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zj-monster
07-10-2006, 07:00 PM
My name's Justin...

Well, I've been for here on Mallcrawlin' for quite a while now. I figure it's time I keep a journal of my ZJ & and let you guys & gals poke fun at me. It's a '98 Laredo featuring the I6, the 42re tranny, a 242 t-case, and the ever loving Dana 35 axle that this thing is famous for.

It started out as the family ride for the wife & kidz. I come from a chevy family who enjoys modifying damn near everything we own. I've mostly owned Camaro's, the '98 with the ever popular LS1 being the last one I would ever own. The Camaro just plain sucks to haul kids in all the time so I swallowed my pride and traded her in for the '98 ZJ in 2002.

I made a promise to my wife that the Jeep would not be modifed in any way shape or form. Yea...that didn't last long when we started hitting trails in her for the first time. I have a ton of rodding expierence but no wheeling. We learned a lot just riding around the farm my in-laws have back in Kansas.

The first set of modz to come were 2 inch pucks from Kevins and a set of 31's BFG AT's. Shortly after that, DW started showing up while I was on the road in Oklahoma. A quick stop to Sams Offroad (http://www.samsoffroad.com) to get a set of Rancho 5000 shocks and a sabilizer helped some. When we got home I gave Kevin a call and shortly after, I got the JKS Bar & his Track-bar conversion kit for the front and a another JKS Bar for the rear. Best damn kit ever IMO. :D

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/DSC02154.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/DSC02156.jpg

At the time of those photos, Kevins Jeep Parts was new. I had heard of him from a friend and surfing the net. A few months later I decided to fork over my hard earned cash for Kevins roof rack.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/DSC00527.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/DSC00531.jpg

Later I would find forums about the ZJ online and eventually found mallcrawlin'. Needless to say that my eyes were opened wide. In early 2005 I would deploy to Iraq, but before that happened I managed to get a set of 15x8 Rockcrawlers with BFG MT's. However I didn't get to enjoy the new set of wheels and wouldn't get to for about 8 months.

:smt067

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/Picture049.jpg

Since my return I have stuck to this website like glue and have contributed a few simple write-up's. One of them being the ever loved question about backspacing & a simple tear down of the NV242.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/DSC00382640x480.jpg

It's now 2006 and since then I've added Kevins Sliderz, installed a better alternator, put in a 160* thermostat and a 3 inch Cowl Hood to help keep the I6 cooled down. So far it seems to work well.

zj-monster
07-10-2006, 07:54 PM
Now on to why I am posting this journal. North Carolina has some wierd-o ass spots to wheel in. One thing I can say about the Fort Bragg area is that it is either super sandy or super muddy. The trails we use here are also used to test the HMMWV when they come out of the shops for repairs.

Let me warn ya, I have an awesome sense of humor and at 33 years old...I have no problems letting my innner child shine thru. It keeps me sane with my kidz. Poke me all ya want, I won't cry. :D

2 weeks ago I got invited to wheel with a bunch of chevy guys from the ZR2USA (http://www.zr2usa.com/mboard/index.php?showtopic=5384) website. I am proud to say that I held my own and earned some serious respect as I was the only Jeeper that showed up. They did awesome as well, great guys to wheel with around here. Oh yea for those who noticed, my cowl isn't on the jeep as I was letting the fresh paint dry in the shop.

Read up about the event here:
http://www.zr2usa.com/mboard/index.php?act=ST&f=47&t=6180

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid208/pd65c814dc87c4756720ccc6ce82169a3/ee59f350.jpghttp://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid208/p7da1913c754adb7ea7b76573e3b11c7b/ee59f622.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f112/brightdim03/Bragg%20II%2024%20June/DSCF0482.jpg

Here is a video that I think will be good for a few laughs.
http://media.putfile.com/Justin-going-through-the-water

Well, this past weekend I decided that I wanted to go back out and sling some more mud with the Chevy guys. Here is another link to the ZR2USA site, it has videos of thier trucks & my Jeep aswell to include the death of my engine.
http://www.zr2usa.com/mboard/index.php?showtopic=6268&st=15

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00660.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00620.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00658.jpg

Damn...do I need lockers!!!
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00635.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00636.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/BraggIII7-9-06002.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00637.jpg

Who needs a winch when you have buddies that have one?

Seriously though...I do need to get one. However, that hole you see wasn't the worst one. After I got out of that hole I decided to charge into one that I had gone thru before with no problems.

Well...that hole killed my ZJ. :smt100

Knowing that the engine just shit chunks of metal into the oil pan, I still managed to start it up and rev it to 3k rpms and try to get out of the rut which never happened. I lost oil pressure instantly and oil could be seen in the water. I shut the engine down, got towed home and dropped the oil pan. Since I have no ego to bruise, I'll share with you on what not to do to your engine.

Here is the oil pan, them 3 holes were done by the lifters slamming to the bottom.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00687.jpg

One of the 3 lifters doesn't look quite right...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00686.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00669.jpg

The Cam Shaft snapped itself in the middle, the other 2 halves are still in the block.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00668.jpg

3 bent rods...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00685.jpg

Here is the block looking up from underneath where the oil pan is bolted on. To the right you can see part of the Cam Shaft still in the block. Yes...the Cam snapped into 3 pieces.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00684.jpg

Here is the ass end of the girdle all bent to hell...(facing the tranny)
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00681.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00673.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00672.jpg

Oh yeeeeeeaaaaa...I have a project on my hands now. I'll be pulling the block out this weekend for sure. I'll end up tearing the block down to see what other damage was caused. I'm hoping that the pistons, crank, & the block itself are good. Everything else will be a snap to replace if need be. Heck...if I have to I can score another I6 from the junkyard for less than $900 and just bolt it in.

I'm only saddened by the fact that I won't get to hit Uwharrie anytime soon. Since it's only an hour or so drive from my house. :smt011

I sure would entertain the idea of a V8 swap but I'm betting that the wiring alone will be a PITA. Hell...if I went that route I might as well score a HEMI & a 46RH but I need to know what t-case to bolt in and how much of a pain it is to drop in.

So...I'm up for ideas to include building a stroker. I will be posting more photos for anyone else what want to tear into thier I6.

:best:

BigDaveZJ
07-10-2006, 07:58 PM
Holy crap!! NICE carnage!

zj-monster
07-10-2006, 07:59 PM
And here I was, worried more about dumping my tranny or the D35. :D

Oh yea, sorry about copying your zebra stripes on my old hood Swampy.

zj-monster
07-10-2006, 09:08 PM
Here's the video of my ZJ's death. This is the same hole that I went thru one other time and had no problems at all.

The engine stalled, due to water I'm sure. Knowing that I trashed it already, I at least needed to get myself out of that hole but didn't happen. I did manage to start her up and had to rev her to 3k rpm's, so I can definetly say that the I6 is a tough motor. I figure I was running on 3 pistons at least.

Turn the volume up and you'll hear my engine shit parts into the oil pan near the end.

http://media.putfile.com/Justins-3rd-water-hole

:driving:

Mega thanx to Chuck for pulling me out, getting me & my Jeep home, and hosting the vidz. :D

ILikeMud
07-10-2006, 11:23 PM
Damn quite the death.
At least it's fixable.

dads5.9
07-10-2006, 11:46 PM
I watched the video and I just can't believe the carnage from that! The water didn't look that deep, and you didn't hit it that hard. Did you have the special low intake to scoop water from near the axle and force it into the intake?

nickzj08
07-11-2006, 12:17 AM
That is exactly what I did. Went through water too fast and broke and bent the engine all to hell. I just found another I6 for 500 bucks and im swapping it in this weekend.

BigDaveZJ
07-11-2006, 12:43 AM
"That did not sound good"

I'm quite amazed at that too, water was not that deep at all. Only thing I can think of is that you hit it too fast?

ogdak
07-11-2006, 03:50 AM
that sucks

NAFTEL
07-11-2006, 09:20 AM
i can understand the engine dying when hitting the water at speed with no snokel- but the resulting damage doesn't seem to make sense, anyway good to hear you've got a new engine for it. get a snorkel too.

Skyline
07-11-2006, 09:33 AM
The water didn't seem to be anywhere near your air intake. I wonder if you had already filled the airbox with water on the previous water holes, (or already damaged the motor) and when you reved it up a bit more it called it quits. Hope you get it back together soon.

NAFTEL
07-11-2006, 10:16 AM
^thats a good possibility also.

DJJordache
07-11-2006, 10:41 AM
holy crappers batman thats alot of engine carnage! I was really surprised about the engine girdle that thing is beefy, and breaking the cam in 3 peices is just crazy!
nice rack:D if I had one I'd put a gardening hoe up on it just for fun

zj-monster
07-11-2006, 11:55 AM
As far as my intake goes, I didn't think it was all that low. Here are a few photos of my gheto setup.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00689.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00690.jpg

I got to thinking that the hole you see here probably acted like a scoop when the water came in the engine bay. Water was in the box and the filter itself was plenty wet. :D
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00691.jpg

So here she sits waiting for me to pull the motor out this weekend.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00692.jpg


good to hear you've got a new engine for it. get a snorkel too.
I haven't got the engine yet but I know where to get it. I use to laugh at those snorkels considering the price tag...however...I'm actually thinking of scoring one or fabbing one like Swampy did.


I just found another I6 for 500 bucks and im swapping it in this weekend.
Sweetness!! If ya get the chance, snap some photos for your journal. I'd like to see your damaged engine & the new one going in. Perhapse you and I can swap info at the same time. As the engine in mine comes out, I'll be posting photos of the carnage. The girdle also surprised me...I'm still scratching my head. :smt012

Once again, let me tell ya how awesome it was to have that motor start up not once but twice after that carnage. The second time was to find out how much oil pressure I had. Sure as shit...I had none. It idled rough of course but still amazing none the less.

I am toying with the idea of building a stroker (http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6364) now, I might as well. The info on strokers for the I6 are everywhere to include this website thanks to TrojanMan, plus DJJorache's Intake Swap (http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6355). As stated before I'm also up for engine swap ideas also. The more info I have on swaps the better.

DJJordache
07-11-2006, 12:07 PM
there is a link to this in my writeup but it might also interest you:D
http://65.42.106.152/forums/showthread.php?t=698310
good luck with the stroker build up!
and that open area under the filter, I made a cover plate for it from hardware flashing that works great

2jeepsforus
07-11-2006, 05:41 PM
I just used a piece of aluminum to cover the hole that you were refering too. This doesn't allow massive amounts of water in, but the filter can still get good air through the grill.

My good friend took the time and did a really nice job of helping me with it. You could attach it with rivets if you wanted too, but we made mine so it was attached to the K&N intake box and is easily removable if needed.

Dave

zj-monster
07-11-2006, 05:46 PM
Damn, I knew damn well I should have made something similar. :rolleyes:

Today the radiator gets flushed, hoses & wiring disconnected, & the hunt for an engine stand.

The K&N will get moved to the family Caravan. I've always wanted to mess with that damn thing. :finga:

2jeepsforus
07-11-2006, 06:01 PM
The K&N will get moved to the family Caravan. I've always wanted to mess with that damn thing. :finga:

Rice that shit out......... :D

NAFTEL
07-11-2006, 07:03 PM
^ if that fails find someone with late 80-mind 90s accord it will fit that too. after i put my snorkel on, had it sitting in the garage- buddy was drunk saw it- threw it in my sister's bf's accord in 5 mins! now it goes so fast the rust falls off!

zj-monster
07-11-2006, 07:32 PM
Started on the front grill, unplugging the wires, draining the radiator, and labeling shit. I got to looking at the A/C compressor and I remember that there are high pressure lines that have to be discharged. Any tips on unplugging the A/C lines safely?

nickzj08
07-12-2006, 02:02 PM
I need to know this as well. Ive been taking shit apart since last night and labeling everything. Im just waiting on an engine hoist. I still have to pull the donor motor from the yj.

Skyline
07-12-2006, 04:54 PM
Started on the front grill, unplugging the wires, draining the radiator, and labeling shit. I got to looking at the A/C compressor and I remember that there are high pressure lines that have to be discharged. Any tips on unplugging the A/C lines safely?
Don't let Al Gore hear me say this, but discharging an A/C system into the enviornment is easy, (illegal for a shop, not sure about an individual).

Easy Free Way:

Wrap a screwdriver tip in a rag to catch the oil overspray, and depress the valve core of the High Pressure valve. (that's the one one the compressor labeled "HIGH"). Oil will spray all over the place, so make sure the rag blocks the spray. When nothing else comes out, you can safely disconnect the freon lines to the compressor.

Politically Correct Way:

Have the broken Jeep towed to a garage that has a Freon Recycling machine, pay $100. Have all the freon pumped out. Pay another $100. Have the Heep towed home. Pay another $100. Then you can remove the compressor lines without releasing freon into the enviornment and into the ozone layer causing global warming and the polar icecaps to melt and a permanent need for SPF60 sunblock to go outside.

zj-monster
07-12-2006, 05:28 PM
Don't let Al Gore hear me say this, but discharging an A/C system into the enviornment is easy
:smt046


causing global warming and the polar icecaps to melt and a permanent need for SPF60 sunblock to go outside.
Great...now I'm gonna feel guilty. At least I'm not crazy enough to dump the oil and coolant into the ground or spillway. :-D

I cant believe that I can score an 4.0L around here for 300 to 500 bonez. Apparently the I6 isn't as popular a motor as other motors are. For example, he did have a Hemi out of an 03 Dodge for about $2000. I about choked. The junk man says at least 2 of 4.0L will work. Not too bad I guess. As long as I can score one to run for now while I build the broken one into a stroker. That is, if the block is still good.

CurtP
07-12-2006, 09:54 PM
I thought 134a was supposed to be environmentally friendly so the fucking tree huggers would be happy.

I hate hippies...

zj-monster
08-13-2006, 11:09 PM
Well, since blowing my motor I have had an eventful time. Here I was thinking that I have all the time in the world to get this thing back together & I haven't really done crap. Thus far I haven't scored another motor yet. I do have one sitting in Charlotte, I just gotta pick it up.

Last week I got rid of the Caravan in favor of an '02 WJ for the wife & kidz to use. She wont allow me to lift it, yet. However I can still find a way to get her to wheel it decently.

This weekend I started messing around with the broken engine on the ZJ. I had high hopes of turning it into a stroker project only to have that dream de-railed by the huge ass hole on the lower side of the engine block. I saw this hole just before I started undoing the exhaust manifold.

This is looking on the driverside where the engine bolts up the tranny. Now I wonder what did this. I'll know more when I get off my lazy ass and actually pull the block out of the ZJ.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00695.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00696.jpg

:supz:

ILikeMud
08-13-2006, 11:23 PM
Damn, that's a hole.

Wonder what caused it?

zj-monster
08-28-2006, 07:14 PM
Alrighty, the engine comes out tonight hopefully. I got to looking underneath and decided that I'm just gonna pull the engine only, leaving the tranny in place.

Anyone got any tips on supporting the tranny? Shit that you guys have had happen that I can avoid? Doesn't seem like a whole lotta good places to support it on jack stands. I have 4 stands and lots of wood.

:-D

ATL ZJ
08-28-2006, 08:14 PM
distribute the weight of it across short lengths of 2x4 under the pan, and leave the x-member bolted up too, with a stand underneath just in case..

DJJordache
08-28-2006, 08:21 PM
IIRC it does make it a little easier if you lower the rear crossmember to get access to the some of the top bellhousing bolts and then re-secure the crossmember, then stack the wood under the pan like Cam said.

zj-monster
08-28-2006, 08:55 PM
Many thanx fellas. Seems like more of pain in the ass to leave the tranny in but I really dont want to mess with disconnecting all the stuff underneath. This broken engine will come out...

By the power of Greyskull!!!!!
http://www.antoniogenna.net/doppiaggio/anim/he-man.jpg






:smt003

ILikeMud
08-28-2006, 11:28 PM
Just take a sawall to the facking thing :D

MUDDTRACKS
08-29-2006, 12:32 AM
I would place money on the engine thru a rod and the truck has around 110,000-120,000 If so that would be the 5th 98 zj with I6 I know of to do that.

zj-monster
08-31-2006, 07:25 PM
I would place money on the engine thru a rod
A rod...?

...how about 3 of them? :D

My Jeep as about 150,000 miles but was going super strong untill I decided to go mud bogging.

I finally got the engine out of her. So, for those of you just tuning in lets recap. Thus far I have 3 bent rods, 3 busted lifters, a camshaft split in to 3 parts, a trashed oil pan, a busted engine girdle, a massive hole in the block, and 1 broken piston rod so far.

Thanks to hurricane/tropical storm Ernesto, I had to cram everything back into the garage as tight as possible. Therfore I won't be able take apart the engine because I have no room. However I did get a few pictures before the heavy rains and moderatly high winds came Wednesday.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00930A.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00929.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00926.jpg

Pulling the water pump surprised me. I had expected it to be on it's last leg with corrosion but it looks just fine.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00925.jpg

The motor mounts don't look to bad. I'm definelty replacing these though. I like the poly mounts that Sean (Stinkoman) & Dirk (Cue-Ball) have. I've seen them and I'll post a pic of the set that Sean has for comparison when I get around to it or Sean beats me to it.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00936.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00937.jpg

Notice the hole? I can certainly bet it was made when the piston rod snapped in half. :D
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00932.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00940.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00945.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00938.jpg

3 missing rods...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00939.jpg

Busted piston rod...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00942.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00933.jpg

For those that have ever wondered what kinda shit your engine gets in it. Here are the intakes...
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00943.jpg

Here is the exhaust
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00944.jpg

Last but nor least an empty engine bay. Looks I just might clean this out and re-paint it all black.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00934.jpg

I caught myself marking the position of the drive plate to the torque converter before pulling the engine. Since this engine isn't going back into this Jeep I wonder how I can maintain good balance with the next engine.

Anyone got any tips I can use on making sure the new engine won't have any balance issues when I bolt it to the tranny?

zj95
08-31-2006, 07:36 PM
your mounts arnt to bad... :rolleyes:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/zj95/100_0712.jpg

DJJordache
08-31-2006, 08:06 PM
any plans for the new engine? how about a port and polish with big valves:D
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c367/djjordache/intakeswap/image047.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c367/djjordache/intakeswap/image049.jpg

AprilzWarrior
08-31-2006, 08:23 PM
Anyone got any tips I can use on making sure the new engine won't have any balance issues when I bolt it to the tranny?

Just reuse the same flex plate... thats where the weights are.


AW

zj-monster
08-31-2006, 08:39 PM
how about a port and polish with big valves:D

Oh I would SO love to do that. For now I just want to slap in an engine and get her running. I'm gonna be leaving for 6 months to Africa early September. I know when I get back I'll be making a stroker but until then, I just wanna get her running & wheel the snot out of my Jeep in Uwharrie.

When I get back from Africa, the Army wants to send me to Texas. My home state! So I might be paying you a visit late next year. :D

BTW...did the LS1 valves on yours just drop right in after the porting on your head?


Just reuse the same flex plate... thats where the weights are.
Sweetness, thanx!

DJJordache
08-31-2006, 11:45 PM
where in TX are you coming back to after Africa? My Jeep so alone down here with no other ZJ's to play with:smt089 and if I happen to see a slightly modified one the owner HAD it done and knows nothing about it.....RETARDS!
So whats up in Africa?

no the valves needed lots of machining to get to fit... they are the same diamter as the 5.9L ones but have a slightly thicker shaft on them. I did the porting myself, making the exhaust and intake ports larger and port matching them to the intake and exhaust manifolds

zj-monster
09-03-2006, 06:00 PM
My trip to Africa will be a good-will mission. Gonna help build schools and stuff like that. :D

The sun was out today & I decided to pull apart the motor. I took the head off and lo & behold I found the culprit to all of my engine troubles. It was about an 1/8th inch of gasoline flavored mud in cylinder 6. Can you imagine my intake sucking that up like a vacuum sucks shit out of a carpet? I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

So learn from me, protect your engine better than I did when playing in the mud. :tease:

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00946.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00949.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00954.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00962.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00955.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00956.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00961.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00966.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00957.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00950.jpg

:drinkers:

http://humorix.nu/bilder/bilder/cigaretter/yoda.gif

Jack 'n Coke for me tonight it is. :D

zj-monster
09-10-2006, 09:18 PM
Well my friends, the busted engine has been tore down 100%. Here are the final photos of the camshaft carnage. For those who are just plain lazy to read the earlier posts...this cam was split in to three pieces. Here you can see 2 pieces of the cam, the 3rd is about an inch long & didn't want to come out for the final photo.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00980.jpg

I thought I would test the over all strength the longest portion of the cam but was stopped by my wife in hopes of not breaking the engine stand.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00983.jpg

This is for those of you too damn lazy to go to the gym! :flipoff2:
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/The%20death%20of%20my%20ZJ/DSC00986.jpg

ILikeMud
09-10-2006, 09:45 PM
Two hands? Pussy :smt081

zj-monster
09-10-2006, 10:09 PM
Two hands?
:smt005












Pussy
:smt037













:finga:

ILikeMud
09-10-2006, 10:15 PM
:booya:

2000_WJ
09-10-2006, 10:20 PM
bad times dude lol

PA Muddy ZJ
09-10-2006, 10:35 PM
damn... my buddy blew a piston rod in a 4.2 and it didn't look 1/2 that bad.

SuicideTireZJ
09-11-2006, 02:50 AM
Oops! But how the hell did that much mud make it through your filter, through the manifold, and through the valve? That's freaking insane.

StinkoMan20X6_
09-12-2006, 11:58 PM
The mud around here has mixed consistencies but I've noticed that on bragg the most common mud is similar to goldfish turds and can easily fit through an air filter. Sorry for the delay on the motor mount pics dude. But here they are I didn't put the bushings in yet:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/buttface20x6/parts/DSCF0058.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/buttface20x6/parts/DSCF0057.jpg

zj-monster
03-09-2009, 03:33 PM
Holy cow it's been a long while since I touched this thread. None the less I have had a lot of great things happen to my trash heep. The engine was replaced with another 4.0L mounted on Autofab poly motor mounts (http://www.mallcrawlin.com/forum/showpost.php?p=48489&postcount=58). I really wanted a stroker but stuck with a factory set up to keep costs down and to get my heep up and running in reasonable time. This was done in winter 2007

In August 2007 I scored an Explorer 8.8 rear end with a full Detroit Locker on 4.88 gears. It also has Clayton's truss welded. The sad part is that I don't remember who I bought it from. Photos below from 2007 shortly after it was delivered to my old garage in North Carolina.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/Forum%20Write%20Up/Axle/axel002.jpg
Full axle

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/Forum%20Write%20Up/Axle/axel005.jpg
Truss and diff cover

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/Forum%20Write%20Up/Axle/axel012.jpg
Can't remember the reason why but it has TJ buckets but this axle was used on a ZJ. I know I can make ZJ springs work with a better retainer. If you guys have other suggestions I'll take them!

Since then I've moved to Fort Hood,Texas and then deployed to Iraq (where I met Hunter in person!) As of now it sits in storage in Texas. I've cleaned it up, taken care of the slight rust and repainted it. I also have RE 4.5" springs and an ARB front bumper in storage also. Soon I'll have Clayton's LA's to go with the axle.

For now my ZJ sits with its BB's on 31's with RE upper and lower front control arms, ORO's U-Turn Steering System for ZJ's, Kevins Track-bar Conversion, and adjustable JKS track bars front and rear.

My issue as of now is getting the D30 re-geared to match the 4.88's in the 8.8. Gears are the only issue holding me back from starting on this when i return home from Iraq. I'm gonna go with either 34's or 35's unless 33's would be reasonabale on 4.88's. I know nothing of changing gears though. I figure it's far easier to match the D30 with the 8.8 than to change both. :axe:

If anyone wants to help me along the way, just hit me up and I'll let you all know when I return home. I'll have plenty of beer too.

Oh yea, my ass is still moving to Colorado soon. So you guys better have the vacancy sign on!
:booya:

(http://www.jeepin.com/features/uturn/index.asp)

zj-monster
05-10-2009, 11:49 PM
Scored a used well abused ARB Bullbar from e-bay. Putting that sucker in was a snap. Then I decided that my ball joints were up next. :smt108

Ya know even with the right tools this job sucks. I went with the info on MADXJ's webpage about Adjustable Ball Joints (http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/technical/technicalfiles/ARadjustableBallJoints/adjustableballjoints.htm). Went to NAPA and scored them. I had to do a 1 degree correction for the right and 3/4 degree for the left. The clunking I had before went bye bye. Now I just have to wait and see if the adjustables are worth the effort. I'll know when I see exessive tire wear soon. Next up will be a check of the alignment at my Uncle's shop.

Peace! :finga:

Goosed76
05-11-2009, 01:03 AM
Sweet build, tons of carnage!! Hoping you didn't actually vent R-134a to the atmosphere, it's not as bad as R-12, but it's still not perfect.
Love the 'how to use the search' section also- should be sent to all new members!!
Thanks for serving this great country by the way!!

EODWEST
07-07-2009, 09:55 AM
Nice build, did you make it to Carson yet? I get back from Iraq early 2010, ill have to look you up and we can go run some trails.

zj-monster
07-07-2009, 04:54 PM
Haven't made it yet. I'm pit stopping in Arlington, Tx with my grandfather but I am on my way!!

zj-monster
08-10-2009, 01:59 AM
Well well well, I have arrived to the wonderful state of Colorado. Since I've been here I've noticed that my run time has drastically increased due to the ultra thin air. As much as I love this state so far, I still say you guys can kiss my...

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/DSC03002.jpg

:booya:

However on a serious note, I scored the Banks look a like headers for my Heep today. I got them when I thought I had a header leak and I wanted a quick fix on the cheap. As it turns out, I didn't have a leak. I had an O2 sensor go out which had my Jeep thinking it was running lean thus it would dump more gas. The rich condition had me blowing out black smoke and thinking I had exhaust fumes leaking from the exhaust. That problem has been solved since I arrived here. Since I am also a pro photographer I figured now would be a great time to show off this header and do a side by side comparison of the factory exhaust.

So, on with the show!

I scored this exhaust header from Gearhead Enterprises (http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Rodpartsdealer-Gearhead-Enterprises__W0QQ_armrsZ1) of Ebay for under $200 for my 4.0L engine. I quickly tore into the box and found that this header is made by WYSCO (http://www.wysco.com/autoparts/header.asp). So I hope this solves the mystery of where these Banks Look A Likes possibly come from.

What comes in the box are the exhaust head itself, a gasket, a spacer, and the nuts & bolts, and one page of instructions. Expect the average Joe to complete this in about 4 hours.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/20090809_IMG_8130.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/20090809_IMG_8137.jpg

I'm no expert on the welds or welding. I'll leave that up to the pro's here on the forum. Here is a close up of the typical welds this header has.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/20090809_IMG_8130_2.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/20090809_IMG_8132.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/20090809_IMG_8133.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/20090809_IMG_8135.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/20090809_IMG_8136.jpg

Side by side comparison of the WYSCO header vs the factory.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/DSC03010.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/DSC03012.jpg

The install went rather well with one exception. One of the supplied bolts would not go in from top to bottom due to the width of the collector at the lower end of the header.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/DSC03013.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/DSC03014.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/DSC03015.jpg

However not all is lost as I just installed the bolt and nut in the opposite direction.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/DSC03017.jpg

Another comparison.
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/DSC03007.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/DSC03018.jpg

Be prepared to spend a lot of time underneath your heep tightening the bolts down!
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d100/z-monster/98%20Grand%20Cherokee/WYSCO%20Headers/DSC03037.jpg

On a side note, I have a full Flowmaster custom Catback system. :smt033

Goosed76
08-10-2009, 09:44 AM
Ah- it is nice to have access to air tools and a lift when doing these!!