Clifford the big red ZJ

[tman]

heres my zj, Clifford. its a 93 limited with the 5.2. swapped in a 242 and just recently installed (90%) the rough counry long arm upgrade. they only advertise it as a 4' kit, but the arms have PLENTY of adjustment up to what im running,7.5-8". still needs a few odds an ends to be road worthy but should be done soon. let me know what you guys think!

[cowboy63b]

i would drop it down a bit with some shorter springs, high COG is evil, just my .02


but it looks good.

[tman]

i would drop it down a bit with some shorter springs, high COG is evil, just my .02


but it looks good.

i will eventually. im just going to be messin around on easy stuff and parade it around town for awhile. ill probably go down to 5-6 with 35s after i build my axles.

[96RedZJ]

Christ, It looks like I can sit in your wheel well.

i would drop it down a bit with some shorter springs, high COG is evil, just my .02


but it looks good.

x2 with this.

[1ABrian]

wow that sits tall. Looks freaking cool. I like it

[PurpleZJ]

looks nice man. i just dont like the one piece crossmember. clean jeep though

[UTChavok]

looks nice man. i just dont like the one piece crossmember. clean jeep though

Agreed for the few times Ive had to remove my crossmember it makes a world of difference having the center section removable. My roommate made his as 1 piece and it made his tranny swap that much harder.

How do the rear frame mounts mount to the unibody?

[tman]

yeah id rather it be a 3 peice crossmember as its probably going to take 20 mins just to drop it. rear mounts have 2 bolts from underneath and 2 from the side with sleeves that are installed inside the frame. i am going to be welding the rear mounts to the frame soon as i f'd up the install on the passanger side mount(drilled hole at angle). been wheeling a few times and my steering was binding, not allowing much flex in the front. now my steering joints are shot and it flexs better...but streetability is gone. i will be ordering the IRO steering kit soon. the rear is amazing. flexes more than i need and rides great. i still need to fab up some limiting straps. also might be picking up some 35" thornbirds soon for 300$. here are some pics.

[BigDaveZJ]

Thornbirds? That's a joke right?

[tman]

Thornbirds? That's a joke right?

whats wrong with thornbirds? ive always liked the way they look and they seem to work well offroad..

[BigDaveZJ]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=why+do+thornbirds+suck%3F

And while we're at it: http://www.billhughes.com/dana35c/

[IndyZJ]

Thornbirds? That's a joke right?

35" Thornbirds are the perfect complement to 8" of lift and a stock drivetrain.

[SirFuego]

Buy them and groove the shit out of them. I've always been curious how a heavily grooved set of Thornbirds would work.

[tman]

ok, i didnt know they were that bad. ive just always liked the look of them. and this is my 5th or 6th jeep, i know whats up with the 35c...this aint my first rodeo! i will be running 35's so whatever deal i can find im going to jump on and i will just wait to throw them on till i get a 8.8/44a. and yeah my buddy was telling me the same thing about the birds', if i get them to groove them.

[MoonyJohn]

Why get a tire if you know you have to groove them? Get something else man..

[tman]

Why get a tire if you know you have to groove them? Get something else man..

price is key. and if i grooved them it makes my jeep just that much different. i cant find the guys number anyways.. i really want the mtr kevlars, but they aint cheap!

[cowboy63b]

for 35's..........http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/sea...&ar=1250&rd=15

for 33's..........http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/sea...&ar=1250&rd=15


if your thinking 33's, just go 35's, the price diffrence is so close it would be almost pointless. just my.02

[SirFuego]

Why get a tire if you know you have to groove them? Get something else man..

I've seen plenty of people buy brand spanking new tires and groove them before they ever took on the weight of the rig. It's usually only done on bigger tires with big tread blocks (like Boggers and Swampers). And they also typically are for offroad-only rigs, too.

That said, I was being semi-serious about grooving the Thornbirds, but from everything I've heard about them, they have a lot going against them besides tread pattern, so it might turn into a lot of work for very little gain. I am genuinely curious how well a grooved set of Thornbirds work, though -- I just have no desire to spend the time or money to be the guinea pig

[IndyZJ]

What are you honestly going to do with them? I doubt you'd want better traction than ungrooved thornturds would give you with your current setup.

If you want to use them on the street, it couldn't hurt much to cut the huge blocks apart and sipe them.

If they're offroad only, see post #98: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...=874296&page=4

edit: Unless you go with the serious cut, you'd probably be fighting a lost cause. I doubt it would be worth the time to put that much work into making them acceptable.

[tman]

for 35's..........http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/sea...&ar=1250&rd=15

for 33's..........http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/sea...&ar=1250&rd=15


if your thinking 33's, just go 35's, the price diffrence is so close it would be almost pointless. just my.02

those are a great deal. but if i can find a set of decent mud terrains for less than 500..thats the way ill go.. and yeah, i am going with 35s.

[tman]

some pics from this weekends camping trip. extended my rear spring posts 2.5"s per side and worked very well. no more falling out springs. but the front is now flexing much better and my extended brake lines are now the limiting factor, gotta figure out some way to extend them without putting on new lines. front springs almost come out as well so ill be adding and inch to the front posts. jeep handled great all weekend, glad i switched to a v8 zj!







buddys jeep and dads xj.

[djack12]

Looks good. I am thinking of going with the Rough Country long arm upgrade as well. Did you get all the problems worked out?

[blackjack12982]

35" Thornbirds are the perfect complement to 8" of lift and a stock drivetrain.

But the chicks at the mall love 8" and Thornbirds... Nevermind I can't wheel to save my life!

[tman]

Looks good. I am thinking of going with the Rough Country long arm upgrade as well. Did you get all the problems worked out?

still have to do steering and longer front brake lines. found a good source of cheap steel so once work slows down ill be playin with the welder. thinking about making my own steering setup. i have been keeping my eyes open for a 14 bolt rear with 4.56s and a front 44 that i will swap into this thing. then i will most likely throw on my 40" thornbirds and go do brakestands in front of the the mall.

[djlarroc]

lol.. looks good man.

i like my kit too. for the price invested, very happy. just need longer shocks, or maybe will make some new shock mounts.