Newb with a 93 ZJ

[firehawkclone]

Hi everybody

I just picked this ZJ up for $800. Im just wanting to do some trails and some remote camping with friends and family. Notting to hardcord for now. Im coming back to 4 wheeling after a 20yr absence, it was my first love as a kid, all the way up till I left the ARMY in 91. When I got in to roadracing and... Im taking a break from it. Its a long story!

On to the truck, for $800 bucks you know it needs some work. The steering is shot and pure junk from my searching of the site, I have a JRC setup on the way, new B/J, bushings front axles shafts. And i'll pick up a mud terrain tire for it. Do a full maintenance on it, and nut&bolt the whole thing. I have a line on a 231 that will go in, I think the 249 is shot. It drove over to my house with no front driveshaft, which from my newb knowledge mean the VC is shot in it. I might have found some lockers for cheap, which will go in the 30/35 axles.

I need some help with what lift is on it, im hoping you guys can tell me just by looking at it. The 5.2 is a little hard to start also, a tuneup should fix that. Here's a few pic's of it, and i'll throw in one of the car to.






Thanks for the help guys

John

[BigDaveZJ]

The control arms are Rubicon Express, and they're the old style that uses the good bushings. They tend to lose their adjustability after a while as the threads seize.

The rear uppers though . . . not sure WTF is going on there. Looks like some type of bolt on triangulation thing.

[SirFuego]

I've been just staring at the pic of the rear suspension and can't get any idea as to what is going on there for the uppers.

Also, is it just the picture, or does the passenger side LCA bracket on the rear axle looks like it's starting to rip off?

[1fox2go]

Hard to start as it cranks forever then fires?

If so it could be crank sensor, fuel pressure regulator bleeding back, or fuel pump is weak and starting to go

Starts but doesnt like to idle at first and runs rough i would start with a tune up yes

Appears to be about 6 inches of lift or so given the angle of the lowers...

[Arsonist_Bob]

that is absolutely frightening

[AgitatedPancake]

I figured out the rear end just now, it's an A-arm like the WJ's use stock (and I think Rock Krawler used them for lifts?). It's bolted into both stock upper control arm mounts and then has a heim threaded into the back of it bolted to the truss over the diff. I think it would be OK as long as that heim was waaay oversized and the stock UCA mounts could hold up to the lateral pressures, which I don't think they can

[firehawkclone]

Thanks for the response's guy's. I went and looked at that rear mount closer, and i see notting. In the pic though, the u-bolt that holds the rear plate for the triangle upper mount is in the pic. I have a buddy (Pat @ Shocker Motorsports) that will help me fab some new uppers for the rear, unless someone here has something that will work. I think the fuel pump is going out, its hard to start, but runs just fine after priming it. The gas could be a little old to. Will find out after a tuneup.It has some electrical issue's that needs to be sorted out to. I knew what i was getting in to when i bought this.

I'll keep searching & reading

Thanks guys

[AgitatedPancake]

Right on man. By all means it's not a bad start, especially for the price but it looks like it's going to need some TLC before it's comfortable again

[firehawkclone]

Its just busted knuckles and blood. If I cant get these short arms to move or i find something else wrong, i may just get a longarm setup. That wasnt in the budget, but we all know this is how it starts.

[AgitatedPancake]

if your planning on keeping the same sized tires (i wouldn't go too big on those axles), I'd chop up the fenders like many have done here, and drop that thing down 3" or more. Your control arm and track bar angles would be muuuch better at that point, it should handle better all around by alot.

[firehawkclone]

if your planning on keeping the same sized tires (i wouldn't go too big on those axles), I'd chop up the fenders like many have done here, and drop that thing down 3" or more. Your control arm and track bar angles would be muuuch better at that point, it should handle better all around by alot.

From the reading i've done in the last week, it was pretty clear 33's is all the 30/35 will take. I was thinking of taking out the 2" spring spacer's, so this is now confirmed. thank you sir

You guys are going to love this one, i think the stock one is a 8mm 10.9

[Jeeptech01]

Yikes! I upgraded mine recently. You can put in a 7/16 grade 8 bolt with relative ease.

IDK what the hell someone was smoking when they invented that steering setup looks like some crap we see on the mud boggers round here. Good call on replacing it.

As a former fast car type do you mind letting us in on what brought this change on? I recently sold my street strip car and now Im trying to blend a bit of my two passions together (see sig)

[Jeep Whore]

12 posts so far and no one has told him to eat shit yet? wow!

[grnd93]

Hey, welcome to MC. From your first pic I thought that could be my old ZJ. I had the same wheels. Still have the centers. Shoot me a pm if you want them.

[Kauzi Zj]

12 posts so far and no one has told him to eat shit yet? wow!

Thats just fawkin disgusting!


EAT SHIT AND DIE NEWB!


nice find for $800 though...

[firehawkclone]

Yikes! I upgraded mine recently. You can put in a 7/16 grade 8 bolt with relative ease.

IDK what the hell someone was smoking when they invented that steering setup looks like some crap we see on the mud boggers round here. Good call on replacing it.

As a former fast car type do you mind letting us in on what brought this change on? I recently sold my street strip car and now Im trying to blend a bit of my two passions together (see sig)

politics of racing are never fun!

I'll feel better with new bolts in there, thanks bud.

[firehawkclone]

Thats just fawkin disgusting!


EAT SHIT AND DIE NEWB!


nice find for $800 though...

Thanks for the warm welcome fella's.

Its pretty clear how the site run's, do your research before you ask

[Jeeptech01]

10-4 and eat shit. Welcome to MC.

[AgitatedPancake]

Thanks for the warm welcome fella's.

Its pretty clear how the site run's, do your research before you ask

If only everyone who came here could grasp that, they wouldn't think the site is full of assholes LOL

So eat shit, drink bleach and gargle razorblades

[jsteves]

they wouldn't think the site is full of assholes LOL

But it is...

[firehawkclone]

If only everyone who came here could grasp that, they wouldn't think the site is full of assholes LOL

So eat shit, drink bleach and gargle razorblades

Goodtime's!

I'm still out getting all of the general tuneup crap. I did get the truck in to the shop and up on jackstands. After I pulled the wheels I got under it and my budget just double! The rear is FUBAR! So I'm up to like 7 suspension mounts that have been welded back on. So I guess I'm picking up a Clayton L/A kit that will solve most of that problem. Pic's coming soon of the nightmare!

[firehawkclone]

The rear nightmare.

[blackjack12982]

Wow, it looks like my heeps PO built yours after he "built" mine...

[ZJmudnstuff]

Full Traction makes a rear upper link like that for the ZJs also. It looks like you have alot of work ahead of ya but a good starting point for $800

[Jeep Whore]

Where did you pick this up from?