold A/C:beer: I hear the 5.2s sound great with a Summit $20 cutout (Hot Pocket you need this Jeep, make me an offer):flipoff2:

If I keep it, I am thinking a cheap spacer lift and some 31s, maybe lock the front/rear. Will a locked 30 front and locked 35 rear hold up to even 31s? Looking mostly to make it a Spring Creek , General Sams, 47, Shiloh, BMRA, type rig on the cheap.

JB
03-07-2009, 05:44 PM
...

JB
03-07-2009, 05:47 PM
BTW, my driveway is quickly becoming Dexter-esque.

colman
03-07-2009, 08:16 PM
i have some 15x8 alluminum rims i think they are 589's that i will sell ya for 100 and i will throw in a bald 33 for a spare if you think you might go that big

JB
03-07-2009, 08:19 PM
show me a pic, then I can "colman" you down. Anything would be better than what is on there now.

JB
03-07-2009, 08:21 PM
Edit:

With pursuasion, the liftgate opens now. And the stereo is only Jensen, not Infinity:D

colman
03-07-2009, 11:37 PM
http://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-tires-wheels/260855-15-aluminum-wheels.html

these are not exactly what i have but they are the same style and obviously the bolt pattern is different

JB
03-08-2009, 12:31 AM
http://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-tires-wheels/260855-15-aluminum-wheels.html

these are not exactly what i have but they are the same style and obviously the bolt pattern is different

Let me figure out what I want to do with it, and I will PM you.

JB
03-08-2009, 10:02 AM
Can I just put a regular old inner/outer front axle shaft in it, or does it require the CV style?

TMatheaus
03-08-2009, 10:27 AM
you should be able to put just a regular axle shaft in there, talk to cook about zj's since he had one for years and did all kind of janky shat to it

tigweld
03-08-2009, 10:31 AM
regular shafts fit but you will feel the jerking thats why I asked what t\case, fulltime get cv's

AggieTJ2007
03-08-2009, 10:31 AM
you can put a regular shaft in there

Also does it have have the AL rear end?

JB
03-08-2009, 12:22 PM
It is fulltime 4wd. I think it is just a D35c rear.

tigweld
03-08-2009, 01:01 PM
the al one is a 44 I think you should be able to tell pretty easy. I thought all the v8 ones got it.

mudtoy67
03-08-2009, 01:19 PM
I didn't think the hd 44 was available till ~'96

JB
03-09-2009, 11:53 AM
So I do not have to wonder into big gay beginner Jeep land, any suggestions on a 2" spacer kit with shocks? Or are the all going to be the same? Rustys has a spacers with shocks for $200.

TMatheaus
03-09-2009, 11:59 AM
i ran rustys stuff on my jeep, and has been good so far, but i did not run spacers, I beleive that has rear coils, you can put the rears up front and gain lift there

bburris
03-10-2009, 12:08 AM
If it includes shocks then you'll probably be good to go for an off-road only rig. Figure out some sway bar disconnects or just take the rear one off and carry a socket for the front and you'll be golden.

JB
03-10-2009, 09:45 AM
I think I am going with the Rustys kit in the next couple weeks. I need to replace the CV before Spring Creek Saturday. Ditch the sway bars, maybe buy Colman's rims, and hunt down some 31s. Also need to clean out some nastiness and install some cooler tie downs in the rear. If I like how it wheels and it turns out to not be a total turd, I might put a Powertrax in the rear and figure out a front bumper/winch mount.

It smokes a little on startup if it has been sitting for a while, but the motor seems solid.

bcolman
03-10-2009, 09:52 AM
Also need to clean out some nastiness and install some cooler tie downs in the rear.

just put it in the back seat and strap it in with one of the seat belts

Eckert
03-10-2009, 09:57 AM
It smokes a little on startup if it has been sitting for a while, but the motor seems solid.

plenum? look down the TB and see if theres a pool of oil.

JB
03-10-2009, 10:22 PM
I looked down the plenum, and while no pool of oil, it was definetely oily.

I replaced the drivers CV, but it also needs the passenger side. I think I will let my right foot break that one before I replace. I also fixed the rear taillights to get the damn "rear lamp failure" message. It also gives me a "washer sensor failure" I cleaned out the backseat nastiness as well.

Is is typical for the track bar to contact the front diff? I still have a thud that I am pretty sure is not the other CV, as that is more of a pop. The paint on the top of the 30 diff cover is gone, almost perfectly to the bend in the TB.

How do fulltime 4wd ZJ people use shafts instead of CVs? Swap t-case to one that offers 2wd, then run shafts?

Tomorrow I do an oil change, maybe plugs, and fuel filter. Some engine degreaser is also in order.

Reckless
03-10-2009, 10:23 PM
change the pcv also

TMatheaus
03-11-2009, 07:40 AM
check the tightness of the bolts for the links, mine like to come loose a little bit and causes the control arms to create a thud noise when it hits bumps

JB
03-15-2009, 09:26 PM
The thud noise is still present.

I definetely did not lose interest after the Spring Creek run yesterday. Today I cleaned it up, fixed the rear seat taht I somehow mangled Saturday, put the door panel and liftgate panel back on, fixed the liftgate latch for good, and put a pcv on it. It still smokes a little, might try some engine restorer.

JB
03-18-2009, 05:54 PM
Colman, I was half intoxicated for Paddy's day when you called yesterday. What is the plethora of parts you stumbled upon that includes spacers and 30" ATs?

colman
03-18-2009, 06:33 PM
tires look good and i think i can get them for like 50 bux from bob maybe less. you can have the springs (i have 2 sets) and i still haven't got an answer on the budget boost spacers. you are on your own on shocks

stx4wheeler
03-19-2009, 12:43 PM
http://www.texas4x4.org/showthread.php?t=26086

2" spacers in c.s cheap

JB
03-20-2009, 08:43 PM
http://www.texas4x4.org/showthread.php?t=26086

2" spacers in c.s cheap

I PM'd him.

After a quick google search Colman, it looks like TJ and Xj guys want v8 ZJ springs to give them lift, so the stock TJ coils won't help me.

AggieTJ2007
03-21-2009, 10:44 AM
The coils are the same height just the ZJ ones are a higher spring rate

JB
03-22-2009, 07:57 PM
Debating on the cheap spacer/shock lift or Rustys basic 3". It is hard to not spend money on this thing with the plethora of bolt on parts. It could use a bumper, sliders, t-case skid, etc.

I changed the plugs today and it made a noticeable difference in the way it ran. I also fixed the headliner. It is ugly, but at least it is not on my head anymore.

JB
04-01-2009, 09:30 PM
I got the front done. I am not a big fan of coil spring compressors. I got some cheap muds and mounted them on the rims I got from Colman. The center caps on my truck wheels fit, so I am going to pick up 4 at Discount. I am going to try and do the rear this weekend.

JB
04-01-2009, 10:34 PM
Next mods are either a rear locker, good t-case skid, or front bumper. That is if the front end stays together.... If I was DD'ing it, it would need a track bar, steering stabilizer, tre's, balljoints, CA bushings. For a wheeler, its fine except for maybe the TB.

It is technically only a wheeler now, but I want to keep it drivable on the highway so I can sell it if I need to, or use it to get to work if the truck is down.

The motor smoked a little when I got it, but since I did the plugs, PCV, and breather filter, it has been fine. It had Platinum +2 plugs in it, which I am sure weren't helping things.

JB
04-02-2009, 07:52 PM
I finished it up today. Ditched the rear sway bar and left the front disconnected. I drove it to NAPA and it was a a little squirelly, so I reconnected the front. The rear should come up another 1" maybe after I take the Bronco's shortblock out of the back.

Hosed it down, took off the broken fog lights and fixed the bumpercover after the pic. It looks fairly decent now. I got some center caps from House of Tires.

bcolman
04-02-2009, 08:16 PM
have you fixed the door plastics yet?

JB
04-02-2009, 08:20 PM
have you fixed the door plastics yet?

The interior door panels are all back on. The passenger side door exterior plastic went back on after some "body work" and looks good.

jerryg79
04-02-2009, 09:57 PM
looks good jb, beat the piss out of it!

colman
04-02-2009, 10:27 PM
he already has and i believe will continue if spring creek was any indication

BMFScout
04-03-2009, 07:29 AM
looks good jb, beat the piss out of it!

yeah, or sell it now while it still looks good!

JB
04-06-2009, 08:37 PM
All the pics I took yesterday turned out super lame. We went out to 47 and played around for a while. The Jeep did very well, only getting hung up on the t-case skid a few times. I thought the Bronco had excessive squeaks, rattles, and thuds....this thing is ridiculous:D The shock bushings I used in place of sway bar busings on teh front apparenlty were not up to the task, so that was one noise. The TB is also on its last leg, I think that was the thud. I also think I experienced the 'rear' steer that TJ people complain about. It held together though, and only spit out the rear coil/spacer once.

JB
04-23-2009, 10:05 AM
Got the new trackbar on. While working under there, I realized my money wouldhave probably been better spent on motor mounts.

colman
04-23-2009, 12:10 PM
drive it over to my house tonight and we can put some on

TMatheaus
04-23-2009, 01:11 PM
make sure you get some oil filter adapter orings when you do this, unless the filter is in a different location as mine, i had to remover the oil filter adapter to get the mount off

JB
04-23-2009, 10:54 PM
Transmission won't shift out of 1rst now, but it will do 50 in 1rst.

bcolman
04-24-2009, 03:53 AM
Transmission won't shift out of 1rst now, but it will do 50 in 1rst.

so you still going to trees?

Shaggy
04-24-2009, 03:54 PM
you only need 1st on the trail anyway

JB
04-25-2009, 12:26 PM
correction. I think it shifts into second, but not to third. I do not think it is something internal, but I left it at the trans shop for them to check out.

Some carpet has also been removed.

JB
04-25-2009, 12:29 PM
I haven't lost total interest, but Bronco is back in the driveway awaiting motor. I would sell it for the right price.

JB
04-30-2009, 07:39 PM
"pile full of clutches in your pan" was the quote from Kevin at Trans Specialties :D

william_ace
04-30-2009, 08:29 PM
haha nice!! so are you going to find a junk yard trans or rebuild this one?

JB
04-30-2009, 08:52 PM
He is putting clutches in it and we will see how long it lasts.

JB
05-01-2009, 07:49 PM
Everything looked good except for the clutches and the TC, which had muddy water in it. I really never got it that deep at Spring Creek. That one crossing was maybe mid door, but it has a had bottom and I never stopped.:confused2

Anyways, I spent way more than I ever wanted to on this thing, but it was pretty much a paper weight without a working trans. Nobody would buy it and I couldn't keep wheeling it.

I have plugged Transmission Specialists before, but can do it again. Very honest. The PO of the Jeep told me it had a newly rebuilt trans. When it started not shifting, I assumed a poorly done rebuild because I never thought it got water in it. I didn't tell Kevin that it was recently rebuilt. He pulled it apart, called me and asked if it had been worked on recently because everything but the f'd clutches and water in the TC looked new. Good, honest and average priced shop. THey looked packed all the time, but he got it in and out in less than a week. Will definetely be taking the F150 to him if the trans craps out again.

JB
06-10-2009, 08:37 PM
The Jeep has some electrical issue. I swapped out an old Walmart battery, and put in a freshly charged one. It ran for a couple days, little errands around town. Parked it for a couple days and it would not start. Took that battery out and swapped in a close to new Exide deep cycle I had in the garage. It fired up, drove it for a couple days, same thing....now want start. I assumed alternator, but now it will not take a jumpstart, and turning the key yields nothing, not even trying.

I have all accessory power, but nothing when I turn the key. I swapped the starter relay, but that did nothing. I have not really looked at it much past that. ANy ideas?

KrazyKarl02
06-10-2009, 10:26 PM
Did you put in a new battery and see if it would run with just the ground connected?

EDIT-- Like start it with the new battery, and then disconnect the positive, and see if it still runs.
If not, I'd check the voltage regulator or the alternator.

WTF, Did Hot Pocket just type something mildly useful??

uglyota
06-11-2009, 09:00 AM
Starter contacts? Starter's not even clicking?

JB
06-11-2009, 10:06 AM
I should have some more info when I mess with it today.

Also, does anyone know where on Jeeps the coolant level sensor might be? It is mysterioulsy losing water, but even after I fill it up it keeps sending me the low coolant message.

breckboarder55
06-12-2009, 07:09 PM
Would you be interested in some 2.25" coilspacers as well?

JB
06-12-2009, 08:17 PM
It already has spacers

Eckert
06-12-2009, 09:56 PM
I should have some more info when I mess with it today.

Also, does anyone know where on Jeeps the coolant level sensor might be? It is mysterioulsy losing water, but even after I fill it up it keeps sending me the low coolant message.

are the plastic tanks leaking on the radiator?

JB
06-12-2009, 10:25 PM
If they were, it wouldn't be very mysterious now would it.:flipoff2:

Eckert
06-12-2009, 10:50 PM
If they were, it wouldn't be very mysterious now would it.:flipoff2:


i know that jeep have the same basic drive train as my old dodge. i couldnt ever find the radiator leak and it ended up being a slight seepage from the bottom end on the tank. enough to piss me off, but took me a while to find it.

google the damn sensor then:flipoff2:

JB
06-13-2009, 12:32 PM
Starter contacts? Starter's not even clicking?

winna winna

new starter and it runs.

The alternator is only putting out 55. I think I will need to replace it soon.

Going to do motor mounts today or tomorrow.

BMFScout
06-13-2009, 03:53 PM
This buildup is exactly why hotpocket or anyone who doesn't know much about working on cars should get. John probably knows this stuff from working on his Bronco, but maintaining an older vehicle is the best way to learn about cars. Staring with a basketcase is not. There you have it, Jimmy's unprovoked 2 cents.

JB
06-13-2009, 07:54 PM
$1800 for Hotpocket. Ready to wheel and plethora of aftermarkt bolt ons. Do it!

colman
06-13-2009, 08:27 PM
is that 55 at idle or high rmp
they don't put out max at idle

JB
06-14-2009, 09:40 PM
55 was at idle, A/C running.

colman
06-14-2009, 09:43 PM
that doesn't sound to bad. what is the max output/ what is it rated for

JB
06-14-2009, 09:51 PM
For now, it seems to be working fine, but I won't be surprised if it is dead in a couple days.

The Jeep works very well. It runs 70mph down the road just fine and is impressive for a stock non locked rig offroad. I am still not 100% certain the motor isnt on its last leg. It has loads of power, but I THINK it is losing water somewhere. I am just running water in it now, and it did get to 220-230 area today at 47, in 90+ degree heat, a/c running, but never got into the red. If I felt a little more confident in the motor I would be more inclined to build it.

Option 1 would be to lock the rear, bumpers/winch, sliders, skid. Nothing more. Swapping to 3" springs would also really be needed because the 31s rub pretty good offroad.

Option 2 would include all of option 1, but also bigger axles and tires in the 35-37" range. Thinking built 9" rear w/ detroit and built 44 up front,( not sure what locka I would run), assist, and long arms. Keep the doors on and keep the a/c blowing cold.

Option 3 would be to sell it. TAMOR price is $1800.

CheapJeep
06-15-2009, 12:23 AM
I waved at ya as I passed ya on Holleman a couple weeks ago... Looks good!

KrazyKarl02
06-15-2009, 07:31 AM
Before considering "option 2" I would look at that pile of Ford you have and ask yourself if you would like to go through that again....

JB
07-08-2009, 02:39 PM
Paying rent for two places and trying to buy house. Jeep needs to go. $1600

Shaggy
07-08-2009, 03:03 PM
how bad of mileage does it get? if it is bad enough I will take it... beat on it and trade it in using the new gay green for guzzlers law... needs to get less than 14 for me to qualify for what my wife wants

JB
07-08-2009, 03:20 PM
I don't know. I would assume it gets less than 14.

DRAGOONRANCH
07-08-2009, 03:45 PM
I thought it was what the manufacturer or .gov said it got, not actual real world numbers.

JB
07-08-2009, 04:04 PM
12/17 per fueleconomy.gov

Shaggy
07-08-2009, 04:16 PM
hmmm... let me ask the ol' lady... and i might be able to take it off your hands...(it is her that wants the new vehicle)

85cj7
07-08-2009, 04:20 PM
how bad of mileage does it get? if it is bad enough I will take it... beat on it and trade it in using the new gay green for guzzlers law... needs to get less than 14 for me to qualify for what my wife wants

You know about this little glitch then, right?

"To ensure that the vehicles being scrapped or recycled are actually being driven before the swap, trade-ins must be insured to the same owner for at least a year."

Shaggy
07-09-2009, 09:34 AM
I was afraid of that... hadnt read up on it all yet

JB
08-12-2009, 02:30 PM
$1500, needs some work. But damnit its a running Jeep with a V8 and A/C!